Daily Notes & Observations is a 365-part series that follows a chronological daily Bible reading schedule and contains a short article based on something found in the text for each day. This material is also available in paperback.

October 30, 2012

Those Who Trusted in Themselves (10/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 17:11-18:14.

Jesus told a parable of two men – a Pharisee and a tax collector – in order to teach a lesson about attitudes and how one perceived himself before God.

“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted’” (Luke 18:9-14).

The Pharisee would have been recognized by others as being righteous. The tax collector acknowledged that he was a sinner. Yet he was justified, and the Pharisee was not. Why? Notice the two problems with the Pharisee:
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October 29, 2012

Believing Only Part of the Truth (10/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from John 11.

After receiving word that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests and Pharisees met to determine what needed to be done about Jesus. They were concerned that if He continued, all men would believe Him, which would invite the wrath of the Romans (John 11:47-48). So the high priest, Caiaphas, offered some counsel.

“But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.’ Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they planned together to kill Him” (John 11:49-53).

Notice what the Scriptures tell us about what Caiaphas said. He had received a divine prophecy that “Jesus was going to die for the nation” (John 11:51). This was true. Jesus indicated that He was going to die as well (John 3:14-15; 8:28). Yet even though his message agreed with Jesus’ about this, Caiaphas and his allies were enemies of Christ. How?
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October 28, 2012

“We Are Unworthy Slaves” (10/28)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 16:1-17:10.

Many people in religion have the notion that if we say that any act of obedience is required of us in our salvation, we are somehow trying to earn our salvation. Yet this is not the case. Jesus made it clear in the following passage that obedience is necessary, even though obedience will never result in one earning his salvation.

“Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’” (Luke 17:7-10).

Even if we do everything that the Lord expects of us, we should not think that we have earned anything from Him. After all, we are His servants. Therefore, it is expected that we will obey. Each time when we perform an act of obedience, there will still be more for us to do to follow.
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October 27, 2012

“Blessed is Everyone Who Will Eat Bread in the Kingdom of God” (10/27)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 14-15.

“When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, ‘Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’” (Luke 14:15).

Jesus had just given instructions regarding wedding feasts and other social meals – when invited, exercise humility; when inviting, exercise compassion. This prompted someone to make this statement about the kingdom of God. It certainly is true that it is a great blessing to be part of God’s kingdom. But as Jesus pointed out in the following parable, many will choose the things of this life over the things of the kingdom.
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October 26, 2012

“Be On Your Guard Against Every Form of Greed” (10/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 12-13.

Greed is often associated with the wealthy. Those who believe the government ought to confiscate wealth from the rich through higher taxation and redistribute to those who have less will often condemn the “greedy” rich as a way to make people sympathetic to their views. Some will even try to use the Bible to support such government action. After all, we are to seek after equality and justice, right?

Notice what Jesus said to one who complained about an “unequal” and “unjust” distribution of wealth.

“Someone in the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ But He said to him, ‘Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?’ Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has a abundance does his life consist of his possessions’” (Luke 12:13-15).

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October 25, 2012

“The Scripture Cannot Be Broken” (10/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 10-11; John 10:22-42.

When Jesus declared His oneness with the Father – thus affirming His deity – the Jews wanted to stone Him to death (John 10:30-31). They believed Jesus was guilty of blasphemy when He made such a claim. The problem, though, was not with Jesus’ words, but with their understanding of the Scriptures.

“Jesus answered them, ‘I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?’ The Jews answered Him, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Has it not been written in your Law, “I said, you are gods”? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.’” (John 10:32-38).

Given the evidence they had, there was no reason why these Jews, if they were honest, should have rejected Christ. Yet, after Jesus said this, they tried “again to seize Him” (John 10:39).
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October 24, 2012

The Blind Man’s Lesson for the Pharisees (10/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from John 9:1-10:21.

When Jesus healed a blind beggar, the Pharisees became upset because this was done on the Sabbath (they had a faulty notion that Jesus’ actions here violated the Sabbath law when they did not). So the man who was healed was brought before the Pharisees to answer for what had happened. After this they interviewed the man’s parents. Then they brought the formerly blind man back before them. During this second interrogation, this man taught the Pharisees of some important facts and showed them why they should believe in Christ.

“They reviled him and said, ‘You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.’

“The man answered and said to them, ‘Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.’

“They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?’ So they put him out” (John 9:28-34).

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