Tag Archives: Luke

Proverbs 7, Luke 21

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Proverbs 7 provides the last of 4 warnings about the dangers of being unfaithful to Wisdom, in vivid and graphic detail, designed to help avoid the unfaithfulness of sin. Solomon precedes the warning by saying “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; write them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Solomon’s advice was a treasured possession for his son, designed to occupy his heart and focus. We’re familiar with the idea of a treasured possession, that feeling we have when we finally get something we’ve been eagerly waiting for; we’re so careful with it when we finally get it, whether a new phone or a long-anticipated pet or a fresh bag of coffee beans. God’s word should be treasured and nurtured like that.

Jesus tells his disciples, “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”. Like Solomon, Jesus’ words provided advice to all generations, regardless of political climate. It’s important for us to treasure these words in our heart, allow them to affect us and guide us.

Proverbs 5, Luke 19

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Solomon writes, “My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.” Wisdom is not some passive thing that can be gained once then forgotten. It requires constant attention and maintenance, active participation. 

Solomon warns about the “forbidden woman”, attractive to those who have stopped listening to wisdom. “Keep your way far from her… For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.” Sin is so attractive,  deceitful and dangerous, Solomon advises to avoid it, to keep away from situations that will lead to sin.

The Pharisees took this idea to extremes, attempting to avoid sin by avoiding sinners. But as Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” At various stages of life we are all lost, having wandered too far down that path leading away from God. Fortunately, Jesus was sent to save people just like us.

Luke 13-14

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In Luke 13 and 14, Jesus gives several parables to describe the kingdom of God. One of those parables starts, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many… but they all alike began to make excuses”. They made weak, trivial excuses for not attending the feast. Instead opportunity was given to the poor and crippled and blind and lame, then to those in the highways and hedges. 

Although we can interpret this parable to mean that the Jews rejected the invitation to the feast, allowing the Gentiles an opportunity, it also applies to our response to our calling. 

Jesus later says, “any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”. This is a really challenging idea. It shows the importance of putting God first in our lives, to allow our relationship with Him pervade our whole life, as leaven affects flour.

Psalms 140-142, Luke 10

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In Psalms 140-142, David describes his reliance on God, “Deliver me”, “Guard me”, “You are my God”, “O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation”, “my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge”.  David is once more writing about the trials of his daily life, yet in those difficulties he maintains his reliance on God, doesn’t sever that relationship but seeks refuge in it instead.

In Luke 10, Jesus explains to his disciples how blessed they are to understand the gospel. “Many prophets and kings desired to see what you see…and to hear what you hear” about Christ and the salvation that would be offered through him.  Jesus prays to God, thanking God for revealing this hope. This hope is “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”; a hope hidden from the “wise and understanding” of the world, revealed instead to those who demonstrate trust in God like a child trusts a parent.

Luke 4

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In Luke 4, we find Jesus reading Isaiah 61 in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, two short verses that encapsulated the hope of the gospel. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Truly this scripture has been fulfilled, and it is now up to us to share that hope with those around us, just as Jesus did. “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 18

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In Luke 18, Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer. The parable of the “unjust judge” demonstrates that we “ought always to pray and not lose heart”. In contrast to the judge in the parable, God gives justice to His elect, who cry to him day and night, giving justice speedily”.

Developing and growing our relationship with God through prayer is a vital part of our discipleship, coping with trials that we all face. We can be confident that God will hear our prayers, knowing our needs even before we ask.

We also read how important it is to be persistent in our faith. The blind man was not discouraged by the obstacles he had to overcome, crying out to Jesus for mercy loudly and frequently enough to be heard over the noise of a crowd. Jesus restored his sight, saying to the blind man “your faith has made you well”.

So let’s work on developing our relationship with God, through frequent prayer and continued effort to overcome the things in our life that separate us from God.

Luke 17, Proverbs 3

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The cleansing of the ten lepers presents us with an insight into the behaviour God expects from us. While all ten demonstrate faith, and are healed because of their faith, only one is thankful.  The Samaritan praised God with a loud voice, returned to Jesus, and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving thanks. He is commended for his actions, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well”.

God has extended to us an offer of salvation, which requires us to live a particular lifestyle. But there is more to our relationship than a response to God’s actions.  Unlike the unworthy servant who merely did his duty, true servants of God develop a deeper relationship resulting in genuine love and thankfulness expressed.

Rather than being preoccupied with eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting and building, we are advised instead to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”.

Proverbs 2

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Solomon describes true wisdom as the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. True wisdom comes from God, “from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding”. It must be searched for like people search for silver or hidden treasure.  True wisdom helps us to “understand righteousness and justice and equity”, and protects us from the way of evil.

True wisdom requires time and effort to develop, but it is more than intellectual knowledge. It’s something that affects our thoughts and actions, helps us avoid temptation and guides us to “walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous”.  It offers hope of an inheritance.  It’s up to us to spend the time developing this wisdom, to make the choice between two masters and serve God.

Luke 12

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In Luke 12, Jesus continues to provide advice on living a Godly life.  Avoid hypocrisy. Don’t fear persecution; God knows every sparrow sold and every hair of our heads, He will not forget any persecution that we suffer. Acknowledge Jesus in the way we live.  Recognise the natural tendency to collect possessions, and instead develop heavenly riches. Don’t be anxious about natural needs like food, clothing, etc.  Be ready for the return of Jesus.

These are all things we struggle with, to varying degrees. Jesus is not giving this advice because it’s easy to follow, but because it’s something we all need to work on.

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Let’s make sure our treasure is in heaven, seeking God’s kingdom first, following the example and advice of Jesus.

Luke 11, Psalms 143-144

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Jesus said “Blessed are those that hear the word of God and keep it”. Our faith is not passive. We are exhorted to “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”, knowing that God will respond to those that seek Him.

We are also exhorted to have our whole body full of light, single mindedly focused on serving God in an active, visible manner. David’s faith was like this, seeking God, praying for mercy, demonstrating his faith in God in the way he lived.

So let’s follow the example of David, who describes God as his rock, “my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge”.