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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/13) Luke 18:15-34

May13

May 13 – Reading Luke 18:15-34

A five-days per week study.

NOTE: In the last several months, WORDPRESS has changed the formatting process of its posts several times. It’s hard to keep up, and it takes me some time even to get TO the Bible study each day. Please pardon the later posting times.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“What must I DO to inherit eternal life?”  Luke 18:18

The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus used two parables to teach about prayer. The first urges us to be PERSISTENT in prayer (the widow and the unrighteous judge). The second one taught us about our ATTITUDE when we pray (the Pharisee and the Tax Collector).

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Vss. 18:15-17.

The right way and the wrong way to “come to Jesus.”

Moms began bringing their babies and little children to Jesus so He could touch them and “bless” them.  It was a sweet, gentle picture, and Jesus loved it.  He took them eagerly into his arms, smiled at their wiggly joy, stubby finger pokes, and tugs on his beard.  Even toddlers did not seem a bit afraid of this teacher. In fact, they came to Him with arms raised, seeking His embrace and acceptance.

“Hey, get those sticky babies away from the Master,” said Jesus’ disciples, herding the moms and little ones off to a “safe” distance.

“No. ALLOW the children to come to me!  Do not hinder them!  The kingdom of God is made up of such trusting ones!” was Jesus’ rebuke.  

“Whoever does not ‘receive’ the kingdom of God like a child shall NOT enter it.”

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This is how Jesus pictured conversion. Faith is a simple, helpless, trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. They come with no accomplishments to commend themselves. 

(Unlike the next fellow.)

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Vss. 18:19-23.

The right way and the wrong way to “come to Jesus.”

As the children left, a man of substance approached.  He’s called the rich, young ruler, and as such, he had it all: wealth, youth, and power.  What could he possibly need?  He is the kind of important person the disciples gladly escorted to Jesus’ side.

“Good Teacher, what must “I” do to inherit eternal life?”  Was he expecting Jesus to say, “Nothing. You’re good.”

But no, Jesus asked a question in return, causing the man to adjust his thoughts and his bold manner.  “Why do you call Me good?”  Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.”

Was this synagogue ‘ruler’ saying he believed Jesus was … God?  If so, he needed an attitude adjustment.

After a minute or two, Jesus said, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery; Do not murder; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’”

(These were the six commands dealing with person-to-person.)

Relieved, the young man straightened and said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”

When Jesus heard this, He identified the rich man’s problem.  He loved his wealth and possessions MORE than God (the first four commandments concerned person-to-God relationships).  His riches had become idols to him, a god, even.

I think Jesus said these words tenderly, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

(Wealth is not evil, except when it replaces God in your life.)

When the rich young ruler heard this, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Seeing his sadness as the man walked away, Jesus said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God. Yep, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

How different from the little, trusting children was this assured man, who thought he had all that was needed to enter Jesus’ kingdom.

(Sincere trusting VS assurance of wealth and a half-righteousness.  A good lesson for you and me today.  What are WE depending on for heaven and eternal life?)

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Vss. 18:26-30.

Now the disciples (and the crowd around Jesus) were totally confused.  Jesus desired little children MORE than wealthy patrons?  Surely a man’s wealth revealed that God was pleased with him.  And, as for the commands, how many of THEM could say they kept ALL of the last six commands?

“Who then can be saved?” they asked Jesus.

“What is IMPOSSIBLE with men is POSSIBLE with God.

Peter (and perhaps the other disciples) thought about their own lives.  “See, WE have left our homes and followed you….”

And Jesus gave them a deeper answer than they expected.

“Truly, I say to you, there is NO ONE who has left house… or wife…or brothers… or parents… or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time. And in the age to come… eternal life.”

(Is that enough, Peter?)

Food for thought. 

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Vss. 18:31-34.

And while they thought about how that all would work out, Jesus overwhelms them – for the third time – with the prediction of His soon-to-be death.

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.  And after flogging him, they will kill Him.  And on the third day, He will rise.”

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“Hmm…” thought Peter. “I wonder how I will get a new house.  Another wife?”  Wives??”

James and John might have been thinking, “Another set of parents?  What about Zebedee?”

And John, “We will receive… eternal life?”

But Jesus knew that these, His beloved disciples, understood none of what was about to happen. “This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. “

(They probably would have wanted to whisk Him away and keep Him forever out of Jerusalem.)

But then, what of our salvation?

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/6) Luke 16:1-15

May6

A 5-day per week study.

May 6 – Reading Luke 16:1-15

Read and believe in Jesus.

“No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal (wasteful) Son and the hardworking son, and a loving father who welcomes wanderers and disgruntled children alike, but who seeks repentance.

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Vss.  16:1-2

Jesus told this parable to the disciples (not the religious leaders), though it links to the one before. The prodigal son wasted his father’s inheritance, and the manager wasted his master’s possessions.

THIS story is about dishonesty, deception, retaliation, bribery, greed, and shrewdness.  And Jesus seems to condone them all, right?  Yeah, NO! This is the perfect, sinless Son of God.  So let’s try to dig out what He meant with this unusual parable.

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‘There was a rich man who had a crooked manager, and charges were brought against him…”

The rich man called the manager and told him to turn in the books, for he was fired.

So far, so good.

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Vss. 16:3-7.

At first, the manager was in panic mode.  Yikes! “I’m not strong enough to dig!  And I’m ashamed to beg!

Being a day-laborer was out – he’d spend his days with his feet up on a desk, scrolling on his phone, drinking iced sweet tea, and not paying attention to his boss’s assets.

And sitting in the local market, with an alms cup held out to strangers, also did not appeal to him.  Now what?

(He basically didn’t WANT to work.  He liked the ease. Then he got an idea!)

“I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into the houses.”

(Notice his reason, beginning with “so that…”  This was bribery. ‘I do this for you; you will reciprocate this to me.’  No thought for his employer.)

So, that’s what he did.  He went around to all his employer’s debtors and lowered the amounts they owed.  Notice that BOTH parties are complicit. None of the debtors said, ‘Well, that wouldn’t be fair to your employer.’  Nope, they all agreed.

And we presume, if this were a TRUE story, these debtors would have made life easy for that manager.  BUT this is a parable, a story with a lesson to be learned.  And this is the hard part.

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Vss. 16:8a.

Notice the master’s reaction. Totally shocking,

“The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.”

This shows, first, that the master was also a crook.  One crook to another, he admired his manager’s criminal genius. Perhaps he would have considered re-hiring him if this were a true story.  

It’s clear now that ALL the characters in this story are corrupt/dishonest: the master, the manager, and the debtors.   

Huh!

What does Jesus want His disciples to ‘see’ in this crazy parable?

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Vss. 16:8b-9

First, Jesus says, “The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.”

Sons of this world – unbelievers.

Sons of light – believers.

(Most unbelievers are wiser in the ways of the [financial] world than some believers are toward the things of God.

Even the most wicked are shrewd enough to provide for themselves against coming evil.  Believers ought to be more ‘shrewd’, because they are concerned with matters of eternity.)

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Jesus continues with true advice to His disciples about what to do NOW to ensure a more fruitful, glorious eternity.  

He says, “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

“Unrighteous wealth” = money in this world.

“Make friends” = share the gospel, pray for unbelievers, support missions and ministries for evangelism.

“The failing world and its economy” = At the (or your) end, when Jesus comes, or you die.

“THEY may receive you” = all those you had a part in bringing to Jesus will welcome you into glory.

“The eternal dwellings.” = Heaven, for all eternity.

Invest yourself in promoting the kingdom of God, with what earthly money and work you can. You will have a living “treasure” in Heaven to meet you when you die or when Jesus comes.

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Vss. 16:10-13.

Jesus sums it up, looking at the negative side. 

“If then you have NOT been faithful in unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you true riches.  And if you have NOT been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other … OR he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

“You CANNOT serve God and money.”

Serve the Lord! Use the world’s money to further the Kingdom. Put the Lord first in your life, love Him, serve Him.

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Vss. 16:14-15.

Oh, it seems that the richly clad Pharisees WERE still there, around the peripheral, probably.  These “lovers of money” ridiculed Jesus when they heard these things.

Jesus answered them harshly, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

Whoa!

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 Oh, Lord, please let my heart be towards You and not the things of the world. Help me to be wise in how I handle the money You give me.

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/1) Luke 14:15-34

May1

A 5-day per week study.

May 1 – Reading Luke 14:15-34

Read and believe in Jesus.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  Luke 14:35

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review –

Jesus, invited to dine by a wealthy Pharisee, accepts. But before the meal begins, a crippled man suddenly appears. Okay, it’s the Sabbath, and Jesus knew what they were up to. He quickly healed the man and sent him on his way. Then, He asked them a sharp question that they couldn’t answer.
After that, Jesus watched the guests and the host and told two parables that made them all uncomfortable.
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Vss. 14:15-24.

Jesus, still at the Pharisee’s dinner among other posh guests of the religious leader’s ilk, hears one of them burst out with…

          “Blessed is EVERYONE (meaning, “we righteous Jews”) who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!

The guy probably wanted to sound ‘magnanimous’ to his fellow guests after Jesus had said ONLY the humble would be exalted, ONLY the compassionate would be rewarded, and that reward is from GOD, not from man, after the resurrection. (yesterday’s parables)

That prompted another jarring story from Jesus in answer to the man’s declaration.

No, not EVERYONE will be blessed to dine in God’s kingdom. And Jesus begins…

“A man once gave a great banquet and invited MANY.”

You can picture the well-fed guests leaning back to listen, perhaps finishing their final sips of wine.

“At the time for the banquet to begin, he sent his servants to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”

The guests nodded. In those days, a formal invite would be sent out first. Once it was acknowledged with “I will attend,” they would later receive a final call right before the feast was served.  The guests would immediately come.

But in Jesus’ story…

“When the final call was sent out by messenger, the guests ALIKE began to make excuses. Huh?

          “I just bought a field, and I have to go see it.”

          “I have bought a yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them.”

          “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”

These are not reasons but excuses.

Surely the men would have checked out the land and the oxen BEFORE buying them.  And a “new wife” was only a valid excuse for a soldier at wartime. He could be excused to spend a year at home (and hopefully to father a child) before going off to fight.  This was a banquet!

The guests, hearing Jesus’ words, “maybe,” were feeling uncomfortable now.  Sure, they might have made an excuse in the past, but none so blatant as THESE! The host understood, didn’t he?

“The master of the house became angry and told his servant to ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.”

Every jaw at the table dropped.

“The returning servant said, ‘Sir, what You commanded has been done, and still there is room.’”

          “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and to the hedges, and COMPEL people to come in … that my house may be filled.”

The guests around the Pharisee’s table, who believed every one of themselves was worthy to eat at God’s table in the Kingdom, were shaken. The poor, crippled, blind, and lame?  Sit at the lavish table with THEM???  And GENTILES!!!  NO. WAY.

Jesus then quietly, with all seriousness and warning, said…

“I tell you … NONE of those men WHO WERE INVITED shall taste my banquet.”

“Okay, Jesus,” the host might have said, “time to go. Thanks for coming and all of that…no, the servants will take care of the mess…and oh, here are your sandals. Bye.”

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Vss. 14:25-27.

In the rest of chapter 14, Jesus shows how, not crowds, but true disciples are His aim. No half-hearted followers who just want to be with the “in” crowd, Jesus was looking for those few who meant business, who, in order to be His disciple …

“…would hate their own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and yes, even their own lives (in comparison to the love they would have for HIM).

“…would bear their own cross (a willingness to die) and follow after HIM.

(Check out Matthew 10:37-38 for more understanding of this “hate.”)

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Vss. 14:28-33.

Here, Jesus gives two examples of “counting the cost” before deciding you want to be His disciple.

  1. A builder who wants to construct a tower just doesn’t begin with supplies on hand, but draws plans, makes material lists, prices labor … all BEFORE he digs the foundation. Why?  Because he doesn’t want to get halfway done and run out of money.  How EMBARRASSING!!  He would become a laughingstock!
  2. OR, a king who goes out to fight another king in a war. He first counts his troops and weapons, then decides whether his army of 10K can actually stand a chance against the enemy army of 20K. If not, well before the initial clash, he will send out a delegation (with an appeasement?) to seek peace.

Jesus was telling this huge crowd to examine their own hearts and see if they REALLY wanted to follow Him. (After all, remember, Jesus was heading for the cross.) Were they actually willing to give up ALL but Him?

“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has, cannot be my disciple.”

It was not so much about giving up all their possessions as an absolute, unconditional surrender.  Their commitment to Him was to be without reservation.

(Wow. It’s serious business to want to give your life to the LORD. You may not have to live in poverty or die a martyr, but you should be willing to.  Am I that committed? Praise God, He sends His Holy Spirit to convict us and give us the power!)

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Vss. 14:34-35.

          “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? ”  It’s only good for keeping footpaths free of weeds.

Okay, TRUE salt (like a true disciple and his love for Christ) cannot lose its saltiness (flavor and preserving power).

But the salt around the Dead Sea can be contaminated with gypsum and other minerals that cause a flat, metallic taste and aren’t good as a preservative. This is like the majority of the people of the “crowds” following Jesus.  Just “fluff.”   And He knows it.

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/23) Luke 12:22-34

Apr23

A 5-day per week study.

April 23 – Reading Luke 12:22-34

Read and believe in Jesus.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Luke 12:34

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The Gospel according to Luke

Review – Jesus talked about hypocrisy, fear, the value of sparrows, covetousness, anxiety, and then told a parable to conclude it all: “the Rich Fool”.

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Vss. 12:12-32.

Jesus had been talking about covetousness and greed (remember the brothers disputing their inheritance, and the rich farmer who didn’t know what to do with all the extra ‘blessings’ GOD gave him?)

In other words, stuff. Humans always want MORE stuff.  And when they have a lot of stuff, they have anxiety about losing it.  When they think they don’t have ENOUGH stuff, they are anxious about that too.

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(I say “they,” but I fall into these categories too.  Simply living in the United States makes me wealthier than most of the world. The poorest manual laborer here is rich compared to someone in a third-world country.  I have a home, clothes, food, cars, bank accounts, insurance and doctors to help me when I’m sick, and… Amazon for anything else.  And yet, I am still anxious about many things. Lord, help me!)

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Jesus tells His disciples,

“Do NOT be anxious about your life (how to live longer), about your body (what you will eat or what clothing you will wear).

  • Food: “Consider the ravens, they don’t sow or reap or use storehouses, yet God feeds THEM. How much more value are YOU?”
  • Life span: “Which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to your life? If you can’t do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”
  • Clothing: “Consider the lilies, they neither toil nor spin, yet even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If God so clothe the grass which is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He clothe YOU.”

Jesus then rebukes them kindly.

“O, you of little faith!  Your Father knows that you need these things.  Instead, seek HIS KINGDOM, and these things will be ADDED TO YOU.  Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s GOOD PLEASURE to give you the kingdom.”

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Vss. 12:33-34.

The next thing Jesus says makes our jaws drop, and our eyes bulge.

“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.”

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What??  Does Jesus mean ALL my possessions, or just the excess, the stuff I annually set out for the Goodwill?  

SELL my possessions? That means the valuable stuff, right?  I’LL be the needy one if I do that. Won’t I?  

Okay… so the house is pretty bare now… but what about my vacation plans?  My retirement savings?  My insurance policies?  Sell… them… TOO???

Can you see my thinking, above? Concern with stuff for the here and now.  Jesus wants me to look to my ultimate future: Heaven for eternity.  He wants my HEART to let go of these things, not to value them so much. I should be “looking for the Kingdom of God” that is coming soon.

I don’t believe Jesus demands us (all) to give everything away. We can use what we have to help the needy.  We can also stop stockpiling riches, like that fool in the parable, and begin looking with love to share with those around us.

(Even when the early church sold their possessions to share, Peter told them they did not have to give it ALL. Just how much they wanted to give. See Acts 5:3-4)

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“Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens.”

This treasure does not fail, cannot be stolen, or eaten by moths.

 Where your treasure is (in heaven or in your freshly built barn?), that’s where your heart will also be.”

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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: (3/31) Luke 6:27-49

Mar31

A 5-day per week study.

March 31 – Reading Luke 6:27:49

Read and believe in Jesus.

“As you wish others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:31

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The Gospel according to Luke 6:27:49

Review – Jesus, after a night in prayer, chose twelve of all the disciples to be Apostles.  Then Jesus began teaching the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples, starting with the Beatitudes.

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Vss. 27-36.

Have you ever read (and really pondered) 1 Corinthians 13?  If you have time, do it now.  It describes the selfless LOVE we are to have towards each other: the self-sacrificing LOVE Jesus had for sinners when He died in their place.

Now, read these verses in Luke about loving OUR ENEMIES.

REALLY??  Our enemies?  (And yet, isn’t that what sinners are to a Holy God?)

  1. Love your enemies,
  2. Do good to those who hate you,
  3. Bless those who curse you,
  4. Pray for those who abuse you,
  5. Willingly accept a blow to the other cheek,
  6. Give to him more than what he takes from you,
  7. Generously lend to him, and neither require nor expect anything back.

And WHY does Jesus say His disciples are to do this?

“You will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Be merciful, as your Father is merciful.”

And also, “your reward (in heaven) will be great.”

(Of course, there is no way we can do this without the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Romans 5:5 tells us that “God’s LOVE has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

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Vss. 37-45.

BAD judging and GOOD judging.  FIRST, the BAD kind.

“Judge not, lest you be judged. Condemn not, lest you be condemned.” 

This is the self-righteous, pompous, looking-down-your-nose, wagging-your-finger type of judging.  It says, “I” certainly would NOT do that!

The thing is, WE probably WOULD do the offence, given the right circumstances.  We are ALL sinners.

(And as my Hubby likes to say, “When you point a finger at someone, the other three fingers are pointing back at YOU!”)

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No, Jesus tells His followers to, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven, give and it will be given to you, and in a measure you will barely be able to hold!”

And to illustrate His words, Jesus tells them to “picture” a big LOG in your eye, keeping you from seeing anything.  Then, picture a tiny speck of dust in your brother’s eye.   SERIOUSLY, you need to remove that “log” before you can help your brother.

(Jesus was not talking about literal logs and specks, but those faults that we are so eager to point out in others, when OURS are totally larger and more grievous. Go to God, humbly confess your sin, repent of it, and then with tenderness and understanding you can help your brother.)

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GOOD judging.

We aren’t to be “judges” of others, but we CAN be “fruit inspectors.”

Jesus said, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit.”

And again, it is a HEART issue.  What is in the DNA makeup of a tree determines what fruit it will bear, and what is in the heart of man is what will come out in his life and through his mouth

We can try to be sweet and kind.  We can try to bear sweet juicy peaches.  But if our unsaved nature is to be a “crabapple tree,” all we can bear is … crabapples.   Again, it is the Holy Spirit of God, given to us when we are saved (regenerated), who can change our selfish selves into Christlike ones.  THEN, the “fruit of the Spirit” will grow freely and naturally.

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Vss. 46-49.

Jesus now gives a familiar illustration of two homebuilders.

One is thorough, spends more time and money, but builds a sturdy house on a bedrock foundation.

The other is impatient, does not seek out or listen to building codes, and puts up a “quickie” pre-fab home on soft, golden sand.

What happens when a storm breaks the upstream dam, and a huge flood of water rushes at the houses is both reassuring and horrific.

  • The house on the rock (Christ) stood firm.
  • The house built on sand went “smack,” as kids clap their hands when singing that song.  (“It fell, and great was the ruin of it.”)

Okay, so trees and houses, what is Jesus teaching?

Come to Him … hear His words … obey.   Simple.  Let the Word of Christ change you from the inside out, and you will be strong, loving disciples in His kingdom.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/27) Luke 6:1-11

Mar27

A 5-day per week study.

March 27 – Reading Luke 6:1-11

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” Luke 6:2

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The Gospel according to Luke 6:1-11

Review – Last time, we read how Jesus called not only lowly fishermen but also wealthy, important (yet hated) men to follow Him.  And the conversion of Levi was so profound that the former tax collector immediately wanted to introduce all his like-minded associates to his new Lord Jesus.

The giant feast Levi held might have sparked some envy in the hearts (and stomachs) of the local Pharisees, who made it their habit to fast two days per week. Using three illustrations, Jesus reminded them that a “new Way” was coming.  Their old works-related righteousness wouldn’t fit with faith and grace.

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Vss. 1-2

On a Sabbath day, Jesus and His disciples were enjoying an afternoon stroll, with good conversation and camaraderie. A couple of them, maybe Jesus Himself, pulled off some grain from the stalks growing along the outer path. They rubbed the kernels between their hands to remove the husk and popped the sun-warmed grain into their mouths, savoring the crunch and flavor.

Abruptly, some religious leaders, “spying” on them, accosted Jesus with, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Huh?

Picking and chomping on a little granola as you walked was unlawful on the Sabbath?

Was our sinless Savior breaking “the Law”?

Was this “harvesting” and “winnowing”?

Was Jesus WORKING???

Nope.

Deuteronomy 23:25 says, “If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, BUT you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain.”

The Pharisees were so afraid of breaking the Law of Moses (not for God’s sake, but to show off their piety) that they put “fences” (their own laws) around each of God’s laws, so they wouldn’t accidentally “break” one.

Farming was working, and working was forbidden on the Sabbath.  But… what WAS farming?   Sure, you couldn’t go out with a sickle, harvest sheaves of grain, then take them to the winnowing floor and toss them into the air with a fork to send the husks off in the wind, then collect the grain and grind it into flour that could be made into bread and then eaten.

Every Jew knew this.

BUT… (maybe!!!) picking a head of grain “could” be considered harvesting.  And (maybe!!) rolling it between your hands “could” be winnowing!  And crunching it with your teeth…  Well, let’s just be safe and say it’s all breaking the law and therefore forbidden.

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Vss. 3-5.

“Have YOU not read…?” Jesus asks these educated teachers of the law if they haven’t read the scriptures.  Whoa! That was a well-deserved jab.

Jesus then reviews the story of David and his men, fleeing from the murderous King Saul and, desperately hungry, going to the tabernacle of God at Shiloh and asking the priest for the used “Shewbread” in the Holy Place.

Now this Shewbread was replaced each day with fresh loaves. The old loaves were meant ONLY for the priests. But old Ahimelech knew the difference between strictly keeping the letter of the law and showing compassion for someone in need. He asked if David and his men were “ritually” clean, and when affirmed, gave them the bread to eat.

Then Jesus told these self-righteous men that HE was greater than any priest. “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Jesus, as God, instituted the Sabbath.  It was meant to be a gift to mankind. A day when they were released from labor.  A day they could use for physical and spiritual rest and renewal.  It was not a thin white line to carefully balance on.

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Vss. 6-11.

Jesus was now going to illustrate the idea of compassion over the “letter” of the law.

On another Sabbath, Jesus was again teaching in the synagogue. A crippled man was in attendance.  His right hand – the one he was supposed to use for labor – was deformed.

Jesus saw him.  The scribes and Pharisees saw him (perhaps even brought him in as a trap) and watched to see what Jesus would do.

(Um, this is like playing games on your phone in church. NOT the reason you are there.)

Jesus knew their thoughts.

He told the crippled man to come stand in front of Him.

Then Jesus asked,“Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”

He looked around at the Pharisees, but none answered.

Then Jesus looked at the crippled man (surely with compassion) and said, “Stretch out your hand.” And when the man obeyed, his hand was restored.

Silence (except perhaps for the grateful weeping of the man).

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(Good works were especially appropriate on the Sabbath – particularly deeds of charity, mercy, and worship. REFUSAL to do good was the same as doing evil. See James 4:17)

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Nevertheless, the hearts of the religious leaders were FILLED WITH FURY.  Privately, they discussed what they might DO to Jesus.

(Why? You might ask.  Well, Jesus’ compassion showed them up for the hypocrites they were.)

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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/25) Luke 5:12-26

Mar25

A 5-day per week study.

March 25 – Reading Luke 5:12-26

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Lord, if You will, you can make me clean.” “I will. Be clean.”  Luke 5:13

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The Gospel according to Luke 5:12-26

Review – In the last study, we saw Jesus in an empty, cleaned fishing boat.  He taught the crowd, then told Simon Peter to “catch some fish.”  But they’d fished all night with not a sardine! Nevertheless, Peter pushed out into deep water and threw the freshly washed nets over the side.

And fish!!! So much so that, even with the help of other boats, they couldn’t hold them all. A picture of evangelism in Jesus’ Kingdom, when obedience is before human wisdom.  You will be “fishers of men,” Jesus told them.

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Vss. 12-16.

Jesus is now teaching in another town. A leper approaches Him, saying,“If You will … You can make me clean.”

Those with leprosy in that day had to stay far away from healthy people.  They had to cry out, “Unclean, unclean!” whenever people passed by as a warning of their contagion.  Dr. Luke describes this man as being “full of leprosy,” so this was an advanced case. 

The man had been suffering for a long time. He was desperate.  He’d heard one of the “reports” about Jesus, how He was healing ALL diseases and casting out demonic spirits.  A glimmer of hope had sprung up.  And then He SAW Jesus.

He didn’t run to Him; perhaps his feet were so diseased that he couldn’t.

He simply fell … on his (mutilated) face … and begged.

“Lord! IF YOU WILL, You can make me clean.”  There was no doubt of Jesus’ ability. Leprosy was no match for this Healer.  But WOULD He? Would He have mercy? 

And then came the TOUCH.  Jesus TOUCHED the fully leprous man.

“I will,” Jesus said.“Be clean.”

Four words, and the leprosy was gone.  Such power in the WORDS of Jesus.

Leprosy (a picture of sin in the world) did not infect Jesus. His cleanness “infected” the man.

Oh, what grace! Oh, what deliverance! Oh, what joy!

(This is such a vivid picture of a sinner coming to Jesus. He’s heard that He CAN save sinners, that He DOES save sinners, but WILL He save this one?  Will He save me?  [See Romans 10:9-13, John 3:16-19, Acts 16:30-31)

Jesus instructed the man to do what the Law of Moses demanded when a person was healed/cleansed of leprosy. They were to go to a priest, show their “clean” skin, wait a period, and be examined again. And if the priest declared it so, they would offer a sacrifice. (Leviticus 13:1-46)

Luke doesn’t say that the man didn’t tell everyone he knew that he was healed.  But they could SEE. The formerly leprous man had clean, whole skin. He again had fingers and toes, ears and nose.  Amazement abounded.

And the “report” of Jesus’ teaching, healing, and casting out demons expanded to include the cleansing of leprosy.  Great crowds of needy, hurting people gathered to hear Him and be healed.

And Jesus withdrew to desolate places to pray.

(Wow. If the perfect, powerful, sinless Son of God found the time, place, and opportunity (and the NEED) to quietly pray to His father … how much more should this be true of us.)

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Vs. 17.

On another occasion, as Jesus was teaching … Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there.  They’d come from every village of Galilee, Judea, and even Jerusalem to “check Him out.” The reports of Jesus were spreading. These “hawks” were watching Him critically.

We don’t know exactly where Jesus was, but He was inside a building, maybe someone’s house, large enough to hold such a “convocation” of Jewish hierarchy.

“And the power of the Lord was with Him to heal.”

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Vss. 18-20.

And still, the needy crowds flocked to Jesus.  A group of men, friends of a paralyzed man, heard where Jesus was and loaded up their friend on a stretcher-like mat.  The house was crowded, and people massed outside, listening to Jesus teach.  How would they reach Him with their friend?

  • Four sets of eyes raised to the roof, and the stairs leading to the “outdoor” room behind the parapet.
  • They carried their helpless friend up, laid him down, and began dismantling the roof.
  • Tiles were pried up and carefully laid aside, exposing the wood rafters.
  • Eventually, dust and pieces of “grout” filtered down inside the house.
  • All inside looked up, and the men lowered their friend’s mat, JUST IN FRONT OF JESUS.

Jesus looked UP and saw THEIR faith, and said to THE MAN, “Your sins are forgiven.”

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Vss. 21-26.

Of course, the hyper-religious Pharisees jumped on these words. In their hearts, they were condemning Jesus of blasphemy. WHO can forgive sins but God?  Is this man saying He is … GOD??

“Why do you question in your hearts?” Jesus knew their thoughts.

“Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ Or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

But so that you may KNOW that the Son of Man HAS authority on earth to forgive sins…”  Jesus turns to the man who was paralyzed and says, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Immediately, the formerly paralyzed man rose up, picked up what he’d been lying on, and went through the door and home, glorifying God (with his four friends, I’m sure). 

(Yes, I believe that later, they returned and, when the house was empty, repaired the roof.)

And amazement seized all who witnessed and heard of this miracle, and they glorified God, and were filled with awe, saying, ”We have seen extraordinary things today.”

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(Did the religious leaders also glorify God?  Or did they feel outrage at Jesus’ words and actions? Was the darkness of murder already filling their hearts and minds? This was only the beginning of clashes between Jesus and those who were supposed to lead Israel in holiness.)

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/26) Mark 14:66-72

Feb26

A 5-day per week study.

February 26– Reading Mark 14:66-72

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And Peter remembered….” Mark 14:72a

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The Gospel according to Mark 14:66-72

In the last study, the ordeal of our salvation begins. Jesus faces the High Priest and the full Sanhedrin (alone), where He is convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. And the nastiness begins. Spitting, mocking, slapping, and fist blows.  Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah … for us.

Meanwhile His chief disciple is outside in the courtyard, warming himself by a fire.

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Vss.66-72.

Peter’s heart is racing, and his mind is in confusion.  What was happening with Jesus?  WHY did He allow Himself to be arrested? What will they do with Him?  And… what about us??  We thought…..!

A voice, that of one of the servant girls of the High Priest, jerks him from his thoughts.  “YOU also were with the Nazarene, Jesus!”  

Peter whips around and stares at her. “I neither know nor understand what you mean.”  He moves away, towards the exit gate.  A rooster crows, but it barely registers.

The servant girl gestures at Peter and says to the bystanders, “This man is one of THEM.”

“No, I am not.” His eyes are wide, his breathing is fast.

One of the bystanders then says, “Certainly you ARE one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

Peter invokes a curse on himself and begins to swear.  “I do not KNOW this man of whom you speak!”

And the rooster crows a second time.

Peter hears it.  And he remembers.  Jesus, his beloved Master, had told him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” Peter runs off into the fading darkness, breaks down, and weeps bitterly.  What… has… he… done?

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(How like Peter we are. At times more concerned with ourselves than our Savior. We devote our time to Him. We testify to His grace. We tell others of Him. We even pray for others, and God hears and heals.  Then something comes along that our sinful nature responds to, and we sin. We sin grossly.  Our “self” and its pleasure, safety, and pride are all that matter in the moment … and we turn our backs on Him.  We deny HIM.   The one we LOVE.  Is there any hope of forgiveness????)

In the last verses of our reading of Mark’s Gospel, we will get a hint of the answer.