Tag Archive | Jesus

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/14) Luke 18:25-43

May14

A 5-day per week study.

May 14 – Reading Luke 18:25-43

Read and believe in Jesus.

“What do you want Me to do for you?”  Luke 18:41a

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus showed by His actions and conversations that those who were invited into the Kingdom of God were as trusting as little children, while those who thought they were well qualified (the rich young ruler) didn’t have what it takes.

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Vss. 18:35-43.

The setting is Jericho, the last stop east before turning west toward His final destination in Jerusalem. Jesus meets two needy men in this ancient (rebuilt) city: one needs physical sight, and one needs spiritual sight. Today, we’ll look at the first one.

A blind man sat at the roadside by the entrance of the city, begging for meager sustenance.

He became aware of a large crowd passing by, from the sounds and dust wafting his way. What could this mean? He stood up and asked what was happening, and was told that “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

Everyone knew who Jesus of Nazareth was at this point. He was the great healer and teacher. Hope sprang up in the blind man’s heart. Hope AND faith.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” he cried.

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The title ‘Son of David’ meant that this blind man understood who Jesus was. (Had he been among the crowds who heard John the Baptist preach and baptize?) Jesus was a teacher and healer, but this needy man also understood that Jesus was the promised Messiah. “Son of David” was the title of the savior of Israel.

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Those in front of the blind man told him to shut up, but he cried even louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!” He was desperate. He could NOT miss this opportunity. He HAD to meet Jesus.

Jesus heard his plea (prayer?) and stopped. Even in a large, noisy crowd, Jesus hears the sincere prayer for help. He asked for the blind man to be brought near.

When he stood before Jesus, the Messiah asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man might have often practiced this request in hopes of someday seeing Jesus. It had been his constant prayer. “Lord, let me recover my sight.”

Then Jesus said those golden words. Seeing the blind man’s faith, He said, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.“

Oh, GLORY! The formerly blind man could instantly SEE. Joyfully, he followed Jesus, praising and glorifying God. His joy and praise spread, and soon all the people were praising God.

(This is the crowd and the rejoicing that enticed Zacchaeus (inside the city) to climb a tree and see what was happening. Tomorrow.)

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(Daily, the blind man asked people for help. A few meager coins were his reward. Then he heard the good news about Jesus, the Messiah, and he believed. He struggled to meet his Lord personally and finally did. When he asked Jesus for help to SEE again, the Savior saw his faith and opened his eyes.

LORD, help me to always look to YOU for my needs (my daily bread), and not to people and institutions around me. You alone have the power. And You love me.)

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: (5/12) Luke 18:1-14.

May12

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”  Luke 18:1

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – In the last lesson, Jesus talked about His coming in glory, how it would be similar to two Old Testament judgments, and what to look for beforehand. “Remember Lot’s wife,” Jesus cautioned them.



Vss, 18:1-8a.

Jesus says that men (all of us) ought always to pray and not to lose heart. In these verses, He tells a parable about persistent prayer with an encouraging ending.

But why would someone ‘lose heart’ when they pray?  Maybe because after praying for a long time, they still saw no answers. Sound familiar?  I have a couple of prayers that I’ve been praying for seemingly forever.

The Apostle Paul encouraged prayer, too. (And remember, Dr. Luke probably heard these as he traveled and worked with the apostle.)

For example, here are a few of Paul’s exhortations.

  • Romans 1:9 – “…without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers…”
  • Romans 12:12 – “…be constant in prayer.”
  • Ephesians 6:18 – “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:11 – “To this end, we always pray for you…”

And so, Jesus tells this little parable that reflects those times well.

Judges were often corrupt, or at least self-interested.  Widows were “on the bottom of the pile” in Jewish hierarchy.  A woman without a husband or son had no standing, no voice at all in the community.

And yet, in Jesus’ story, there is a very persistent widow.

“In a certain city, there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.”   He was a thoroughly wicked, selfish, and unrighteous man.

“And there was in that city a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’”   The woman had a legitimate grievance. A person, probably a man, was harassing her unjustly. As a widow, she had no one to turn to except this vile judge.

“Go away, woman!”

“Stop bothering me!”

“You?? Are you here again?  I said, stop bothering…  Oh, give me your problem. I’ll deal with it, so you will STOP. BOTHERING. ME with your continual coming!”

So… was the widow’s problem solved?

Yes. But not because the judge had any compassion.  He was selfish. He helped her to get some relief for HIMSELF.

But our Father in Heaven is not like that.  

Jesus said, “Hear what that unrighteous judge said.  And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to him day and night?  Will He delay long over them?  I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily.”

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Vss. 18:8b.

Then Jesus asks what seems to be a rhetorical question.  “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes (back), will He find faith on the earth?”

Jesus had earlier been telling them of His return, comparing it to the judgments in Noah’s and Lot’s times.  In the first instance, ONLY Noah (with his family) had faith and was saved. (Hebrews 11:7)  In the story of Sodom, ONLY Lot (with his daughters) had a semblance of faith. (2 Peter 2:7-8)

So, today?  Soon, when Jesus returns?  How many will He find and take away who TRULY BELIEVE?  (Matthew 7:14, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”)

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Vss. 18:9-14.

Perhaps thinking of who HE considered righteous (like Noah and Lot) and who others thought were righteous (religious leaders), and maybe even who was outright Unrighteous (that judge), Jesus told another parable.

It was shocking to the Pharisees who listened. The point of the story was to point out “those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and who therefore had contempt for all others.”

 (But I bet it made Matthew’s heart joyful.)

“TWO men went up into the temple to pray, a Pharisee and a tax collector.”

(Right, you could already see the sneers on the faces of the listening Pharisees.)

“The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men … extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 

“I fast TWICE a week.  I give tithes on ALL I get.”

(Can you see this man parading around, chest out, eyes peering down over his nose to the “low-life?”)

However, Jesus goes on with His story, aggravating His pompous listeners.

“But… the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Jesus then probably looked deep into the eyes of His listeners, and said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house JUSTIFIED, rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Everyone vs the one.

In this one parable, Jesus taught His listeners HOW to pray, and WHO will have faith when He returns.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/11) Luke 17:20-37

May11

A 5-day per week study.

May 11 – Reading Luke 17:20-37

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, He answered…the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”  Luke 17:20-21

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus spoke of a believer’s duty and faith. He told an awkward (to us) story about obedience. Then he healed 10 lepers, but only one – a Samaritan – returned to worship and thank Jesus.

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Vss. 17:20-21.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the kingdom of God come?”  

hey were probably mocking Him, because they had already decided Jesus was not their Messiah.  They believed the Messiah would overthrow Rome and set up the millennial kingdom.  Jesus’ path was totally different.

Jesus’ kingdom would be the invisible rule of God in men’s hearts through faith in Him as Savior. He did not say that the expected Old Testament Millennial Kingdom would NOT come.  Just not now or first.

But the Kingdom of God was there and then, in Jesus.

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Vss. 17:22-25.

But now, Jesus’ disciple wanted to know the answer too. Jesus told them the two sets of “signs” to watch for that would herald His coming to rule. 

BUT … there were events that would occur first, even in some of their lifetimes. He warns them of these.

There would be news of false comings. “Look here!” and “Look there!” but they were not to be fooled. His coming would NOT be a secret. It would be like lightning flashing across the sky.  ALL would see and know.

Also, Jesus told them, “But first the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”  (Again, predicting His soon death.)

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Vss. 17:26-33.

Then Jesus illustrated His coming in power by two familiar Old Testament stories of judgment.

Sign one:

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.”

How was it then, in those 120 years it took Noah to obey God and build the Ark? 

They were eating and drinking. (Daily life, as usual)

They were marrying and giving in marriage. (Joining families and procreating, planning for the future of their generations.)

All, as if it would go on forever.

Noah preached about the coming judgment for all those years, and no one listened or prepared.  Instead, they mocked him. They hooted and howled … until the first raindrops fell…and the water began to rise…and they tried to cling to the pitch-covered ark and pounded on the door….

It was too late then. Noah’s family, and the representatives of all the beasts of the earth and fowl of the air had entered that great boat.  The door was shut and sealed … by God.

(Just a side note; Do you ever wonder why specimens of the creatures in the sea were not taken on board the Ark when all creation was judged? It “could” have been done. My thoughts – and only thoughts – are that the sea creatures were needed to clean up the oceans of all the dead bodies of humans and animals, and all the rotting vegetation. In Revelation 19:17-21, God calls the birds of the air to come clean up the corpses after the Battle of Armegeddon. so why not the fish?)

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Sign two:

“Likewise, just as it was in the day of Lot.)

This was a much shorter warning period. God revealed his plans to Abraham, and the man of faith interceded for the people as far as he could.  Then God sent angels, and it was a mere day’s warning.  “Get out now.”

But the townsfolk were busy.

Eating and drinking. (life as usual)

Buying and selling. (greedily trying to acquire more and more)

Planting and building. (assuming they had lots of time to live in the future).

But on that DAY (when Lot left town, pulling his reluctant wife and daughters along, it “rained” fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all.

Jesus specifically tells them to “Remember Lot’s wife.”  Her attachment to Sodom and her “things” was strong.  Even as fire rained down, she looked back in longing.

How much do our own “things and way of living” mean to us?  Have we laid down our lives, forsaken all, taken up our cross, and truly followed Jesus?

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No one will expect Jesus’ coming (except those who are His own). All will be bound up with their own ordinary lives, future good and bad schemes, and wild machinations and fears.

Like today.

By the way… have you noticed how many of God’s spokespersons are now calling for people to “get ready,” and turn to Jesus, BECAUSE HE IS COMING VERY SOON?

“All the prophecies are being fulfilled! Nothing is hindering His appearance! Don’t be left behind!”

God states in Amos 3:7 that He will warn of His coming, especially in judgment.

“Surely, the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants, the prophets.”

God graciously does this to allow time for repentance.

It was 120 years in Noah’s time…barely a week for Sodom.

How long for us today?

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Vss. 17:34-37.

“There will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken, and the other left.” Jesus warns.

Sleeping, doing chores … just like in the days of Noah and Lot.

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Oh, be prepared!  

Trust in Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross for your salvation!

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/8) Luke 17:1-19

May8

A 5-day per week study.

May 8 – Reading Luke 17:1-19

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Lord, increase our faith!” “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed…”  Luke 17:5-6a

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review: Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus, who both died and had very different fates.  The rich man wanted to warn his brothers about that horrid place, but Father Abraham told him, EVEN IF someone would return from the grave, they would not listen.”  We have such hard hearts!

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Vss. 17:1-5.

“Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come.”

Jesus states a fact: we will all face many temptations every day. Some will come from within ourselves, from our sinful desires, and should be resisted. But many subtle or even gross temptations to sin will come via the ungodly people around us. It’s a given.

However, what Jesus adamantly forbids here is for a believer to tempt someone to sin.  He’d be better off dead!

We say, “I’d never do that!” But think about it. What about those “innocent” fun activities that escalate into sinful indulgence or gross misconduct?

Jesus then turns the picture around from temptations to your reactions.  “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  If he sins against you seven times a day, and turns to you in repentance, YOU MUST forgive him.”

And what was the disciples’ reaction?  “Lord, increase our faith!” They weren’t sure they could do what Jesus said.

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Vss. 17:6-7.

Jesus reacted by telling them they didn’t need MORE faith. They need to USE their faith, not desire MORE.  What they had already possessed would move trees and mountains elsewhere. No, the faith they had at that moment was sufficient.

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Vss. 17:8-10.

Next comes a curious example that falls crookedly on our modern-day sensibilities. We have people who work for us, but most of us do not own servants and/or slaves.  We pay our workers for their jobs, and don’t really expect them to go over and beyond what they’ve been hired to do (without negotiating).

So, put your imagination back to Jesus’ day, and see what you can learn about “unworthy servants.”  (Meaning US????  Whoa!!!)

“Will any of you (speaking to a broader audience now)  say to your servant who has been plowing or keeping sheep and has come into the house, ‘Come at once and recline at the table?’”

Can’t you almost hear them laughing at such a notion?

“No, you will rather say, ‘Prepare supper for me. Dress properly and serve me while I eat and drink.  After THAT, YOU will eat and drink.’ Does he then thank the servant for doing what was commanded?”

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Wow.  Doesn’t this go against our natural inclinations, especially in the U.S.?  Your hardworking man slaves all day in the heat, and THEN he’s supposed to come in, cook your meal, and serve you BEFORE he can take a bite???  Yes.  And he doesn’t even expect a ‘thank you.’

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So, what was Jesus saying?

The point is that a slave/servant should not expect special reward for doing what his duty in the first place was.

Now recall the standards Jesus set for believers in verses 1-4.

  1. Believers had better not tempt others to sin.
  2. Believers must forgive a repentant brother AS MANY TIMES as he sincerely repents.
  3. Believers should USE the faith they already have rather than ask for more.

The above “duties” are the minimal things that believers are expected to do. No special merit for obedience should be expected.

Whoa.

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Vss. 17:11-19.

(This incident happened sometime later, maybe after He’d raised Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus from the dead, and He had retreated into the country to avoid the Jerusalem authorities who wanted to kill Him right then.  Luke 19 tells of Jesus’s triumphal entry at Jerusalem and His subsequent death, at His OWN timing.)

Anyway, when Jesus and His disciples entered a village, they were met by TEN LEPERS who stood at a distance calling.

“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

These men believed Jesus could heal them if only He would.  Jesus saw their faith.

“Go and show yourselves to the priests.” He called to them.

Huh?

A strict law was established for dealing with “healed” lepers.  They had to go to the priest, show them their now clear skin, and do some tests. In a certain time, they’d return, and if they were still healed, the priest would take them through the ceremonial cleansing ritual and then give them a clean bill of health.

These men knew the routine and left, believing Jesus had healed them.

Then, one of the men looked down at his hands and feet and SAW the miracle. Gratitude and worship filled his soul. He turned back, praising God with a loud voice, and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks.

He, among the ten, was a Samaritan.

Jesus was amazed that the Samaritan, among the Jews, had returned to thank and praise God.  A foreigner, and one hated by Jews at that.  HE had been “converted,” I am sure.  Not only a “clean body,” he now had a “clean soul” as well.

Jesus looked at him and said, “Rise and go your way, your FAITH has made you well (“saved you” like the woman with the issue of blood. See Mark 5:34).

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(What a glorious story! “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast.? Ephesians 2:8-9.  Others look down on this man with disdain.  A Samaritan, pooh!  But this man received Jesus AND healing: a double miracle.  And he praised and worshiped God.

Wow.  When is the last time I fell to my knees and proclaimed my worship and praise for my Savior and God loudly?)

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/7) Luke 16:16-31

May7

A 5-day per week study.

May 7 – Reading Luke 16:16-31

Read and believe in Jesus.

“…if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!”  “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if SOMEONE should rise from the dead.”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus told and explained the Parable of the Dishonest Manager and declared that loving both God and money is impossible.

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Vss. 16:16-17.

The “Law and the Prophets” VS the “Good News of the Kingdom of God.”

Old and New Testaments.  Old and new wine.

Which is better, more relevant for today?

Jesus says both are needed. “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.”

(Read, study, and meditate on the WHOLE Bible. It is all God’s Word, and it is all profitable for us.)

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Vss. 16:18.

(For an expanded view on divorce and remarriage, see Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:31-31 and 19:3-9.)

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Vss. 16:19-22.

Jesus next tells the Parable (or was it?) of the Rich Man and Lazarus (not Mary and Martha’s brother).

  • “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and who feasted sumptuously every day.”

Purple and fine linen = rare and very costly.

He not only FEASTED every day, but the meals were extravagantly SUMPTUOUS. (Like eating a King Charles’ state dinner every night.

  • “At his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.”

Lazarus was so starved and weak that others had to lay him at the rich man’s gate, in hopes of getting the few table scraps swept up and thrown out for the dogs.  The street-savvy dogs got the scraps, but they did lick Lazarus’ sores. (To help them heal? Or for a taste of raw meat?)

The Pharisees, to whom this story was told, would have seen poor Lazarus as “odious, unclean, and despised by God.”

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Vss. 16:22-23.

Jesus continued.

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.

“The rich man also died and was buried, ending up in Hades and in torment.”

“Abraham’s side pictures heaven, with Lazarus being in a “high” position, next to Abraham at the banquet table.

“Hades” (or Sheol) is not exactly hell.  It is the place where the wicked dead are kept until the final judgment.  There is a huge chasm between these two places, although it seems one side can see the other.

This is where the selfish, stingy, uber-wealthy man ended up.

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Vss. 16:24-31.

Jesus tells of a “revealing” conversation between the former rich man and Abraham.

“Father Abraham, send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.”

Yes, the rich man is still ordering the “low life” around, thinking only of his own misery.  (How often Lazarus would have loved a compassionate touch from HIM when both of these men were alive.)

“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now, he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.  And besides, this great chasm between us is permanent. Those who would pass from here to you MAY NOT do it, and none can cross from there to us.’”

(I can imagine a huge howl of despair from the rich man here.)

“Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house. I have five brothers. Send him to warn THEM, lest they also come into this place of torment.”

Still, he wants to order Lazarus around, even if it’s for his siblings!

“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear THEM.”

But the rich man said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they WILL repent.”

Abraham responded with truth that the listening Pharisees might later understand… or not. “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if …. SOMEONE should rise from the dead.”

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(Ah, LORD, open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us to cherish and always apply it in our lives. And, while there is time, may we find the courage and self-sacrifice to share the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus with our family and friends!)

 

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: (5/5) Luke 15:11-32

May5

A 5-day per week study.

May 5 – Reading Luke 15:11-32

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Let us eat and celebrate. For this, my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke15:24

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus told two “lost and found” parables: a lost sheep and a lost coin, emphasizing the importance of the missing one and the need to restore it.

Today is the third such parable, about a son who was lost and then found, and the great rejoicing that followed.

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Vss. 15:11-12. 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is very well known and loved.  It’s the longest of Jesus’ parables, and it has several applications.  I always thought “prodigal” meant a wayward son, but the word actually means “recklessly wasteful, extravagant spending of resources without caution.”

It would be like winning the lottery and spending it all on the pleasures you’ve dreamed about without a thought of future responsibility.

In this parable, a man had two sons. The younger demanded to have his inheritance immediately. This would be like a wish that his father were already dead.  It was unheard of and shocking.

But the father did it. He converted 1/3 of his wealth into cash and gave it to the boy. (As the oldest, the other son had the birthright inheritance of two portions (or 2/3 of his father’s wealth. Now, it was ALL his.)

(The religious leaders who so hated the tax collectors that Jesus was associating with were shocked at the younger son’s behavior and saw immediately that he must represent those sinners. THEY, of course, were represented by the faithful, hard-working older son.)

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Vss. 15:13-16.

Jesus continues the story about the fall of the younger son, causing the religious leaders to feel smug and proud that THEY would never do that.

The wandering son journeyed far away (out of his father’s influence) and squandered his inheritance in reckless living. He was living the “good life,” with lots of “fair-weather” friends.  But when the money ran out, he found himself alone and in need.  To top it off, a famine came to that country, and he became hungry.

Desperate, he hired himself out to one of the citizens there, who sent him into the fields to feed … pigs. (super detestable to Jews) Things got so bad that he longed to be fed EVEN THE PIGS’ SLOP, but no one gave him anything.

(Can’t you imagine the pious Pharisees nodding and giving Jesus thumbs-up signs.  This is JUST what that boy deserved.  The tax collectors standing off to the side probably recognized themselves in this parable. So far from God, sinners, unworthy … but with hope.)

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Vss. 15:17-20a.

In that distant land, during a famine, standing in the mud with pigs, this wasteful, selfish younger son “came to himself.”

“How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger. 

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’”

THIS is a clear picture of repentance.

It’s recognizing the helpless, horrible state that you are in, and that in no way can you help yourself. It’s realizing that you are completely unworthy to be God’s child. Your sin has separated you from Him. But, because you know what kind of God He is – just, but merciful – you have hope.  You will humble yourself and return to Him, and lay your life into His hands, trusting Him.

This part of Jesus’ story probably made the religious leaders a bit uncomfortable.  They might have soothed their thoughts by assuming the father would probably punish the son and put him in the lowest servant position he had. He would have to labor hard and eat little.  THAT would teach him a lesson!

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Vss. 15:20-24.

The skinny, dirty and in rags, son stumbles homeward.  When he is still afar off, barely able to make out the buildings of his father’s property, he sees an image that must surely be a mirage!

His father, with his robes girded up so his legs are free, is running towards him!  And he’s weeping with joy, calling, “My son!  My son!”

How can this be?

Reaching him, the father embraces his son in a hug so genuine, so loving, and soon they both are weeping.

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son……”

But the father immediately calls for his servants. “Bring the best robe quickly, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate!

Or THIS, my son, was dead, and is alive again, he was lost, and is found.”

And they began to celebrate.

(Okay, you know for sure that the Pharisees and scribes did NOT like this ending.  That kid should have been punished severely, not only for stealing his father’s property and wishing him dead, but for his gall in accepting all the prizes and the restored position.  THIS UNFAITHFUL SON DID NOT DESERVE THIS HONOR!

Yes, of course, the sinners and tax collectors who had hopped in Jesus rejoiced at this ending.)

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Vss. 15:25-32.

The religious leaders cooled down when Jesus began with “the rest of the story,” about the faithful oldest son.  HE was the one that deserved praise!

”Now, the older son was in the field, and as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  He called one of the servants and asked him what it meant.

The servant said, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

As you can imagine, this infuriated the older brother, jealousy raising its ugly head in his heart.  He refused to join the celebration, but remained outside, no doubt pouting.

The father came out and begged him to join in the celebration.  But he would not.

“Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when THIS SON OF YOURS came – who has devoured your property with prostitutes – you killed the fattened calf for him!!!”

(I can imagine the religious leaders, hearing this with their arms crossed on their chests and looking down their noses, totally agreeing with this son.  HE was the faithful one. (Like them.)  It was totally NOT FAIR for the son who wasted all to be honored so. (Like those tax collectors and sinners and gentiles.)

Jesus’ words were gentle as He finished the parable.

“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this YOUR BROTHER was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”

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Lost and found things.  Yes, the 99 sheep, the 9 other coins, and the older son were important and valued. But the lost ones… they (he) needed to be brought back, and then celebrated.  This is the love and mercy of God for lost sinners.

Oh, thank You, LORD!

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/4) Luke 15:1-10

May4

A 5-day per week study.

May 4 – Reading Luke 15:1-10

Read and believe in Jesus.

“…there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus & the parable of the Master filling his banquet with the unloved and Gentiles instead of those who were FIRST invited but made excuses not to come. Jesus then explains the COST of discipleship. And uses the example of true salt vs. undesirable salt, noting that the latter is contaminated with minerals.

Jesus & the parable of the Master filling up his banquet with the unloved and Gentiles instead of those who were FIRST invited but made excuses. He then tells the COST of discipleship. And uses the example of true salt, and that found contaminated with minerals.

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Vss.

15:1-3.

Here, we see Jesus with two groups of people: tax collectors and sinners, and Pharisees and scribes. Polar opposites. One group is considered the lowest of sinners; the other group, the uber righteous.

The Pharisees grumbled that Jesus was receiving and eating with sinners. (Ahem, may we remind them of Jesus recently eating at a Pharisee’s house with all his “upper crust” friends?)

So… Jesus tells them a pair of parables.

(Although one parable features a lowly shepherd and the other a woman, both teach the value or cost of something lost. This would perhaps appeal to the wealth-conscious Pharisees.)

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Vss. 15:4-7

A shepherd had 100 sheep. One, perhaps an ornery lamb, ran off and got separated from the flock. Maybe it wasn’t even the first time this little guy had done this.

Jesus asked the Jewish leaders what they would do: forget about the one and care for the 99, or leave the 99 and go after the little lost one.

Would not a good shepherd (picturing the God of Israel) search high and low for the lost one?  And when he finds it, would he not tenderly carry it back to the flock?  And wouldn’t he then gather friends and have them rejoice with him for the ONE LOST LAMB that was found?

(Jesus viewed the tax collectors and sinners as the little lost lamb. Each one was worth a search-and-rescue. Hadn’t He already done so with Matthew/Levi?)

“I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over the sinner who repents than over ninety-nine ‘righteous’ persons who think they need no repentance.”

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Vss. 15:8-10.

In the second parable, a woman had ten silver coins, perhaps her dowry. (Sometimes these coins were worn in a band across the forehead.) While working around the house, one of these coins became detached and was lost.

Oh, no! This was HER money; her safety in case something happened to her husband.  Oh, where was it??

Jesus looks at the Pharisees, who were perhaps calculating the value of the silver coin, and suggested, “Does she not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

Nods all around.

And wouldn’t you, Pharisees, like the woman, call together your friends and neighbors to “Rejoice with her, for she had found the coin that was lost?”

Perhaps more nods.

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

(One sinner who acknowledges his sin and turns to God is welcomed back with rejoicing, over these self-righteous, hard-hearted ones who thought they needed no forgiveness.)

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(Tomorrow is the last in this trio of “lost things” parables that Jesus tells. It will really hit home with those religious leaders!  Tomorrow, there will be no nods of agreement, only outrage.)

 

 

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.