Tag Archives: Luke

Luke 10

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Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”  This is a blessing for which Jesus thanked God, “I think you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children”, and it is a blessing that we have also. We need to have the attitude of little children, trusting in our Father to help and guide us, growing to be like Him.

Like children, we should love our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.  It’s a love that is reflected in the way we treat our neighbour, a love that the Samaritan demonstrated in his actions towards the people around him.  Let’s respond to the blessing God has given us in revealing His purpose, by the way we treat those around us.

 

Luke 8

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Jesus’ words in Luke 8 reminds us of the gift and subsequent responsibility we have. Like the disciples, we have an understanding of “the secrets of the kingdom of God”, but that brings with it the need to be like the good soil, to really hear God’s word and act on it. “Hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

We have the chance to be Jesus family if we are among those “who hear the word of God and do it”. This is not a passive thing. Legion was instructed “return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” God has done so much for us, and in return we too should share the great hope we’ve been given with those around us.

2 Kings 19, Luke 5

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Jesus said “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”. He demonstrated his authority to forgive sins by healing the paralysed man.

Like Levi, we’ve been called to leave everything this life has to offer behind us, to repent and heal our relationship with God. Like Hezekiah, we’ll experience challenges to our faith, but we should follow his example and take those challenges to God in prayer. “So now, O Lord our God, save us, please”

Luke 4

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Jesus quotes Isaiah, saying that he had been sent “to proclaim good news to the poor… proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

Like the audience in the synagogue that day, we too have been given good news, as Paul describes “the mystery of Christ… that the Gentiles are fellow heirs…partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  We’ve been set free from the captivity of sin, had our eyes opened, and been offered everlasting liberty from the pain and suffering of a mortal life.

 

Jeremiah 27

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Jeremiah is sent to prophesy God’s words to Zedekiah and the delegates of the kings visiting him, “It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me.” They were to serve Nebuchadnezzar, or be punished with sword, famine and pestilence.

From a natural point of view, relinquishing their national identity to serve a foreign king, instead of remaining autonomous, ostensibly a nation serving God, seems like a bad idea. Yet in two chapters time we discover that this submission and the captivity it involved was for the benefit of God’s people.  The same can be true in our lives, being placed in circumstances that don’t make sense to us, yet it is for our benefit rather than detriment.

We can take comfort in knowing that God’s arm is outstretched to save, and that He knows us better than we know ourselves. “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

 

 

Proverbs 4, Luke 18

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Jesus tells the parable of the “unjust judge”, which is really a parable encouraging us “always to pray and not lose heart.” God is not an unjust judge that ignores our prayers. Instead He wants to have a relationship with us, wants us to communicate regularly with Him and persistent prayer is an important part of that.

The words Solomon wrote are easily applicable to our relationship with God, “be attentive to my words…keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.” God’s word and regular prayer help us to run this race, and not lose heart.

Proverbs 3, Luke 17

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Jesus explains to his disciples about forgiveness. It’s an act that requires faith like a grain of mustard seed, an act which we can find difficult, but just like the servant first serving dinner to his master, it’s something that is our duty to do.

Jesus also describes the coming of the kingdom of God. It’s not something we’ll be able to predict, although many will try. We need to be ready at all times, and “trust in the Lord with all your heart”

Proverbs 2, Luke 16

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If we seek wisdom, understanding and insight like they are hidden treasure, then we will “understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”  Once we have found that wisdom and knowledge, then Solomon writes that it will watch over us, guarding us and delivering us from the way of evil.  We will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.

We have been offered the true riches, grace and mercy through the work of Christ. Let’s follow the advice of Solomon, seek that treasure with our whole being, serving the master that can offer us eternal life.

 

Proverbs 1, Luke 15

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Wisdom is personified as someone calling out in the streets, offering knowledge to all. Although rejected by many, she notes “whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

This is a great gift which we have received. We have been offered heavenly wisdom, and accepted that offer. This doesn’t make us more special than anyone else, but it does give us hope and comfort.  “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”  If we are to be wise in heavenly wisdom, then we need to really listen and allow it to affect our lives, to be guided by it.

At various stages in our life, we all can be lost coins or lost sheep.  It’s really encouraging to note what Jesus says, “there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  The act of returning to God, or of helping one of our peers return to God, results in rejoicing in heaven.

Psalm 140-142, Luke 10

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The parable of the good Samaritan is both easy to understand but hard to do. By caring for the wounded man, the Samaritan demonstrated the love that the lawyer knew only theoretically. The same can be true for us, knowing that God is love and that we are called to show that love to others, yet not quite managing to demonstrate it practically.

The empathy the Samaritan showed comes more naturally to some of us than others, but it is a characteristic that Jesus highlights when explaining what is necessary to inherit eternal life.

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.