Category: Gospels
Blessed are those who will eat!
Scripture reading for March 23rd: Luke 14
Jesus was invited to the house of a prominent Pharisee for a meal on a Sabbath day. Luke states that Jesus was being closely watched and He took the opportunity to stir up controversy by healing a man there with dropsy. These religious people had nothing to say but were sure thinking!
But Jesus was also watching those in attendance. When He noticed the guests trying to pick places of honor next to the host, Jesus told them a story, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “‘Give this man your seat.’ Then humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. . . .”For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-9, 11)
In response, another guest spoke to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15) Jesus told another story about a man who was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. When the final call went out to come, his guests began to make excuses. One had bought a field and needed to see it. Another had bought oxen he wanted to try. Another had just gotten married. The owner of the house got angry and instructed his servants to go into the streets and towns and bring the crippled, the lame, the poor and needy. The servants were to compel whoever would to come in! In conclusion Jesus said, “I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” (Luke 14:24)
Will only a few be saved?
Scripture reading for March 20th: Luke 13
Jesus was asked some direct questions and gave some revealing answers! On His way to Jerusalem for His last Passover, a man came and asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” “He said to them, “Make every effort to enter the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and 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)
Jesus didn’t answer the question about a few being saved, but He did emphasize that many who wanted to enter would not be able to. It was important to enter through the narrow door. Jesus had proclaimed that He alone was the door or gate that men could enter. (John 10:7) He alone was the way, truth, and life. (John 14:6) He emphasized that many would knock on the door after it was closed and the door would not be opened to them because the Master did not know them.
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from Me you evildoers!’ There will be weeping there and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.” (Luke 13:26-28) Many religious people expected to enter the kingdom, but because they rejected Jesus Christ, they would be thrown out! Knowing about Jesus and even observing Him would not get them in! Only a few will be saved through the ‘Narrow Door’!
Don’t be a hypocrite!
Scripture reading for March 19th: Luke 12
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” (Luke 12:1-3) Jesus was concerned for His disciples. The example of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time was one of proclaiming to be righteous but in reality still being bound by sin and uncleanness. The Pharisees were always judging others, but failed to see their own sin.
Hypocrisy is like putting on a show or play-acting to fit each situation you are in. Jesus wanted disciples who would be true to Him and God all the time. He warned them that living a lie would be exposed and would bring ultimate humiliation and condemnation by God. “I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.” (Luke 12:4-5) Hypocrites lack a true fear of God and instead fear men and act to please those they are around.
“I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns Me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9) Followers of Jesus must stay true to Jesus! There is great reward for the faithful and loss for the hypocrite!
The light inside!
Scripture reading for March 18th: Luke 11
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole bod also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it then, that the light within you is not darkness.” (Luke 11:33-35) Jesus had declared that He was the ‘Light of the World’ and that those who listened to Him would not walk in darkness but have the light of life. (John 8:12)
In order to have light in our bodies, we must have eyes that can see. Jesus declared that the eye was the lamp of the body. A lamp brings light when it is allowed to illuminate an area. Taking a lamp and hiding it under a bowl would do no good! The lamp must be placed in a prominent place where it’s light would drive out darkness. Likewise, bad eyes fill the body with darkness.
Jesus used this simple teaching to illustrate our need to place Jesus in a prominent place in our vision. Jesus alone can bring light to our lives and illuminate our eyes and our whole body. Jesus warned those who heard him about the possibility that the ‘light within’ could really be darkness. This speaks of our understanding of who Jesus is. If we relegate Jesus to being just a good man or a teacher or even a prophet, the light in us is still darkness. He alone is the Son of God and Light of the world!
Lambs among wolves!
Scripture reading for March 17th: Luke 10
Jesus called many disciples to Him and taught them the principles of the kingdom of God. After they had heard and observed His ministry methods, He sent them out two by two to do His work among the lost. “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” (Luke 10:2-3) Jesus told them to pray for workers and then in the same breath, sent them out to the harvest field! Prayer and going often go together. We pray to prepare our own hearts to obey and do what we have asked God to do! It has been said that prayer makes us want what God wants!
Jesus sent these workers out as lambs among wolves. The world is a hostile place for the Lord and His followers. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified and nailed to a cross by the wolves! Wolves may even be found among the religious community and God’s people! Lambs follow their Shepherd and obey His voice. So these disciples went urgently and immediately with the blessing of their Shepherd. They were instructed to preach and teach among those who would receive them. When not received, they were to move on to another place. God would judge those who refused their ministry! (Luke 10:12)
The seventy-two joyfully returned from their mission proclaiming that demons were subject to them in Christ’s Name! “He (Jesus) replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:18-19) These ‘lambs’ had spoiled the wolf’s appetite!
“Follow Me!”
Scripture reading for March 16th: Luke 9
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” (Luke 9:57-58) Many people think that following Jesus will be a power trip of miracles, signs, and wonders. At the height of Jesus’ popularity, many were crowding around Jesus and like this man, vowed to follow Him. Jesus did not let this man off easily. He warned him about the road He would travel. Each person must count the cost!
“He (Jesus) said to another man, “Follow Me!” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-60) This man had a direct invitation from Jesus to become a disciple. He had concerns about His own father and possible inheritance at his death. Jesus rebuked him and gave a specific command to go and preach the kingdom of God. We have no indication of whether or not he obeyed.
Another man proclaimed his willingness to foll0w Jesus but wanted to go say ‘goodbye’ to his family. “Jesus replied, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Following Jesus involves full commitment and sacrifice. Serving Jesus means putting Him first above personal desires and family responsibilities. Are you willing to follow Jesus? It is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards are out of this world!
Confronting death with faith!
Scripture reading for March 13th: Luke 8
When you have a child that is sick and near death, desperate measures are called for! Jairus was a ruler in the synagogue who had a daughter that was near death. He made haste to find Jesus and knelt before Him, pleading for assistance! Jesus willingly accompanied him to bring what was needed.
Jesus was at the height of His ministry and many people were crowding around Him as he traveled. “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.” (Luke 8:44) Jesus asked who had touched Him because He felt power go out from Him. The woman came and knelt at His feet, telling why she had touched Him. Jesus declared to her that her faith had healed her!
In the meantime, servants came from Jairus’ home telling him not to bother the Master any more, his daughter was dead! Jesus spoke to him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” (Luke 8:50) Faith is a necessary ingredient to receive healing from the Lord. Fear comes to take us away from trusting in Jesus. Many people only trust what they see or hear as truth. With Jesus, we must believe His Word and receive what He promises!
On arrival, many were wailing and mourning the child’s death. Jesus told them to stop for the child was not dead, but sleeping. They laughed at Him. “But He took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.” (Luke 8:54-55) Jesus confronted death with faith and brought healing in an impossible situation! Don’t be afraid, only believe!
Canceled debts!
Scripture reading for March 12th: Luke 7
“Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so He went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” (Luke 7:36-38) This astounding act of love and kindness by this woman aroused questions in Simon, the Pharisee whom Jesus was eating with. He had trouble understanding why Jesus would allow this sinful woman to even touch Him.
Jesus told Simon a story about two men who owed a money-lender some money. One owed a small amount and the other a large sum of money. Neither of them could pay so the banker canceled both the debts. Jesus asked Simon which of these would love the banker more? “Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” (Luke 7:43) Jesus commended Simon for his answer.
Jesus went on to instruct Simon about the woman and Simon’s own lack of love for Him. This woman loved Jesus and showed it by here lavish actions. Simon had not even offered to wash Jesus’ feet! Those who have been forgiven much, love much! Those forgiven little, love little! (Luke 7:47) Jesus then told the woman her sins were forgiven!
Simon’s lack of love stemmed from his lack of understanding of his own indebtedness. Many times we are caught in the same trap. We think that God should be pleased just to have us invite Him to our table. Let’s lavish our love on Him!
Love your enemy!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Luke 6
Jesus loved to teach the people the ways of the kingdom of God. He came to preach the ‘good news’ of the kingdom but part of it sounded strange to those who heard Him. God’s ways and the way of His people would be markedly different than the way of those in the world!
“But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on the cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:27-31) First, we must ‘hear Jesus’. Listening is not just with our ears, but with our hearts. We must always be ready to make adjustments in our thinking!
Jesus asked His followers to love their enemies and to do good to those who would mistreat them. This was a hard teaching then and now as well. God wants none to perish, but all to come to repentance. It is not God’s judgment that leads people to repentance, but His goodness and kindness! (Romans 2:4) This kindness must not be in word only, but also in deed. God wants us to reflect His kindness to those who hate us in order to reach them!
Kingdom people hear Jesus’ instruction and allow God to use them to reach their enemies! Take time today to show kindness to someone who has mistreated you or hates you! Do unto them what you would want done to you!
“I am willing!”
Scripture reading for March 10th: Luke 5
Jesus had announced His ministry of preaching Good News and releasing the prisoners and the oppressed in His home town of Nazareth. (Luke 4:18-19) The people there refused to receive the message and even sought to kill Him. But Jesus was not deterred and began to minister in other towns in the region. He called disciples and invited them to join Him in preaching and healing the oppressed and sick.
“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5:12-13) Jesus made good on the announcement of His ministry and astounded people as well. Lepers were considered ‘unclean’ and under God’s curse. Religious people would not touch them! This hurting man came humbly to Jesus with a plea for mercy. He wasn’t sure that Jesus was willing to help Him, but asked in faith that Jesus had the ability. Jesus honored his request and touched him. The leprosy departed immediately!
We learn from this incident, that Jesus is willing to help anyone in any situation. When approached humbly, Jesus responds positively! He has ‘good news’ for all of us! He cares about us and our ‘uncleanness!’ He is able and willing to bring healing and deliverance! Take your burden by faith to Jesus today for a quick response!