Dumber than a Rock

August 22

(Luke 19:37-40 NIV) “When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: {38} "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” {39} Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" {40} "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

(Psalms 148:1-14 NIV) “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. {2} Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. {3} Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. {4} Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. {5} Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. {6} He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away. {7} Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, {8} lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, {9} you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, {10} wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, {11} kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, {12} young men and maidens, old men and children. {13} Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. {14} He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord.”

Today we will wrestle with one of those deep theological truths of the faith. Are you ready for this? Here it is: Rocks are not dumb! For years you have been told that certain people are as dumb as a rock, but you’ve been misled. Jesus straightens us out today. As our Lord rode into Jerusalem, the crowd began to praise Him. The Pharisees demanded that Jesus silence them, but He proclaimed that if the people didn’t praise Him, the rocks certainly would. Christ was saying that rocks aren’t dumb. In fact, He was saying that if we don’t praise Him as Lord, we really are dumber than a rock. All of creation, even the rocks, know that Jesus is Lord, and they will proclaim it if we don’t. So the question becomes: Do you really want to be dumber than a rock? Recognize Jesus as Lord and proclaim it. If you don’t, the rocks will. Praise the Lord! --Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

King of Glory

August 21

(Luke 19:28-38 NIV) ““After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. {29} As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, {30} "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. {31} If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.'" {32} Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. {33} As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" {34} They replied, "The Lord needs it." {35} They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. {36} As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. {37} When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: {38} "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!””

(Zechariah 9:9 NIV) “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

(Psalm 24:9-10 NIV) “Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. {10} Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty -- he is the King of glory.”

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy regarding the Messiah. The crowds hailed Him as a King with palm branches and loud proclamations of praise. The people were “lifting up the gates, so that the King of glory could come in.” God had come to town. But in less than a week, the shouts of “Blessed be the King!” devolved into shouts of, “Crucify Him!” Crowds can be fickle when you don’t meet their expectations, or someone offers them a better deal. Millions today are looking for a Savior who will love them and deliver them -- far fewer are looking for a King who will be their Lord. But with Jesus, you can’t have one without the other. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, but He is a Lamb with the bite of a Lion. Jesus is both Savior and Lord or He is not the King of glory who rode into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day       

Investing Our Gifts

August 20

(Luke 19:11-27 NIV) ““While they were listening to this, he (Jesus) went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. {12} He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. {13} So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ {14} “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ {15} “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. {16} “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ {17} “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ {18} “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ {19} “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ {20} “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. {21} I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ {22} “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? {23} Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ {24} “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ {25} “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ {26} “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. {27} But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

(Matthew 16:25 NIV) “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Those who believed that Jesus was the Messiah thought that when He entered Jerusalem, the kingdom of God would arrive. The Romans would be kicked out, and Israel would be restored as the premier nation on Earth. Jesus taught this parable to help them see that it was not going to happen that way. He had come to suffer for our sins. His return as King of kings would come later. Meanwhile, His disciples were to be investing their gifts and showing gain for the Kingdom. Those who profess to be servants but who will not invest, do not really know the Master and will be punished along with those who are openly hostile to Christ. To save your life, you must invest (lose) your life. Jesus is coming back. He will return on His schedule, not ours. Faithful investor servants will be rewarded. Severe judgment awaits those who won’t serve Him. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sought and Saved

August 19

(Luke 19:9-10 NIV) ““Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. {10} For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.””

(John 10:10 NIV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

(1 Timothy 1:15 NIV) “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.”

There was a day on which salvation came to the house of Zacchaeus. He became a believer -- a son of Abraham -- a disciple. A conversion took place and the name of Zacchaeus was written into the Lamb’s book of life. We hear no sinner’s prayer -- just obedience to the Spirit of God and deeds of genuine repentance. There is a “time to be born”, and there is a day on which we are born again. It’s why Jesus came. He came to seek and save the lost, and when that happens, He never forgets. Christ didn’t come to dine with royalty as one would expect of the King of kings. He didn’t come to spend time musing with the greatest of religious scholars. He didn’t come to be a superstar who fills stadiums. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance and save our souls from hell. He came to make disciples and change our lives. Zacchaeus was sought and saved. He had his day of salvation. Have you? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sycamore Salvation

August 18

(Luke 19:1-8 NIV) ““Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. {2} A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. {3} He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. {4} So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore–fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. {5} When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” {6} So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. {7} All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’” {8} But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.””

(Acts 26:20 NIV) “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

Revelation is a glorious and dreadful thing. It’s a blessing to see that we’ve been on the wrong side of God, but the repentance can be costly. Zacchaeus was not only short in stature -- he was short on his account with God. He climbed a tree to see Jesus, and the rest is history. Another despised tax collector is saved. His determination to see Jesus paid off. Christ came into his home and into his heart. But his genuine repentance had a high cost. He gave away half his wealth and vowed to repay those he had cheated. It was like a vow of poverty. Zacchaeus proved his repentance by his deeds. He called Jesus “Lord”, and then proceeded to behave as if he really believed it. The desire to see Jesus can change our life. Find your “sycamore tree” and do what it takes to rise above the crowd. Respond immediately to Christ’s call and be willing to pay the cost of repentance in your life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Beggars Can Be Choosers

August 17

(Luke 18:40-43 NIV) ““Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, {41} "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. {42} Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." {43} Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.””

(Luke 23:39-43 NIV) ““One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” {40} But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  {41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”” {42} Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” {43} Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.””

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Christ teaches otherwise. Jesus asked the blind beggar, “What do you want me to do for you?” The beggar said, “Lord, I want to see.” The blind beggar became a chooser. He chose not to let Jesus just pass by. He chose to cry out. He chose to persist in verbalizing his request. Jesus then spoke the words and the man was healed. In a short sentence, the blind beggar declared his faith, and in a short sentence, Jesus changed his life forever. Maybe it’s time for you to quit begging and become a chooser. Are you desperate? The blind man certainly was. He cried out to God, because no one else could save him. Desperation is often at the root of faith. That is why desperate people often become healed and saved people. If you qualify as a “desperate beggar” today, call on Jesus. Beggars can be choosers. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Persistence Pays Off

August 16

(Luke 18:38-40 NIV) ““He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" {39} Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" {40} Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him.””

(Luke 18:1 NIV) “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

(Galatians 6:9 NIV) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Often, we do not obtain what we need from God because we give up too quickly. When life becomes a struggle, we quit the faith. When an answer to prayer doesn’t come as fast as we think it should, we quit praying. But this man would not give up or shut up. The disciples rebuked him for bothering the Master, but he refused to be quiet. He kept calling out until Jesus stopped. He is a model of persistence, and he can teach us some valuable lessons. Instead of crying about your circumstances, cry out in your circumstances. Call on God until God answers. Don’t let anyone shush you. Don’t quit. We also learn that believing is seeing. The old cliché “seeing is believing” has been turned upside down in the Kingdom of God. The blind beggar believed before he saw, and he believed until he saw. His persistent faith in Christ brought him sight. Persistence pays off. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Passing By

August 15

(Luke 18:35-38 NIV) ““As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. {36} When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. {37} They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." {38} He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!””

(John 1:35-37 NIV) ““The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. {36} When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” {37} When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.”” 

As the blind beggar sat beside the road, he was a desperate man. He had none of the many support systems available today for people with handicaps. He was on his own. But then he heard a commotion and asked what was happening. Jesus was passing by. The blind man cried out for mercy. Before he asked for healing, he asked for mercy. That was a good decision. He took advantage of God’s nearness and summed up his need in a single sentence. Jesus is passing by today. The Lord is near. Will you cry out to Him? Can you sum up your need in a single sentence? Jesus doesn’t ask us to fully understand Him -- He asks us to fully stand under Him. That’s what the blind beggar did. He heard that Jesus was passing by, and cried out for mercy. He left his worldly possessions behind, and went to Jesus for healing. Have you? Will you? Jesus is passing by! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Hearing and Understanding

August 14

(Luke 18:33-34 NIV) “On the third day he will rise again.” {34} The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.”

(Deuteronomy 29:4 NIV) “But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.”

(Matthew 13:13-16 NIV) “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. {14} In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. {15} For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ {16} But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” 

Christ spoke of His death, but He also spoke of His resurrection. But the disciples seemed oblivious. They didn’t get it. It went over their heads. They could not comprehend. Luke says, “Its meaning was hidden from them.” As we say today, “It did not compute.” The words of Jesus were so foreign to their understanding of the Messiah’s mission, that they just could not take it in. A flawed concept of God will always do this. Bad theology produces fantasy gods… gods that behave pretty much like we think they should. Eventually, the disciples would “get it”. Their thinking about Jesus would change, and that would change how they looked at life and death. Today, some will understand, and some won’t. Some will hear, and some won’t. If you heard and understood the gospel, you are privileged. The Lord has unstopped your ears and given you a heart to understand. Praise God! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Headed for Jerusalem

August 13

(Luke 18:31-32 NIV) “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. {32} He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him.”

(Matthew 27:24-31 NIV) ““When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" {25} All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" {26} Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. {27} Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. {28} They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, {29} and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. {30} They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. {31} After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.””

(Matthew 16:24-25 NIV) “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  {25} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” 

When Jesus told His disciples they were headed for Jerusalem, they thought about victory and glory, not about pain, suffering and crucifixion. But the Scriptures would be fulfilled. Jesus would be a suffering Messiah. We all have a Jerusalem. We all have a cross. We all have that time and place where the roads merge and we step up to what God has been calling us to. Sometimes it’s glory. Sometimes it’s suffering. We all have that time and place where we decide to follow God all the way… or go back to fishing, playing guitar, driving a truck, smoking dope, or whatever we did before hearing the call of Christ to follow Him. We all have a Jerusalem where we have to choose a side -- where we decide if we’re in all the way, or we’ve just been flirting with Jesus. We all have a cross. We all have a Jerusalem. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Childlike Behavior

August 12

(Luke 18:15-16 NIV) ““People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. {16} But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. {17} I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.””

(Matthew 11:25 NIV) “At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”

(Matthew 21:15-16 NIV) ““But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. {16} "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?””

(Luke 9:47-48 NIV) ““Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. {48} Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest.””

What does childlike faith look like? The child of Christ will play more, and worry less. We will trust in our Father and not let our hearts be weighed down with the anxieties of life. We will forgive more, and remember less. Adults keep score and hold grudges. Children forgive again and again. They are like clean slates every morning. We will love more, and hate less. A child is quick to love and their love is tenacious. It’s hard to kill the love of a child. We will believe more, and doubt less. Children are trusting. The cynical child is an anomaly. They believe the best about us. Finally, we will give more, and own less. It’s easier for children to give away their stuff than for adults. A child thinks, “My Dad got me this -- he can get me more.” Children realize they don’t own anything. Perhaps we adults need to keep this mind. Come to Christ as a child, and remain childlike in your faith. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Childlike Faith

August 11

(Luke 18:17 NIV) “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

(Luke 10:21 NIV) “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”

What does it mean to receive and enter the kingdom of God as a child? In context, it means to come before God without pride, power, or possessions. The Pharisee and the rich young ruler had all three in abundance, and it kept them from receiving and entering the Kingdom. Children have little pride. They look down on no one. Everyone is higher and bigger. Children have very few possessions. Everything they have is owned and controlled by someone else. Children have little power. They rely on others for permission, transportation, food, shelter, and money. They don't control others, or give orders. The Pharisee and the rich young ruler had crossed a line somewhere. They had lost their childlike nature in relationship to God, and their pride, power, and possessions prevented them from receiving and entering the Kingdom. Don’t go there! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Childlike Context

August 10

(Luke 18:15-16 NIV) ““People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. {16} But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.””

(Matthew 18:1-6 NIV) ““At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" {2} He called a little child and had him stand among them. {3} And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. {4} Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. {5} "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. {6} But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.””

Jesus had a special place in His heart for children, and scolded His disciples for trying to keep them from coming to Him. Childlike faith is special, and woe to the man who hinders a child from coming to Christ. But what does it mean to have a childlike faith? There isn’t much in our verses today to clarify it for us. There are three main rules for interpreting Scripture. Rule #1 is context. Rule #2 is context. And rule #3 is context. The context of today’s verses from the Physician gives us some clues about childlike faith. The verses just before these speak of a prideful Pharisee who looked down on others. The verses immediately after these tell the story of a rich young ruler who refused to leave his wealth behind to follow Jesus. Meditate on these verses as they might apply to the meaning of childlike faith, and tomorrow we will explore them further. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

All In or All Out

August 9

(Luke 18:22-30 NIV) “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” {23} When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. {24} Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! {25} Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” {26} Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” {27} Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” {28} Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” {29} “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God {30} will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

(Matthew 16:24-27 NIV) “Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. {25} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. {26} What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? {27} For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”

Because He loved him, Jesus told the rich young ruler what he didn’t want to hear: “Surrender your wealth and come follow me.” On the surface, the young man had it all, but inside, he was spiritually incomplete. Jesus told him that there was one thing he lacked: he had not completely sold out to God. He was doing all the right stuff, but he had a hole in his heart. When God is not first, there will always be a void and emptiness in our life. Jesus told His disciples that it would be hard for the rich to enter heaven because wealth is a powerful narcotic. When we are constantly seeking its “fix”, we will not likely be seeking God. The rich young ruler wanted eternal life, but he didn’t want to surrender his wealth in order to get it. Jesus told him that when it comes to eternal life, you’re either all in or you’re all out. It’s either sell out and follow Jesus, or go away sad. Are you all in? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Elephant in the Room

August 8

(Luke 18:18-23 NIV) “A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” {19} “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. {20} You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” {21} “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. {22} When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” {23} When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.”

(Mark 10:17-22 NIV) “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" {18} "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. {19} You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" {20} "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." {21} Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." {22} At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

A powerful young man came to Jesus. He was a man of wealth and influence. He was a good and moral man -- a man of character and courage -- a man who kept the commandments. He came humbly to Jesus, fell on his knees, and asked the most important question any man can ask: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer he got caused him to wilt and turn away. Jesus told him to go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Then he was to come and follow Jesus as a disciple. The rich young man balked at this because it is hard to get rid of an elephant when it’s in your room. Most of the time we will deny it is even there. But Jesus sees it.  He always sees it -- and He loves us enough to tell us. We all have an elephant in our room that can keep us from following Jesus and inheriting eternal life. This ruler’s elephant was his wealth. What’s yours? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Seven Word Justification

August 7

(Luke 18:13-14 NIV) ““But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' {14} "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””

(Mark 10:46-52 NIV) ““Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. {47} When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" {48} Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" {49} Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." {50} Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. {51} "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." {52} "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.””

(Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.”

The despised tax collector approached God differently than the Pharisee. He stood at a distance. He knew he was an outcast and a sinner. His hands were not raised up in exaltation. Instead, he beat his chest, symbolic of deep sorrow. His eyes did not look upward to God, but were downcast in shame and remorse. He did not offer a flowery prayer, but uttered just seven words: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Those seven words functioned like a computer password to the heart of God: The Pharisee compared himself with others, and in his mind came out smelling like a rose. The tax collector compared himself to God, and in his mind came out smelling like dung. He approached God in deep humility rather than pride, and his heartfelt seven word prayer brought him forgiveness. Both men were sinners, but only one went home right with God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

The Better Man

August 6

(Luke 18:10-12 NIV) “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. {11} The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. {12} I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

(Proverbs 16:18-19 NIV) “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. {19} Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”

(1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV) “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. {27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. {28} He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, {29} so that no one may boast before him. {30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. {31} Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

The Pharisee approached God with extreme confidence. His prayer was mostly a list of his godly attributes. He didn’t rob others or commit adultery. He fasted and tithed. But his prayer was boastful. His desire to be separate had morphed into a desire to be known as superior to others. In his rising above sin, he had elevated himself above everyone else. His idea of godly prayer was reciting a list of bad things he didn’t do, and boasting in joy that he wasn’t like the tax collector standing nearby. He just knew he was the better man. He ended up sermonizing more than praying. Christians, we must not mistake the call to rise above sin as a call to rise above other people. We must not exchange doing things for God’s glory, for doing things that bring us glory. The honest believer will remain a humble believer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Confidence Gone Awry

August 5

(Luke 18:9 NIV) “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:”

(Luke 18:14 NIV) “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

(Romans 12:3 NIV) “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

(1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV) ““Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." {6} Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.””

Confidence is complex. Those living without it often suffer from feeling inferior -- those living with it run the risk of becoming prideful. Lack of confidence can cause us to look down on ourselves in self-loathing -- overconfidence can cause us to look down on others in self- importance. Confidence in Christ’s righteousness can quickly mutate into cockiness about our own righteousness. Confidence will cause us to exalt the Lord -- cockiness causes us to exalt ourselves. Confidence in Christ is healing and empowering. Confidence in our own righteousness is toxic and crippling. “Living in Christ” means learning to live above sin -- not longing to live above others. We cannot see heaven unless we learn to look up -- but it is impossible to look up to God while we are looking down on others. Learn to think rightly about God. Learn to think rightly about yourself. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Persistent Prayer

August 4

(Luke 18:1-8 NIV)  "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. {2} He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. {3} And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' {4} "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, {5} yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" {6} And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. {7} And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? {8} I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?""

(Matthew 6:9-13 NIV) ““This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, {10} your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. {11} Give us today our daily bread. {12} Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. {13} And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.””

This parable is not a theological statement about God. God does not see prayer as a “bother”. He doesn’t need to be worn down before grudgingly giving us what we demand. Jesus told this parable “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” It is about our need to persist in prayer. It is about scrapping our self -sufficiency and coming to God with our hands held up and our hands held out. Self-sufficiency is a spiritual disease. It’s touted as a virtue, but it destroys community and discourages dependent prayer. For the embryo of prayer to grow in us, we must kill the beast of self-sufficiency. We must learn to depend daily on our Provider. We must realize our desperate need for God’s provision in every area of our lives. We must not tire of coming before God for our daily needs. He never tires of us coming to Him. Persistence pays off in many things, but especially in prayer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Highly Selective Kingdom

August 3

(Luke 17:33-37 NIV) ““Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. {34} I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. {35} Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” {36} Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.” {37} “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.””

(Matthew 24:30-44 NIV)  ""At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. {31} And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. {32} "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. {33} Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. {34} I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. {35} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. {36} "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. {37} As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. {38} For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; {39} and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. {40} Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. {41} Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. {42} "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. {43} But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. {44} So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

God’s coming Kingdom will come suddenly and without warning. It will also be highly selective. Not everyone is allowed in. Humanity may find this appalling, but we have been warned. If the Kingdom of God is not present in us, we will not be admitted into the coming Kingdom. “Christ in us”, qualifies us for God’s coming Kingdom. In this selective process, Christ’s coming Kingdom will even separate families. One will be taken -- another will not. Admittance is based on faith, and God knows those who are His. Those who have believed God will join Him in His Kingdom. Those who have not believed will be left behind for the destruction of God’s judgment. Those who have a relationship with Christ will be saved. Those who don’t will perish. It’s a graphic, but simple equation. Now is the time to believe. Today is the day of salvation. Be one of those taken, not one of those left behind. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sudden and Final

August 2

(Luke 17:26-37 NIV) “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. {27} People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. {28} “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. {29} But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. {30} “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. {31} On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. {32} Remember Lot’s wife!”

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV) ““Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, {2} for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. {3} While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. {4} But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. {5} You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. {6} So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. {7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. {8} But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. {9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. {10} He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. {11} Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.””

When God’s coming Kingdom finally arrives, it will come suddenly. There will be signs of its coming, but it will happen in a heartbeat. It took years for Noah to build the Ark, but when the flood came, it was sudden. People will be engaged in the normal, daily routines of life when that lightning flashes across the sky signaling Christ’s return. But that will be their last normal day. Just as in the days of Lot, Christ’s coming will surprise the secure and the sensual. As they are striving for power, prestige, and possessions, Christ will come. They will be eating and drinking like there is no tomorrow -- and then, there will be no tomorrow. Just as fire came down suddenly from heaven to consume Sodom, Christ will come for those who are His. We must be ready. We must not be detoured or distracted. There will be no time for looking back -- only looking up. Hold on loosely to this world. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Coming Kingdom

August 1

(Luke 17:22-37 NIV) “Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. {23} People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. {24} For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. {25} But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”

(Matthew 16:21-27 NIV) ““From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. {22} Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" {23} Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." {24} Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. {25} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. {26} What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? {27} For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.””

In contrast to the present Kingdom, Christ’s coming Kingdom will be visible to everyone. When Jesus returns as King, his presence will light up the sky and all mankind will see His glory. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. But our Lord taught that before His Kingdom could come, there must be a suffering. The coming King would be rejected by those who should have known better. Many today (who also should know better) do the same thing. We create a god in our own image. Our god looks like us and thinks like us. We minimize His suffering, because it predicts our suffering. We embrace a god of health, wealth, and prosperity -- a god who is always on our side. And though the Kingdom comes visibly, many fail to recognize the King because they worship a different god. Don’t be among them. Know the King! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day