365 Reflections

Luke chapter 14 has to be one of the funniest and most serious passages and all the Gospel. The Pharisee invites Jesus over for dinner party and gets more than he possibly could have bargained for. The first six verses are the funny part: they are examining Jesus and without them saying a word he responds to their critical spirits and heals on the Sabbath. That part of the story ends with this verse: And they could not reply to these things. (Luke 14:6 ESV) Then he watches as everyone chooses the best selves and send some more interesting things that I'm sure cock their attention... "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, "Give your place to this person," and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he ma

We all have a certain theological bent when it comes to salvation. Some are heavy Calvinists... God elects and choses.  Man can do nothing. Some are heavy Arminians... Man can chose and some do. God knows who will, and elects accordingly. I'm Calminian.  I know.  It's kind of a cop out.  But it's passages like Luke 13:22ff that help shape this centrist position.  While I believe we cannot save ourselves in any way, I do believe we are responsible to choose Christ and accept Him.  How that plays out in the mystery of God's will and foreknowledge is something I cannot explain.  When the Word asks, "Who has known the mind of the Lord?" I do not raise my hand! Back to Luke... something interesting happens in Chapter 13: Luke 13:22–24 (ESV) He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow d

Some sickness are not physical... they ARE spiritual.  We have to begin admitting this with confidence if we are going to be effective workers in the Kingdom of God. Luke 13:11–13 (ESV) And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.”  Jesus is in Synagogue on Sabbath and a woman has come to worship but cannot straighten up.  She has come bent over ... not because of a physical ailment but because of a spiritual attack.  Jesus makes sure to point out it was "Satan" who had her bound for 18 long years.  Luke 13:16 (ESV)  And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” There are those who deny healing is for today.  They say God only heals spiritually.  But this moment blows that philosoph

Luke 13:1–5 (ESV)  There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Jesus is asked about some bad things that happen to some good people.  His answer is important, especially for us today. I've always read this passage to mean, "When bad things happen to certain people, it's not because of their sin, it's just the fallenness of Creation".   That's not what Jesus says.  Notice he doesn't say, "Do you think that these Galileans

Jesus once had a man come to him with this statement: "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." The man was full of anxiety.  Do you know why?  Because he didn't think he was getting his "fair due." His brother must have been holding some part of the inheritance back. He sees that Jesus is in the business of helping people so he feels, "Why not bring the matter to Jesus?" The answer must have shocked him to his core!  Jesus is usually firm with the people who need firmness to drive whatever garbage is in their hearts: Luke 12:14 (ESV) But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Then Jesus tells the story of a man who laid up more treasure than he would have time to enjoy. He speaks to himself, he builds for himself, he amasses for himself... and then, one night, God takes his life right away from himself.   He was a fool.  He was anxious for money, and he died alone.  Kind of like the man wh

There can be no doubt Jesus spent a lot of time talking about how we talk.  He made it clear, the most dangerous element of the Pharisees was their teaching.  They taught what they didn't practice. They taught men burdensome things.  While they were unwilling to help anyone do them. In Luke 12, Jesus goes on a long discourse concerning the tongue. Some of the scariest verses of scriptures are found here: Luke 12:2–3 (ESV) Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. And then just a few verses later: Luke 12:8–10 (ESV) “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man wil

(Luke 11:41   NLT ) So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.  In this verse Jesus is challenging the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day. They were so absorbed with their religious fanaticism, that they forgot about the very reason for serving God. That God is the one who reaches down to those who cannot help themselves. And those who claim to follow him must also be those kind of people who seek to help those who cannot help themselves. The thing that surprises me most about this verse is how even religious devotion can be an idol in our lives. We can look to our own devotion as some sort of acceptability before God and feel that we have arrived based on our works. Jesus calls them hypocrites. That they are playing apart. They look religious but deep down inside there is nothing about them that reflects the character and nature of the God they claim to serve.  Who can't possibly be challenged by this verse? Jesus indeed had many admon

Do not think that this saying of Jesus means that anyone could possibly be beyond help: Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:26 ESV) It was Mary Magdalene who possess this condition before Jesus found her, saved her and delivered her. Jesus said these things right after telling us to ask for the Holy Spirit, knowing with full confidence that God will give it to us. His Spirit is all the power we need to encounter all the demonic forces of hell. But Jesus makes sure to mention the fact that demons being cast out is a sure sign that the kingdom of God is here. The kingdom of God leads to a reversal of fortunes. That's the reality of the kingdom at its heart. The poor arbalest, those who mourn are comforted, and prostitutes or seven demons become the first evangelists of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The thief doesn't just stop stealing, h

Having just returned a successful missionary journey the name of Jesus, the disciples return with joy over the amazing productivity that they experience in His name. Jesus is quick to redirect their enthusiasm. Luke 10:20 (ESV) Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” When Jesus tells you to be happy about something, it's a good idea happy about something. It's also a good idea to prioritize what makes you happy. For ministerial success, professional success, Christian success will come and go at differing times. We cannot base our happiness only on what we accomplish. Jesus quickly reminds them, "I have given you power."   This didn't come from your success.  Apart from HIM we can do nothing!   Jesus teaches us that our joy should not be rooted in what we are able to do but rather on who we become in following Him. We become the children of God, with names

Luke 10:2 (ESV)   And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Did you see the word after pray?   "EARNESTLY" Don't half-heartedly hope that God will send workers to do the mission of world evangelism.  Pray.  And not just pray!  PRAY HARD for workers.  We need more preachers! One commentator put it like this: " Prayer for preachers is Christ’s method for increasing the supply." I'm a Pastor.  I know this to be true first hand.  The people who actually step up to the work in the church are few and far between. They say 20% of an average church does 80% of the work.  I really think that's very accurate. Why? Some simply see the church as a need-meeting organization.  Help me when I'm down and pick me up when I fall.  I could really use some encouragement today.  Should we encourage each other?  Sure, but not

The John we see in Luke's Gospel, chapter 9 at least, is not even close to the one who would write the Epistles, Gospel, and Revelation that we know from him. The younger John (from Luke 9) gets into arguments about who would be greatest, then tries to stop an outsider from performing miracles in Jesus name because he didn't belong to the "club," then he desires to destroy an entire village because they reject Jesus. Wow. In 1 John he is known as the Apostle of "Love One Another." In the Gospel of John he is the "disciple Jesus loved." And in Revelation, even there we see a contrite man before the Lord. What happened? He walked with Jesus for a long time.  The John who wrote those books was well into his 80s or 90s by historian accounts.  The John in Luke 9 is a teenager. Good news for me.  There's hope.  My Mother used to lead Sunday School with a song that went like this: "He's still working on me.  To make me what I

Peter wanted to stay.  He wanted to build tents there... He even offered to build three tents for Jesus and His special guests Moses and Elijah.  The tent is where Moses when to meet with God.  Peter is sure it's a good thing to build a tent when Jesus is transfigured and meet with God. But two things happen to Peter to illustrate an important reality for us... 1. God interrupts Peter to tell Him who Jesus is and that Peter should spend more time listening to Him. I love how Luke inserts a little unspoken humor in this passage: Luke 9:34–35 (ESV) As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” God just disregards Peter's speech to give the more important word! You don't need a tent, you need Jesus... Jesus is the TRUE AND BETTER TEMPLE.  You can go to Him and you can listen to Him.  You meet with God whe

The first two verses of Luke 9 have everything to do with the last 34 verses of Luke 8.  Jesus took the disciples on a whirlwind tour of trouble... 1. Into a boat and encounter and storm. 2. To the other side of the lake where a demoniac waits and a town rejects them. 3. Back to the other side for a dying 12 year old girl. 4. Stopping the crowd to note the healing of a woman bleeding for 12 years. 5. Right into the very room where the little girl lay dead. At the end of this tour... Luke 9 opens up with this passage: Luke 9:1–2 (ESV) And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. Do we understand what it means to be sent by Jesus?   It means we are going to need authority!  We are going to need His Power!  We are going to face storms... some of which may last longer than a night. We are going to face demons...  We are going to face peopl

Sometimes it's the little things we overlook in a passage.  When Jesus is confronted with two demon possessed men in which a "legion" of demons reside, a conversation breaks out between the Lord and the demons... After finding out their name, the demons do something telling: Luke 8:31 (ESV) And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. The demons begged Jesus not to depart into the abyss.  Hmmmm. I was reading Martin Lloyd Jones commentary on Ephesians 6:13.  He shared a powerful idea about the origin of evil and Satan's history.  He suggested the idea that the space between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 is where Satan was cast out of heaven.  And that is why the Spirit is hovering over the surface of the deep - and the Earth is described as "formless and void" - being chaotic as a result of the devil being cast there from heaven.   It's a speculative view but it opens to us a reality that we should be aware of.  There w

In the parable of the sower Jesus describes four possible responses to the Word of God.  Some have heard but the devil takes it away.  Some spring up quickly, joyfully accepting the message, but when testing comes their shallow faith is revealed. Then there are those who let the money and cares of this world choke out the word of God from their hearts. But the final soil is good soil.  It produces a crop.  It bears fruit.  Jesus says this is how it happens: Luke 8:15 (ESV) As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Patience... that's a key word here.  Jesus is implying something for everyone who has wanted to be a fruitful Christ-follower... be patient with your own results. For everyone wondering why they have struggled to see change in their lives EVEN as a Christ follower, they need to know: Fruitfulness isn't overnight.  That's good and bad.   It's goo

In Luke 7, Jesus is the houseguest of a Pharisee.  During the meal a woman of considerable sin lavishes upon him an expensive ointment washing his feet with her hair.  Such action was intolerable to the notable religious person who suspected Jesus' credentials based on his reaction. Then Jesus shares a short to the point parable with a meaning not even the Pharisee can miss: Luke 7:40–43 (ESV) And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Do you know why some people love the Lord and some people just go to church ?  Do you know what the one difference is between those two kinds of people? 

I love what happens to the Roman Centurion when Jesus comes to his house to heal his prized servant: First, early in the short story, the Elders of the Jews requested Jesus' assistance since in their opinion, he was worthy of this good deed from Christ. This was the testimony of the people about him: "He is worthy to have you do this for him" Luke 7:4 He was a man of good deeds... building a synagogue and loving the Jewish people.  So Jesus starts on his way.   But when Jesus actually comes close, he sends friends telling him of his own unworthiness: "When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof." Luke 7:6   Then verse 7 "But say the word , and let my servant be healed." That's really something.  Friends know us better than our church leaders (Elders).  But Jesus knows us better than all.  And when Jesus got close,

After the dustup over the Sabbath, the religious leaders begin to eagerly seek to kill Jesus.  And Jesus knows this most of all.  He also knows His time is short on this Earth and the kingdom must carry one after He rises and ascends to the Father.  So what does Jesus do when He knows His time is short? He prays. He picks successors. He helped people. He preaches the Truth. Luke 6:12–16 (ESV) In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. He prayed all night and the Father gave Him these choices... men of little account.  It is the way of God for certain to pick

I read something powerful from Warren Weirsbe about the Sabbath being changed from Saturday to Sunday for those who follow Christ. The Sabbath referred to the work of God being completed in Creation.  God worked to create and rested AFTER the work was done.  The Jews were taught to obey the Sabbath as a testimony to their special covenant relationship with God.  It was Holy.  That means it was "separate."  Their 7th day to rest in a largely agricultural society was a sign that separated them from every other nation that served the "gods" of fertility and prosperity. Today in Christ, we celebrate the "Sabbath" on the first day of the week.  That is, we celebrate it BEFORE any work gets done for that week.  Why?  Because the WORK of our salvation has already been done!  It was accomplished on the cross and completed in the resurrection - which appropriately happened on the first day of the week!  You see, in the NEW CREATION of our hearts, the work doesn

Some people think you need to have a certain amount of faith for God to do anything for you.  Especially when it comes to healing.  Harm has been done to many on this teaching alone!  Yet it was a not man's faith that move the Lord to heal in Luke 5, but the faith of his friends... Luke 5:20 (ESV) And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” When Jesus saw the faith they had in Jesus being the answer for their friend, their friend was forgiven and healed.  Of course this passage shows the power of Jesus to heal AND forgive.  But it also highlights the importance of forgiveness over healing.   First, to Jesus, the more important matter for this lame man was forgiveness.  We don't think this way.  We think he's crippled and he needs to walk.  Walking, we think would make his life immeasurably better.  But Jesus full of power to heal, doesn't delve right into the physical problem before Him.  He first deals with the spiritual problem

I think of how many of us seek the approval of people.  It is a real and powerful temptation.  All of us in some way are affected by it.  We measure our worth by how many people want to be around us.  We can't help it.  We need it. And then the enemy twists it and uses it against us.  Making us slaves to the opinions of people.  He tempts us to fear what they think instead of what God thinks.  It can be so hard as a Pastor to fight this temptation.  You want to make an impact on a large number of people.  But then the number gets large and you are tempted to play a game of "keep the crowd." I'm so glad Jesus gave us a better example to follow.  And every leader, every preacher, ever person who follows Him should pay attention in Luke 5. After a miraculous catch of fish for Peter, a healing takes place in a leprous man.  Here's what happens next: Luke 5:15–16 (ESV) But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him an

Luke 4-5 contains several snippets of the power Jesus' Word carries in various ways... I want to list them here: His Word astonishes the listeners: Luke 4:31–32 (ESV) And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. His Word cast out demons: Luke 4:35 (ESV) But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. His Word removes sickness: Luke 4:39 (ESV) And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. His Word silences demons: Luke 4:41 (ESV) And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. His Word attracted great and eager crowds who presse

The episode when Jesus goes home to preach on the Sabbath in Luke is confusing upon first sight.  He reads from Isaiah and sits down, they marvel, he tells them the scripture is now fulfilled in their midst.  They marvel more. Then He sharply rebukes them all: Luke 4:22–27 (ESV) And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepe

Luke 3:22 (ESV) and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Paul says this in regards to our adoption: Ephesians 1:6 (ESV) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. The Father expressed His love for the Son before the Son did anything in terms of public ministry.  Of course, the Father and Son and Spirit have all enjoyed loving fellowship with one another from eternity to eternity.  But this voice was for the benefit of those who were there.  It is for the benefit of we who read from Luke's Gospel as well.  We get a peak into the relationship of Father, Son and Spirit.  A relationship where each member unconditionally loves and takes pleasure in the others.  This is the relationship we are called to partake of as the people of Jesus' family. It is no mistake that Luke goes right into the genealogical lineage of Jesus b

Evangelicals tend to be afraid of the term "social justice."Sometimes we think the term weakens the Gospel, the nature of our sin and redemption only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. But when John the Baptist starts his ministry is clear what is intended by God before the coming of Christ. He wants justice in the world. And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?" And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise." Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages." (Luke 3:10-14 ESV) The interesting thing about the word "justice" in Hebrew is that it

I've always been intrigued with Simeon in the Temple in Luke 2.  An old man described as "righteous and devout" who hoped for the "consolation of Israel."  I even wrote a play for him one Christmas! But I love how poetically Luke brings the Trinity together in Simeon's reception of Jesus. Luke 2:27–28 (ESV) And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, This righteous man had three things happen as an example of how to be a righteous man before God: 1. He was led by the Spirit into the temple to meet Jesus. The Spirit draws a man to Jesus.  A man is not a man until he has met the man Jesus.   2. He held on to Jesus. Perhaps weakened from age.  Since he was ready to die after this moment.  But he holds on to Jesus.  When life is treating you rotten, hold on to Jesus.  He is the one who was

Luke 2:7 (ESV)  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke spends just 7 verses on the Birth of Christ.  SEVEN!  His Gospel contains over 1000 verses and is the longest book in the New Testament.  Yet these seven verses are some of the most read verses in the world because the only time people hear the Bible is when they are read for the annual Christmas service or movie once a year.  I imagine the average person unfamiliar with Jesus thinks this is the highlight of the story. Don't get me wrong.  It is an amazing beginning for the Son of God.  Inauspicious to say the least for the King of kings to spend his first night on Earth in the feeding trough of animals.  And another thing - this is the Incarnate Word of God and yet He cannot utter a single phrase.  Wow.  Truly a gripping scene as Joseph and Mary are then visited by the Shepherds in Luke's account. But t