In Luke 6, Jesus lifts up his eyes on his disciples and says … quite a bit. Here’s a sampling to get the minds of modern-day disciples pointed in the right direction, especially at the dawn of a new workweek.
“As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:31-36)
This is “good treasure” delivered by the Son of God himself. Read it again, slowly. Meditate on it. Turn it into a prayer. Bookmark it or write it out and revisit it throughout the week. Why?
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
Jesus has put a divine X on the spot of priceless treasure. It’s right here, easily found, and there’s plenty to go around. Now it’s up to us to embed it deep within our hearts–not simply as academic knowledge of what Jesus said, but that we might “produce good” in a world that desperately needs good news and good examples.
Love. Do good. Lend. Be kind. Show mercy. As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Bury that treasure in your heart today, watch as God “produces good” in and through you this week, and when he does, give him the glory. Those are ingredients for a good week.