Luke 5-6 has some encounters that typify what Jesus is trying to get across early in his ministry. It’s simple: Get on the Kingdom’s agenda!

Those who see that message and come to him get a response.

The leper came and ASKED, “Lord, if you are willing…”

Levi heard the call of Jesus and immediately left his work to follow Jesus. They got on Jesus’ agenda right away.

The Pharisees spent all their time trying to get Jesus back onto their program. They didn’t want to see that Jesus was proclaiming the Kingdom and was giving an invitation to everyone, including them.

They nitpicked about the Sabbath, fasting, healing… anything.

The Pharisee in me wants Jesus on my agenda. Jesus believes my political beliefs. Jesus believes my economic policy. Jesus believes my view on…

And he comes along and invites me in a slightly different direction. That’s when my inner Pharisee rises up. “That CAN’T be God!”

Lord, open my eyes to YOUR Kingdom, and silence the Pharisee in me.