Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 9

I am late writing my essay on Luke 9 today.  I spent the day traveling to and from Little Rock, Arkansas to the Ronald McDonald House.  A group I was with delivered toys and furnished the noon meal for those who are being housed there as they have children across the street in the hospital.

Reading one of the reference books that I often use breaks down the chapter like this:
Verses 1-6 Christ calls us and equips us
Verses 7-17 Christ enables us
Verses 18-36 Christ encourages us
Verses 37-62 Christ endures us


Christ commissions us just as He did these twelve men. Just as he promised to provide for every need, so He will provide for ours.  And sometimes, like today, it is ME that is the vessel to provide to that one in need.

“As the day declined, the Twelve said, "Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the farms or villages around here and get a room for the night and a bite to eat. We're out in the middle of nowhere."

"You feed them," Jesus said. They said, "We couldn't scrape up more than five loaves of bread and a couple of fish—unless, of course, you want us to go to town ourselves and buy food for everybody."

 (There were more than five thousand people in the crowd.) But he went ahead and directed his disciples, "Sit them down in groups of about fifty."

They did what he said...( verses 11-15 from The Message) 

Today, there weren’t 5000 people in The Ronald McDonald House.   And we fed pizza, not fish.  But I am reminded as I read Luke’s account in chapter 9, that practical ordinary needs are important to Jesus, and He wills that those needs be met.  

“But He said to them, "You give them something to eat!" (Verse 13) 

The need was seen, the command was given, and even though they didn’t have the visible resources, they followed Jesus’ instructions and watched as what little they had was multiplied.  

 

Today, as we began pulling the sacks of toys out of the back of the church van, I think Jesus may have again did what He did with the fish.   The staff there wanted a picture of us with the toys we brought, and it was incredible to see them all displayed.  

Experiences like today are faith building for me.  I see where someone has heard the call, seen the need, acted in trustful obedience, and in this one small thing, perhaps Jesus has not been just bearing us, but smiling down His blessings.  

The group today traveled in a Methodist church van. Some or our group attend there.  Others do not. I know from life experiences that some church groups will not work together with other groups. Labels seem to be so important.  We didn’t start that trend....

“John spoke up, "Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't of our group."

Jesus said, "Don't stop him. If he's not an enemy, he's an ally." (verses 49-50)

Let us purpose ourselves to share Jesus’ open-armed attitude with those who might be outside our group. 

Lord Jesus, help us to hear and respond to Your call on our lives.  Give us extra measures of faith to trust that you will provide what is needed and even beyond.  And Lord, give us grace to join hands with all others that You might use, even when they wear a different label or look and act in some way different than us.  

We who wear Your Name are all Your children. You have purpose for every single one of us.  Whether we look alike or not. 

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 8

 “One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and left.

As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A storm came down on the lake. It was so bad that the boat was about to sink. They were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke Jesus up. They said, "Master! Master! We're going to drown!" He got up and ordered the wind and the huge waves to stop. The storm quieted down. It was completely calm.

 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. They were amazed and full of fear. They asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him." (Luke 8:22-25 NASB)

Chapter 8 has much wonderful teaching, but this passage has always been one of my favorite passages of scripture.   

Many many times I’ve been in the middle of a storm of life and cried out to Jesus, questioning why He has not come quicker to my aid.  So often I have asked if He even knew what was happening.   “Do You hear?” 

Once, while camping, we watched a water spout coming across the lake headed straight at our little camper.   Immediately, this scripture came to my mind and I began to sing to myself ...

“The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will.  Peace, be still....

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons, or men, or whatever it be
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and sky...

They all shall sweetly obey thy will
Peace, peace, be still.”

Whether it is danger from a storm of nature, or the storms that we all go thru is different areas of life....Jesus has the authority and power to speak, and calm them.  


I purpose to call out to Him each time, and be steadfast in faith that He WILL take care of my storm.   

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 7

In chapter 7, Luke tells us about an important Roman who examples tremendous faith and respect.  He did not demand Jesus to come, but reached out to Jesus to bring healing to someone under his care.   Intercession.

The Roman centurion could have sent the sick slave to where Jesus was.  He could have demanded Jesus be brought to him.   But this Roman recognized the authority of Jesus and simply made a request on behalf of another.

According to Luke, Jesus not only healed the Romans servant,  but restored life to a widow's son.

Luke goes on:

  “The disciples of John reported to him about all these things.  Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?" ( verses 17-19 NASB) 

There is a lot that has been said about John the baptizer questioning Jesus, some of it critical and negative.  I am thankful for the inclusion in scripture of John voicing his question.   


It would be easy to judge quickly and pronounce that John should have known better, that he was wrong to have any questions about who Jesus was, that he had little faith.   

(Jesus has just taught me in chapter 6 of Luke’s account to extend grace in my judgment of others in verses 37, 38 )




John sat in prison.   It sure didn’t look like he might have expected.  He had proclaimed the arrival of the long awaited Messiah, the king of Israel.  And Jesus was not coming to his rescue, not delivering him from imprisonment.   In fact, John would be beheaded....

John did not accuse, was not disrespectful...he was honest.  He didn’t try to fake it til he made it, he didn’t put on his church face and bury his questions within.  He took it straight to Jesus.  

“He sent two of them to the Master to ask the question, "Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?"

The men showed up before Jesus and said, "John the Baptizer sent us to ask you, 'Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?'"

“In the next two or three hours Jesus healed many from diseases, distress, and evil spirits. To many of the blind he gave the gift of sight.

Then he gave his answer: "Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard: The blind see, The lame walk, Lepers are cleansed, The deaf hear, The dead are raised, The wretched of the earth have God's salvation hospitality extended to them.” ( verses 19-22 from The Message) 

When Jesus read in the Nazareth synagogue (chapter 4), He read the words of the prophet Isiah about Himself.   “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners...” ( Isaiah 6:1 NASB) 

Jesus then proclaimed to those hearing Him that the scripture had been fulfilled in their hearing. The Messiah would do miraculous things.  And He was the fulfillment of the prophecy.  

Here in Luke 7, after hearing the message about John’s questions, it seems Jesus was very purposeful in His answer to John. 

“ At that very time Jesus healed many people. They had illnesses, sicknesses and evil spirits. He also gave sight to many who were blind.” (Verse 21 NIrV) 

Then he sent His answer by those who had witnessed His miracles.  

“Jesus replied to the messengers, "Go back to John...” (Verse 22 NIrV).  The very prophecy spoken by Isaiah was unfolding that very moment.  

“Yes, John...it’s Me.”  That is what Jesus made John to know.  

I take such encouragement from this.  Certainly it is right to be respectful of the deity and holiness of God.  But He IS approachable, even with our questions and struggles!  Even John the Baptist had questions and needed clarification. 

This is one of many examples where I believe scripture encourages us to be honest with our own selves before God.  

Search the scripture, prayerfully asking that He will reveal Himself.

Face the truth about our own hearts, and ask.  Anything!  

Not demanding, but honestly seeking clarification and assistance in our obediently following after Him, even if we are waiting in a situation that looks hopeless.  

John did.   

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 6

Reading Luke at Christmas 
Chapter 6
December 6, 2019

I remember a sermon a very long time ago about fruit inspecting.  

“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:17-20 NASB)

Those are the words of Jesus recorded by Matthew, not Luke.  

How many times remarks are made about judging!

  “Leave the judging to Jesus.” 

I’ve heard it so often, probably have said it....

It is a very rich topic, certainly too much for a short little essay by a formally untrained Bible student.   I have, however, read a lot and studied a lot...and each time I hear scripture speak about this topic, I have one personal reprimand within.   Grace.  

Yes, I can see the fruit in your life, good or bad, or the lack of it. And you can see mine.

Yes, we should exhibit visible evidence (fruit) in our lives. And you should be able to see mine.

And yes....we should extend the grace to others that we so need ourselves!  I surely do want it, need it, and appreciate it being given.  

Luke gives us this:  "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned” (verse 37 NASB)

The Message says it like this: "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier.” 

I could write twenty essays on Luke 6.  There are dozens and dozens of rich lessons for us from Jesus’s  teaching.  

Blessings and woes. 

Instructions to love.

Solid foundations. 

Trees and fruit.

And judging others.....

What is in my heart will come out in my speech and in my behavior.  Rather than looking at your fruit, I’d best be looking at my own.  

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 5, third post

“Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn't find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus....” (verses 18-19 The Message) 

This struck home.  

Just weeks ago, we carried one of our own family and set him before Jesus.  

Prayerfully begging God for guidance, to open doors, and slam the wrong ones, begging Him to grant life and restoration....

“....he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen remarkable things today." (verses 25-26 NASB)

We saw remarkable things.  Someone reading this may have prayed with us for the healing that came.  

I hope both of these healed paralytic will be in heaven and will meet up to discuss their experiences. 

 And I hope I can sit in a corner and listen....

Reading Luke at Christmas chapter 5

”When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."

 Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets."  

It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch..”

 (verses 4-7 from The Message)

When Jesus noticed the boat at the edge of the water where a crowd had surrounded Him, He chose to use it by pushing out onto the water a distance and speaking from there.

Fishing was not for fun with these guys, it was work...a long unproductive night of it.  I wonder if they weren’t ready for a hot meal and a long nap.  But this Teacher was here on the beach...

Not only did Jesus want to use the boat to speak from, He wanted a little fishing excursion!

Jesus was a carpenter, not a fisherman.  Simon, on the other hand, did it for a living.  In fact, he had fished all night, which was routine. But they caught nothing.  The fish would go to much deeper water in the heat of coming day.  Further work was futile in his experience.

It is interesting that Simon addresses Jesus as “Master”.   Was it purely respect?  Or could he have had a little attitude?  “OK, boss...we fish all the time, we fished all night, they aren’t biting...but we will do it just for you...just so you know.”

Maybe not.  

That would have been my attitude I’m afraid.   But I’m probably the only one with an attitude problem.  

??? 

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 5, second post

“...there was a man covered with leprosy..” (verse 12 NASB)  

Leprosy was deadly, contagious, and ugly.  

Luke was a doctor and he tells us that this man was covered.  The original word means just that. 

plērēs...covered over, fully covered. 

There were strict laws concerning lepers.  If you got leprosy, your life as you knew it was pretty much over.  You were unclean.   You could no longer live like before, no touching, no spreading your disease. 

Leviticus 13 is full of the rules about it.

I think it might have been even worse than hearing the word cancer today.  Hope would be hard to hold on to.  There were no medications like are available today,  no hospitals that specialized in care for that disease.  

“...when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can.....” (verse 12 NASB)

When he saw...

If You are willing...

You can...

When we are utterly helpless and hopeless, may we all be like this leper. 

Oh that we would see Jesus, know that He can, and trust that He is willing!

“...when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." And He stretched out His hand and touched him..”  (verses 12, 13 NASB) 

This leprous man, who had been secluded and untouchable to all others, felt the touch of Jesus   

And was healed.   

Reading Luke at Christmas, chapter 4, third post

I have an afternoon at home, nothing pressing left that I need to do.  Solitude.... some people don’t seem to enjoy it.  I crave it.

“...Jesus left and went to a secluded place...” (verse 42 NASB)

As I read thru the fourth chapter again, This one sentence grabbed me.   Jesus Himself needed a little time of solitude.  

Certainly He was in prayer...but I wonder if His humanity didn’t need the same thing I do?  Time to clear the mind, dump the trash from the brain, unwind the mayhem, and reflect on the events of the time passed. 

If Jesus searched out a quiet place to prayerfully process and regroup, who are we to think we can push thru, day after day, without some moments of solitude with our Creator?  

Maybe the reason some people don’t enjoy solitude is because they do the wrong thing with it?  Perhaps some people just don’t enjoy their own company, refusing to face realities, they do as scripture says not to do...

“ Do not quench the Spirit..” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NASB) 

There sure have been times when I did not want to hear what that still small Voice was saying! But I know this....He is always always right.  

I am never, ever really alone, but I have felt the most alone in the busiest, most crowded place.  Sitting in my home alone this afternoon, with only this sleeping poodle, it’s just me and Jesus.  

Praise God for Luke and his detailed account of Jesus’ life lived in flesh.  I am so thankful for scripture that comes to life and so vividly applies itself to my own struggles and gives me encouragement that I have a Savior and Friend Who knows just what it is really like...

Reading Luke for Christmas, Chapter 4, December 4, 2019, second post

 “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.” 

(Verse 14 NASB)

Jesus was assaulted by the enemy’s lies and manipulations, He was made aware of alternate courses of His life, and He walked that time without falling prey to the devil. Forty days!   

I would have felt like “whew..! I’m glad that’s over!” 

But it was not.  

We all go thru seasons of extreme difficulty.  As for me, I doubt I have ever gotten thru them without falling into wrong and sinful behavior.  When things get better, answers are obvious, I rejoice that it’s over.   And then BAM.  Another battle, on the same field of life or a different one.   Or even BOTH,  

Jesus knows what that’s like.  After forty intense, lonely days, it was not over.  

I wonder how often Satan tried again.  Daily?  Hourly? 

We know we have a Friend Who knows the battle ground well.   

Reading Luke for Christmas, chapter 4, December 4, 2019

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness  for forty days, being tempted by the devil."
(Luke 4:1,2 NASB)

This is hard. There is no warm fuzzy feeling thinking about Jesus fighting the devil, alone, for 40 long days. FORTY.

Certainly, God Himself has no capacity for evil, and James tells us plainly, " Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.  Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."
(James 1:13-15 NASB)

Jesus has just been introduced by the very Voice of Father God, and now subjected to a long difficult  period, 40 days of it!

I remember a song years ago, "I never promised you a rose garden."  Indeed.




John had made the path ready, God had spoken, a dove had descended, it was public.  No turning back.

Unless.....

Jesus could have chosen the way of Satan just as Adam and Eve had.  He could have because He was fully man. (a hard concept for us because He alone was fully human while still fully God).

He did not succumb to the devil's lies.  How?  Luke tells us that Jesus was full of The Holy Spirit, and he tells us Jesus' method as He faced Satan's attack.

IT IS WRITTEN.





It is a devil's lie that being a follower of Jesus Christ makes life a rose garden.  We quote Psalm 23 and feel so comforted that "He makes me to lie down in green pastures, and leads me beside still waters. " (Ps. 23:2 NASB)   And He does!  But not always!

Sometimes our Father God allows hard things to come against us.  He allowed His own precious Son to be alone with the enemy for 40 long days!  FORTY.

 At every calculated attack, Jesus responded with what God had said. 

Most assuredly, every single one of us should be following Jesus.  It is absolutely worth it.

But it absolutely will not always be easy.  Just ask Him.  We can not look at Jesus and say 'You don't know what it's like' because He does.  Full well.

Let us purpose to know what scripture says, to prayerfully search it and know it, because it is the only weapon suitable for fighting Satan. 

.

Reading Luke for Christmas, chapter 3, December 3, 2019

After Luke has told us the story of John's birth in Luke chapter one, he now gives precise historical information about John as an adult.


Priests were all from the lineage of Aaron, Moses' brother.  There were many priests with different responsibilities, but there was always only one high priest, and he held his position until his death.

The religious system of the day had become very corrupt and the Roman government put in place it's own religious leaders to maintain control over the Jews.  No matter who the Romans called in, the Jews would have recognized Annas as still being the high priest, no matter what the Roman government said.

Facts like Luke gives us most often can be directly verified by other historical sources of times, events, and people.  The Bible always validates itself, but I find it fascinating when there is ancient world history that agrees in every detail.

Isaiah had foretold about John.  "...the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord'..." (Isaiah 40:3)

John had been set apart from his birth. Luke 1:80 tells us that he became strong in spirit.  He lived outside political influences, even religious or cultural influences were held far off.

He lived in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel. He was born to parents much older than normal, so he could well have been left on his own at a fairly young age.  But in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar's reign, "...the word of God came to John in the wilderness and he came...preaching a baptism of repentance..."  (Luke 3:3 NASB)

 However it looked, John knew he had been given a message and he knew the calling on his life.  John knew it was NOT all about John. In the wilderness of John's life, he got the message from God.  He wasn't putting on his church face, was not looking to make a name for himself, or get people's attention.  But when he spoke, people realized the state they were in.  "What shall we do?" (vs. 12)

The listening audience had heard about the Messiah coming.  All their life they had been taught this story.  "...the people were in a state of expectation....wondering...whether he might be the Christ.." (vs. 15)

John could have had a megachurch.  People crowded to hear him, stood in line to be baptized by him. but still he pointed them to someone else.  "...One is coming who is mightier than I.." (vs. 16)

Greater indeed.





From the heavens a voice announced and introduced the beloved Son of God and Jesus' public ministry began.  (vs. 22)

There would be no waiting, no turning back.  He had been introduced by Father God Himself.