Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/22) Luke 12:1-21

Apr22

A 5-day per week study.

April 22 – Reading Luke 12:1-21

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness…”  Luke 12:15a

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review –

Jesus confronted the arrogant religious leaders and spoke SIX WOES on them for their greed, pride, and self-righteousness, and their neglect of justice and the love of God.  They respond with renewed energy to “catch Him” in something.

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Vss. 12:1-3.

Even though there were “many thousands of people gathered together around Jesus, so many that they were trampling one another,” Jesus spoke to his disciples first about the disgruntled Pharisees and scribes they’d just left.

He said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

(The hypocrisy or ‘teaching’ of the Pharisees was their over-concern about externals and ceremonies and what people saw and thought of them, but not matters of the heart.)

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Vss. 12:4-12.

Jesus also warns them about persecution by the religious hypocrites, thinking perhaps of His own upcoming death.  “Don’t fear those who can kill the body and have nothing more they can do.  Fear Him who, after He has killed, has the authority to cast into hell.”

Jesus continues to “His friends” with a gentle, “Not a single near-worthless sparrow is forgotten by God, so you are not to fear.  Are you not of more value than many sparrows?”

And again, when any of His own are persecuted by rulers in the synagogues and by other authorities, they are not to be anxious or try to defend themselves. “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you shall say.”

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Vss. 12:13-15.

Then, right in the middle of Jesus’s teaching, and changing the subject completely, a man calls out loudly,

“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!”

Okay, someone in this family has died, and there is a dispute over the inheritance. (No sorrow or grief about the loss is noted at all.) The money, lands, and goods are all that fill these two brothers’ hearts.

 

First, Jesus says, “Man, who made ME a judge or arbitrator?” 

Then, probably seeing the greed and covetousness in the man’s heart, Jesus continues with a warning, a parable, and a startling truth to ponder.

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The warning:

“Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

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The parable:

“The LAND of a rich man produced plentifully.”

The man thought to himself, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store MY crops?”

Then he snapped his fingers. “I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all MY grain and MY goods.”

Pleased with the plan, he leaned back and said to himself, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry!”

But God said to him that very night, “Fool!  This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared … whose will they be?”

(Obviously argued over by his descendants!)

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The truth to ponder:

“So is the one who lays up treasure for HIMSELF, and is not rich toward God.”

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Jesus will continue on the topic of wealth and anxiety in the next study.

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/21) Luke 11:33-53

Apr21

A 5-day per week study.

April 21 – Reading Luke 11:33-54

Read and believe in Jesus.

“One of the lawyers said, ‘Teacher, in saying these things, you insult us too.”  Luke 11:45

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – The foolish crowd accused Jesus of freeing a demon-possessed man by using the devil’s power.  Jesus has ALL the power He needs to do any miracle. The false exorcists, on the other hand, do not. The unbelieving crowd asked Him to do a sign. Nope. The only sign they’ll get is Jonah. Yes, think about it.

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Vss. 11:33-35.

Jesus tells two metaphors about light. In verse 33, the “lamp” is the word of God.  You don’t want to hide it, but to share what God has to say to all who enter your house.

In 34-35, the “lamp” is your eye or the source of light for your body/heart.  The crowd’s problem was their perception, not the lack of light. They didn’t need “another sign.”  They needed hearts to believe the miracles (and power) Jesus had already shown.

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Vss. 11:36-41.

While Jesus was saying these things, a Pharisee walked up to Him and invited him to dinner. Jesus accepted and went with him. In the man’s house, Jesus reclined at the table (presumably already set).

The Pharisee stood there aghast, his jaw hanging open.

Why?

“He was astonished to see that Jesus did not first wash before dinner.”

Now we aren’t talking about a little boy with grimy hands whose mom told him to wash his hands and face before he could eat.

No. What Jesus did not do that offended the Pharisee so much was the elaborate ceremonial rinsing of His hands. These uber-righteous men thought it would cleanse them of any “accidental” ceremonial defilement.

  • It involved someone pouring water from a jar onto another’s hands, with the other’s fingers pointed upward, letting the water drip off the wrist.
  • Next, water would again be poured on the person’s hands, this time, with the fingers pointing downward.
  • Then each hand would be rubbed with the fist of the other hand.)

Jesus hadn’t done that.

It’s not clear what happened next, or if Jesus eventually got to eat.  But He certainly was not going to let this pass.

“Now YOU Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.  You fools!  Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?”

Jesus told the “offended” man that he should be concerned more with his inner attitude before God than with outward ceremonies.

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Vss. 11:42-44.

Jesus then began a series of “woes” (the opposite of blessings) on the Pharisees.

“Woe to you Pharisees!  You tithe tiny pinches of herbs, but neglect justice and the love of God.”

“Woe to you Pharisees! You love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.”

“Woe to you! You are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it (a hidden source of defilement).”

These are pretty strong words!

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Vss. 11:45-52.

About then, some lawyers (or scribes who were experts in the Law) came to Jesus and said He was “insulting THEM too.”

Jesus then spoke to them.

“Woe to you lawyers also!  You load people with burdens hard to bear (minute laws), and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with your little finger!”

“Woe to you!  You build tombs for the prophets (whom your fathers killed), just as God had prophesied. The “blood” of all the prophets is charged against THIS generation … from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah (A – Z).”

“Woe to you lawyers!  For you have taken away the key of knowledge.  You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

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Vss. 11:53-54.

Well, all that did not sit well with the usually much-honored and respected religious leaders.

The Pharisees began to “press Jesus hard and to provoke Him to speak about many things … lying in wait for Him, to catch Him in something He might say.”

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/20) Luke 11:14-32

Apr20

A 5-day per week study.

April 20 – Reading Luke 11:14-32

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke

REVIEW – Last time, Jesus taught on prayer. How to do it, and how to be humbly persistent. We can be confident of answers when we ask, seek, and knock because God, our Heavenly Father, wants to give good gifts to His children.

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Vss. 11:14-23.

What a curious thing that someone would accuse Jesus of doing a merciful act by conspiring with the devil!  It’s so wrong in many ways!

  1. First, Jesus is exercising power AGAINST the bondage of Satan.
  2. He is freeing a helpless man whom Satan maliciously bound.
  3. The righteous Son of God cannot be in league with the blasphemous son of perdition.
  4. Jesus is sinless, merciful, kind, good, self-sacrificing, and loving. Satan is greedy, a murderer, a deceiver, a liar, and an accuser of Christians.
  5. Good vs evil. White vs black. Beauty vs the stench of decay.

Seriously, people!

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus stated it plainly.

  • “A kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided house falls.”
  • “If Beelzebul (the devil) is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?”
  • “But, if it is by the ‘finger of God’ that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

The King was in their midst, showing His sovereign power. He demonstrated that by binding Satan and his demons.

Jesus then illustrates this with a little story.

A strong man will fully arm himself to guard his palace and his “stuff.”  BUT, if a STRONGER one attacks and overcomes him, that one will not only take away the spoil, but … his armor as well.

Jesus not only freed the mute man from his suffering, but He also bound the demon. He took away his “armor.”   Jesus is all-powerful; He does NOT need Beelzebul’s help.

(These people – and perhaps many today – were spiritually blind.)

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Vss. 11:24-26.

Jesus then warns these “blind” spectators about their own false exorcists, who DO pair up with the devil for power. Jesus uses this story.

An unclean spirit is “cast out” by one of these so-called exorcists. The person cleans up his life, but there is no lasting power involved, so the demon gathers more of his evil fellows to dwell in the now “swept and orderly” person’s being, making the second state worse than the first.

THIS is not how JESUS works.  “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  (John 8:36)

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Vss. 11:27-28.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a woman yells out, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed!”

Umm…

Jesus doesn’t deny His mother’s blessings, but assures the woman and the crowd that it is WAY more blessed to HEAR the Word of God and to OBEY it.

Awkward moment averted.

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Vss. 11:29-32.

Earlier, some in the crowd, in order to test Jesus, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven, to prove Himself.

Now Jesus tells them that it’s an evil generation that seeks a sign for proof. (Jesus wants them to have faith.)  He says that they won’t get any sign except for the sign of Jonah.

Huh?

Disobedient Jonah? Swallowed by a fish, Jonah?  Disgruntled but obeying anyway, Jonah? Whining at the bad guys repenting, Jonah?

No.

Jonah was three days in the belly of the fish, as good as dead. Jesus was three days in the grave, truly dead.  Both emerge: Jonah to preach judgment to Nineveh, and Jesus as a judgment to come. Nineveh and the people of today both experience(d) mercy and grace. But judgment did (and will) come.

“Someone ‘greater than Jonah’ is here,” Jesus warned.

Jesus’ resurrection would be the “sign.” Would they then believe?

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/17) Luke 11:1-13

Apr17

A 5-day per week study.

April 17 – Reading Luke 11:1-13

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Lord, teach us to pray…”  Luke 11:1

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The Gospel according to Luke

Review – Last time, Jesus visited two sisters in Bethany. Martha is anxious because there is “so much to do.” She commands Jesus to tell Mary to help her! Jesus, kindly but firmly, says no. Mary’s choice to sit and listen to his teaching was a good one. Rebuked … what did Martha do?

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Vss. 11:1-4.

We don’t know where this happened, but somewhere, the disciples quietly watched Jesus as He prayed. After He finished, they asked Him to teach them to pray.  And Jesus did.

This is a shorter version of the “Lord’s Prayer” that Jesus taught the crowds in the Sermon on the Mount. At that time, He’d instructed them…

  1. NOT to stand up to pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by others, but to go into their room, shut the door, and pray to God in secret. God will hear that prayer.
  2. NOT to “heap up empty words” when they prayed as the pagans did. God knew what they needed even before they asked.

Here, Jesus gave them a simplified version.

  • Whom to pray to: the Father,
  • Worship/adoration: hallowed (holy) is Your name.
  • Humble submission to His will: (may) Your kingdom come.
  • Looking to Him for our needs: give us each day our daily bread,
  • Confession: forgive us our sins
  • Repentance: as we forgive everyone indebted to us.
  • Dependence on Him for holy living: lead us not into temptation.

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Vss. 11:5-7.

Jesus encourages His disciples not just to recite a prayer, but to be serious and urgent in their praying. We aren’t to kneel for a 5-minute morning prayer and a few “table graces” and think that is all we need.

Jesus then tells the disciples a parable to illustrate the persistence they should have in prayer.

The scenario Jesus paints is that of a man surprised by a friend who arrives very late at night from a long journey. The man wants to feed this tired and hungry traveler, but there is nothing in the “fridge.”

Even though it is late, he goes to his neighbor, who is also a friend. And, although this neighbor and his entire family have long since blown out the lamps and gone to bed, our guy pounds on the door.

“Please lend me three small loaves for a surprise visitor!”

“What? Are you serious? We are all in bed! I can’t get up to give you any bread!”

Knock, knock, knock. “Please! Just a few loaves!”

“Go away!”

Knock, knock, knock. “Please, I have nothing to give him at all!”

Silence.

Knock, knock, knock. “Please, neighbor! I am desperate. I have nothing!”

Silence.

Then a click and a creak as the door is opened.  A basket of bread is shoved out. Our man takes it and begins to thank his neighbor profusely, but the door closes.

Nevertheless, he joyfully returns home. He has something to feed his exhausted and hungry long-distance visitor.

(No, this is not teaching us to simply “bother God” with constantly repeating requests. Or that God is begrudging with His answers.  But with another’s need in mind, and with a selfless, dependent attitude, we are to be persistent before the throne of grace.)

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Vss. 11:8-10.

So, Jesus encourages His disciples in TWO WAYS to –

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

“For everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.”

That almost seems like ‘carte blanche’. But note the examples of requests that Jesus gives in the next section.

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Vss. 11:11-13.

“If a son asks for a FISH (to eat), will the father give him a snake instead?

If a son asks for an EGG, will the father give him a scorpion?

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give THE HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask Him?”

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/16) Luke 10:38-42

Apr16

A 5-day per week study.

April 16 – Reading Luke 10:38-42

Read and believe in Jesus.

“You are anxious and troubled about many things….”  Luke 10:41a

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The Gospel according to Luke 10:38-42

Review – Last time, Jesus and a knowledgeable Jewish lawyer butted heads. (Guess who comes out dizzy with a large swelling on his forehead?) The two “great commandments” and the “Good Samaritan” story are explained.

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Vss. 10:38-42.

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village.”

Jesus and His disciples continued walking along the road towards Jerusalem. The village they came to was Bethany, about two miles from the holy city on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.

“And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary…”

Martha was probably the oldest of the three siblings and had inherited the house. Mary, along with their younger brother, Lazarus, lived with her. She was an “in charge” type of gal.

“Mary … sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching.

But Martha was distracted by much serving.”

Two sisters with two personalities. Martha, as “head” of the household, felt responsible for making everything perfect for the Master. She slaved in the kitchen. Maybe she even dusted and straightened things up in the room where Jesus (and his men?) sat. Who would help her serve the meal? Who would pour the wine?

And who knew where their little brother was!

“And she went up to Him (Jesus) and said,

‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone??? 

Tell her then to help me!’”

Wow, Martha was even bossing Jesus around!

Her “do you not care” question reminded me of the disciples in their boat during a storm, while Jesus slept.  Frantic, they had asked Him whether He cared if they perished in the storm!

Yes, Jesus cares. (1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.”

Jesus answered her firmly, but with great love. First, He identified her “heart” problem.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.”

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(I’ve felt like Martha. So many things to worry about, so many things that I need to ‘fix’. I get stressed, and then resentful that I must do everything myself. No one helps! It’s not fair!   Just…like…Martha.)

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Jesus shows Martha what will calm her heart and soothe her anxious spirit. He points to her sister, sitting at His feet, listening.

“…one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion.”

The ‘one thing’ that Martha was missing, the ‘thing’ that would solve all her worries, the ‘good portion’ that Mary chose, is Jesus Himself. Putting everything else aside and listening with an open heart to Jesus’ words.

And, like Mary, it should be Martha’s and our first choice.

“…this will not be taken away from her (Mary).”

Did Jesus continue to look lovingly at Martha, waiting?  Did she sigh and smile a little?  Did she take off her apron and settle down at Jesus’ feet beside Mary? Did she then look to Jesus, her face and heart now calm?

I like to think so.

And there was time later, during general fellowship, for Mary to help Martha serve Jesus and the disciples … perhaps a simpler meal.

Service is good. But Jesus and His word are “gooder.” 😉

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/15) Luke 10:25-37

Apr15

A 5-day per week study.

April 15 – Reading Luke 10:25-37

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And who is my neighbor?”  Luke 10:29

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The Gospel according to Luke 10:25-37

Review – Jesus sent out 72 disciples to towns on His way to Jerusalem, to prepare them for His coming. The 72 return, with joy. Woe to the cities in Galilee that He ministered in for 3 years, and who remained indifferent. REJOICE THAT YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN!

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Vss. 10:25-29.

Perhaps this next section takes place in a synagogue on the Sabbath.  We see a “lawyer” (a Scribe, expert in The Law) STAND UP to speak.  It’s as if Jesus has been teaching, and he stands up to argue.

To TEST Jesus, this knowledgeable man asks, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He had no interest in eternal life, only to catch Jesus in His words.

Jesus turns it back on him.  After all, he IS an educated man. “What is written in the Law?  How do YOU read it?”

The man answers quickly, proving that indeed he DOES know the law of Moses. “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.”  (Deuteronomy 6:24-25.)

The scribe must have preened when Jesus said, “You have answered correctly.”

Then to answer the man’s original question, which HE had probably forgotten all about, Jesus continued, “Do this and you shall live.”

This pompous scribe just could not let Jesus have the last word.  Maybe standing a little straighter, the lawyer looked around at the listeners and said with a smirk. “And WHO is my neighbor?”

(Jesus will answer the lawyer’s query in true debater’s form, with another question, forcing him to a begrudging answer. Then Jesus will speak AGAIN to this lawyer’s initial question.)

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Vss. 10:30-37

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho…” Jesus began.

As soon as the people realized Jesus was going to tell a story, they settled back to listen. Probably even the contentious lawyer sat down.  All of them were familiar with that dangerous road through the Judean wilderness.

“… and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.”

Several nodded, clicking their tongues. Yep.

“Now by chance,” Jesus continued, “…a priest was going down that road.

You could feel the listeners’ tension rise. A priest? That poor man was … bloody! The priest couldn’t touch him without becoming ceremonially ‘unclean!’

“When the priest saw him, he passed by on the other side of the road.”

They nodded.  It was tragic, but it was the way of things.

Jesus continued. “So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”

The listeners were uncomfortable, but, well, a Levite had to also stay ceremonially clean to minister in the Temple. It was a sad situation. They looked at their hands in their laps.

“But a Samaritan…”

Heads flew up.  What?  How dare Jesus speak of a despised half-breed Samaritan!

“…as the Samaritan journeyed, he came to where the man was, and when he saw him … he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 

“And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back’.”

Grumbling began among Jesus’ listeners; outrage mingled perhaps with a touch of guilt?  No one spoke.

Jesus looked to the pretentious lawyer and said, “Which of these three, do YOU think, proved to be a ‘neighbor’ to the man who fell among the robbers?”

Hardly able to get the words out, the learned man said, “The one who showed mercy.”

Jesus leaned back, softly answering the man’s FIRST question about what he should do to have eternal life.  “You go and do likewise.”

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Wow.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/14) Luke 10:1-24

Apr14

A 5-day per week study.

April 14 – Reading Luke 10:1-24

Read and believe in Jesus.

“”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 10:1-24

Review –

In the last lesson, the disciples didn’t seem all that “spiritual.”  They argued about WHO was the greatest among them.  They tried to stop a person who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name JUST BECAUSE he wasn’t a part of “the Twelve.”  And James and John wanted to call down FIRE FROM HEAVEN on a Samaritan town because they wouldn’t let them stay there overnight.

Then, three men that Jesus called to follow Him turned back because it conflicted with their lifestyles.  What disappointments for Jesus as He steadily walked towards Jerusalem and all that would happen there.

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Vss. 10:1-12.

Jesus appointed 72 others of those who were following Him to go on ahead.  Their mission?  They were to prepare the people of the towns on the way to Jerusalem for Jesus’ visit.  Not for accommodations, but their hearts.

Jesus told them that the harvest in these towns was huge.  People’s hearts were ready to hear “good news.” He also told these missionaries to pray to God for even MORE workers.

Like when Jesus sent out the Twelve, He gave these workers instructions.

  1. They were to go out in pairs. (Two are stronger than a lone witness in any situation.)
  2. They were to carry no extra supplies (be self-sufficient), but to go in faith that God would use the townspeople to feed and house them.
  3. They were to announce their purpose right away. “Peace be to this house.” (They were not promoting a Messiah of insurrection.)
  4. Like their Master, they were to heal and preach that the kingdom of God had come.
  5. And … if the town did NOT receive them (like that Samaritan town in the previous lesson), they were to shake the dust off their feet as they left, as a sign that the kingdom of God had come near them, and they’d refused it.

A town’s refusal to accept His message was not about “them.”  It was a collective refusal of the mercy and grace of God, who had not spared His Only Son but sent Him, as a sacrificial Lamb, to take on the sin of the world and experience the death that was the “earned wages.”

“I tell you it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”

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Vss. 10:13-16.

Jesus then names three towns in Galilee that had, for the most part, rejected His message. (Yes, they had gladly received His miracles!)

Chorazin (inland), Bethsaida, and Capernaum were all at the northern end of the Sea of Galilee.  And even though Capernaum had been the headquarters of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and had never forced Jesus out or tried to kill Him, their hearts had remained indifferent.

It’s kind of a shock that Jesus said, “If the mighty works done in these cities had been done in Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon, THEY would have repented in sackcloth and ashes.” And the people of these cities – because they had had the very Saviour of the world ministering in them for three years … would be held MORE accountable on the day of judgment.

Whoa.  A warning to my country, America, so privileged, with the Gospel, Bibles, churches, and ministries available on every hand. And still the cares and pleasures of this world seem more important.

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Vss. 10:17-20.

The 72 returned to Jesus WITH JOY. They were so amazed that “even the demons were subject to us in Your name!”

Jesus reminded them that HE had seen Satan fall like lightning from heaven (after his rebellion). Jesus was eminently more powerful than Satan, a mere fallen angel. He gave his followers authority over all the enemy’s power.  Nothing could harm them, apart from God’s will.

“Nevertheless, so not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

YES!  THAT is the important part. That our names have been written in the Lamb’s book of life. The greatest wonder of all is the reality of salvation – the whole point of the Gospel. (Philippians 4:3, Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 21:27).

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Vss. 10:21-24.

Then Jesus turns to His Father in prayer, rejoicing that “The Lord of heaven and earth had hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and had revealed them to ‘little children,’ for this was His gracious will.  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son … and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “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.”

Yes, Jesus, we are so privileged. We thank You!

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/13) Luke 9:46-62

Apr13

A 5-day per week study.

April 13– Reading Luke 9:46-62

Read and believe in Jesus.

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:62.

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The Gospel according to Luke 9:46-62

Review –

REVIEW – Last week, we ended with the three witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration. Only Jesus could heal the demon-possessed little boy. The disciples did not comprehend His upcoming death and resurrection, nor what it meant to take up one’s cross, deny self, and follow Him.

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Vss. 46-48.

When the disciples began arguing as they walked along, about WHO WAS GREATEST among them, Jesus gave them that “Seriously?” look.

Of course, they still thought Jesus was on the way to becoming an earthly king and chasing out the Romans for them.  (They were thinking of the O. T. prophecies about the reigning Messiah and had forgotten those – especially in Isaiah – that talked about the “suffering servant” who came first.)

Jesus saw a little kid in the crowd that followed them, stopped, took the little one, and stood him right beside Him.  A clear picture of a taller adult, and (perhaps even) a toddler. Jesus rested His hand on the boy’s head.

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives Him who set Me.  For he who is LEAST among you all is … the one who is great.”

Huh?

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Vss. 49-50.

Next, one of the “sons of thunder,” John, came to Jesus with a self-important attitude. “Master, WE saw someone casting out demons in YOUR name, and WE tried to stop him, because he does not follow US.”

Can’t you just picture John preening, expecting an “Atta boy” from Jesus?

“Do NOT stop him,” Jesus rounded on John, “for the one who is NOT AGAINST you is FOR you.”

Huh?

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Vss. 51-56.

The time had come for Jesus to take that final walk to Jerusalem. (He would accomplish much along the way, and indeed, take short trips to Galilee (although his headquarters would no longer be there.)  He would do a lot of teaching and remonstrating in Jerusalem during several “Feasts” and before that final holy week.

BUT His face was now “set like a flint” towards “His hour” and the cross.

However, there is always Samaria.

On the main road from Galilee to Judea, there is a block of land known as Samaria, which must be traveled through – or else avoided by a long roundabout route (the seacoast, or east of the Jordan River).

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 NOTE: Long ago, some destitute Jewish farmers were abandoned there when the Assyrians took Israel captive. Later, Assyria sent a bunch of pagans to the area so the land could be farmed, and produce could be sent back.  These “foreigners” eventually intermarried with the Jews and mixed their idolatrous religion with the one true God’s. They kept ONLY the five books of Moses, plus other pagan nonsense. They even had their own “temple” on Mount Gerizim.

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Jews hated Samaritans and, if possible, avoided them at all costs. That space in the land of Israel was a bone of contention.   However, if one HAD to travel through the area, one COULD sometimes find lodging in a town for a night.

(Remember that John’s gospel tells of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the well. She was converted, and many in THAT town had also come to believe in Jesus.) 

Perhaps THIS was a different town.  In any case, when Jesus sent a couple of disciples ahead to make a reservation at the local Motel 6, they were rudely rebuffed.

Again, those “sons of thunder” disciples, James and John, got their dander up.  “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

Could they even do that???

Jesus must be very frustrated with his disciples by this time.  He was seriously thinking of His death by torture, and they were fooling around with petty, prideful nonsense!

He turned on them and REBUKED THEM.

Whoa!

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Vss. 57-62.

As they walked on – the disciples now silent – several people approached Jesus (or He called them over).

  • “I will follow You wherever You go!” proclaimed someone.
  • “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (a slam on that Samarian town?)
  • No word from the person, as he faded away.

 

  • “Follow me,” Jesus said to a promising young man. (Just like He’d said to Peter, James, John, Levi, and the rest.)
  • “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” (who was probably not even dead!).
  • “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God,” Jesus told him, seeing just another excuse to put off following Him.
  • Did the man obey?

 

  • “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home,” said another, who was probably thinking of a few things he wanted to do first, and the big farewell party to be planned.
  • “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God,” Jesus said.
  • Did he decide it was just too much to ask of him right now?

So, did the group increase as they walked towards Jerusalem, or did the eager wannabes turn back?

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What is keeping ME from forsaking all and wholeheartedly following Jesus? 

Is it my family with its responsibilities, a fear of losing comfort and convenience, or some bucket-list things I want to do first?  

When will I let go, and seriously give the rest of my years, means, and strength to HIM?

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/10) Luke 9:21-45

Apr10

A 5-day per week study.

April 10 – Reading Luke 9:21-45

Read and believe in Jesus.

“There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:27b

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The Gospel according to Luke 9:21-45

Review – In the last study, we saw the Twelve sent out on a short-term mission trip and returned “pumped.”  Meanwhile, Herod is fearful of all that Jesus is doing and wants to see Him.  Jesus feeds the 5000, then asks His disciples who they say that He is.  “The Christ of God!”

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Vss. 20-22.

When Peter answers Jesus’ question about who THEY think He is, Jesus charges them to give NO ONE ELSE this information … at least not right then.  Many important things must happen to Him first, before they will understand, and the world can receive it.

The disciples have now confessed their “faith” in Him as the Messiah.  Jesus begins to prepare them for His death, the whole reason He has come.   This is the first of three times He tells them….

“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

It goes right over their heads.

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Vss. 23-27.

Then Jesus tells these men something even more cryptic.

  • “If ANYONE would come after me, let him DENY himself, TAKE UP HIS CROSS daily, and FOLLOW Me.
  • “Whoever would SAVE his life, will LOSE it, but whoever LOSES his life for My sake will SAVE it.
  • “What does it PROFIT a man if he gains the whole world and FORFEITS himself?
  • “Whoever is ASHAMED of Me and My words, of him will the Son of Man BE ASHAMED when He comes in glory.”

“The cross” was a horrific, shameful instrument of execution for the vilest of criminals.  It meant guilt, condemnation, judgment, and excruciating suffering. WHY would Jesus tell His followers that they must submit to this self-denial … daily … in order to be His disciples?

Loss = salvation; forfeit and shame = profit.

This also goes right over the disciples’ heads.

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..And then Jesus says, “I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not TASTE DEATH until they SEE the kingdom of God.”

  • Some standing there (Peter, John, and James)
  • Not taste death (it will happen soon, and they will not die when it happens).
  • See the kingdom of God (the transfiguration of Jesus, a glimpse of His former and ultimate glory).

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Vss. 28-36.

This is another experience that the disciples kept silent about until after Jesus was resurrected. (See 2 Peter 1:16-18)

As Jesus was praying, He was endued with glistening, brilliant white light (think a constant strobe spreading out from Him) – His face, form, and clothing.

It was as though He pulled aside the veil of His humanity so these three could glimpse “the glory that He had with the Father before the world existed.” (See John 17:5)

With Him, they saw Moses and Elijah, representing “the Law” and “the Prophets,” which Jesus totally fulfilled.  Curiously, they were discussing His upcoming death (departure or exodus).

The three disciples fell into a deep (coma) of sleep. When they were awakened, Peter burst forth with “the greatest idea he’d ever had!”   “Let’s make three tents here; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!!!” 

Have you ever done something like that?  Blurted out something entirely stupid and inappropriate?  He probably would have babbled on if not the cloud of God’s glory hadn’t overshadowed the scene, and the voice of God hadn’t interrupted him.

“This is my Chosen One; LISTEN TO HIM!”

And then it was over, and they were walking silently down from Mt. Tabor’s peak.

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Vss. 37-43.

In the crowd that met Jesus was a desperate man with a totally demon-possessed little boy.

(NOTE: this was his ONLY child.  Alone in the Gospels, Dr. Luke mentions that, and previously that the Nain widow’s dead son was her only child, and that Jairus had only his one daughter.  Doesn’t it remind you of the sacrifice of God, who gave His ONLY Son, Jesus, to be sin for us?)

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For some reason, the disciples were unable to cast out this vicious demon  (though they had done exorcisms many times on their evangelistic tours).

Jesus, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you?

Who was Jesus talking to/about?

His own disciples, who vacillated between great faith and “O, ye of little faith.”

The desperate man describes the horrible things that the demon does to his little son. “It seizes him so that he cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth. It shatters him and will hardly leave him alone.”

(NOTE: Although this may seem like a bad case of epilepsy to modern ears, Dr. Luke clearly identifies it as demon possession.)

As Jesus approached the boy, the demon made one last attempt to kill this only son.  But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and, like the resurrected son Jesus “gave back” to the widow of Nain, Jesus gave this little boy back to his father.

And all were astonished at the MAJESTY of GOD.

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Vss. 43b-45.

As the crowd was all marveling at everything Jesus was doing, He took his disciples aside and said, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”

(Were the disciples thinking – with the crowds – that Jesus was about to come into his glory, and be crowned the King and save the nation?? Jesus had to bring reality to their thinking.)

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The sad thing is, “they did not understand. It was concealed from them, so they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask about it.”

WHY?

Because it was God’s sovereign design that they would NOT UNDERSTAND until after Jesus’ resurrection. His death for sinful mankind would then be understandable to them.

 Luke 24:45-48 – “Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses to these things.’” 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/9) Luke 9:1-20

Apr9

A 5-day per week study.

April 9 – Reading Luke 9:1-20

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Who do you say that I am?” “The Christ of God.”  Luke 9:20

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The Gospel according to Luke 9:1-20

Review – In the last study, two “daughters” are restored to “life” by Jesus. Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter and the woman who had a blood flow issue for 12 years. Both were unnamed, but both were loved and healed by Jesus.

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Vss. 1-6.

The TWELVE, whom Jesus has called “apostles,” have been watching and listening to Jesus’s teaching. They heard him preach the message of the Kingdom and saw countless miracles and healings.  It’s now their turn to “practice,” if you will.

Jesus gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.

He also gave them the principles of “living by faith.”

  • Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money, nor two tunics.
  • Stay in the first house that receives you for as long as you minister in that town.
  • Wherever they don’t receive you, shake the dust of that town off your feet (as a judgment) and leave.

And they obeyed, going through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

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Vss. 7-9.

Luke gives us a little “aside” here. King Herod heard all that was happening (from the many reports circulating about Jesus), and he was perplexed. Who WAS this??

Remember, at the whim of his adulterous wife and her daughter, Herod had been tricked into beheading John the Baptist, whom he considered a righteous man.  Evidently, he was feeling massive guilt, fear, and condemnation, so much so that he feared John had returned from the dead and was preaching again … and now doing miracles!

Herod wanted above all else to see this miracle worker.

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Vss. 10-11.

All four Gospel accounts tell the miracle of the feeding of 5,000+ people.  Luke’s account of the miracle is brief, but accurate.

First, the Twelve disciples return from their short-term Gospel ministry to nearby towns and villages. Jesus took them away to Bethsaida to let them share how it went and to ask questions.  But the crowds learned where they were going and followed Him.

He welcomed them and spoke of the kingdom of God.  He also cured those in need of healing.

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Vss. 12-19.

Finally, at sundown, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions. This is a desolate place.”

You are probably familiar with what happened next.

  • “YOU give them something to eat,” said Jesus.
  • “WE have no more than five loaves and two fish – unless we are to go and BUY food for all these people.”
  • “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty.”
  • They obeyed.
  • “Tell them all to sit down.”
  • They did.
  • Jesus took the loaves and fish in hand, looked to heaven, blessed them, broke them up, and gave the pieces to the disciples to distribute.
  • All ate and were full.
  • The Twelve went around picking up the leftovers. There were twelve small baskets of broken pieces… a simple supper for the disciples.

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Vss. 18-20.

Later, or perhaps at another time, while they were alone and Jesus was praying, He asked them a question.

  • “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
  • (They’d probably heard lots of speculation in that 5,000+ crowd as they passed around the food.)
  • “Some said ‘John the Baptist’.”
  • “Others said, ‘Elijah’.”
  • “And others said, ‘one of the prophets of old has risen’.”
  • “But who do YOU say that I am?”
  • Peter answered for them, “The Christ (Messiah) of God.”

Jesus strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one.  (We’ll find out why tomorrow.)