Category: Gospels
The Day of the Son of Man
Scripture reading for April 15th: Luke 17:11-37
“Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ”There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) The Jews were always speculating about the kingdom of God and Jesus heightened their expectations by His teachings on the kingdom and the miracles. Some thought Jesus was a prophet, and others said he was a great teacher. The Pharisees discounted Him because they thought they knew where He came from. Jesus answered this question about when the kingdom of God would come by explaining that it would not be spectacular initially or something that would be easily noted, but would come within the heart of individuals.
Jesus then spoke to His disciples about this subject. He told them that a day would come soon that they would long to have another day with Him here on earth, but could not. Many would try and entice them by saying that the Son of Man was over in some place, but they were not to believe them. The actual return of the Son of Man would be like lightning flashing and lighting up the sky from one end to another! (Luke 17:22-25) Before this spectacular return, the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Jesus was warning them about His coming crucifixion and the interval before His sudden return.
Jesus used the days of Noah and the days of Lot to describe the conditions on earth before His sudden return. People would be about their daily activities on earth as usual. The would be eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building and marrying and living right up until the time of this lightning flash! Life would be characterized by the wickedness that caused God to destroy the earth by flood in Noah’s day. It would contain wickedness like Sodom that caused God to destroy it and it’s inhabitants by fire and brimstone. (Luke 17:26-29) Both Noah’s generation and Sodom were suddenly destroyed after being warned by God. Are you ready for this spectacular day? Be sure you have God’s kingdom within you now by faith in Jesus Christ! The lightning could flash suddenly and the Day of Jesus will arrive!
Watch yourselves!
Scripture reading for April 14th: Luke 16:19-17:10
“Jesus said to His disciples; “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.” “ The world we live in is fallen and there are many opportunities to sin and break God’s eternal law. People are ‘sinners’ by nature, born with a propensity to sin until that is remedied by a new birth. (Psalm 51:5) Jesus was stating the obvious truth!
Jesus also warned His followers about the future judgment for those causing sin in ‘little ones.’ In other accounts, the ‘little ones’ were small children. Some feel that this also applies to new believers who are young in the ways of Christ. Jesus talked about a millstone being tied around the neck of any person who would cause sin in these little ones. A millstone was a large round stone used to grind grain and it usually weighed several hundred pounds. You can imagine the difficulties swimming a person would have with one of these tied to their neck! This word picture makes us understand the nature of the woe of a person causing a little one to sin!
Jesus told His followers to “Watch yourselves!” First this means to be personally watchful and examine our own lives for causes to sin. Jesus pointed out unforgiveness in the next part of this teaching as a big problem causing others to sin. (Luke 17:3-4) We must let go of offenses. Unforgiveness is cited by Jesus several times as a hindrance for prayer and here as a cause of stumbling for ‘little ones’. (Matthew 6:14, Mark 11:25, Luke 11:4)
Second, we must be watchful for others and especially the ‘little ones.’ Jesus tells us that we must watch out for others as well as ourselves. Love your neighbor as yourself is the second part of the great commandment that now fulfills all the commandments. Children and ‘little ones’ are so precious to the Lord and must be loved, nurtured and protected from causes of sin. Examine your own life and the ‘little ones’ around you. Are you leading them towards Jesus by your life and testimony? Today is a great day to repent! God will forgive!
Being faithful with the little!
Scripture reading for April 13th: Luke 16:1-18
It has been said that money makes a good servant but is a difficult master! Our handling of money and property is called stewardship. The Bible teaches us that we really own nothing here, but are merely stewards who manage these things for our Master, God. God really owns everything! When we get ownership and stewardship mixed up, real trouble results.
Jesus told an interesting story that highlights these truths. “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ (Luke 16:1-2) The manager, about to lose his job, called in those who owed his master money and made a deal with them to settle the accounts for less than was owed. He reasoned that these debtors would then welcome him into their houses after he lost his job! This was a shrewd move, but not profitable for the master who was owed these debts!
“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind that are the people of the light. I tell you, use your worldly wealth to win friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:8-9) Jesus went on to apply this parable to his followers. Worldly wealth is viewed as ‘very little’ by God’s standards. We are called to be faithful to use the ‘very little’ God has entrusted to us: our money and possessions. We are to use them to further God’s kingdom and we will give an account to our Master, God.
When we let ‘money’ become our master we are an unfaithful steward, no longer serving God. No man can serve two masters faithfully. (Luke 16:13) Either we fully serve God, or we serve ‘money’ when we make it our master. God will reward us with ‘true riches’ when we serve Him faithfully, an eternal inheritance that will never fade away. We will leave all our money and property here when we die or go to meet the Lord. Wise management for our Father while on earth translates into ‘true riches’ for eternity! Are you being faithful?
Heaven rejoices!
Scripture reading for April 12th: Luke 15:1-32
Heaven is a wonderful place where there is no death, crying, pain or suffering. There is joy unspeakable and the glorious presence of God filling the atmosphere. There is no need of light from sun or moon, because God’s glorious presence actually lights up the place! (Revelation 21:1-7) (Revelation 22:4-5) What could cause a place like heaven to break forth with exceeding rejoicing? What event here on earth actually provokes a joyous response in heaven? Today’s reading gives us revelation about these amazing outbursts of joy!
Jesus told three parables to counter the accusation of the Pharisees and Law teachers: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The first parable was the lost sheep of the shepherd with ninety-nine safely in the fold. This shepherd left the flock in search of the lost one and found it. He was full of joy and placed the scared sheep on his shoulders and went home. When there, he called a party and had a celebration with his neighbors and friends! This parable was a picture of what happens in heaven when one sinner is found! “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine that do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)
A second parable involved a coin lost in a woman’s house from ten coins she had saved. She searched diligently until she found the lost coin. She called all her friends and neighbors and had a party! “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) As a coin of that day bore the image of the King, so each person bears the image of God. God rejoices when they are safely home!
The final story was of the lost son. This prodigal had left his father and taken his inheritance and then wasted it. He found himself in a pigpen and then decided to repent and go home to his father. Father ran to greet him, kissed him, and restored him. He killed the fatted calf and threw a party. The lost son had come home! This is what causes heaven to rejoice! Isn’t it time to come home to Father’s house? What a party awaits and heaven loves to rejoice when the lost return!
Excuses!
Scripture reading for April 11th: Luke 14:7-35
Jesus was eating at the house of a prominent Pharisee and they were watching Him very carefully. Jesus was also watching them! He noticed how they all tried to pick places of honor at the table. He used this setting to tell them about humility and warned them not to try and take the place of honor, but to take the lowest place. Then the host could place them where he wanted. This would be less humiliating than the host removing them from their seat of honor. Jesus put it simply: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)
Jesus also told the host, this prominent Pharisee, that when he had a banquet he should invite the poor, crippled, blind, and lame. This would bring blessing to his house, because God would repay him at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:12-15) This evoked a response from one at the table, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus answered this man with another story about a certain man who was preparing a great banquet and had invited many guests. When the appointed time for this banquet came, the servant was sent out to remind the invited guests of the feast. All the invited guests had excuses! One bought a field and must go see it. Another just purchased some new oxen to work his field and must try them out. Still another just got married and must be with his wife. This angered the host of this banquet, and he ordered his servant to go out into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame. He wanted his house to be full, but none of the invited guests who made excuses would have a place at his table! (Luke 14:21-24)
As we ponder this teaching of Jesus, we sense that the “certain man” is God! He invited the Jews to His banquet first, but many made excuses! These would be shut out, and God’s servants would be sent to the Gentiles! God’s house would be filled! The humble pay attention and respond to God’s invitation while the proud are left out. Remember, the lowest seat at His table is far better than being left out!
The Narrow Door!
Scripture reading for April 10th: Luke 13:23-14:6
“Someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But He will answer I don’t know you or where you come from.” “ (Luke 13:23-25)
A popular topic of discussion among the religious people of Jesus’ day was how many people would make it through the ‘pearly gates’! Speculation about who would be saved and not saved often revolved around having Jewish blood in the veins. Just descending from Abraham was thought to guarantee salvation. Attending the synagogue regularly and going to the feasts was a part of being ‘Jewish’. Many, including the religious leaders, were under this delusion. Jesus tried to jar their thinking to a personal level!
“What about you?” Jesus was asking them. Have you been saved yourself? Have you entered through the ‘narrow door’? Are you striving now to enter while it is open? Jesus was helping them to see that the ‘narrow door’ would not always be open. Those that thought they could enter at any time would be left outside, looking in at Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the prophets enjoying the feast. (Luke 13:28-30)
Jesus had taught them that He alone was this ‘door’. “I am the gate, whoever enters through Me will be saved.” (John 10:9) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is that door and these people had Him right there with them. Many religious leaders were looking to get rid of Him instead of find salvation through Him. Jesus was concerned for their souls. They should be the first to enter because of the Scriptures they had and the Word of God delivered to them, but many would be left outside where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
Have you entered through the narrow door of faith in Jesus Christ? Have you repented of your sins, embracing what Jesus did on the cross for you? Today the door is still open! Tomorrow may be too late!
Degrees of sin?
Scripture reading for April 9th: Luke 13:1-22
“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)
We sometimes have a tendency to make judgments about violent events or deadly natural disasters. It is easy to speculate that God is punishing the ones who died because of some hidden vile sin and they deserved it. Some came to Jesus with a report of some Galileans who had been slaughtered by Pilate as they were offering sacrifices. They were probably Jewish Zealots who had gone to Jerusalem to the temple and Pilate had them brutally slaughtered to eliminate the possibility of sedition. The common theology would have said that they suffered in this way because of God’s judgment! Jesus said this was not necessarily the case. The real need was for those now hearing Him to repent themselves!
Jesus then brought up another report of a collapsed tower that had fallen on workers and killed them. If these were Jewish workers, they were working for the Romans and the common judgment was that God punished them for their compromise with the pagan Roman government. Jesus said that this was also not the case. The people’s greatest concern should be for repentance themselves.
Dying without repentance is the worst possible thing that can happen to anyone! God must judge them for their sins when they could have found forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus went on to warn them that they also must produce fruit in their lives. Like the story of the fig tree that had only taken up valuable space but produced no fruit, God is looking for fruit from each person and His people. His patience will run out and the tree without fruit will be cut down! It’s time to focus on our own hearts and quit judging others! Facing the Lord could happen at any time! I want to be ready!
An unexpected return!
Scripture reading for April 8th: Luke 12:35-59
Don’t you just love surprises? You get a letter from the IRS about an audit for last year’s taxes, and you are just thrilled! Your long lost cousin and her 7 unruly children drop by for an extended visit in your 1200 square foot home, and heaven applauds! Or maybe a large check comes in the mail, saying you have a refund because of overpayment–do you celebrate? Or your favorite rich uncle drops by unexpectedly just to bless you and your family by letting you know that he’s put you in his will! Unexpected events can happen to us at any time and whether they are a blessing or not depends on whether we are ready for what they bring with them!
Jesus warned His followers that His return to earth after the resurrection would be sudden and unexpected by many! For some it would be the source of highest blessing and others it would come as a thief in the night! Jesus told them a story (parable) about men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet. They should be ready to open the door for him whenever he returned, even if it was late in the night. The disciples asked Jesus if that story was for them or for everyone. (Luke 12:41)
Jesus responded with another story that showed that they must pay attention. Jesus wanted His followers to be faithful and wise managers, feeding and caring for those under their watchful care. He told them in this story about the possibility of a long delay in his return and some who followed mistreating those under their care and getting drunk. The master returns unexpectedly and then removes the servant and he loses his reward! (Luke 12:42-44) Those who know what to do and do not do it are going to be held to a higher standard than those who do not know. (Luke 12:47-48)
What kind of experience will it be for you and your family when Jesus suddenly appears at your door? He will hold each of us accountable for our application of His Word. We will enjoy the sudden return if we are doing what we know is right or we will suffer great loss if we have neglected His business! Today is the best time to make needed changes! For the faithful servant, the reward is out of this world!
Life is more than possessions!
Scripture reading for April 7th: Luke 12:8-34
There’s an old bumper sticker that characterizes many people’s worldview: “He who dies with the most toys wins!” I used to subscribe to this line of thinking before I had my worldview altered by the Bible and an encounter with Jesus. I was out to make a fortune and be rich. I wanted to be one of the biggest farmers in my county and to be looked up to and recognized. Although I am not proud of it now, I even went to church to help further that goal!
Jesus Christ challenged that worldview over two thousand years ago and it seems that many in the American church need to listen to Him again on this subject. “Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbiter between you? Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:13-15)
Greed takes many different forms and subtly can attach itself to people. In a materialist society, we tend to identify success in life with what belongs to us. It can start small, with wanting to wear the brand-name clothes and shoes! We may feel that others won’t notice us unless we wear Nike and Wranglers for example! Or it may be that we want to eat at the best restaurants to be seen by the rich. Jesus warned them further, “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds!” (Luke 12:23-24)
Greed can easily become an obsession that takes our focus away from God. It is equated with idolatry in another place in Scripture. Jesus used the story of the rich farmer building bigger barns and making no preparations to meet God to drive His point home to those who would listen. (Luke 12:16-21) Death comes suddenly and all our possessions will be left behind and our soul left in hell if we are not rich towards God! Dying with the most toys can mean the biggest loss of your life! If necessary, repent and ask Jesus for mercy and a new vision of real living!
Teacher, you insult us!
Scripture reading for April 6th: Luke 11:37-12:7
“”Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.” “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it.” One of the experts in the Law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” ” (Luke 11:43-45)
“Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46)
You would think that a great teacher would seek not to insult his students! Jesus was charged with insulting those He sought to help! What would motivate Jesus to take this approach? Was this something sinful in the sinless Son of God? Shouldn’t someone who is said to walk in the love of God be more tactful and tender? Isn’t it wrong to insult our religious leaders? As we read this account of Jesus confronting the religious authorities, we have lots of questions that come to our minds as we ponder Jesus’ approach to these people.
First of all, Jesus was and is the greatest teacher who ever lived or will live! He has never sinned and did not sin in His approach to reaching and correcting these religious leaders. He was simply speaking the truth to help expose their hypocrisy. Jesus had been invited to the home of a Pharisee for dinner. They were judging Him as unclean because He failed to wash His hands before the meal. Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy of breaking God’s laws yet trying to keep their own, spoke these woes to help wake them up. They should have taken care of what was inside their hearts first.
God disciplines and corrects those He loves. Without it we are illegitimate children. (Hebrews 12:5-6, Proverbs 3:11-12) God gives a life-giving rebuke to those who will be corrected. (Proverbs 15:31-32) Those whose hearts are proud and hard will refuse correction and suffer for it. These Pharisees and teachers of the Law hardened their hearts and plotted how they might kill Jesus. In doing so, they fulfilled the plan of God for their own redemption, but also possibly brought about their own destruction. Are you offended by the Word of Jesus? Do you consider correction from His Word an insult?