A Level Place

This past Sunday I read a verse that reminded me of a unique way to look at Jesus and our on relationships. At the time I was at a discipleship seminar, but I couldn't stop thinking about it and what other implications it has.

.....Luke 6: 17 "He went down with them and stood on a level place".

At this time Jesus spent the night praying on a mountain top to God and in the morning he called the twelve disciples to Him and then walked down the mountain to where a large crowd of disciples had congregated. The specific words used once Jesus reaches the large crowd is that he stood on a level place. I realize that he was walking down from a mountain, so it's obvious he would stand on a level spot from walking at an angle, but this can also testify to his humility.

Jesus was known to the twelve and known to the large crowd of disciples. He was known for performing miracles, preaching, and teaching to thousands of people. However in this example he shows us that he didn't see himself as this. Instead of standing on the mountainside above everyone to address them he made his way to a level place.

Not only did he stand on a level place and address them but in verse 20 it states that "He looked at his disciples". Jesus stood on a level place and looked at them rather than just preached.

When I think about my own relationships I need to make sure I walk in this same humility. That when I talk to people I stand on a level place and look at them. That i'm intentional in showing them that I am the on the same level rather than stay somewhere I know i'm not.

Let's be like Jesus. Let's stand on a level place.

Exposed Through Light

" This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because  their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed". (John 3:19-20)

Okay, let's be honest here i'm one of those people who haven't spent much time digging into John Chapter 3 because, let's face it, I already know John 3:16, right? I've read through the chapter, but not much sticks besides that token verse. Upon reading through the chapter again focusing on what comes after John 3:16 my eyes opened up. 

Easter Sunday is a day of celebrating Jesus and the fact that He is risen, but often times I still ponder on when He became real to me and that original decision to follow Him. The verse above states that everyone who does evil hates the light.....their deeds will be exposed and this is something I struggled with for a while. Even when I didn't think about it I was blinded by darkness and feared stepping into the light, because of what I might look like.  Interesting and convicting. Thank-you Jesus for saving me! 

" But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God". (John 3:21)

Then there is the other side to this string of verses, verse 21. I came into this light out of darkness by truth of God and wanting to know more about Him. I went from hiding my heart to opening it up, exposing it, and letting God see it no matter how dirty it is. From then on I desired truth and to seek God's will and His sight, not my own.

.... I pray I can continue to seek His truth and to be in plain sight for the Lord. Never hiding things, but opening myself up to Him daily. We should all remind ourselves of where God has brought us and what He's saved us from. 

" Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever!". (Psalm 118:1)