Mount Luther
  • First Light
  • First Light

DIGITAL First Light

March 15, 2019:  Do They Really Know?!

3/15/2019

0 Comments

 
Today, we look at a Day 3 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community:  God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus, you know the contents of my heart. You challenge me to live a life that is worthy. May I be transformed more and more each day to become deeply generous and reconciling with anyone that I may have hurt. Guide me to make reparations and further your Kingdom with each healed relationship. In the name of Christ, Amen.
 
Reading:  Luke 19:1-10 (Click to read text)
 
Stop and GROW:  After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers.

QUESTION 1:  What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text?
QUESTION 2:  What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story?
QUESTION 3:  What stories or memories does this text stir in me? 
QUESTION 4:  What is God up to in this text? 
 
Reflection:  There are so many thoughts that come flooding with the story of Zacchaeus. It is one of those kind of texts in the Bible—it evokes memories and feelings. For a short while, I had a love/hate relationship with it. It was the preaching text for our entire introduction to preaching class! I heard too many sermons on this text! However, the punchline is unforgettable. How could I possibly argue against, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Who actually likes to be lost?
 
I also have the strong sense that singing the “Wee little man” song, while catchy, misses the point. Like many powerful sacred texts, there are multiple meanings and often a big one that ties them all together. The big one is often a bit hard to swallow, so we usually focus on one of the other ones, like being found. No, the big one for this text is not being found, but the total willingness to be transformed into a generous person. Zacchaeus recognized the depth of discipleship and the gap from his past attitude and behaviors. As much as he loved money, he saw his love was misplaced. He realized that money is a tool, and that in relationships it follows the adage “Love isn’t love until you give it away!”
 
--Andrew Fitch
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    Anyone is welcome to contribute!  If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail chad@campmountluther.org

    Email

    Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    Subscribe

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from jar (), Untitled blue, ChadCooperPhotos, icelight, Elessar, Pacdog, steve9567, quinn.anya, Sweetsop, Stephen Cummings, dreamsjung, angelocesare, brianwc, Marilyn Roxie, {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}, ilovememphis, elminium, viZZZual.com, Andrew Kelsall, Graphic Designer, anieto2k, 卡卡酱, Chintito, The Travelling Bum, puroticorico, jgaldrich, naama, fujnky, tylerkaraszewski, KushiInstitute, SharonaGott, Photos by Mavis, dtcchc, Sister72, Abhisek Sarda, Kara Allyson, Between a Rock, Alan Stanton, fdenardo1, Candie_N (I think my nikon is broken), madmiked, Tyler Merbler, dnak, vibrant_art, stuartpilbrow, david__jones, jeffreyw, Gamma-Ray Productions, *clairity*, dctim1, Carlo Mirante, saebaryo, tvol, Sarah Korf, dannymac15_1999, tlindenbaum, sunsets_for_you, stephanie-inlove, Lora Rajah, außerirdische sind gesund, bandita, ...love Maegan, j0055, vitamindave, tm-tm, basykes, archer10 (Dennis), Teddy Delivery, 4nitsirk, dtcchc, E. E. Piphanies, tinyfroglet, Flare, John-Morgan, Dinner Series, bortescristian, brx0, *~Dawn~*, dorena-wm, sigsegv, kiwanja, TheGiantVermin