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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: (4/16) 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: (4/6) Luke 8:1-15

Apr6

A 5-day per week study.

April 6 – Reading Luke 8:1-15

Read and believe in Jesus.

“They are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”  Luke 8:15

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The Gospel according to Luke 8:1-15

Review – While Jesus was at a pompous Simon’s home, a “woman of the city” came and fell at Jesus feet, wetting them with her tears and anointing them with ointment. Simon was disgusted. The woman was forgiven and saved by her faith. Jesus sees hearts.

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Vss, 1-3.

After leaving Simon’s house, Jesus went on through cities and villages proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.  The TWELVE disciples were with Him, AND ALSO some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities,

Luke – perhaps because he was a physician – often highlighted, or at least provided more detail about, the women Jesus interacted with than the other Gospel writers did. Here, he names three, but there were “many others” who followed Jesus.

  1. There was Mary, called Magdalene (because she was from the lakeside town of Magdala). Jesus cast out seven demons from her. (And no, this does not mean she was a prostitute, not the woman of the city in the previous account in Luke 7.)
  2. Joanna is an interesting and independent woman. Her husband, Chuza, was King Herod’s household manager. They were probably a wealthy couple, but I wonder how she met Jesus. Was she healed of some horrible disease?  (She could have been the one who supplied Luke with the details of Herod’s house in Luke 23:8 and 12.)
  3. And there was Susanna. This gal is mentioned nowhere else in scripture. Perhaps she was someone Luke knew personally.

These women “provided for Jesus and the Twelve out of their own means.”

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Vss. 4-8.

Here is when Jesus’ ministry takes a turn.  Up until now, He has been teaching plainly about the Kingdom of God. (The sermon on the mount, etc.).  NOW, Jesus begins to use parables to teach.

WE kind of like parables. We like to think about and even debate their meanings. We often teach them to children.

**** However, unlike the analogies Jesus used (you are salt of the earth, light of the world, etc.), parables required more explanation.  Jesus used them to “obscure the truth from unbelievers.”  Doing this was both a judgment and a mercy. They “loved the dark and had rejected the light,” and more truth would only add more condemnation.

Even the disciples were not sure what Jesus meant by these stories.  They would often ask Him the meaning in private, and, of course, Jesus would explain it to them.

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This first one is very well known. The Parable of the Sower (or sometimes, the Soils) would have resonated with the local farmers. They knew this happened to the seeds that they cast out in sweeping arcs from the bags.  They knew that not all the seed germinated and produced a crop.

BUT what the seed and the soil stood for, and what those hinderances to a plentiful crop signified in Jesus’ teaching, was beyond them.

  1. Some seed fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
  2. Some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
  3. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.
  4. Some seed fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.

Jesus ended the parable with, “He who has ears to HEAR, let him hear.”

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Vss. 9-10.

When the disciples asked Him what He meant, Jesus said, “To YOU it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but FOR OTHERS they are in parables … so that seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand.”

Now this seems hard for us to take in. Doesn’t Jesus want the crowds to know and understand the truths He’s teaching?

Well, yes, but hardened hearts do not WANT to understand. They figuratively put up their hands and turn away from the truth. The religious leaders are prime examples.  Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9, where God blinds unbelievers.

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Vss. 11-15.

Then He explains the parable to His disciples.

  1. The seed is the Word of God.
  2. The “packed-down” soil along the path that gets seed but does not take it in are those who have heard, but the devil comes and takes it away from their hearts so they may not believe and be saved.
  3. The soil on the rocks also receives seed, and perhaps the seed springs up quickly “with joy” (it sounds good, but they don’t really apply it to their heart). When testing coms, they fall away.
  4. The thorny soil seems to take in the truth, but the “thorns” (cares, riches, pleasures of life) soon choke out the precious Gospel truth, and they do not mature.
  5. The good soil represents those who hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Ah, it seems so clear after Jesus explains it.

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Vss. 16-18.

Jesus says that even though He was now teaching in parables, His message WAS NOT meant to be kept secret for a few elite disciples.

The LIGHT is to be put on a lampstand so it can be seen.   STILL, only those “with eyes to see” will see it.

And then that cryptic message: To the one who HAS, MORE will be given, and from the one who HAS NOT, even what he thinks that he has WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.

(Those who scorn the light of the Gospel NOW, will have all light removed from them in eternity…..)

 

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: (3/30) Luke 6:12-26

Mar30

A 5-day per week study.

March 30 – Reading Luke 6:12-26

Read and believe in Jesus.

“In those days, He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12

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The Gospel according to Luke 6:12-26

Review – In the last study, Jesus and the Pharisees/Scribes head-butted about two aspects of Sabbath keeping. The definition of “work” differed greatly between them. The religious leaders kept adding layers of “fences” around God’s “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. On it you shall not do any work” commandment to keep it “safe.”  Jesus promoted rest, restoration, and mercy.

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Vss. 12-16.

There was a big decision coming up for Jesus. Out of the many “disciples” who followed Him, He was to choose twelve whom He would intimately teach and empower to be leaders. To illustrate the importance and as an example to us, Jesus spent the entire night alone in prayer to His Father.

(Wow, how often do I spend even 5 minutes praying about my decisions!)

(NOTE: There were many who believed in and followed Jesus. Luke 10 shows Jesus sending out 70 disciples, two by two, to proclaim the Gospel.  After His resurrection, He appeared to more than 500 disciples at one time.)

After a night of prayer, Jesus called all the disciples together and chose from them twelve, whom He named “Apostles” (messengers sent out with authority).  And yes, Judas, as one of the twelve, was also called “an apostle.”

  1. Simon, whom He named Peter,
  2. Andrew, his brother,
  3. James, and
  4. John,
  5. Philip,
  6. Bartholomew (Nathaniel),
  7. Matthew (Levi),
  8. Thomas,
  9. James, the son of Alphaeus,
  10. Simon, the Zealot,
  11. Judas, the son of James,
  12. Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

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Vss. 17-19.

Then Jesus and the twelve came down from the mountain.  A great crowd of His disciples, along with a great multitude of people from as far as Jerusalem in the south, to Tyre and Sidon in the north, came to HEAR Jesus teach and to be HEALED of their diseases and released from demon possession.

Jesus healed them ALL.

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Vss. 20-23.

(I never noticed this before, but Luke tells us that Jesus taught the Beatitudes (and the whole “sermon on the mount”) to HIS DISCIPLES, to those who were following Him, believers. See verse 20.)

Looking at His disciples, Jesus said,

  • Blessed are YOU who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
  • Blessed are YOU who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
  • Blessed are YOU who weep now, for you shall laugh.
  • Blessed are YOU when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

(NOTE: Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount is shortened.  His audience was meant to be Gentiles, and some of the portions omitted were uniquely Jewish, such as Jesus’ teaching about the Law of Moses.)

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Vss. 24-26.

Jesus now (as in good debates) takes the negative side of the above 4 “blessed.”

  • WOE to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
  • WOE to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
  • WOE to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
  • WOE to you, when all people speak WELL of you, for so their fathers did to the FALSE prophets.

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The poverty and riches, hunger and fullness, weeping and laughter are more than just physical things. Jesus points to the attributes of the heart.

The “poor” point to a deep humility and spiritual insufficiency before God, where we know we are “lost and hopeless” without His love, mercy, and grace.  Ephesians 2.

The “rich” are those who feel self-sufficient and capable in themselves. They believe they do not need a Saviour. They are good enough.

Jesus also speaks of a hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS rather than for bread and meat. This isn’t the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, but a true relationship with God, through the work of Jesus on the cross.  2 Corinthians 5:21.

Weeping portrays a godly repentance that leads to salvation and a joy beyond measure at forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Careless laughing and mocking the things of God will turn to mourning when the judgment comes.  Isaiah 65:13-14

And if believers suffer and even die for Jesus’ sake, their reward will be great in heaven.  If the proud cultivate the approval of man, THAT is all they will get.  “They have their reward” now.  Matthew 6:3, 5

More tomorrow on Jesus’ “Sermon” to His disciples.

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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.)