What does that even mean? What are the parameters for determining such a thing? In my mind you are either a smoker or you are not. You are either trying to quit or you’re not trying. My mind wandered even further. I would never say I’m 95% married. One is either married or not married. Right?

The same principle applies to our confession of faith in Christ. We either believe He is the Christ the Son of the Living God, or we don’t. In Luke 9, a conversation unfolds between Jesus and the 12 disciples He was teaching and training.

“Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’

They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’

‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’

Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.”

Can you picture it? There was no hesitation. Peter, speaking for the disciples, believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Peter didn’t say, “We disciples discussed it and we are about 95% sure you are the Son of God.” No, they were certain.

This leads me to another question. Does confessing our faith always mean we’ll live out our faith when we are tested? I want you to see something in Luke 22:31-32.

”Simon, Simon (which was Peter), Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus knows the battle we face in this fallen world. The Enemy wants nothing more than to destroy us and turn us from our Savior. Peter is a great example of this. He boldly denied the very one he confessed to believing (Luke 22). Christ knew this would happen. He knew that in a moment of weakness, Peter would fall into the trap of the Enemy. Did this make Peter’s confession any less? Not at all. I believe it made his faith even stronger. Jesus even told him that once he had turned back from his sin of denial he was to strengthen his brothers.

You may be in a situation where your faith is being tested from all sides. Satan may be sifting you like wheat. You know the truth and you believe it whole-heartedly, but living it out is a whole different story. I want to encourage you to NOT listen to the lies of the Enemy. He wants your faith to be non-existent, and he would probably settle for it to be a small percentage. But your faith cannot be measured by a percentage. It either is or it isn’t.

Let us one day be able to say these words of Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have KEPT THE FAITH.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Luke 8:14 talks about those whose faith is choked out by life’s worries.  Some of my thirteen unemployed neighbors, friends and family members fall into this category, as do others battling worries over health, relationships and so much more.  Have you felt those storms?  Have the tough economic times caused weeds to grow among the crops of your life?  Has heartache, deception or illness created a tempest around you?  Jesus can quiet it. 

He (Jesus) got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples.” Luke 8: 24,25

Jesus’ disciples feared death as a squall came down on the lake.  The problems around them were real, as were their fears.  Yet all became serene with just a word.  And then the next words?  “Where is your faith?”  I’ll show you where.

A woman bled for twelve years.  Anemic and tired. Poverty-stricken from seeking medical advice to no avail.  Her remedy?  Pure, unadulterated faith.  She reached out and touched Jesus’ hem as he walked by.  What the doctors couldn’t accomplish in twelve years changed in seconds.  Instant healing.

Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace.” Luke 8:46

Two similar situations with two different outcomes.  The disciples and the hemorrhaging woman knew their circumstances were bleak.  Twelve panicked and were chastised.  One reached out and found healing.  Which one do you most want to be like?

2. The Broken Mourner: A widow loses her only son, and her grief reaches the heart of The Christ. He simply says two words: “Don’t cry.” So much compassion! Such understanding! Her grief runs deep, and she cannot say a word. Jesus doesn’t need her words, he needs her heart. And he sees a woman with an open, bleeding heart in need of comfort. He gives her that, and so much more.

3. The Insecure Prophet: From his birth, he knew his sole purpose: To prepare the way for the Messiah. He did that, faithfully, year after year. He lived in poverty, absorbed the ridicule of naysayers, proclaimed God’s words fearlessly. And then The One he’d been speaking of came. Jesus. But suddenly John the Baptist finds himself imprisoned, an unusual reward for a lifetime of faithful service. Hardship has a way of making us doubt our purpose, question what we believe. And so he asks Jesus, “Are you the one, or should I look for someone else?” Jesus understood his insecurity, how his imprisonment was wearing on his resolve. And simply responded by saying, “The rightness of your purpose isn’t defined by your circumstances. You’ve done well. I’m the one.”

4. The Penitent Sinner: She had no business being in a righteous man’s house. But her need for a Savior trumped her certain humiliation in showing her sinful self. Without a word, she finds Jesus reclining at Simon’s table. She can do nothing but cry, and wash the feet of the man she hopes will forgive her. He does, even as the more “perfect” onlookers whisper and mock. So he teaches the host and his guests a lesson at the same time: It isn’t your righteousness that saves you; it’s your ability to kneel at the feet of The Righteous One.

Which one are you? Are you an outsider whose new faith makes you feel less significant? Or are you grieving and wondering if Heaven hears? Maybe you’re a long-time Christian, with a resume full of faithful service. But lately one thing after another has made you question whether or not you’ve been on the right track. Or perhaps your steeped in sin–or even steeped in your own sense of righteousness–and you need to fall at the feet of the Savior.

Regardless of the portrait most resembling your own, the same Jesus stands ready to save.

“He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.” Luke 6:10

Thankfully some Pharisees were nearby and witnessed the same thing. I moved closer to hear what they were saying. They were furious at this teacher, Jesus, and began to discuss what they might to do him. I even heard one of them say that this wasn’t the first time Jesus had broken the law of the Sabbath. In fact he was so bold as to tell the Pharisees that, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” What does that mean, I thought to myself?

Put your feet in the sandals of these Jewish people for a moment. Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees (teachers of the law) were constantly stirring up trouble for Jesus. They questioned Him on every word He spoke. They accused Him of breaking many laws. They were, as scripture says, furious with Jesus on many occasions, and ultimately convinced Roman authorities to crucify Him. But how would you feel if everything you believed from the time you were young was being put into question by this radical man named Jesus?

In Deuteronomy 6, we see a glimpse of just how serious Jewish law was. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Now I love these particular Old Testament scriptures. In fact, I have them posted on the front door of our home. I guess what’s different for me than the Jewish people of that day is I see grace woven through these words. I see truth declared in a loving way. I find a Loving Father who wants me to hold His Words close at all times.

The Pharisees hated being challenged in their thinking. This was a radical shift to what they had always believed and in turn taught. The sad part is they could only see the law, not the Savior who was offering truth, grace, forgiveness and eternal life to all people. It’s as if it was too simple to accept.

If truth be told though, we all get caught up in legalism sometimes. We shout out truth, but we lack love. We cast judgment on others, but ignore the sin in our own life. We refuse forgiveness when He declared, “forgive them for they no not what they do.”

Thank you Jesus for loving us despite our Pharisaical behavior sometimes.

We find a leper in Luke 5:12-15 who no doubt felt the same amount of social chastisement.  More actually.  He could no longer live with his family, but had to move outside the city to the leper colony.  He had to shout “unclean” wherever he went, watching passerby’s scurry away like mice.  Touch was a distant memory—both the ability of being able to feel anything, as well as the presence of another human’s hand on his.

And then. . .

He saw Jesus.  Throwing all shame and embarrassment aside, “he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Luke 5:12)

Savor the next few words with me:

“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.  ‘I am willing,’ he said.  ‘Be clean!’  And immediately the leprosy left him.” Luke 5:13, emphasis added

The man got so much more than he longed for.  His health returned and the Son of God touched him.  The Son of God!!  Maybe if I’m willing to cast my fears and shame aside, throwing myself with faith and adoration at the feet of my Maker, I’ll also receive not just what my body needs, but what my heart longs for.

April 21, 2007, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Another day, another 10K race, but this time in my home town. Without a single familiar face in the crowd, I ran every agonizing step, climbed hills and covered rocky terrain, with the thought of quitting never far from my mind … and received my worst race time in five years of running. Due to other responsibilities, my cheering section couldn’t make it. How I needed them that day!

When Jesus returned to his hometown in Luke 4, it was as if he stood at the starting line of the launch of his ministry. I wonder if he hoped for a send-off, a crowd of familiar friends and family cheering him on as He embarked to finish the race the Father called him to run. It wasn’t to be, however. Instead of support and encouragement, those who once cheered from front row seats now hurled accusations and rage.

It’s hard to run a race alone. I have to be honest with you: When it comes to rejection, I’m a quitter. All it takes is the evaporation of my fan base and I hardly have the strength to keep going on. I need the support of those closest to me like I need air. But I’m not sure that’s a good thing. There’s nothing wrong with having people who encourage you, but absolute dependence on it? Well, that’s a fickle foundation if I’ve ever heard of one.

As Jesus left his hometown behind, I think He knew He was on His own. With a God who loved Him, yes. But without those people who should have understood him, believed in him, and cheered for him. He would face more opposition than praise, more rejection than acceptance. And still He ran determined and face-forward anyway. Because the God who called Him was worth it.

Father God, strengthen me to do the same!

“I gave my back to those who strike me,
And my cheeks to those who pluck out the beard;
I did not cover my face from humiliation and spitting.
For the Lord GOD helps me,
Therefore, I am not disgraced;
Therefore, I have set my face like flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.”
~ Isaiah 50:6-7