At a dinner party hosted by a grateful little revenue agent, Jesus turned to Zacchaeus and voiced one of the reasons he chose to live among us. Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Jesus gave more than one purpose statement. Consider this one: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.(John 10:10). Here’s another: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

Jesus arrived with clarity, knowing he would give his life to liberate the lost. And we’re all lost, in need of a ransom from the consequences of sin and death. But beyond just saved from the fire, Jesus promised life to the full—a life of abundance.

Rescue, call back, pour out abundance. That’s a life on mission. One we embrace when we follow the teacher.

Luke 19 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by David Iskander

In a world chattering with competing values, the scriptures provide clear-sighted guidance for those who want to live a meaningful life.

David, for instance, lists several traits of the righteous person. The first area revolves around the use of words. He informs us that the one whose walk is blameless speaks the truth; their tongue utters no slander; they cast no slur on others; and they keep an oath even when it hurts.

A second characteristic involves finances. The honorable person lends money to the poor without interest and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Words and money. Not much cuts closer to the bone.

Learning to control my tongue, and not let money control me, leads to life secure in the Lord. Indeed, David promises whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Solid practices to fold into my day by day.

Psalm 15 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Dave Goudreau

This morning my wife announced she’s pregnant. Ha! I knew better than to be taken in by that April Fool’s prank. She’ll need a more clever ruse before I play the fool.

The scriptures mention a variety of fools. One stands out as particularly malevolent. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

This fool is morally deficient. He acts corruptly, chews people up and frustrates the poor. Such fools live solely for themselves and take whatever possible from others. They justify their actions by denying the existence of God, allowing them to develop a unique moral code, which just happens to benefit themselves.

Such cruelty exists in every generation. These fools strategically exploit. Sadly, good people may live their entire lives under the thumb of their evil.

Fortunately, God is present in the company of the righteous. At some point, in the present or in the future, salvation will arrive from Zion and the Lord will restore his people.

No joke.

Psalm 14 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Rachel

Jesus invited everyone to come and taste the kingdom of God. But he also drew boundaries. Notice these statements from Jesus as recorded by Luke:

Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division (Luke 12:50).

Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to (Luke 13:24).

Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples (Luke 14:33).

Following Jesus involves giving up everything. Ponder a bit on that idea. This involves possessions, career, and financial plans, but doesn’t stop there. His ask soaks to the core of my being. Surrender of self-will to his will. Letting Jesus have his way, whatever that means. Everything strikes me uniquely.

Jesus didn’t give a two-tier call, where the saintly enter the narrow door and the rest shuffle through the turnstiles of heaven. As I read, there’s only one door, and it’s narrow.

Make every effort to enter.

Luke 12, 13 & 14 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Filip Kominik