Luke 18:18-27   The young man saw Jesus and ran up to Him.  Mark tells us that he even knelt before Him. His question seems sincere, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 

Jesus saw this young man. He asked a question in return, " Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone."  Then Jesus gives the man a reminder of what God calls good.. " Do not commit adultery, Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your Father and Mother." Matthew adds, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark adds, "Do not defraud." 

Why would Jesus speak only of these 5 commandments?  These all focus on relationships with others.. and the young man is confident that he has kept them.  But.. what of the first 4?  Did he have  "no other gods"?   Had he made himself an idol? Had he used God's name in vain? Was he observing the Sabbath to keep it holy?  And what of the last commandment?  Did he covet what belonged to his neighbor? The young man wanted to justify himself..yet... it seems that he knew something was lacking.  But he didn't like what Jesus had to say, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor and you shall have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me." 

"But when he had heard these things, he became very sad; for he was extremely rich."  He turned away. He rejected the eternal life that he wanted so badly.. it was right there in front of him and he let it slip away.. His wealth was his god and it was too much to surrender.  He would rather have treasures on earth that would not last than treasures in heaven that will never perish. 

Jesus made a statement that shook them all.. "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God."    Over and over Jesus taught that humility and trust in God are what is "good".  Oh, the way is narrow that leads to God's Kingdom!  It is hard to choose it.. but thankfully Jesus adds, "The things impossible with men are possible with God"!   

This is why He came.. to do the impossible.. to save the lost.. rich and poor.. Hallelujah!

Father in heaven, we come with grateful hearts to thank You for making a way when there was no other way.. and that way is Jesus!  King Jesus, we will follow You.. we will surrender all.  Help us to do the will of the Father, to exalt His Name, and to keep choosing the narrow way every day.. running the race set before us with our eyes fixed on You.  We ask this is Your Holy Name. Amen. 

 Luke 18:9-17  Jesus tells a second parable about prayer.  The first one emphasized how necessary it is for us to be persistent in prayer for we have a God who will hear and provide for those who continue in faith.  This one teaches about the attitude of prayer. 

The two men who go up to the temple are opposites in every way. The first is a Pharisee. The second is a tax-gatherer.  One would be considered "righteous" because of his position, his outward behavior, and his own testimony... "The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people; swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get' "    He never acknowledged his sins, his failures, or his need for God's grace. 

The tax-gatherer was automatically judged to be evil. They all thought that the tax-gatherers were crooked, corrupt, and unclean because of their job.  This man, however, was "unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "  All he asked for was mercy. With every word he confessed his unrighteousness and his need for a Savior.

Jesus says that it is the tax-gatherer who left the temple "justified".  The Pharisee was not repentant and  remained unforgiven.  The one who trusted in himself, thinking he was righteous was far from it.  The one who was held in contempt, despised by the Pharisee.. is the one who is made truly righteous by the Lord.  

Jesus says, as He had said before, "everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted." 

Luke gives us another glimpse of this truth in the next few verses.  The people were bringing their babies to Jesus "so that He might touch them".  The disciples tried to stop them, but Jesus "called for them".  He said "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all." 

The Message says it this way, " Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child you'll never get in." 

 With simple faith, a  humble heart, and an honest confession of sin.. we come to the only One who has mercy to give, grace to bestow, forgiveness to offer and love to complete it all so that we can receive His Kingdom.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Father in heaven, we exalt Your Holy Name and we praise the Son of righteousness!  Hold us in Your Hands today we pray. How we need You every hour! Thank You for showing us mercy and forgiving our sins, for making us whole and clothing us in the righteousness of Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

 Luke 18:1-8  Luke says that this parable about prayer was to "show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart." 

The parable is about a judge and a widow.  The judge, we are told, "did not fear God and did not respect man." What a description!  None of us would want to willingly go before such a man.  No goodness is attributed to him.. he had power over others, but no mercy, no love.. and not even any regard for anyone but himself. 

The widow was a different character altogether !  She was relentless in her pursuit of justice.  She was bold to keep coming to this godless judge in an effort to find relief from her "adversary". 

Because of the widow's persistence she was finally granted justice in her case.  It was not goodness that caused the judge to finally relent and help her.. it was his selfish desire to just be done with her that he granted her request. 

The point of the story, Jesus says, is that if an unjust judge would help the widow because of her persistence.. that how much more our God.. who is good, who is gracious, and who is merciful and full of love.. a Just and Mighty God.. "bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night and will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will bring about justice for them speedily." 

What a wonderful promise!  Our God hears our prayers.  He sees our need.  He will act on our behalf.  He is able to do all things!  Our part is to keep praying, to keep trusting, and to be people of faith until Christ returns again. 

Prayer matters.  Persistent and consistent prayer matters.  Urgent prayers matter. Humble, honest prayers matter. 

Jesus says we "ought to pray" .. at "all times".  It is necessary.  It is needed. It is vital.  He also says that we should "not lose heart".. we should not "faint".  Don't grow weary. Don't give up.. don't fail.  Be like the widow.. bold, persistent, and relentless.  We have a good, good, Father who will not fail. May we be found to have the kind of faith that persists until the coming of Jesus. 

Father, may it be so! 

Amen. 

 Luke 17:20-37  

The Pharisees questioned Jesus about the coming of God's Kingdom.  They were still looking for signs.. they were still wanting proof that Jesus was Who He claimed He was. They still had a narrow definition of God's Sovereignty and Greatness.  They still had no clue what God's Kingdom was. 

Jesus answered the Pharisees, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed." In fact, He tells them, it is not something they could see or point to.. "Look, here it is!"  The truth, Jesus tells them, is that "the kingdom of God is in your midst."  The Kingdom of God was right there in front of them. They just couldn't see it. Their spiritual eyes were blind. They rejected the One who will bring the Kingdom to earth. 

Jesus preached continually about God's Kingdom.. it was His theme and His greatest desire.  He taught His disciples to pray, "Thy Kingdom Come".  He now gives them some more teaching about the Kingdom coming.. 

First, He tells His disciples that they would long for the Kingdom.. "the days of the Son of Man".. but they would not see it.  They wouldn't have to run here and there when others try to point them in a different direction. But.. when the Kingdom does come to earth.. when Christ returns "in His day".. there will be no doubt that it has come.. the whole world will know. 

Secondly, He tells them that before the Kingdom comes.. before He can return.. He will suffer. 

Jesus compares the coming of His Kingdom to the days of Noah and the days of Lot.  Life was going on ...In both cases people were just doing what they do.. eating, drinking, getting married.. building, planting, selling and buying. But, when Noah entered the ark with his family and when Lot left the city of Sodom with his family.. all those left behind were judged and destroyed. 

Those "taken" and those "left" in the next few verses represent those who are ready for the Kingdom and those who are not.  This is not arbitrary.  If a person seeks to "keep his life ".. if he is holding on to the things of this world and rejecting God's salvation.. they will lose everything.  But, those who "lose" their lives.. for the sake of the Kingdom..will live. 

The Kingdom of God is so near.. Christ has invited us in  and paved the way for us by His own death on the cross.  But.. some still choose their own way.. and no matter how good we think we are.. it is not enough.  Only Jesus saves and cleanses us from the thing that blocks our way to the Father.. sin.  Big sins, little sins,, unknown sins.. it doesn't matter. We are all in the same boat.. or if we think of Noah.. we are all outside the boat and only Jesus can open the door and let us in.  

Father in heaven,  Let Your Kingdom Come and let us be ready!  Open blind eyes today, Lord Jesus, so that the lost will call upon Your Name and be saved.  We know there is a Day coming when You will come again and reign on this earth.. and we pray that we will be ready!  We pray for the lost ones in our families.. those working beside us, those sharing our homes, those who are our neighbors ...will receive the Good News that You are able to save them and bring them into the Kingdom if they will just humble themselves and give their lives to You.  Our prayer lists are long, Lord. We bring each one to You right now and ask in the Name of Jesus.. in agreement with Your Will,  that many more will be saved. Amen

 Luke 17:11-18  There is an interlude from  teaching as Jesus continues heading towards Jerusalem.  They are passing "between Samaria and Galilee" when 10 men, all with leprosy call out to Him. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"   Jesus does not hesitate to send all ten men to go show themselves to the priests... to be examined and declared clean.  They obey and head towards the tabernacle. But.. only one turns back to glorify God when he realizes that he has been healed. 

How could the others not turn around and praise the Lord? They were all cleansed. They were all obedient to the command to go show themselves.  But.. nine missed an opportunity to give glory to God and to receive another word from Jesus.  "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." 

How would we react to such a situation?  To be in great need.. facing an impossible trial.. a disease so horrible that you cannot recover on your own...  and then.. miracle of miracles you come within shouting distance of the Healer!  Would we fall on our knees and worship the God who showed mercy?  I hope so!  

In fact, we have all been in that situation.. covered with the disease of sin.. unable to cleanse ourselves. And we are all in shouting distance.. and even closer.. to the only One who can cleanse us and make us whole. He is willing to answer our cry.. and we can go our way rejoicing.. But, let us not miss the opportunity to turn around and give glory to God! We can never praise Him enough for what He has done!

Father, I want to be one who recognizes Your grace and mercy and who falls on my knees and gives You glory.  Don't let me miss any opportunity to give You glory!  I  will glorify Your Name in the everyday blessings and in the trials and struggles of this life. You are so good and ready to forgive!  You are abundant in lovingkindness and there is none like You.  You are the Healer, Jesus, and we need Your healing touch today.  Make our faith great, Lord and help us to always give praise and glory to God!  Thank You!  Amen. 

 Luke 17:5-10

The apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith... and His answer is "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.' " A mustard seed, as we know is very, very small.  If it is not the quantity of faith that matters, then could it be the quality of the disciple's faith that needs to grow? 

What kind of faith do we have?  Do we have the kind of faith that  cares so much about others that we are on our guard to help them?  Are we careful to not put stumbling blocks that would keep people from coming to Jesus?  Are we careful to speak up when our friend or brother sins?  Do we have faith that will forgive and forgive and forgive again when someone sins against us? Do we have the kind of faith that obeys the Master.. keeping His commandments and recognizing His worth and our own unworthiness?

Father in heaven, we ask for this kind of faith that yields completely to Your will.. so that we might  live as Your servants in humble, loving obedience.. Fill us  Holy Spirit, so that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus.  Jesus,  You are the One who has authored our faith and You are the One who completes it.. to the glory of Your Name and to the praise of the Father in heaven.  May the love of God and the steadfastness of Jesus be ours today we pray,  asking all things in Your Mighty Name. Amen. 

 Luke 17:1-5   Jesus taught His disciples some important lessons that are included here as He heads towards Jerusalem. 

The first lesson is about "stumbling blocks".  This is also translated as "offences."  It can mean a trap or a snare.. or something that draws a person into error or sin. Jesus warns that these snares will come, but the one through whom it comes is the one who will be judged.  "It would be better if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble." 

Then the Lord tells His disciples to "Be on your guard!"  The lesson is about looking our for your brother. If they sin, rebuke him.. if they repent.. forgive him and keep on forgiving him as much as necessary .. 

In reply to these 2 lessons, the disciples ask the Lord ,  "Increase our faith". 

Shepherd, help us to have ears to hear what You are teaching us today. 

I don't want to be a stumbling block to anyone and I don't want anyone to cause me to stumble.. do you?  The judgement of God is terrifying... as the Word reminds us.. "Our God is a consuming fire! The truth is that we have all stumbled or been offended.. or have been drawn into sin by someone during our life time. Someone has sinned against us.. and he or she has to make a decision how to deal with that guilt.. either they repent and we forgive them.  Or they don't repent and face the judgment of the Lord. 

If I am the one who has offended someone or caused them to sin, then it is up to me to repent and seek forgiveness  or face the judgement of the Lord. Let me be the one who repents Lord God!

Oh how we need faith too!  Help us Lord Jesus to humble ourselves and seek Your grace.. forgive us our sins and trespasses and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us.  May we not cause anyone to stumble and may we not stumble our own selves.  We need You Lord Jesus! Fill us with Your wisdom and love and lead us is Your ways. Increase our faith and help us to trust and obey in every situation.  You are our help and our salvation O God! Thank You. amen. 

Luke 16  The next parable that Jesus teaches His disciples is about the rich man with the "unrighteous steward". This steward was accused of "squandering"  the possessions of the rich boss.  The boss called in the steward and asked for an accounting before being let go from his position. The steward quickly made a plan for his own future. He called in those who were in debt to the master and forgave some of what they owed. His hope was that they would help him out after he lost his job.  The master "praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly".  

Was Jesus using this example to glorify the wisdom or shrewdness of the servant?  No.. He clarified His point to this disciples.. " And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness that when it fails, they may receive you into eternal dwellings."  And it will fail.  Worldly "mammon" .. riches, treasures, money.. have a usefulness.. but it is nothing in the light of eternity. Jesus illustrates this truth with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. When they both died it is the poor man, Lazarus who suffered in this life.. who rests in paradise at the side of Abraham.  It is the man who had more treasures than he ever needed who suffered greatly in the fire of Hades. 

Jesus taught that we cannot serve two masters.  We cannot pursue and serve riches and serve God at the same time. If God is not first.. we are not His.  The Pharisees "who were lovers of money".. scoffed.  Jesus  warned them once again that God knew their hearts. They justified themselves but that did not mean that they were justified before God.  They manipulated even the Law that they claimed to love and obey.. to justify their own sinfulness.  They called divorce a good thing.. but Jesus called it adultery.  They were ignorant of the Truth of God's Word. 

The rich man considered himself blessed.. until he found himself in Hades. What do we need to learn from this?  Are we being wise and faithful with what God has given to us?  Jesus said, " he who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very  little thing is unrighteous also in much."  Are we faithful to use what belongs to God for His glory?  Not just worldly goods, but spiritual treasures too?  Jesus will address this again in the parable of the talents. It is something He really wants us to hear! 

Lord, open our ears and eyes to see Your wonderful works and to know Your will in all things. Fill us, Spirit of God, that we might be faithful in the little and in the great.. in all that You have provided.. for we want to glorify You in every good work. Come, Lord Jesus, and cleanse our hearts from all unfaithfulness ... we surrender all to you..  as we pray in Your Name..  uniting our hearts with Yours. Amen. 

 Luke 15   Jesus is criticized by the Pharisees and scribes because the tax-gatherers and  sinners came to Him and He received them.  This is the context of three parables:  the lost sheep; the lost coin; and the lost son. 

The lost sheep:  The man had 100 sheep and 1 was lost. This shepherd loved all his sheep, so he left the 99 in a safe place and went himself to find the one that was lost.  When he found it, he carried it home, rejoicing.  He even called his friends and neighbors together to celebrate with him. 

The lost coin:  The woman only had 10 silver coins. When she lost one she lit a lamp, swept the house and searched carefully until she found it.  Again, she rejoiced and celebrated with her friends and neighbors. 

Both of these parables end with  a similar statement from Jesus, "I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 

The lost son:  This final parable is a bit more complicated.  The younger son of a "certain man" asked his father to give him his inheritance and let him go away.  In the Jewish law, the older son would get the majority of the inheritance.. so 2/3s and the younger would get 1/3. So the young man takes 1/3 of all his father has and basically throws it away on "loose living".  We know the story.. a famine comes to the land where he is, he takes a job feeding pigs; and he is starving to death.  He finally wakes up enough to remember his father's house and that even the servants in his father's house had food to eat. So, he humbles himself and heads home, willing to be a slave .. He knew he deserved nothing.  But.. when the father saw him coming he was overjoyed!  He "embraced him and kissed him".  He had a feast prepared to rejoice over his son who had been lost, but was now found. 

Then.. the older son came home from work.  He was not happy to see the younger son restored to his father. Even though the father loved him too.. even though he had stayed and worked for the father and would receive all that was the father's.. he had no love for the brother who had come home.  

This is the picture of the Pharisees and scribes. They had no love for "tax-gatherers and sinners".  They had no compassion, no mercy, no patience, and no joy that the lost were now found.  They wouldn't come to the party where there was rejoicing over those now back where they should have been the whole time - in the Father's Home.. in the Kingdom of God. 

Father in heaven, we have all been lost at some point in our lives, for we have all sinned and come short of Your glory.  Yet, You have made a way for us to return to You.. we belong to You.. and You came looking for us and have carried us home. Thank You Good Shepherd!  You sent the Light of the World to sweep through the whole earth to find those of us who were lost and You found us!  Thank You Lord! You rejoiced when we recognized the depths of our sin and hopelessness.. when You reminded us that we were made by You and belong to You and we returned to You... with repentance and humility.  Jesus, You came to save the lost and we praise Your holy name.  Thank You for the wonderful work of salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray.   Father, we ask now in the mighty name of Jesus that You would send workers into Your harvest field.. to bring the lost sheep back to the Shepherd.  We pray that Your Light would shine through every believer so that the lost will be found and that heaven would rejoice. Father, speak to the hearts of the prodigal sons and daughters who have left their homes and squandered their lives.. and bring them back home. We give thanks and praise to You Father, for You hear our heart's prayers and the prayers of Jesus at Your right Hand even now. Amen. 

 Luke 14:25-35     As Jesus left the Pharisee's home and once again headed towards Jerusalem, He spoke to the multitude that was following Him.  

This is a hard message.. it is perhaps the hardest test of discipleship that must be considered if one will be a true follower of Christ. If we do not do this.. how would we be able to face the persecution that is to come? How can we be ready to die for our Savior? How can we be counted as His disciple?

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple."  We try to soften this statement by explaining that Jesus just means we must love Him more than anyone else or more than ourselves.  But.. He doesn't give us that option. He is calling His followers to become disciples.. to learn from Him the most vital lesson of all.  If we want to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ we must count the cost.. 

Jesus gives three examples of counting the cost:

Verse 27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."  His listeners knew what carrying a cross meant.  A cross was carried by someone guilty of a crime.  They were the basest, the lowest, the worst of the worse.  Jesus had just taught about being humble.. there is nothing more humbling than baring your sin and guilt and shame to the world.  Jesus would bear a cross for the sins of the whole world.. but He only asks His disciples to bear their own cross for His sake. This is the cost of discipleship.. 

Verses 28-30 talk about a man wanting to build a tower. Would that man not stop first and see how much it would cost and if he had enough money to build it?  He would not want to start the project without being ready to finish it. That would be foolish and he would face "ridicule".  Likewise, to be a true disciple of Jesus we need to be ready to persevere to the end.  Do we have the resources to do that?  Only if we have Jesus as our Master to strengthen us and complete us by His own power and grace. This is the cost of discipleship.. 

Verses 31-32 talk about a king who wants to go to war.  Before he even starts out he will consider the strength of his army and the strength of the enemy's army.  If he is outnumbered he will sent out ambassadors to "ask for terms of peace."  In other words, that king must not let his pride lead him into a war he cannot win, but must humble himself before the one more powerful. This is the cost of discipleship.. 

Jesus concludes this message with "So therefore, no one of you can be my disciple who does not give up all his own possessions."  

We are absolutely unable to save ourselves and we need Jesus. We come to Him only by admitting our sin and guilt, humbling ourselves before Him, trusting on His provision to complete His work in our lives, submitting to His rule and reign over us, and giving Him our whole selves.  Complete surrender of our lives, our possessions, our families, our work, and our futures. 

Only then are we "good" salt.. otherwise we are without flavor, without worth, and without life. 

Father in heaven, we have no hope without Jesus Christ. He is the King, the Master, the Savior and we surrender our whole lives to follow Him. We cannot do anything on our own, Lord. He is first in all things according to Your will and word.  Teach us, Lord, what we need to hear. Open our ears and our eyes to Your Truth.  Fill us Spirit of God with understanding we pray, in the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 Luke 14:12-24  As Jesus continued to sit at the table with the leading Pharisees... He had spoken about being humble and not exalting oneself.. and then He said this, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors, lest they invite you in return, and repayment come to you. But, when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  

Jesus goes on to tell a story about a man who planned a big dinner.  He sent out the invitations and when the time came he also sent his servant to gather those invited. However.. every one of them made excuses as to why they couldn't come and this made the man angry.  He then sent his slave out to gather others to fill his banquet hall.. at first he brought "the poor and crippled and blind and lame".. and then he went even further and invited any who he could find on the highways and along the hedges.  The house was filled, but those he had first invited were all excluded from the dinner. 

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees.. those who were filled with pride.. those same ones who had tried to get the best seats just moments before.. those who wanted to be honored and exalted.. those who would invite the "right" people to their dinners.  And the one.. who had invited Jesus.  What was his motive?  What was he trying to prove?  Was the invitation for the purpose of receiving something in return? Then  he needed to change his thinking... let his motive be to help the helpless and to feed the hungry. This is where the blessing will be found.. in humble service to others in need. 

The parable of the dinner had a deeper meaning.. God Himself had invited the people of Israel to come to His table.. but they made excuses.  Because they did not come, rejecting the One who came to gather them.. He opened His Kingdom to those who had no way to "repay" Him.. the poor.. the crippled.. the blind.. and the lame.. the lost.. the hiding.. the wandering.. He invited us. 

Father in heaven, we praise Your holy name.. thanking You for calling us into Your Kingdom and to Your table. We are poor and needy.. and we have no means to repay You for the grace and love that You have lavished on us through the sacrifice of Your Beloved Son.  We come before You with grateful hearts and surrender all of ourselves to Your service.  May we always extend the invitation to those who need to hear about Jesus Christ.. those who are poor and crippled, blind or lame.. those on the highways and in the hedges. Give us ears to hear and to do Your Word we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

 Luke 14:7-24  Jesus shares two parables with the "invited guests" at the Pharisees home.  He had already dealt with their hypocrisy as they tested him with the poor man who had dropsy.  They were watching and listening. 

The first parable came about as Jesus watched the guests "picking out the places of honor at the table."  He tells them to not take the place of honor, "lest someone more distinguished than you may have been invited.. "  It would be embarrassing to be asked to move to a lower place.  How much better to be asked to" move up higher".  The point of this parable is in verse 11, "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." 

Proverbs 29:23 "A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."  James 4:10 "Humble yourself in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."  This is a Truth that is found in both Old Testament and New.  It is a Truth that Jesus teaches throughout His ministry.  It is a Truth that turns natural inclinations upside down in a world that prides itself with being greater, smarter, richer, or better than the next guy.  It is a Truth that we must not ignore. 

What does it mean to be humble?  The Greek word used here means to abase or bring low.. to have a lower rank.. to be modest.. to bring down pride.   To be humble is to not elevate or lift up yourself, but to allow God to lift you up Himself.. and this He promises to do.   To humble yourself is to have this "attitude which was also in Christ Jesus who, although He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped... He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.." ( Philippians 2:5-8)  "Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name." (v9) 

Father, You alone are great and Highly exalted!  We join with the psalmist in praise, "Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable." ( Psalm 145)   We will extol You, our God, O King; and we will bless Your name forever and ever.  Lord God, You are gracious and merciful. You are good to all.  You are righteous in all Your ways.  You provide for us and keep us. You open Your hands and satisfy us. You are near to us when we call on You.  Because of Who You are we bow before You and proclaim Your praise and our thanks. We humble ourselves before You because we are lower than the low, yet You have shown us grace. You have raised us up and called us Your Children in Jesus Christ the Lord.  How can we thank You enough ? Praise the Name of the Lord in Whom we live and move and have our being. Amen! 

 Luke 13:32-35; 14:1-6   The Pharisees try to persuade Jesus to turn back.. to stay out of Jerusalem.. by claiming that Herod was looking to kill Him.  But... Jesus would  not turn back.  He had to get to Jerusalem and He would continue doing the things that His Father has ordained for Him until the last. 

Jesus knew that Jerusalem would be the place of His death.  He knew that He would enter its gates where they would proclaim "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!"  And He knew that they would then reject Him even while He longed for their salvation.  He knew it all and He would not turn back. 

Jesus said that He would continue to "cast out demons and  perform cures" until He reached His goal.  He still had works to do and lessons to teach. He was still giving His listeners a chance to make the right choice so that they might be saved.  

His next stop was at the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees.  As they were all watching Him closely, Jesus was introduced to a man with dropsy.  This man must have been one of the invited ones or perhaps a relative?  How else would he have entered the home of the Pharisee?  So, Jesus asks the question that they wanted to catch Him on... 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" 

They had already condemned Him for doing this before.. so why do this again? They held their breathes waiting and watching.. and " they kept silent.. "   Jesus took the man and healed him.  "And He said to them, 'Which one of you shall have a son or an ox fall into a well and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?' "  None could answer Him, because they knew He was right. 

Father, thank You for showing us the kindness and compassion of the Lord Jesus.  He knew the day was coming when He would suffer and die for the sins of all mankind and He knew that many would miss the truth.  He gave opportunities for them.. over and over and over.. to see You.. to hear Your Words.. and they "would not".  So many today are just the same.. they focus on their own ideals and plans and they miss the Truth. They miss Jesus Christ who alone is the way of salvation. Let the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill us and overflow from our hearts that we might be moved with such great compassion for the lost.. that we might use every opportunity to lead others to Him. Let Your Kingdom come! Amen.

 Luke 13:22-30   The question asked was, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?"   Good question!  Jesus calls for them to "Strive to enter by the narrow door.. "   Matthew explains this statement a bit more, "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way broad the leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) 

"Strive" - to struggle; to compete for a prize.. to contend.. fight, endeavor.  We will not accidentally fall into the Kingdom of God.  We will have to choose the Way, deliberately, thoughtfully, and intentionally.. seeking Jesus.  We strive against our culture and our sin and our own selfish desires. We strive.. we contend with all the lies and temptations that the evil one throws at us. We go against the flow.. and we make a choice to put our faith in the only One who can save us.  It is a small gate and few will find it.. but it is not impossible for God Himself will help us.  Hallelujah!

Jesus gives another parable here.. The head of the household closed the door and goes to bed. His home is secure and his loved ones are safe and sound.  Then comes the knock on the door.. a stranger who wants to come in, but the man refuses.  "I do not know where you are from!" They insist that they know him.. but he does not fall for that and again refuses them entry.  He calls them evildoers. 

This illustration, Jesus goes on, is what will happen at the judgement seat.  They will see "Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God"  but, they will be "cast out".  The evildoers will be thrust out, expelled, ejected.  "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.. "  Utter anguish and despair is the destiny of all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, who did not choose the narrow gate or follow the narrow way. 

"And they will come from the east and west and from the north and south and will recline at the table of the kingdom of God."  Some who were the "last".. the most unexpected..last in worth.. the lowest rank.. the farthest away, but have chosen to strive for that narrow gate.. will enter in to the Kingdom and dine at God's table. But, those who expected to be first, the most important and honored.. great in their own eyes.. will be last.. for they did not chose the narrow way.. they did not chose to follow Jesus.

Father in heaven,  You are our God and there is no other. You have given us Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.. to bring us into Your Kingdom through the narrow way.. Thank You! We strive to keep following Jesus.. to be sealed by Your Spirit and ready for that day when we will sit at the table with the saints of old and the prophets and those from every tribe and tongue and nation who have walked with Jesus in this life and who will sing Your praises through all of eternity!  We can't imagine the greatness of that Day, but we look forward to it with joyful and grateful hearts. Keep us in Your Mighty Hands Father, for we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Luke 13:18-21  Jesus uses two parables here to describe the "kingdom of God".  In the first He compares it to a mustard seed that was thrown into a garden and grew into a large tree.  In the second He compares it to leaven hidden in the meal until the whole thing was leavened. 

The Kingdom of God  is the central message of the Gospel.  The prayer that Jesus taught His disciples begins with these requests.. that God's name would be hallowed, that His Kingdom would come, and that His will would be done.  Without the fear of God.. knowing Who He is and the greatness of His Name and the Power of His Grace we cannot know His Kingdom that will come.  The Kingdom of God is more than a place.. it is a recognition of the sovereignty of God who created all things, who reigns over all of His creation, and Who has sent His Son to redeem and restore His Kingdom  on earth as it is in heaven,.. And this is His will.. that we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness above all else. 

So, how is this great and wonderful Kingdom like a mustard seed or leaven.  Both of these things are small.. practically unseen.. but they have a powerful effect on the earth.  Jesus tells us that the mustard seed will grow into a tree that provides a place for the "birds of the air".  He says that the leaven will affect the whole lump of dough. These things will act as God created them to be and the Kingdom will also affect the whole earth just as He has planned and purposed.  When we pray for His Kingdom to come we are praying for His will to be done on earth according to His plans and purpose and this will glorify His holy name.  We are asking that others will come to know the Greatness of our God and the Wonder of His reign over all He has created... that they will be made new in the salvation that comes in  believing in Jesus Christ .

How much more vital than those things that the Pharisees worried about.. work on the Sabbath, healing, eating without washing, etc.  God's priority is His Kingdom!  He wants us to belong to Him, to seek Him, to know Him and to help others to seek Him too. 

Jesus is going to keep teaching about God's kingdom during these last days and weeks before He reaches Jerusalem and gives Himself up so that we can belong in that Glorious Kingdom for eternity.  We must allow the message of the gospel to grow like a mustard seed and become a place with others will find Jesus.  We must allow His Word to fill us and expand throughout our land and around the world so that all will see that the Kingdom has come in Jesus Christ and that He is coming again to take us with Him forever and ever, Amen. 

Father in heaven, we hallow Your name and we pray that You will be exalted in all the earth and in every nation . We pray that Your Kingdom will be made known and that many more will come to You and bow before You. We pray that in all things Your plans and purposes will be done.  In the name of Jesus we ask this, Amen. 

 Luke 13:10-17  Luke tells the story of a woman who had suffered for 18 years.. she had " a sickness caused by a spirit and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all."  Still, she came to the synagogue on the Sabbath.  When Jesus saw her He called her over and said, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness." 

With a touch, Jesus healed her and she was able to stand up straight.  She "immediately... began glorifying God."  

The official in the synagogue was not pleased.  Healing on the sabbath?  That was "work".  It should be done on any other day of the week in his opinion. He had no compassion.  He had no praise for God.  He only had criticism for Jesus. 

Jesus answered this man and the others with him... "You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him?"   They had compassion and care for an animal, but not for a "daughter of Abraham" .. a woman who had suffered for so long.. Did she not deserve the same care? How hard their hearts were!

The synagogue leaders were "humiliated". But the crowd rejoiced. 

The lesson is important. Hypocrisy is deadly.  The religious leaders acted as if they were so good.. so much better than anyone else.. yet their hearts were dark and they had no love or compassion.  They missed the whole message that Jesus taught.. that love.. for God and for people is what pleases God and brings Life.  

We must examine our own hearts often.. and ask God to fill us with His Spirit and to overflow our lives with His Love so that we will not follow the paths of these unbelievers, but see God at work and give Him praise! 

A woman bent over for 18 years praised God when Jesus touched her.  When we are burdened by sin and are freed by the the power of Jesus' name.. we also praise Him and give glory to God.  Let us not miss the message He sends.. let us love like He loves.  Help us Father, to surrender all to You.  Fill our hearts with Your great love and compassion we pray. Amen. 

 Luke 13:1-9  " Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood  Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices."  

Tragedy. Horror. Grief. It is all around the world.  It has always been since the first murder when Cain killed his own brother.  It was very much a part of the Roman empire.  Jesus was well aware. But, His reply to this report is not what we would expect.. 

Perhaps those who reported this tragedy to Jesus expected Him to take action.. to avenge these deaths or to step up to the role that they wanted.. A Warrior King.. . who would defeat the Romans.  That is not what Jesus wanted them to learn. "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate?" He asked them.  Was suffering caused by sinfulness?  This is what the Jewish leaders taught.  Is this what He believed too?

Suffering is connected to sin.. because sin caused the curse to afflict all of mankind. Jesus tells His listeners that the only hope anyone has.. suffering or not.. is to "Repent.."  People will suffer.. and die. All of us are in the same situation as the those killed by Pilate or those who died when a tower fell on them. We do not know when or how we might suffer or die.  We do not know the hour or day.  But.. we can be ready.. if we have repented of our sin and are following Jesus. 

The parable that Jesus uses here puzzles me a bit.. What does an unproductive tree have to do with this? For three years the owner had watched this tree and no fruit had been produced. It was useless and he was ready to cut it down.  For three years Jesus had preached to the nation of Israel.. and as a whole there were no changes.  Israel was fruitless and useless.  The time of judgement was coming.  The vine keeper in the parable asked for one more year.. one more chance for the tree to become productive.  The Lord would give Israel one more chance too... In fact He has given them 2000 years to become a nation under God that would produce the fruit of righteousness.. time is running out. 

But.. there are some who repented.. some who did not perish but have everlasting life!  They became followers of Jesus. They have borne righteous fruit. They abided in the True Vine and God pruned them and they bore much fruit through the life of Jesus Christ in them.  

Sometimes suffering and death sneaks up on us.. sometimes it is a long, slow process that leads us to our Heavenly Home. What is most important.. no matter what.. is that we have repented of our sin and have received the glorious salvation that Jesus purchased for us by His own blood and death on a cross.  He lives and He gives Life!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, we are so grateful for the Savior who came to bring salvation.. forgiving our sin and giving us new life in Him.  Jesus is the True Vine and we are the branches.. You are the One who prunes us and sometimes this hurts.. a lot.. But we are not cut off.. in fact we are made more fruitful.. and for this we give You thanks and praise. Keep us faithful Lord Jesus that we might bear the fruit of righteousness to the glory of God and to the praise of Your Holy Name. Amen 

 Luke 12:49-59  Division.. not something that we desire...for we value unity and community more.. especially in the context of the church.. but Jesus spoke about division saying, " Do you suppose I came to grant peace on earth?  I tell you , no, but rather division;"  Division - parting; disunion; dissension.

Jesus said there would be division in families: "father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother... ."  And if division is among families it is even greater among countrymen and nations.. as we see very clearly in our day.

The cause of this division will be Jesus Himself. Some will join themselves with Him and some will not. Those who were able to discern or "judge" what is right.. able to reconcile with God and put their faith in Jesus soon realize that not everyone appreciates their beliefs and life in the Lord. In some places the division causes hatred,  disinheritance, and even murder. Even here in our "free" country there is hostility towards believers.  I've seen it and you probably have  too.  

Paul wrote to Timothy about this .. "But realize that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable ... " etc. ( II Timothy 3: 1-3)  There will be division.  There will be times we cannot be reconciled to each other.. but.. in spite of that we are still commanded to love.. to preach the Word.. and to seek peace.. as far as it depends on us.  ( Romans 12) 

Will we be found faithfully serving the Lord in this way when He returns? I pray so!

Father in heaven, grant to us strength to persevere in doing right. Grant us discernment and patience that we might keep on loving and serving others even when they are hostile to our faith. Have Your way in our lives Lord Jesus that we may be found faithful when You return to take us Home. We ask all of this in Your Name. Amen. 

 Luke 12:35- 48  "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps alight."  

I recently read a novel written in 1921 about the return of Jesus.  The main character came to Christ and immediately became convinced of the Lord's soon return.  He was a newspaper editor and so he wrote  about it.. and he made up a sign that simply said, "Today? Perhaps!"  This image has stuck in my mind.  I know that in light of current events some people are saying and thinking about the Lord's return in our day.  We do not know when that glorious day will be, but maybe we also should make a sign.. "Today? Perhaps!"  It would be a powerful message proclaimed to a world that needs to know.. Jesus IS coming soon!

In this passage Jesus tells His disciples to be "like men who are waiting for their master.. "  How are they to be ready?

They need to be dressed in "readiness"... or to "let your loins be girded about"-- as Ephesians 6:14 tells us "Stand firm therefore, having girded you loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness." To be dressed in "readiness" is to have the full armor of God.. and standing firm in Him.  

Jesus also said to "keep your lamps alight." This brings in mind the parable of the maidens who also waited for the bridegroom.. some with extra oil and some with none.  It speaks of readiness and preparation. 

Jesus said that they should be ready to "open the door to him who comes and knocks."  He spoke of being "alert"... they are watching for Him.  "Whether he comes in the second watch or even in the third.. " the faithful servant is watching and ready.  "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."  It is vital that we recognize Who it is that is coming!  We must know Him and watch for Him.. May we be alert and prepared. 

Peter wanted to know who this message was for.. just the disciples? Or everyone?  To answer this Jesus returns to the illustration of the master and his servants.. "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward.. "

Who is the one who is doing the will of the master?  He will be blessed. He is ready no matter what time Jesus comes.  As the old song goes.. "May be morning. May be noon, May be evening.. and May be soon."

Who is the one who thinks the master is not returning.. so he does whatever he wants.. is cruel and selfish and evil?  These are the ones who will be taken by surprise when the master does return and he will be punished with many "stripes" or "lashes". 

Another old song comes to mind.. " I wish we'd all been ready.. "  Inspired by the old book I decided to reread the Left Behind book.  If you have read it then you remember the heartache of those who should have known and been ready.. but were left behind while their loved ones were taken to heaven. How I pray.. Lord let all of my family... all of my neighbors.. be ready!  Spirit of God, move in us today to proclaim the coming of our Lord Jesus in all His glory and power. Amen.

Oh Lord God, our Father and Jesus Christ our Savior, we are looking for that Day.. but we are not all ready.  We have been distracted by the things of this world. We have been lazy about our preparations.. please forgive us and cleanse us from all unfaithfulness.  May we  be renewed in the" spirit of our minds." ( Ephesians 4:23) and put on our "new self" which is "created in the likeness of God" - righteous and holy and full of truth.  We put on the full armor of God today that we may stand firm in Your strength.. ready, prepared and faithful.  May Your church be alert and watching for the coming of the Bridegroom.. today? Perhaps!  Thank You Jesus. Amen

 Luke 12: 1-34  Luke seems to gather many of the Lord's sermons and record them in this one long monologue. It is full and overflowing with words of wisdom and life.  There were thousands of people gathered together, Luke tells us, but Jesus addresses His disciples "first of all". 

His first point begins with these words of warning, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."  Leaven ferments.. it spreads and affects what it touches. Hypocrisy is the same thing, Jesus teaches - it is infectious. It is able to deceive others and it can even deceive you.  "Beware"  Jesus says.. pay attention, discern carefully and attend to yourself in this matter.  Is your heart and soul filled with truth so that your walk reflects it?  Or are you just pretending?  Again Jesus reminds His listeners that nothing is truly hidden. The Light shines into the darkness and will expose whatever is hidden there.  What has been "whispered" will be "proclaimed" .  

Our Father in heaven sees everything, hears everything, and will judge everything.. even what we think He doesn't see or hear or care about.. 

Our Father cares about us, Jesus teaches us,  more than the sparrows or the ravens.. He cares about what is in our hearts.. not what is in our barns.  He doesn't want us to be afraid or anxious! He tells us to not be afraid.. even of those who want to kill us.  He doesn't want us to worry about food or clothing.. about wealth or poverty. He doesn't want us to worry about knowing the right words to speak or being good enough, great enough or popular enough. 

What we must focus our hearts on is simply Himself. 

Fear only God, for He has the authority to not only end this life.. but He will cast into hell those who refuse His salvation. 

Confess Jesus before men.  Only then will He confess you as His own. 

Don't speak against the Holy Spirit.  Trust Him to help you say the right words at the right time. 

Lay up treasures in heaven.. not on earth.  Reckon your life to be more than earthly possessions.. more than food and clothing.. more than whatever it is that you need today.  

His Kingdom is the only treasure that is unfailing and He gives it to us "gladly"! 

Father in heaven, all we are is Yours.  We are Your creations!   We are Your children! We pray that You will be the focus of our lives, the center of our hearts, and the fullness of our souls.  We acknowledge Jesus Christ Your Son as King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no one like You.  Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in us today we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen 

 Luke 11: 37-54  A Pharisee asked Jesus to lunch.. and He came.  Now, Jesus would have known the expectation that the man would have.. the ceremonial washings were not new to Jesus.. but He deliberately ignored that tradition. This opened up a serious discussion where Jesus exposed the most urgent needs of the hearts of God's people. 

Jesus said, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness."   He reminded them that the inside.. their hearts and minds.. and souls were made by God.. He sees everything, not just their "outside" lives.  Cleanliness inside is much more vital than washing a plate or cup.. or even your hands.  A heart of compassion or "charity" is what God desires.  Nothing wrong with cleaning your body.. but to have a pure heart, uncorrupted by sin, is what God desires.  

Jesus pronounces 3 "woes" upon the Pharisees.  Because their hearts were  not clean the Lord was grieved by those who should have been holy.. they had the Word.. they had the Son of God standing with them.. they saw the marvelous miracles that He had done.. but their hearts remained unchanged.. corrupt.. dead.  The  three statements prove this:

They "tithed" mint and rue and herbs... the small and unnecessary things.. but failed when it came to justice and "the love of God".... that which the Lord God desired most from His people. "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8)

The second "woe"... The Pharisees loved to be seen and respected and honored.  They looked down on everyone else and were only focused on theirselves.  They knew the commandments, but ignored the most important ones.. to love the Lord their God with all their heart and soul and mind and their neighbor as their self. 

The third woe.. "...you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it."  The Jewish Law said that anyone who touched a dead body was considered unclean for a certain period of time and they had to wait and then wash before they could worship.  But, if you were not aware of touching something dead, then you would be contaminated and commit a trespass against the Law without any knowledge of doing it...  In other words the Pharisees were causing the rest of the people to be contaminated and not even know it so they could take appropriate actions. Their uncleanness was spreading to everyone that came near them. 

Now the "lawyers" .. those who interpreted and taught the Law took what Jesus said as an insult to them too.  So, Jesus spoke to them too, revealing the sin that they needed desperately to repent of... that which God was not pleased with..that was separating them from the God they thought they served.. 

First, the lawyers were weighing down others with heavy burdens.. and didn't care about helping anyone but themselves.  They used the Law as a hammer and not as a blessing. There was no love or kindness in the teaching of the Law.. it was all about the do's and don'ts.. totally missing the love of God who gave the Law to guide and teach His ways. 

The lawyers were also guilty of building the "tombs of the prophets".  They were trying to cover up the guilt of their own ancestors who had killed the prophets. They honored their evil ancestors and were implicated in their guilt.  This was such a serious offense to God that He said " that the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world..:" would be "charged against this generation." 

The lawyers were also guilty of keeping "the key of knowledge" from any others who wanted to enter into God's kingdom.. and they would not enter themselves.  They knew the Word of God like the back of their hands.. but they did not know the God of the Word. And.. they kept what they knew hidden from any others. 

Jesus grieved over the sins of His people.. all of them.. even the Pharisees and Lawyers. He gave them a message that could have brought them to examine their own hearts and repent.. but instead they "began to be very hostile" and "plotted against Him." 

Father in heaven, may we stop and examine our own hearts lest we become like these Pharisees and Lawyers who grieved the heart of Jesus.  May we love You with all our hearts and love others with kindness and compassion. May we do what is just and care for others who are hurting and heavy-ladened with the cares of this life.  Mold and make our hearts like the heart of Jesus.. sharing the truth of Your Word and living it out before all men.  Thank You for giving us the Light of the World so that we can shine Your Light into a world of darkness.  Change hearts and minds and lives with the Word freely shared with all those who will listen.  Let Your Kingdom come and Your will done in us today we pray... in Jesus' name.Amen 

 Luke 11:29-36  The crowds were closing in around Jesus.. more and more people had heard about the Teacher who performed marvelous miracles. But.. Jesus said, " This generation is a wicked generation."  There was no satisfying this group. Jesus pointed them to a sign that would prove His identity once and for all.. the "sign of Jonah".   Even as Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of the whale.. Jesus would spend 3 days in the tomb.  The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah and repented.. would the people of Israel listen to Jesus and repent? 

The Queen of the South traveled far to listen to Soloman.  The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah. Greater than either of these.. Jesus, the Son of the Living God speaking the Word of God had come and the people would not listen.. they just wanted "signs".  They didn't want to walk by faith but only by sight.  And they would be judged because of it. 

The Lord goes back to the theme of light and darkness. The kingdom of darkness is overcome by the Kingdom of Light.  The Light of the World.. is greater than any darkness, including the darkness of the grave.  He reminded His listeners that they can keep walking in the dark.. or they can let in the Light.  He shows us how:

He teaches that "the light of the body is the eye".  Just as we physically let in light so that we can see better.. spiritually we open the eyes of our hearts and minds.. so that we can see that which is unseen.. so we can walk in faith.. in the Light of His Word.  We must not "hide" the light, but let it shine both in us and through us. 

Next, Jesus says that our eyes must be "single" - simple, whole, united.. with our whole self.  What we let into our minds and hearts effects our whole being.  If we let in darkness, anything that is not of God's Kingdom but of satan's -then we will become full of darkness.. full of evil. 

Watch out, Jesus tells us , "that the light in you may not be darkness."  Keep your mind and heart "clear".  If we keep walking in the Light.. if we keep listening to God's Word, then we will be like a candle shining in the darkness.  But, if we allow the things of satan, the things of the world, to fill our minds and hearts.. even a little.. then we are allowing darkness to fill us. 

Father in heaven, fill us with Your holy Light and remove all darkness from our minds and hearts.  Help us to turn away from those things that blind us.. the things that blur the truth. Keep us abiding in Jesus! Amen and amen 

 Luke 11:14-28  There are two kingdoms.. The Kingdom of God... that Jesus told the disciples to pray that it might come... and the kingdom of satan which has been overcome. Praise the Lord!

Jesus cast out a demon from a man who was rendered dumb by it. When the man was freed he began to speak and the "multitudes marveled." The Pharisees could not admit the truth and instead chose to blaspheme by giving credit to satan for the casting out of the demons.  Jesus condemns this kind of thinking.. it is foolish, for  "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid to waste; and a house divided against itself falls."

Satan cannot cast himself out, Jesus tells the Pharisees. They should know this. Only the "greater" power can cast out the "lesser" power.  "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."  Only God can overcome everything and everyone! 

The Kingdom of God cannot be divided. Either you are "with" Him.. or you are "against" Him.  Either we are on the Lord's side.. walking in Truth.. walking in the Light.. honoring His Name and praying for the Kingdom to come.. hearing His Word and doing it.. or we are not.  And if we are not filled with His Spirit then we open ourselves to those unclean spirits that will come and fill the empty soul with more and more evil. 

We see it in our world. We see that people who refuse Jesus, who give credit to false gods and evil spirits for anything that is "good".  We can see that their lives reveal that they belong to the kingdom of darkness.  If we pay attention we can recognize those who belong to satan's kingdom by the "fruit" of their lives... immorality, impurity, idolatry, sorcery anger, strife, factions, dissensions, drunkenness.. and more.  Galatians 5 gives us the whole list.  Paul wrote, ".. the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit.. for these are in opposition to one another.." (v17)  There are two kingdoms and you can't belong to both. 

In contrast, the Kingdom of God.. that we "inherit" because we belong to Jesus, is a Spirit led Kingdom. He produces in us His holy fruit.. " love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... "  It is a Kingdom that we need to "seek first".. a Kingdom of righteousness... a Kingdom that is more precious than any earthly possession. 

How thankful we are Father, that You have "delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of  [Your] Beloved Son."  We have been delivered. We are set free. We are walking in His Light.  We have heard the Truth and we commit ourselves to do it.  Jesus Christ died for us so that we might live in Him! Hallelujah !  Blessed be the Name of the Lord! Let the Kingdom of God come!  Amen

Luke 11:1-13  Luke records what we call the Lord's Prayer.  It is similar but not exactly the same as what Matthew recorded.  We are not told here which of the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray.. " but we are so glad he did.  Didn't they know how to pray already?  Hadn't they seen and heard Jesus pray so often before this?  Why did it take them so long to ask this simple question? What is it that we need to learn along with them?

No matter, Jesus was happy to teach His disciples and jumped right into this wonderful example, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation." 

Luke's version strips this prayer down a bit from Matthew's version, but it still hits the vital parts of prayer:

We come to the Father, who is to be hallowed and Who's greatest desire is for His Kingdom to be completed. 

We come to the Father, Who alone provides all that is needed for life. 

We come the Father, Who alone can forgive us our sin and make us whole again. The One who gives us grace so that we can give grace to others. 

We come to the Father who leads our steps when we follow His ways.. 

Jesus gives His disciples a simple illustration to help them (and us) to understand how to pray.  The story is about a man (us) who has a surprise visitor ( someone who needs the Lord). Even though the man (we) don't have what this visitor needs,  he (we) can go to someone who does ( the friend.. God).  We go in faith that our God has and will give us what we need to bring to our visitor.  We ask with persistence. We ask as beggars to a generous giver.  We ask and keep asking, for we have no other resources and we know that our God will provide. We ask and we seek and we knock. 

Jesus said that the Father will give good gifts.  He is a good Father.  He won't give a snake instead of a fish. He won't give a scorpion when what is needed is an egg.  He gives Himself.. He gives the Holy Spirit.  He gave His Son.  He is a generous giver and we can come to Him for what is most needed. 

Jesus, You have taught us to come to the Father in prayer.. to enter into this communion, this relationship with the One who holds all the answers, Who provides all that is needed, and Who loves us and desires for us to want His Kingdom to come just like He does.  May we give to the unexpected visitor the Bread of Life.. May we ask the Father and receive the Holy Spirit to lead us in our actions and words. May we learn to pray effectively as the children of God who have been made righteous through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Lord Jesus, we ask You once again. ."Lord, teach us to pray." . Amen.

 Luke 10:38-42   

Luke gives us a brief description of Martha and Mary who invited Jesus into their home.  Here Luke tells us that Martha made the invitation and began to prepare a meal for them all.  She was, "worried and bothered about so many things".

 Here she was with the Lord of all sitting in her dining room.. and all she could think about was the fact that her sister wasn't helping.  She was in the Presence of the Prince of peace, yet she was "bothered".. troubled.. disturbed.  And she was "anxious".. thinking only about her work.. her preparations.. her service.. she was "distracted" to the point that she was missing the "good part". 

Does this hit home?  Are we often so  "bothered.. anxious.. or distracted" about our service to the Lord that we actually miss the "good part"?  Do we miss Him?

Mary didn't miss it. She was "listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet."  Mary wasn't being lazy or ignoring her sister's need.  She was in the Presence of the Lord and she couldn't move away.  This is the same Mary who anointed the Lord with the expensive perfume and wiped His feet with her hair.  Mary was not distracted by the preparations.. she was so drawn to Jesus that she probably wasn't even aware that there was anything more needed. 

I don't think that Martha loved the Lord any less than Mary.. but she was a doer.. and she was busy "doing" her own thing.  Mary, on the other hand, was able to just "be". She wasn't striving for anything more than to just be with Jesus. 

Father in heaven, help us to be more discerning in our own lives.. to not miss the "good part" by worrying about our own "service".  Let our hearts and minds be so absorbed in the Presence of Jesus that nothing else can compare.  Keep us from the distractions that take our focus off of the Lord. Help us Lord Jesus we pray in Your Mighty Name, amen.

Luke 10:25-37  A "certain lawyer"  had a question for Jesus... "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  Luke indicates that this was a "test".  But, this man's question and answer seem to indicate to me that maybe something deeper was going on in him. Maybe he had listened to Jesus talking about the book of life.. and wondered if his own name was written there?   Either way, it was a good question!

Jesus answered "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"  This man was an expert in the Law of Moses.. if anyone could know the answer it should be him.  The answer was not a mystery.. it was not hidden.. it was  something that was already available to everyone who would have ears to hear...  The lawyer knew the right answer "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."  

Jesus' next words point to the problem "And He said to him, 'You have answered correctly; Do this and you will live.' "  More than knowing the answer is needed... as Jesus had taught before.. the one who has a firm foundation is the one who listens and does what the Word says.  

The lawyer wanted to "justify" himself.. he wanted to exhibit his own righteousness, so he asked another question, "And who is my neighbor?"  To this, Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Who "proved to be a neighbor" ?  It was not the priest or the levite.. it was the "one who showed mercy".   Jesus told the lawyer to "Go and do the same." 

That's love.. to show kindness.. to have compassion.. to see someone in need and do what you can to help. The Greek word rendered "neighbor" means more than the person who lives next door.. it is a friend or a countryman; it means anyone that you come near to.. your "fellow man" or woman.. any other person that you meet. 

This is what Jesus told the lawyer to do.. to show compassion... to truly love others.. to truly love the Lord! This word is something we need to hear.. and to do!

Father in heaven, fill our hearts, minds, souls, and wills to do Your will.. to love You completely and to love others as ourselves.  It's hard sometimes Lord.. to "feel" love for others, but by Your grace and provision we can show compassion..we can be kind.. we can welcome the stranger and the needy. Give us the will and the ability to love as You have loved us we pray.  Pour out Your love into our hearts Father, so that we can show Your love to those who we come near to in our daily walk. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 Luke 10:21-24   "At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit.. "  Jesus was overjoyed by the presence of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of His followers.  He praised the Father for revealing "these things" to "babes".  What were "these things"?  

They saw the power of the Name of Jesus over evil.  They knew the significance of having their names written in God's book.  They had the privilege of knowing Jesus who revealed the Father to them.  They were blessed to "see the things" that they saw.  The prophets had longed to see Jesus.. kings had longed to see Jesus.. many had longed to hear the voice of the Father.. but these disciples were the ones who got to experience "these things"!  What a blessing and privilege..  they had every reason to rejoice!

And Jesus rejoiced with them and over them.  Hear His prayer.." I praise Thee O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight."  Jesus goes on to say, "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." 

Father in heaven, Lord of heaven and earth and Jesus Christ the Son, we praise You and give You thanks for revealing Yourself to us that we might know You.  You have given us eyes to see and ears to hear. You have made Yourself known to all who You will to reveal Yourself to.  Let the Word of God spread through our nation, Father, that more people will hear and seek You and find You and know Jesus Christ.. the Savior who came to open blind eyes and deaf ears... the One who came to save the lost.   We ask this in His Name, rejoicing for the love, grace and mercy You have lavished on us..  Amen. 

 Luke 10: 17-20  The 70 disciples "returned with joy" from their mission trip. It had been a success in their eyes because "even the demons are subject to us in Your name."  

Jesus had a  few things to say about this.  He acknowledged that Satan was defeated by this profound defeat of his minions.. and that the authority that God had granted His followers would be granted even further... but the most important thing was not that at all.. the most important thing is that their names "are recorded in heaven." 

I'm reminded of an old hymn,  Is My Name Written There?  The chorus goes like this: " Is my name written there, on the page white and fair? In the book of Thy kingdom, Is my name written there?" 

Revelation 20:12 "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things in the books, according to their deeds."   In Revelation 20:15 the Lord tells us that "... if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."  

Moses is the first to mention this "book of life" in  Exodus 32:31-33.  After Moses came down from the mountain and found the people worshipping the golden calf... and after he commanded that those who were on the Lord's side kill those who were not.. he went back up the mountain to pray for forgiveness for the people, saying, "But now, if Thou wilt, forgive their sin - and if not, please blot me out from Thy book, which Thou hast written."  But the Lord responded to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book." 

Psalm 69:28 also references this book.. "May they be blotted out of the book of life, and may they not be recorded with the righteous."  David was speaking of those who had come against him, but there are Messianic overtones- verse 21 "they also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." 

Revelation 3:3-5 also mentions the book of life.. " He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels."  How do we overcome? " Remember therefore what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent." ( verse 3a) 

So when Jesus tells his followers to rejoice that their names are written in heaven, He is talking about the most important thing for all of eternity.  If our names are "blotted out" because of our sin.. we will be thrown into the lake of fire.. forever!   So, we need to ask ourselves that question from the old hymn.. "Is my name written there?"  Have I received the Word of God.. have I listened to what Jesus has said.. am I keeping the Word.. have I repented of my sins? 

Father in heaven, keep us in the Truth, walking in the Light of Your Word - that our names will be written in heaven!  In this alone will we rejoice.. that Jesus confesses our names before You!  Thank You for cleansing us from our sins and making us wholly Thine.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord who has written our names in the Book of life. Thank You Lord. Amen. 

 Luke 10: 1-16 As Jesus continues His journey towards Jerusalem He sends 72 more disciples out to the cities ahead, to prepare the way. They were given authority to minister in His Name as they went.  They were "laborers" sent out to reap a harvest that was ready and plentiful. 

Like the 12, these disciples were told not to take anything with them.. no purse, no shoes, no bag. They were to give peace to those who would receive them. They were to stay there and receive whatever the host would give them to eat.. and they were to "heal those.. who are sick" and present the Kingdom of God to them. 

Jesus expanded the message He had given the 12..   He had told them that those who received the little child in His name are those who received Him and they also received the Father.  This time He says, "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." 

When the message of the Kingdom "comes near"... we either receive it or reject it.  We either listen or we don't.   Jesus illustrated this with His words about Chorazin and Bethsaida and Capernaum .  The kingdom had come near to them.. miracles had been done in them.. the Word had been given to them.. but they did not receive Jesus as Messiah.. They had not listened.  The comparison that Jesus makes with these cities with the cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom would have been shocking to the Israelites.. these cities were so wicked that the Lord destroyed them completely.  How could they be worse?  Jesus said they would be judged more harshly because God the Son stood right in front of them, proving Himself to be the anointed One with His words and His deeds.. and they would not listen or receive Him. 

We live in a world that is just as divided.. the Kingdom has come near.. and some will reach out and receive it.. listening to the Word, following Jesus.. and Jesus receives them and comes to live in them and the Father also comes to make them His own.  But, some will not believe.. they reject the Word, they reject Jesus, and they reject the God who made them, loves them, and who will judge them with right judgement. 

 O Lord , help us, send out more laborers into Your harvest field we pray. Open blind eyes and deaf ears, change hearts of those who are lost, who have rejected the Good News of the Kingdom. Let Your grace and mercy be poured out to our lost world once again.. to our lost family members.. to our towns and cities where we walk today.. Spirit of God, come! Empower us to go and tell others about Jesus! We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

 Luke 9:57-62  This has been a long chapter.. quite a journey, starting out with the 12 going out to minister on their own;  Herod's questions about who Jesus was; the feeding of the 5000; the testimony of Peter that Jesus is the Christ..  the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain; the deliverance of the boy who was demonized; the discussion about what "greatness" really means in the Lord's sight.. and finally an explanation of the cost of discipleship. 

Someone along the way said to Jesus "I will follow You wherever You go."   Jesus didn't say yes or no.. instead He told the man, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Would this man follow when the way was unsure.. when there wasn't even a place to sleep.. when things got uncomfortable?  Remember what Abraham did when God called him to leave his home?  At the age of 75 "Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken,,," (Genesis12:4) Hebrews 11:8 says it this way, " By faith Abraham when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."  

Going out anywhere, leaving your home and moving away is hard enough when you know where you are headed.. but to follow Jesus "wherever" He leads takes a greater measure of faith than some of us have.  Lord, strengthen us in Your strength; fill us with fulness of Your Presence that we might obey Your call to follow Jesus wherever He goes! 

In verse 59 Jesus called another man to follow Him.  This one wanted permission to go bury his father first.  I've heard messages that say this man's father was still living and that eventually, when he did pass away, the man would receive his inheritance and then.. he could follow Jesus.  But, Jesus did not accept this excuse, saying "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God."  

God calls us to go into all the world to preach the gospel.. He tells us that we need to love Him more than family.. more than anything else.  I have known missionaries who have gone to far away lands, leaving behind friends and families and comfortable homes, to follow the calling of Jesus to proclaim the gospel "everywhere".  Lord, may we seek You first.. always... and go where and when You send us. Increase our love as well as our faith we pray! Conform our will to Yours!

In verse 61 we have one more person who pledges to follow Jesus, but he wanted to go say goodbye to his family.  That sounds pretty reasonable but Jesus says to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  I am reminded of Elisha, who was plowing a field when Elijah came by and threw his mantle on him. Elisha asked to go kiss his father and mother goodbye, and Elijah told him to go. After he sacrificed the pair of oxen and gave the meat to the people, he turned and followed Elijah.  Jesus is emphasizing here in Luke's passage that there was no time to waste.. the decision to follow Jesus must be made immediately.. "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.. " Hebrews 4:7 says.  No more waiting.. no more delays... Lord, help us to hear Your voice and follow You

Father in heaven,  You have called us to follow Jesus and to make a commitment that leaves no room for excuses or hesitation. We admit that this is vital.. yet so difficult.  We seek Your power and Presence in our lives so that we might be fully sanctified and faithful to the calling You have given us.  Your will be done! Your Name be glorified. Your Kingdom come! In the mighty name of Jesus we bow before You and ask for Your grace and mercy. Amen. 

 Luke 9:46-48  The disciples of Jesus argued about "which of them might be the greatest." They were 12 individuals who all were called to follow Jesus.  Peter, James, and John probably were in the top three.. having gone up the mountain with Jesus and seeing Him in His glory.  But, the others were also among the "friends" that Jesus loved. The problem was that they were using the wrong criteria to judge their "greatness".  It wasn't about who did the most miracles or who had followed Him longest. It was a whole different criteria.. 

"But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, 'Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great.' " 

Two things happen next.. 

John tells Jesus that they saw someone casting out demons in His name, but they weren't in their group. John wanted to stop him.. but Jesus told him that  he should not "hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."  This person, in John's opinion, was of less value than the 12 and shouldn't have the rights that they had.. but Jesus turns it around.  This one was "least" among them in their opinion.. but he was really greater..for he was doing what Jesus came to do.. receiving one in need.. coming alongside and taking his hand to help him.  John did not "receive" this fellow believer... He had more to learn about greatness. 

Then as they headed towards Jerusalem, Jesus "resolutely set His face" towards His "ascension" As they approached Samaria He sent ahead some disciples to make arrangements for them to stop there, but because He was headed to Jerusalem no-one would "receive" Him.  This time James and John thought they should "command fire to come down from heaven and consume them."  Jesus rebuked them for this saying, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of: for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."  Jesus came to receive even these ones that would not receive Him... He came to take hold of the lost.. He came to save. 

What kind of spirit wants to destroy?  Not the Holy Spirit.  The disciples had much to learn about greatness.  So do we.  My bible titles this section  "The test of greatness".  The disciples failed the test at this point.  How are we doing?  Are we receiving the little children.. or sending them away ?  Are we receiving those of a different church or rejecting them because they aren't in our denomination, even though they follow Jesus? Are we wanting to  pray for fire to come down on unbelievers instead of telling them that Jesus came to save them? 

Father in heaven, help us to examine our own hearts and learn the truths that Jesus has taught us. You tell us to listen to Him..  He tells us to receive others in His name.. so that we can receive Him and You. Forgive our failures in receiving others, Lord.  Help us to abide in Jesus and in Your Word, to have our hearts shaped by Your Spirit and to live in humble obedience to Your will. We do ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and King. Amen. 

 Luke 9:37-45  "And it came about on the next day, that they had come down from the mountain... "  I wonder what the discussion around the campfire that night was like!  They had been in the cloud.. in the glory of God's Presence.. were their faces glowing like Moses' did when he spent time on Sinai?  

But.. they came down to a multitude of people and the voice of a desperate father, shouting out for Jesus to please heal his son.  This boy suffered greatly.  An evil spirit would seize him, cause convulsions, throw him down, maul him, and cause him to foam at the mouth.  It must have been agonizing for the boy and for his father. He had begged the disciples to heal the boy, but they couldn't do it.  Jesus said, "O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you, and put up with you? Bring your son here." 

Was He talking to the father?  Or was He talking to the disciples? Who was "faithless and perverse"? Who was failing to trust God.. who was opposing the plans of God?  

The father brought his son to Jesus.. even as "the demon dashed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion." And in a word, Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy.  "And they were all amazed at the greatness of God." 

It is at this very point in the story that Jesus says to His disciples, " Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men." 

The disciples didn't understand but "were afraid to ask Him about this statement."

The Father told the three on the mountain with Jesus to listen to the Son. Were they listening closely to the next things that Jesus said?   They all needed to have faith.. they needed to be ready for what was coming.. they needed to trust in the greatness of God and the authority of Jesus Christ.   As do we.. 

Father in heaven, what is the Word that You want us to hear today?  Are we the faithless and perverse?  Have we fully trusted You and remembered the greatness of our God?  Help us Holy Spirit to bring our needs to You.. to bring our heartbreaks to You.. to bring our children to You.. and trust You fully.. for You are Good and nothing is impossible for You. Thank You for being so patient with us and for loving us so much that You do "put up" with us.  Be with us today as we walk in the Light of Your Truth we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Luke 9:28-36    In verse 27 Jesus said that  "some of those standing here"  would not taste death before they saw the "kingdom of God".  

Eight days later He takes Peter, John, and James up to the mountain.  As Jesus was praying He began to change in appearance.  The three apostles saw His face become different, and "His clothing became white and gleaming".  Not only that, but Moses and Elijah "appearing in glory" were there, talking to Jesus about His "departure".  

The disciples became "fully awake" and "saw His glory".  It's like the physical world opened a portal.. and the disciples caught a glimpse of heaven.. of the spiritual reality.. so filled with splendor and majesty and glory. They "saw" the Kingdom with their own eyes. As John later wrote, "... and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." ( John 1:14)

But, God was not finished with this revelation.. " And..a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud saying, 'This is My Son, My chosen One; listen to Him!'  " 

Remember what happened in Exodus?  Moses led the people to build a tabernacle to the specific design that God gave him.  When it was all ready what happened?  "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."  The cloud was so full of  the glory of the Lord that Moses could not even enter it.  (Exodus40:34-35)   Likewise, when Solomon had built the temple in Jerusalem and they were dedicating it "the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God." ( II Chronicles 5:13-14)  Solomon went on to say, "The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud." (6:1) This was a quote from Exodus 19:9 "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I shall come to you in a thick cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.. " 

What Peter, James, and John experienced on that mountain top was more than Moses experienced that day.... more than Solomon experienced too... . for they were IN the cloud... they saw the glory of God..and heard God in His dwelling place. The message was simple and clear.. "Listen to Him!" 

Our Father in heaven, You dwell in the cloud of glory!  Praise Your Name!  You have opened our hearts to receive the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He is seated at the right Hand of glory!  He glorified You on earth and You have glorified Him in heaven.  This glory fills all of heaven and we long for a glimpse.. that we might be filled with joy unspeakable!  One day, Lord, we will be with You forever, to be with Jesus where He is, but until then, Father, may we walk in the Light of His glory, bringing  praise and honor to Your Holy Name.  May our ears be ever open to hear the voice of the Beloved Son clearly.  Help us Holy Spirit to listen and to do the good will of the Father we pray, in Jesus' name. amen. 

 Luke 9: 7-20   Herod..  The same man who had John the baptist beheaded at the request of his wife's daughter.. began to hear about what Jesus was doing.. "and he was greatly perplexed".  He was at a loss and wanted to know more about Jesus.  He seems to have sought out more information, but what he heard must have disturbed him.. was this John, risen from the dead? Was this Elijah or another prophet risen again?  None of these answers satisfied Herod.  He wanted to  see Jesus for himself.  This never happened until Jesus was arrested and tried by Pilate. 

Luke 23:8  "Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him."  But, Jesus refused to even talk to Herod. This angered him so much that he joined his soldiers in mistreating Jesus, mocking Him, and dressing Him up in a kingly robe.. and then sending Him back to Pilate. 

Luke switches the narrative in chapter 9 back to the return of the disciples from their mission.  Jesus takes the 12 back to Bethsaida. Though they sought a place to rest and regroup, the multitude followed them right into the wilderness area.  The disciples wanted Jesus to send the crowd away but Jesus had a different plan. He welcomed them, He spoke of the Kingdom to them, He healed them, and He prepared a table before them.. He took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed the 5000.  "And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full." 

Jesus asks His disciples a question... "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"  The disciples' answers are the same as those that Herod had heard.. John the baptist.. Elijah.. one of the prophets.. risen from the dead.  But, Jesus added another question.. "But who do you say that I am?"  Peter had the right answer.. "The Christ of God."  They had seen the Truth. Jesus was more than just a prophet. He had more power and authority than any man.. He had to be the Messiah, the Son of God. 

Father in heaven, when You reveal Jesus to us through the Word and the testimony of these disciples we can answer the same as Peter.. Jesus is the Christ of God.. He is the Anointed One, the Messiah, the King, Your only begotten Son. Thank You for opening our eyes and ears to know Him and through Jesus, to know You, our Father and our God.  Jesus told His disciples that You, Yourself love them and we take hold of this truth for ourselves.. You love us and sent Your Son so that we who believe in Him can have everlasting life. Praise the Lord, O my soul and all that is in me.. I praise You Lord! Amen.