View of the Cross - Centurion 5

Luke 12:16-21

It has often been said that no one has seen a tombstone which read, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.” But there is also a saying that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, while all play and no work makes Jack a duller boy. What do these two thoughts have in common? Their point is that we cannot invest ourselves in one thing or another so completely that we miss what is important.

To teach that lesson Jesus presents a parable about a successful farmer. What is the man planning to do? What will his attitude be (verse 19)? What is Jesus’ comment in verse 21?

It would be easy to talk about the evil of riches and greed in reference to this parable. The man thinks he is secure because he can expand his barns, but in fact he will die. Then what is the purpose to all of his work?

But I am not certain this parable is as simple as that. The ground of the rich man produced a good crop. He had a good year and saw a profit; so what? Good for him. What is important is his attitude.

He will say to himself, “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” There is no indication that his focus was entirely on wealth until that point. Now, he is distracted from living a good life by living “the good life.” He has allowed his wealth and a life of leisure to distract him from what is more important.

And Jesus comments that this is how things will be for “anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” We can store up “things” for ourselves without storing up riches for ourselves. We can fill our lives with so many things that are important to us that they distract us from experiencing Jesus in our lives.

If we allow ourselves to be distracted by other interests – money, work, sports, hobbies – we are failing to be rich toward God. We are failing to focus on the goodness we should be doing, the service to God and fellow man, to mercy and compassion. We fail to experience Christ because we have been distracted.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to be rich toward God?

View of the Cross - Centurion 4

Matthew 26:36-40

When traveling any distance at all Peggy and I have an agreement that we can let the passenger know when we feel drowsy so that we can change spots and allow the driver to rest. The occasion rarely comes up, and I believe it is because when we are driving we realize that our awareness is very important for the safety of ourselves and our family.

When faced with something very important most people can control their physical needs enough to deal with the situation. But sometimes physical needs overtake us. I think next to Peter’s denial of Christ this situation is one of the most well-known instances where the disciples let Jesus down.

What did Jesus want from his disciples? Why did he bring only three of them further into the garden? What is Jesus’ struggle? How did the disciples disappoint?

Jesus went to the garden to spend some time in prayer to prepare himself for the sacrifice of the crucifixion he was about to face. He wanted these close and dear followers to stay near to give him support, but the disciples were distracted from their experience of Jesus by the physical needs they were facing. Jesus knew what was ahead and knew he had to struggle with his own temptation to avoid what needed to be done.

But the disciples were not aware of the importance of what was ahead. Had they known what Jesus was going through they might not have fallen asleep.

However, there are many people who know all about Jesus who allow themselves to be distracted by physical needs. Many won’t come to worship because it is too early, or too dull. Others are off enjoying some relaxation and can’t be bothered with committing time to God.

What about you? Do you take your faith seriously enough that you can suppress your physical needs enough to spend time experiencing Jesus? Or do your physical requirements take precedence over Christ?

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain your physical needs don’t distract you from your faith?