Luke 14  Jesus went to dinner at the Pharisee's house.  It is kind of surprising how many times He was invited to join those who really didn't like Him.. and He always went willingly, even knowing their motives were not good.  It was the Sabbath.. a man with dropsy was there.. a relative?  A test?   Jesus again asks them "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"  That was a question they would not answer... they could help their son.. or their ox... but heal a man in need?  They would not accept that. 

Do we make these kinds of judgements.. do we have expectations of how Sunday services should be? Are we silently angry when things are not done the way we want?  Hmm...

Jesus tells several parables to His fellow diners... 

To those choosing the places of honor.. He tells them to choose a lesser place.. be humble. Far better to be asked to move higher than to be asked to move lower! "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." 

To those hosting the dinner..  He says, don't just invite the friends and relatives that can repay you in kind.. invite the "poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind..", the ones who can't repay you.. then you will be truly blessed.. "you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." 

Jesus tells of a great dinner.. with many invited.. but when it was time, they all seemed to have some excuse for not coming.  So, the man sends out his slaves to invite everyone else that they can find.. "the poor and crippled and blind and lame.."  Also those along the "highways and hedges.."  The last were made first and the first.. well they were no longer welcome. 

Humility.  Generosity. Grace.  Characteristics that Jesus encouraged in His listeners. " He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  Followers of Jesus are called to "calculate the cost".. to carry their own cross.. to "give up all his own possessions".. to choose Him over every other relationship.. and over  his own life. Surrender of self.  Surrender of " self-pleasing, self-sufficiency, and self-exaltation" ( Andrew Murray)  "Herein lies the secret of true discipleship: to bear the cross, to acknowledge the death sentence that has been passed on self, and to deny any right that self has to rule over us." 

Jesus, the Son of God, who came as a newborn baby.. came humbly.. taking the lowest place.. but now is highly exalted!

Jesus, the King of kings.. didn't invite those who could repay Him.. for none of us could.. but He invites all who can't.." the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind".. to come eat at His table!

Jesus, the Chosen One of Israel,  invited His people to come.. but they found many excuses and refused to follow Him. So, He invited everyone else.. you and me.. the lowly, the lost, the humble.. to come into His Kingdom to be where He is forever!

Jesus calls us to count the cost.. to consider the stakes.. to give up everything else in order to follow Him.  He gave Himself for us.. so that we can be with Him forever.  Is it worth it?  Oh yes!  Let us have ears to hear Him... 

Father, we give You all praise and honor and thanksgiving!  You have given to us this great salvation through Jesus Christ the Beloved Son.  This Christmas season, may we draw even nearer and nearer to Your heart of love. May we be humble and generous to those in need, and may we surrender all that we are, all that we have, and all those that we love.. into Your hands.. and follow Jesus all the days of our lives. Amen. 

 Luke 13  This Christmas season.. and especially this week as the day draws near.. we want to focus on Jesus.. His message.. His mission.. His purpose..  which are all in focus in this chapter of Luke. 

The message..  verses 1-9..  When asked about the tragic deaths of some Galileans.. Jesus preached the message of repentance..  "..unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.."   We are all "culprits".. all of us must repent or perish.  In the parable of the fig tree, Jesus makes the point that true repentance will result in fruit.. Like the unfruitful fig tree.. which will be cut down.. people without Christ will perish.  True Christians will bear fruit.. there will be changed lives that show evidence of the work of God in those who have repented and followed Jesus. 

The mission... verses 10-17 tell  of the healing of the bent-over woman on the Sabbath. When Jesus saw her, he did not hesitate to heal her.  The religious leaders were "indignant".  Jesus chastised them for caring more about their donkeys than about a daughter of Abraham!  He came to deliver us from bondage .. to seek and to save the lost...  Hallelujah!

The purpose..  Jesus came to bring us the Kingdom of God.. He compares it to a tiny mustard seed.. that becomes a great tree;  or a small bit of leaven that permeates the dough. It starts in humility and simplicity.. but it is a great and mighty Kingdom!   The question was asked, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?"   Jesus tells the people to '"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many I tell you will seek to enter and will not be able." 

Some will come too late. 
Some will claim a relationship that was not ever true. 
Some will come, expecting that their DNA is enough to enter..
Some will come from the outside.. from far away.. and be accepted with gladness. 

The difference?  Repentance that bears fruit.  True compassion for those in need. True faith in Jesus Christ the Lord. 

Jesus was headed to Jerusalem. He was ready to do what had to be done there. His heart broke for Jerusalem.. but He knew that they would reject their King and that He would be crucified.  Still, He would go to the cross, bear the shame.. for the glory that was set before Him. 

He came for us.  He died for us. He desires to give us the Kingdom that He came to reveal.. so that we can one day sit at His table.  This is the meaning of Christmas.  

Father, we thank You for the gift of Salvation that came that day when Christ the Lord was born.. God with us, Immanuel!  Open our eyes to the deeper truths of Christmas.  Fill our hearts with the joy of a salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ the Lord! Thank you. Amen!

 Luke 12 So much teaching is packed into this chapter.. it is hard to know where to start..  let me try to summarize here:

V.1-3  Hypocrisy- is like leaven.. it permeates and effects everything and everyone it touches.  It is deceitfulness...  Jesus tells us that nothing stays hidden.. "whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, " Just walk in Truth. 

V 4-5  Don't fear men.. fear only God who alone "has authority to cast into hell".. Walk and live accordingly.

V6-7  You are valued by God! Believe it and act like it.. 

V8-12  Your future in eternity depends on what you confess about Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Don't worry about what you say.. the Holy Spirit will help you.  Speak up!

V13-20  Don't be greedy.. it gets you nowhere.  Possessions on earth mean nothing. So stop worrying about them!

V21-34  The only treasure that you need to focus on is the one you lay up in heaven.

Don't worry about what you need for your body.. trust God's provision. 

Don't worry.. but seek Him.. treasure Him..

V32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."

V35-48  Be ready. Be faithful. Be sensible. Be focused on doing the Master's will. 

V49-53  Following Jesus will cause divisions between people.. don't be surprised by that.

V54-59 Judge what is right.. Be wise in how you act towards others. 

That really just touches the surface of these teachings.. but if we can grab on to just one or two of these truths this Christmas season what a difference it could make...   Personally, I want to focus on simply believing verse 32... My Father has "gladly" chosen to give me the Kingdom!  Hallelujah!

Father in heaven, how glorious and wonderful You are!  You have chosen to give us a Savior, Christ the Lord.. who gave Himself up for us.. so that we might be saved.. from hypocrisy.. from greed.. from worry.. from evil men and from the evil one.. and from the wrath of God that we deserve.  Instead, by Your amazing grace.. You give us eternal life and a treasure stored up that will never perish!  We look toward that great day with anticipation and joy.. May we be ready.. prepared... and faithful as we do Your will until Christ comes.  Help us Holy Spirit we pray.  In Jesus' name amen..

 Luke 11  Jesus taught his disciples  to pray:

"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." Ask. Seek. Knock.  Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.  God gives what is good.. what is best!

Jesus taught the Pharisees about kingdoms:

A divided kingdom will fall.  You can't cast out demons by Satan.  Only One greater can overcome one so powerful.. Only God is great enough !

Jesus taught that the only ones "blessed" are those who "hear the Word of God and observe it."  

Jesus is the Light of the world.. Greater than Solomon in all his wisdom. (v31)  Greater than Jonah who brought the word to Ninevah that changed the whole town. 

Jesus gave the religious leaders every opportunity to believe and be saved.. but they refused.  Here, He exposes their sinful hearts full of darkness.. 

They worry about their outward religious rules.. but "are full of robbery and wickedness". 
They tithe the smallest herbs.. but neglect to love other people or to be just.
They love attention more than truth.
They cause hardships for people.. and could care less about helping anyone in need. 
They refuse to look at the truth of God's Word.. and keep others from doing it too. 

This Christmas season.... may our eyes be clear and our lives filled with His holy Light! May we receive the Word of Christ and do it.. 

Father God,  hallowed be Your name.  Let Your kingdom come.. and all darkness be overcome.  Give to us what we need today and every day.. the great gift of Your Holy Spirit.  May we walk in Truth and do Your will. Forgive us for neglecting to love.. for refusing the Truth.. for causing others to stumble.. for focusing on outward actions instead of heart attitudes... We fully surrender to Your will and receive the grace and truth of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Luke 10  Jesus sent out 70 of His followers to proclaim the Kingdom and to heal the sick.  They went out as "lambs in the midst of wolves".  And, they came back rejoicing in what God had done! It is interesting that these 70 anonymous believers were given such an important role and never identified... yet, isn't that the way our Lord works?  There are many servants of the Lord.. sent far and wide across this world.. proclaiming the Kingdom of God.. who we will never know by name in this lifetime. Praise the Lord for these faithful servants!   Let us "Beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest".. so that even more will go and tell the good news of Jesus Christ. 

A "certain lawyer"  asked this question, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"   It is a good question.. and he already 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."  It is the same answer that Jesus, Himself would give.  But, the man was not satisfied and asked one more question, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus tells the familiar parable of the good Samaritan... 

A "certain man" is robbed and beaten. 

A "certain priest" crossed to the other side of the road.

A "certain Levite" also passed by.. 

But, a "certain Samaritan" stopped.  He felt compassion for the poor man. He showed him mercy by treating his wounds, taking him to safety, and providing for his care. 

This, Jesus says, is what it means to be a neighbor... "Go and do the same." 

The focus is changed from who is my neighbor.. to who can I be a neighbor to... 

Jesus went to Mary and Martha's house.  We know the story.. Martha is too busy to stop and listen.  Mary can't tear herself away from sitting at Jesus' feet.  She chose the "good part", Jesus says. 

Three very different events are included in this chapter.. each giving us a glimpse of Christ.  

Christ who sends our workers into the harvest with good news!

Christ who shows us how to love as a neighbor should.

Christ who doesn't want us to be bothered and worried about "so many things" that we forget to do the "good part".. 

This Christmas season let us take time to pray for, encourage, and give.. so the good news can keep on being told.  Let us be a true loving neighbor to others in need of some mercy and compassion.  And, let us stop being worried and bothered by "so many things".. and choose the "good part".. sitting at the feet of Jesus! 

Father, You know I need to hear this. Help me to go and do it!  I beseech You to send out workers into Your harvest. I pray for those in need and ask that You lead me to help those that I can.  I pray that worry and stress over holiday "stuff" will not take over me but that I will just simply stop and listen to Your voice.  Accomplish all that You desire in me today.. for You are my strength.  In Jesus' name. Amen. 

The twelve and the Kingdom

 Luke 9   Jesus gave the twelve "power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases."  Then He sent them out on their own "to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal".  After they returned, He took them to Bethsaida.. to  rest.  But, the crowd followed and Jesus welcomed them and spoke of the Kingdom of God and healed many.  When the time became late.. Jesus told the disciples to feed them.  It was an impossible task for mere men.. but, by the power of God the 5 loaves and 2 fish fed the 5000 and resulted in 12 full baskets of leftovers! 

This is the truth of the Kingdom that the disciples were just beginning to grasp. The Kingdom of God goes beyond men's ability to know or do... it takes a supernatural act of God.  

Jesus asked the disciples "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"  They knew He was not an ordinary man.. perhaps John.. Elijah.. or another resurrected prophet?  But, Peter had a better answer.. "The Christ of God"!  The Messiah.  It is at this revelation that Jesus began to expand their understanding.. "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day."  

The Kingdom of God is not about greatness in the sense of human power and ability.. Jesus began to specifically teach the disciples the cost of the Kingdom.. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."  The Kingdom requires us to lay down our lives instead of trying to save ourselves. It requires us to be the "least" and not the greatest.  It requires us to not be ashamed of the Lord.. but to give ourselves up for His Name. It requires us to follow Him.. even when there is no place to lay our heads.. when we have to leave the "dead" behind.. when we want to turn back..The Kingdom is worth our full surrender to Jesus. 

Jesus said in verse 27 "But I say truthfully there are some of those standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."  Some believe that this was fulfilled 8 days later as Peter, James and John stood on the mountain top and watched as Jesus was transfigured and met with Elijah and Moses.  They "saw His glory".  They heard the voice of the Father.  They were covered in the cloud of God's glory.  Or, perhaps, He was speaking of John's revelation experienced on the Isle of Patmos where he saw the greatest vision of heaven that any man ever had. 

Yes, the Kingdom is worth everything... 

This Christmas season.. as we come to worship and adore the Newborn King.. let us turn our eyes toward the Kingdom that is coming.. the Kingdom that awaits us.. for whom Christ died.. "the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.. "  Let us proclaim this truth whenever and wherever we can this Christmas! 

Father in heaven, we bow before You with hearts of thanksgiving and praise.. for You have given us a Savior.. Christ the Lord!  We lay down our lives today.. taking up our cross and following Him.. Give us the wisdom and the strength .. by the power of Your Spirit who is within us.. to stand firm in Your Truth. May we be fit for the Kingdom of God! Conform us to the image and character of Your Beloved Son as it is in His Name we pray. Amen

The Sower

 Luke 8   As the multitude grew and people began to come from far and wide to hear Jesus and to seek His help.. Jesus began speaking in parables.  There are mysteries.. He told His disciples.. "mysteries of the kingdom of God".. that some have been granted to know.. but to others.. according to scripture would not be able to see or hear.. or understand.  That, in itself, is a great mystery. 

The parable of the sower and the seed is significant.  As Jesus said.. "take care how you listen".. we need to have ears to hear.. and heed what we hear.  The seed.. the Word of God.. is freely sown.. but how it is received makes all the difference! 

Some hear.. but it is snatched away.. trampled under foot..lost before it can make a difference. 
Some hear.. grab on to it.. but fall away quickly with no roots to keep it alive.
Some hear.. believe.. but allow the things of this world to choke out any real faith. 

And finally.. some hear and believe with  an "honest and good heart and hold it fast".  These grow up to bear fruit "with perseverance".  These ones.. who hear and do the Word of God.. are the same as the mother and brothers of Jesus Himself. 

Luke records next four miraculous works that again authenticate the message and authority of Jesus Christ:

He commanded the wind and waves.. and they obeyed.
He delivered Legion from the many demons that had entered him.. sending them into the herd of swine.
He healed the woman who had reached out and touched His garment.. sending her away in wholeness of body and soul. 
He raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead.

This Christmas season we are turning our eyes fully to the Wonderful Counselor.. the Prince of Peace.. who came to bring good news.. and great joy.. Christ the Lord.. God with us..our Hope.. our Salvation.. our King of kings and Lord of lords..  Who came to give us the Word.. may we receive it with an honest and good heart and bear fruit with perseverance!

Father  in heaven, we are so thankful for the Gift of Jesus Christ.. our Lord and King.  Help us to keep listening.. to keep believing.. to keep abiding in Him!  May we experience the exceeding.. "inexpressible" joy found in Jesus this day. We love You and surrender our whole selves to You...following the example of our Savior.. who "emptied Himself."...came in the form of a servant.. and humbled Himself .. "becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross".  Your will be done in us today, we ask.. in His great Name. Amen.