The Notifications of Life.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the relentless noise of notifications and demands on your time? In our busy lives, we often equate busyness with productivity; the more packed our schedules, the more important we feel.
Amidst the hustle—family, friends, social media, and notifications—it’s all too easy to lose sight of what truly matters.
Waiting in silence to hear from the Lord can be challenging, especially when screen time replaces face-to-face interactions. While technology has its benefits, it often diminishes our ability to wait patiently. Many of us are overwhelmed with information at the expense of transformation, seeking reassurance that our next steps align with God's agenda, not our own.
Moses offered us a poignant reminder:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12
A heartfelt thank you to Andrea Brown, Todd Tallman, Elliott Calvert, & The Narrow Path Collective for your generous support through Buy Me A Coffee. If you’d like to join as a supporter, one-time donations and monthly contributions are welcomed to help keep this creative Substack thriving.
A quick review on Luke
In the past two weeks, we explored the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Lamp, learning about cultivating a heart of openness to God’s Word and the importance of sharing His light with others.
As we dive deeper, Jesus' ministry grows alongside His popularity and the opposition He faces. Picture this: people are healed, lepers restored, the blind given sight, and miraculous healings occur on the Sabbath, much to the dismay of the religious elite. Jesus befriends sinners, dines with tax collectors, and even raises the dead. The crowds surrounding Him are immense—likely in the tens of thousands.
In Luke 8:19-21, we encounter a moment that challenges our understanding of family, priorities, and belonging.
I must admit, I hesitated to delve into this passage. It felt difficult, and I considered skipping it for more pleasant sections. But as I continue through Luke, I feel compelled to address each part, even the challenging ones. Would you have noticed if I skipped this section? If so, you’re my kind of friend—please let me know in the comments!
Outline for Today:
Devotional: Luke 8:19-21
Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
An Intervention Agenda
Jesus' family arrives but cannot reach Him due to the crowd. When informed of their presence, Jesus makes a profound declaration: “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Mark provides additional context—it notes that when the crowds gathered, Jesus and His disciples were unable to eat. His family, concerned for Him, thought He was “out of His mind” (Mark 3:20-21). Their agenda was intervention, a legitimate concern, yet Jesus’ words may seem dismissive at first glance. These words reveal a deeper truth about spiritual priorities.
Jesus redefines family—not by blood relations but by obedience to God’s word. This shift invites us to reflect on our relationships. What does it mean for you to prioritize God’s agenda over your own?
The crowd symbolizes the distractions and noise of life that keep us distant from our spiritual family. Just as Jesus' biological relatives faced barriers, we too may feel distanced from the divine due to our busy lives. Nevertheless, Jesus emphasizes that true belonging comes from hearing and doing the word of God and connecting with other believers. If you want to connect with God and others—listen.
The Church & God’s Plan
God’s people, the church, are called out from the world to live differently. If you are part of His church, your agenda differs from the world's values and priorities. The word ‘church’ is first mentioned in Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
God’s Support System:
The New Testament Book of Acts recounts the birth of the Church when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. We are encouraged to “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14.
For our spiritual health, we must participate in the life of the local church and connect with other believers: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25.
Our need for encouragement.
Recently, I came across three inspiring Substacks on Barnabas, known as the Son of Encouragement in the early church. These were authored by subscribers Chris Craft, Jerry Foote, and Levi Moore. Their insights remind us of the importance of encouragement in our spiritual journeys.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, helps us to recognize and value other believers in our lives, if we are able to offer an encouraging word, support through prayer, and extend hospitality to others, help us to see and hear opportunities that come across our way. In Christ Name - Amen.
How has another believer or group of believers supported or encouraged you this week? Please share in the comments.
References / Resources:
Brothers - The gospels record that Jesus had four brothers (James, Joseph, Simon, and Jude. (Matthew 13:55). Acts 1:14 indicates the brothers became believers after the resurrection.
Church - The word repeated is repeated hundred and fourteen (114) times in the NIV Translation, with the most repeated usage in 1st & 2nd Corinthians (x34), Acts (x21), and Revelation (x19). The Greek word for church is pronounced “ekklésia” and means ‘called out’. Note in Matthew 16:18 Jesus claimed possession of the church in stating ‘my church’.
Parallel Passages to Luke 8:19-21: Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35.
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