The Word for Today with Ray: November 2021

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Do the Children of Bride-chamber Fast While the Groom is with Them? - Luke 5:34

Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus, “went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but yours eat and drink?”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-four of his book Luke shares how Jesus asks the religious leaders, “can you make the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?” where we read:

And he said unto them, Can you make the children of the bride-chamber fast,

while the bridegroom is with them?

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, Can you make the children of the bride-chamber fast, ...” Luke began with the words, “and he said unto them” or “and Jesus uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked the religious leaders”, “Can you make the children” which means “do you have the power, ability, power and strength to carry out, execute and designate the offspring, progeny and dependents” “of the bride-chamber fast” or “pertaining to the friends of the bridegroom whose duty it was to provide and care for whatever pertained to the bridal chamber to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink”. Luke shared how Jesus began to speak to the “religious leaders” by referring to the “dependents and attendants” of the “groom” abstaining from “eating and drinking” while doing the following.

The verse goes on to say, “... while the bridegroom is with them?” Luke continued with the words, “while the bridegroom” which means “during the time and moment the groom or man who is to be married” “is with them” or “is alongside and beside his attendants”? Luke shared how Jesus continued His question by referring to the time before the marriage when the “groom” is still with his “attendants”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus employed the example of a “groom” being with his attendants before his wedding. During the time the “groom” was waiting to be married, he and his “attendants” would celebrate by “eating and drinking” together. This was a celebration time as well as an acknowledgement that the “groom” would no longer be a single man. Jesus is the “groom” sent unto mankind, and those who submit their lives to Him become the “bride of Christ”. Jesus will have more to say about His illustration in the next verse, but suffice it for now to understand that He came to the world to have people come to Him as their personal “Savior, Lord and Groom”, and those who yield their lives to Him shall receive forgiveness of their sins and everlasting life with His Father God. Those who are wise will say “yes” to the eternal “Groom” Jesus whose invitation is to everyone.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells the religious leaders, “the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away … and then shall they fast”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Why Don't Jesus' Disciples Fast? - Luke 5:33

Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus, “went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-three of his book Luke shares how the religious leaders asked Jesus, “Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees?” where we read:

And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers,

and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but yours eat and drink?

The verse reads, “And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, ...” Luke began with the words, “and they said unto him” or “and the scribes and Pharisees uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked Jesus”, “Why do the disciples of John” which means “for what reason and cause do the pupils, students and attendants of John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and refers to John the Baptist” “fast often” or “abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink frequently, vigorously and recurring diligently”, “and make prayers” which means “and prepare, produce, render and constitute supplications, penury, entreating, requests and petitions”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” wanted Jesus to answer their question concerning the “spiritual practices” of “fasting” and “praying” on a regular basis.

The verse continues, “... and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but yours eat and drink?” Luke added the words, “and likewise” which means “and like, in the same manner and way” “the disciples” or “the pupils, students and attendants” “of the Pharisees” which means “belonging to the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life”; “but yours eat and drink” or “however, moreover and yours, Jesus' disciples, consume and devour food as well as imbibing”? Luke shared how the “religious leaders” included the “disciples” of the Pharisees in their question as they wondered why “John's disciples” and the “disciples” belonging to themselves “fast often and make prayers”, but Jesus' “disciples” did not do as they did.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we can sense the idea of a “superior” way these “religious leaders” thought they were observing “fasting and praying” verses the way Jesus' disciples were following them. Because they thought themselves more “righteous” than others, they abstained from “eating and drinking” with sinners, and they could not understand why they “fasted often and made prayers” when Jesus' disciples did not. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to manifest Himself (“For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;” 1 John 1:2), and those who yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will not only know the forgiveness of their sins, but also begin to follow Him and His ways in “spiritual practices”. Jesus will answer these “religious leaders'” question in the next verse, but let us be mindful that Jesus knew and knows when people are to “eat and drink” and when they are not, and those who are wise will look to Him for the proper time and way to observe spiritual practices in their lives.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus asks the religious leaders, “can you make the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Calling Sinners Not the Righteous - Luke 5:32

The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus, “went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-two of his book Luke shares how Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” where we read:

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The verse reads, “I came not to call the righteous, ...” Luke began with the words, “I came not” or “Jesus did not arise and appear” “to call the righteous” which means “to invite, receive and salute people who are innocent, upright, virtuous and who keep the commands of God”. Luke shared how Jesus said He did not appear to “invite” people who are “upright and innocent” but the following type of people.

The verse continues, “... but sinners to repentance.” Luke added the words, “but sinners” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover and people who are pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked, stained with certain definite vices or crimes and heathen” “to repentance” or “to change their minds, reverse their direction and have a compunction for guilt including reformation”. Luke shared how Jesus said He did not come to invite the “innocent”, but “the guilty wicked and pre-eminently sinful” people to “turn from their evil ways”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn why Jesus came to the earth. He desired to “save” people from their “sinful ways”. People who believe themselves to be “righteous” or “okay” do not see a reason why they should give their lives to Jesus Christ, however, people who acknowledge that their ways, attitudes and actions are out of alignment with God's will know their need to have Jesus in their lives. One may ask, how do I know that I have “sinful ways” in me and need Jesus? Jesus gave us the standard when He said, “be you therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (See Matthew 5:48), and if a person is “perfect” in all their thoughts, ways, attitudes and actions, they do not need Jesus. No one except Jesus is “perfect”, (“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” See Romans 3:23), and everyone is a “sinner”. People who “repent” and yield themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will have their “sins” forgiven and be granted “everlasting life” with God. Those who do not will find themselves eternally separated from Him.

Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders ask, “why do the disciples of John fast … but yours eat and drink?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

They That Are Whole Need Not a Physician - Luke 5:31

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

The verse reads, “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician;” Luke began with the words, “And Jesus” which refers to “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “answering” which means “responding and beginning to speak” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the scribes and Pharisees”, “they that are whole” which means “people who are sound, well and in good health” “need not a physician” or “do not want, demand or require a doctor or medical person”. Luke shared how Jesus responded to the “scribes and Pharisees” question by reminding them “well” people do not need a “doctor”.

The verse goes on to say, “but they that are sick.” Luke continued with the words, “but they” which means “however, moreover and people” “that are sick” or “who are unwell, miserable, ill, diseased and grievously sore”. Luke shared how Jesus said people who are “ill, sore and diseased” need a “doctor”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus answered these “religious leaders”. They indignantly wondered why He would “eat and drink” with “sinners” such as the “tax-collectors”, and Jesus referred to them as “spiritually sick”. Doctors are generally desired by people who are “sick”, not well and infirm in their bodies, and these “tax-collectors” and “others” who were eating and drinking with Jesus were “sick” in their souls. Jesus came to “save” people from their spiritual “sickness” caused by “sin”, and because God loves people so much, He sent His Son Jesus, the “Great Physician” to make them whole. Those who examine the life of Jesus will find Him to be the only “doctor” who is able to “heal” their souls, and when they do, yielding to Him to “cure” their greatest need is the wisest choice they shall ever make.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Monday, November 29, 2021

Scribes and Pharisees Murmuring - Luke 5:30

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying,

Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

The verse reads, “But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “But their scribes” or “however, nevertheless, nonetheless, moreover and the people's men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings and served as interpreters and teachers” “and Pharisees” which means “and men within the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “murmured” or “grumbled, said against in a low tone, conferred secretly together and discontentedly complained” “against his disciples” which means “in opposition to, towards and in regard to Jesus' pupils, learners and attendants”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking” the following question. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” known as “scribes and Pharisees” began to “grumble” in opposition to Jesus' “disciples”.

The verse continues, “... Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” Luke added the words, “why do you eat and drink” which means “for what reason and cause to you devour and consume as well as imbibe” “with publicans” or “alongside tax-collectors” “and sinners” which means “and heathens, especially wicked men and those who are stained with certain definite vices or crimes”? Luke shared how the “religious leaders” questioned “why” Jesus and His disciples would “eat and drink” with these “wicked and heathen” men.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn again of the indignation within the “scribes and Pharisees”. This time they were questioning why Jesus and His disciples would “eat and drink” with “sinners” and “tax-collectors”. The “religious leaders” were used to shunning this type of people, and because they were considered “holy and pure”, “religious leaders” would never “eat or drink” with such sinful people. Eating and drinking with people in those days meant becoming “one” with them, and because they were “righteous” in their own eyes, the “religious leaders” would never associate with “wicked tax-collectors” or “sinful people”. God loves everybody, and because people needed to be saved from their “sinful” behavior, He sent His Son Jesus to dwell among them. Jesus came to die for the sins of everyone, and until a person realizes they are in need to be forgiven of their sins as much as anyone else, they will never repent or align themselves with Jesus. Those who study the life of Jesus will find that He came to “save sinners”, and that means every person regardless of how “righteous” they may think themselves to be over others.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “they that are whole need not a physician”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Levi's Great Feast - Luke 5:29

The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus, “went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-nine of his book Luke shares how, “Levi made him a great feast” where we read:

And Levi made him a great feast in his own house:

and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

The verse reads, “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house:” Luke began with the words, “And Levi” or “the tax-collector Jesus called to be His disciple whose name means joined and was the son of Alphaeus” “made him a great feast” which means “made ready and prepared for Jesus a large and massive banquet or reception” “in his own house” or “within Levi's personal home, dwelling place and abode”. Luke shared how “Levi” prepared a “large” banquet within his home for Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.” Luke continued with the words, “and there was a great company” which means “and there existed and was present a large and massive group, multitude or collection of people” “of publicans” or “belonging to the tax gatherers, collectors or ones employed by a farmer general in the collection of taxes and tolls” “and others that sat down” which means “and other people who were seated, fixed and established” “with them” or “alongside of the tax-collectors”. Luke shared how there were many people who were “tax-collectors” and “others” who were assembled for Levi's feast.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Levi responded to the “call” and “commission” of Jesus. Levi prepared a “large banquet” for Jesus and invited fellow “tax-collectors” and many “others” to join their festivities. People usually have “friends” who are of similar stations in life, and Levi's friends, family, acquaintances and colleges were within the “tax-collector” field. We can use our imaginations to envision this wonderful feast for Jesus and realized everyone invited was from the “sinful” field of “tax-collectors” or “sinners”. These are the people Jesus came to save, and everyone in one way or another belongs to a “sinful” group because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 6:23). Those who believe and trust in Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, inherit everlasting life and be invited to the “banquet” God has prepared for all who yield their lives to Him. (See Revelation 19:9)

Next time Luke shares how, “their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.