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Luke 24 - The Message

The modern age has so badly clouded and confused the message Jesus gave to us that few even really know what it is any longer. Here in this final chapter of Luke is a clear concise statement of what we as believers are to be telling to world.

Luke 24:47 With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.'

Notice that the message is not; work hard, be good, trust me and everything will work out, God is love, God wants prosperity in your life, God accepts you as you are, and so on. No, the message is quite plain. You are a sinner. Repent by turning (making a change) to Jesus.

Father, may we be wise enough to give the whole gospel. May we warn of sin and the consequence, and then reveal the way out. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Turn to Jesus. Jan
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Luke 23 - The Veil

The Jewish temple had a thick, dark veil that separated common people from the most holy place – the holy of holies. Ordinary people could only interact with God indirectly, they had a mediator. Only the high priest was authorized to enter the area behind the veil, and that just on special occasions. There was great danger in doing so.

If he was not properly prepared and attired, God could strike him dead. In the event of such a situation, the priest wore a special coat that had bells sewn into the hem. He also had a long rope attached to him whenever he went into the holy of holies. If those on the outside didn't hear the bells for a while, they would reel in the dead priest using the rope attached to him.

All that changed when Jesus died.

Luke 23:44-46 By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the thick veil hanging in the Temple was torn apart. Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last.

When the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, the holy of holies was exposed. It was opened for all of mankind. No longer was close contact with God reserved for the priests, it was made available to all.

Father, may I avail myself of this great gift, the opening of direct relationship with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Enter in. Jan
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Luke 22 - Temptation

I found something interesting about the nature of temptation in this chapter. It appears as though strength to overcome it comes through advance prayer.

Luke 22:40 There he told them, "Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation."

Ok, I can see that one. Pray, while you're doing it you won't be tempted to do something wrong. However, that is not what He's saying. Look at the second time Jesus says this.

Luke 22:46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked. "Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you."

If you're asleep, you can't be tempted. Thus the prayers had to be strengthening them for upcoming temptation. And as we find out in other gospels, they failed, they succumbed to the temptation, denied Him and ran away.

Father, may I pray more often. May I continually converse with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pray without ceasing. Jan
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Luke 21 - Two part prophecy

Like much of prophecy, I find that Jesus' prophecy about Jerusalem's future in this chapter was dispensational - that is distributed. Part of it was for 37 years in the future. Part of it is yet to be fulfilled.

You can see the historical fulfillment of the first part by reading my Luke 19 dBrag.

Jesus started the prophecy in verse eight by talking about the distant future. However, He stops in verse twelve and says "but before all this occurs..." Then He goes on to talk about the immediate future.

The part that happened in 70AD is described in Luke 21:12-24.

The events yet to happen, some of which we see happening now, are Luke 21:8-11; and Luke 21:25-32.

An interesting prophecy is given by Jesus about the fig tree budding. I've been told this is a representation of Israel becoming a nation again. Jesus said that the generation that saw this event would see the end of time. Is that us, or our parents?

Israel became a nation again in May of 1948. If we believe traditional biblical scholarship that forty years is a generation, then we've somehow missed it. However, when dBragging Genesis 15 I found a scripture where God Himself defined a generation as something different.

Genesis 15:13-16 Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, and they will be oppressed as slaves for four hundred years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. (But you will die in peace, at a ripe old age.) After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, when the sin of the Amorites has run its course."

Did you see that? God said a generation is 100 years. If that is the case, then the end that Jesus described should occur prior to May of 2048.

May we heed Jesus' words.

Luke 21:36 Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.

Father, no matter what transpires, may I be found faithfully doing Your work. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Are you watching and praying? Jan
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Luke 20 - Path of Blessing

Scripture has some very strong warnings for those that are teachers or leaders. In fact, if we leaders truly thought about them I suspect that some of us wouldn't be in leadership.

Luke 20:46-47 "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they love to parade in flowing robes and to have everyone bow to them as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. But they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property, and then, to cover up the kind of people they really are, they make long prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be the greater."

Having been raised in the church, it is so easy for me to revert back to my churchianity when called upon to pray. I know the right words to say, I can make them sound so pious that you'd think God Himself were speaking through me. But are they real? Are they truly a prayer to my Lord, or are they merely eloquent words to impress those around me?

James, Jesus' half-brother, had this to say about teachers of the law, those in leadership.

James 3:1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.

By the mouth of two or three witnesses every case will be made. Here we see the same statement again. We leaders, teachers, will be judged with greater strictness.

So we must ask ourselves, are we truly living the way we speak? Are we encouraging and getting involved in the lives of others to help them? Or are we in leadership to receive some accolades for ourselves?

Jesus gave clear instruction as to what a leader should be and act like. It is in stark contrast to the behavior He described in Luke 20.

John 13:13-17 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing.

Look at the first time foot washing is mentioned in the bible.

Genesis 18:4 Rest in the shade of this tree while my servants get some water to wash your feet.

Abraham told his servants to do it. This job was reserved for the lowliest of people. Since sandals were the footwear of the day, that meant that dust, animal poop, food refuse, whatever you can imagine, was coating people's feet. Would you want to be near that, much less touch and wash it? What a disgusting job!

Look back at Jesus' words to His disciples in John 13:17. The path of blessing is to be a servant-leader. Let me say it again, the path of blessing, or the road you must travel to be blessed by God, is that of servant-leader. So how do you do that in your every day life?

Jesus summed it up best in this passage I think.

Matthew 7:12 Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

The path of blessing is to treat others as we want to be treated.

Father, may I live in a way that shows I honor You and others. May I live my life on the path of blessing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What path are you on? Jan
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Luke 19 - Jerusalem

In May of 70AD negotiations conducted by historian Flavius Jospehus and future Roman Caesar, Titus Flavius Vespasianus, with the zealots holding Jerusalem had failed. In fact, both barely escaped with their lives, the former receiving an arrow in him for his trouble. The commander, Titus, ordered a full-scale assault on the city.

The city was surrounded by 70,000 Roman legionnaires, and had been for quite some time. Up to this point Titus had been allowing pilgrims to enter, but not leave. Now with the siege ongoing, no new pilgrims with supplies arrived; starvation quickly set in decimating the population. Disease was rampant, and anyone attempting to escape was crucified for all in the city to witness - their crosses circling the citadel.

Additionally, Jerusalem was under continual bombardment from above by siege engines. From ground level, Roman soldiers made regular forays into the city; eating away at the defenders and their resolve.

In late August, a fire, which started in the temple, quickly spread to the civilian areas. The Romans breached the walls and poured into the city, slaughtering anyone they encountered. The blood ran so deeply that it actually put some of the fires out. Over a million people died.

By September 7th the city was totally in Roman control. The city was burned, and then destroyed brick by brick. The temple was obliterated. The Romans even dug up the foundation of many of the city's walls. The water supplies were stopped up and all trees were cut down.

According to Flavius Josephus, it was so thoroughly destroyed "that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it [Jerusalem] had ever been inhabited."

Why did I go into this narrative from history? Look at this prophecy from Jesus.

Luke 19:41-44 But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. "I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you."

It happened just 37 years later. The city was destroyed.

As a footnote: Titus reportedly refused to accept a wreath of victory, as there is "no merit in vanquishing people forsaken by their own God."

Father, thank You for the opportunity you offered to me. Thank You for being patient with me and giving me the grace to accept. May I honor You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He's still offering. Jan
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(Most information came from Wikipedia.)

Luke 18 - Interpretation

This chapter starts with Jesus telling a parable of an unjust judge, and a poor widow seeking justice. For most of my life I interpreted the parable wrongly.

Luke 18:2-8 "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. 'I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, 'but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'"

Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this evil judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?"

The interpretation of the parable is not, "be persistent and pester God into granting your request". No, it is that even an unjust person knows how to give justice. Therefore God, who is just, will not delay; He will swiftly respond to His children's' requests.

So why are some requests not granted swiftly, or at all?

Jesus answered that in two places in this chapter. Below is the second reference.

Luke 18:40-42 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. Then Jesus asked the man, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he pleaded, "I want to see!"

And Jesus said, "All right, you can see! Your faith has healed you."

Both sections, the widow and the unjust judge and the blind beggar, have two things in common.

First, both asked for help. Without the asking, nothing happened.

The second commonality is that they both believed that the one they were asking had the power to do what they requested. Their question was, "Will you do it for me?"

Father, may I come to You not wavering, but asking in faith, knowing You can. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He can, will you ask? Jan
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Luke 17 - Vultures

Many years ago I took my parents to visit Downtown Disney, some of the hotels and a now closed feature. It was an island bird sanctuary.

We set out following the winding path that led through the island. The birds were spectacular in color, green, red, gold, blue, and more; one seemingly outdoing the next in beauty. That is until we rounded a corner in the path onto the beach.

It was covered, teeming, swarming, with enormous hideous vultures! As we walked past these carrion eaters, we kept looking around for the dead body; however, we found none.  We were relieved when the path finally took us back inland.

Later I discovered that they had chosen that island as a stop-over point on their winter migration.

Jesus spoke of vultures in today's chapter.

Luke 17:37 "Lord, where will this happen?" the disciples asked. Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."

I'm surprised that this scripture didn't come to mind on the island. I doubt if I'll ever look at a gathering of vultures the same way again.

Just like vultures usually indicate something dead nearby, the signs of Jesus' return are starting to appear.

Father, may I look for the signs of Your Son's return. I see more of them all the time. Please help me to be ready. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Are you watching? Jan
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Luke 16 - Why we have excess

Jesus spoke quite a bit about what to do with excess stuff and money. His perspective was always on the eternal vs. the temporal. However, He also promised that we would receive a reward for our faithfulness and dedication to Him while still on earth. In this chapter I see a combination of the two.

Luke 16:9 I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.

What a wonderful tradeoff! We give our stuff away, thereby helping others. In return we get friends in the here-and-now, and rewards in the after-life.

Father, may I always be generous with what You entrust me with. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Give and it will be given... Jan
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Luke 15 - Attractive

Relationship evangelism is what I see being used by Jesus throughout His ministry. Public teaching and preaching used is to reveal truth. However, actually inviting and bringing people into God's kingdom is always done by Jesus one-on-one. In doing that He went where those who needed to hear and see were located. In fact, He was so attractive, He had something they wanted so much, that they often came to Him.

Luke 15:1-2 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people—even eating with them!

Are we going where the sinners are located? Do we have any non-believers as close acquaintances? We certainly are not to engage in their pagan activities. But unless we show them the truth of Christian living, how will they ever encounter Christ? And how will that happen without us being there? Are we attractive enough that they'd want to seek us out?

Father, may I look for opportunities to show you to others. May I live my life in a way as to be attractive, to make others want what I have. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Are you attractive? Jan
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Luke 14 - The price

Peter, do you love me more than these? That question was posed by Jesus. In today's reading I see what that meant.

Speaking to a large crowd, Jesus said the following.

Luke 14:26,28,33 "If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple...

But don't begin until you count the cost...

So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me."

Jesus would often obfuscate a point by hiding it within a story. That is what he did in the passage above. But having removed the story, I now see the point.

He must be our overarching love. He is not saying that we are not to have families, friends, or things. He is saying that if they hold a place in our hearts above Him, then our faith is bankrupt.

Our faith can be built on nothing other than a supreme love and devotion to our Lord. Only that will sustain us to the end. Only that will ensure that the construction project of our lives; only that will ensure that the war we are engaged in, will be completed - gloriously.

Father, may my love for You increase. May my desires and dislikes be in line with Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What are you banking on? Jan
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Luke 13 - Yeast

In this chapter is the only description I've seen in scripture where yeast (leaven) is likened to something positive. I actually debated this with a friend of mine not too long ago, but couldn't remember where it was located.

Luke 13:20-21 He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough."

What our Lord is saying is like yeast, something small, the Kingdom of God will continue to expand and grow when mixed with the flour of believers.

Thank You Lord for the leaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Let it rise. Jan
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Luke 12 - Special Favor

I recently read about a study done with children as the subjects. They were placed in a room which contained a chair, and table with a single marshmallow on it. The children were told that the researcher had to leave and to wait until he returned before eating the marshmallow. They were further told that if they waited, they would receive a second marshmallow upon his return. Some children waited, some didn't.

The study followed those children into their adult years. It revealed that those that waited did much better in life, were more successful and better able to control their impulses and actions.

Similarly the Lord has given us a directive. He has told us to wait for His return. He wants us to be ready. That means that things should not be left undone. Our houses should be in order. We should live every day as if it were to be our last.

Luke 12:37-38 There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready!

I'd be satisfied with a marshmallow from the Lord. But I suspect that He has much more in store for the faithful.

Father, please help me to the get this right. I truly want to be watching and waiting. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Wait... Jan
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Luke 11 - Used to it

The human eye is an amazing creation. Researchers have estimated that it can distinguish between as many as 10 million colors. In as little as four seconds we can begin to recognize objects when lights are turned out, and our eyes achieve near maximum light gathering ability in about thirty minutes, continuing to improve for about two hours. The light-gathering ability of the human eye is so good that it is said to be able to detect a candle flame over 15 miles away.

If we spend prolonged time with some dim light source such as a candle, we can begin to function as if all were normal. We get used to the way things are. However, open a window to the bright morning sun streaming in, and the difference becomes all too obvious.

Luke 11:35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not really darkness.

Sometimes, I find myself spending time in the darkness of sin. I grope around for a while in my sin until I get used to it. Then it starts to feel normal. However, God is my Father. He loves me and will not leave me in such a state. He throws the window open.

Matthew 4:16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.

Don't shrink from the light, embrace it. For we are creatures of the light.

Ephesians 5:8-9 For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Heavenly Father, thank You for continuing to shine Your light onto the darkened corners of my life. Please sweep them clean. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Let it shine. Jan
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Luke 10 - Longed to see and hear

I found the following verse interesting.

Luke 10:24 I tell you, many prophets and kings have longed to see and hear what you have seen and heard, but they could not.

Imagine the way that those long dead prophets and kings must have been viewing the events that were unfolding on Earth. For we know from Jesus' story of Lazarus and the rich man that they can see what goes on. Those in Heaven must have been having one large party. Those in hell must have felt even more shame and pain.

Father, may we rejoice over the things that we are privileged to see, hear and participate in. May we show others too. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Are you looking and listening?
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Luke 9 - Moses and Elijah

I looked at this familiar section about the mount of transfiguration and was left wondering why these two men?

Luke 9:30-31a Then two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see...

I mean, why out of all of the characters in history were these two individual persons chosen to speak with Jesus? Why didn't God send Joseph, Abraham, David, Samuel, Enoch, or Daniel? Why Moses and Elijah?

The answer is because of their role, what they represented.

Moses is the giver of the law. He is therefore the personification of the law of God.

Elijah is God's greatest prophet, one who commanded fire from heaven, raised the dead, and was himself bodily taken to heaven on a fiery chariot.

So in these two men we see represented the totality of the law and the prophets. In other words, all of God's message to man up to that point.

Look at the words of Jesus.

Matthew 5:17 Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them.

So how did Jesus fulfill the law and the prophets?

He paid the penalty that the law demanded. He was the perfect sacrifice. He freed us from the odious demands of a taskmaster that we could never please. Further, He fulfilled the prophets by being and doing exactly what they said. He proved them correct.

Now, look at what Moses and Elijah were saying.

Luke 9:31b And they were speaking of how he was about to fulfill God's plan by dying in Jerusalem.

They were reassuring the man, Jesus, that He was indeed the chosen one. They were there to prepare Him for His final mission. At the same time, as the living Word of God, His old friends were there to encourage Him; revealing to Him that the pantheon of Heaven was cheering Him on and watching in rapt anticipation as the mystery of God's reconciliation to man was revealed at last.

Father, thank You for the fulfillment of Your law and prophets through Jesus. May I live my life in a manner worthy of that sacrifice. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Peace, Jan
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Luke 8 - Tell Everyone

Throughout the gospels you find Jesus telling those that He healed and delivered to tell nobody.

Luke 5:14 Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, "Go right to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing."

Luke 8:56 Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.

However, in this chapter He gave someone a different directive. After delivering a man from a legion of demons, He tells him the following.

Luke 8:38-39 The man who had been demon possessed begged to go, too, but Jesus said, "No, go back to your family and tell them all the wonderful things God has done for you." So he went all through the city telling about the great thing Jesus had done for him.

Why did Jesus instruct him to tell his family? Why did He essentially encourage him to tell everyone he knew?

Jesus was in a village of people that didn't follow Jewish traditions. After all, they even had a herd of pigs! Keeping pigs was detestable to the Jews. In fact, when the people realized the enormity of what had happened fear took hold of them and they begged Jesus to leave. They knew they were unworthy.

Luke 8:37 And all the people in that region begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake.

However, look at what happened when Jesus returned to that area some time later.

Mark 6:53-56 When they arrived at Gennesaret on the other side of the lake, they anchored the boat and climbed out. The people standing there recognized him at once, and they ran throughout the whole area and began carrying sick people to him on mats. Wherever he went—in villages and cities and out on the farms—they laid the sick in the market plazas and streets. The sick begged him to let them at least touch the fringe of his robe, and all who touched it were healed.

They had had time to evaluate the demon possessed man. They saw the difference. They now understood who it was that had visited them. They came to Him in droves.

The result was dramatic. All who came were healed.

Father, may we tell other what Jesus has done for us. May they see the result and be drawn to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tell others. Jan
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Luke 7 -  Little Love

Unlike many that I know, I grew up relatively moral. I don't have a testimony of years of drug abuse, of depraved living, and tons of regret. My upbringing was in a Christian home. My mother ensured that my brother and I went to church every week, and as soon as I understood what it meant, I accepted Christ as my savior. I'm not certain when that actually happened though. I liken it to driving from Florida to Georgia. If I stay on the right road, I'll get there. I may not be paying attention to the signs along the way, but at some point I realize I'm now in Georgia. Likewise, I may not know when it actually happened, but I know that I'm in Christ.

At the end of this chapter is a verse that causes me some discomfort.

Luke 7:47 I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.

Does this mean that I don't love Jesus as much as some of my friends?

However, when I begin a bit of honest introspection I see that I was just as depraved as someone that openly lived that lifestyle.

Have I ever looked at a woman with lust? Jesus said that I've committed adultery in my heart. Have I ever hated anyone? Jesus said that it is the same as murdering them. Have I ever taken anything that doesn't belong to me? That makes me a thief. Have I ever enjoyed something to such an excess that my life was not whole without it? I was worshiping something other than God.

If I look at it properly, I've truly been forgiven much.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the gift of eternal life. Thank You for rescuing this formerly wretched man. May I live my life as a testament to Your grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Love much. Jan
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Luke 6 - A Good Heart

There is so much in this chapter. I could spend a lot of time here, but I won't. I'm going to comment on the following verse.

Luke 6:45 A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.

Until I read John Eldredge's book, Wild at Heart, I had never noticed the term "good heart" in the verse above. He pointed out that a good heart cannot be "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" and still be good. Obviously it must be possible for a person to have a good heart.

Most of us have been led to believe that the following verse from the old testament applies to us.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Jeremiah was describing the fallen sinful nature of man. However, he also described the coming hope.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their family, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will already know me," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness and will never again remember their sins."

What did Jesus come to give us? The New Covenant! He fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy.

Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.

When we accept Christ, we are given a new heart, a good heart. Our heart is no longer deceitful and desperately wicked. No, it is circumcised unto God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

You are a child of the King, and heir with the Son, a prince, a priest, and an image bearer of God Himself.

Can Jesus live where there is sin? No. Where does He live in a Christian? In his heart. I rest my case.

Father, may I live from the good new heart that You've given me. May I not live from the old sinful flesh that still encases it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Live from the heart. Jan
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Luke 5 - Wilderness

One of the authors who's work has profoundly influenced my life is John Eldredge. He often writes about retreating to the mountains, the badlands, the uninhabited places of the world - just him, God, and occasionally some fish. He appears to be of the opinion that everyone should desire the same. When I first read that, I rejected the notion. After all there are people that seem to thrive in a crowd and find apparent peace listening to heavy metal music while reading a book. Lately though, I've begun to doubt that most of us are that different. Especially after reading verses like the following.

Luke 4:1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness,

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Luke 6:12 One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.

Luke 9:18 One day as Jesus was alone, praying, he came over to his disciples and asked them, "Who do people say I am?"

Luke 11:1 Once when Jesus had been out praying, one of his disciples came to him as he finished and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

There are more verses like these to be found in the four gospels. It is clear that Jesus spent time alone. It is also clear that much of that time was in the mountains and wilderness, not in a house in the city. From the context it looks like God desires our souls and minds to be in a place of tranquility. Then we can hear His voice.

Father, may I not miss the "wilderness" moments. May I take time to step away from the busyness and come into Your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The wilderness calls. Jan
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Luke 4 - Words

Many years ago I used to listen to Rush Limbaugh on the radio. I didn't always agree with him, but he was entertaining and thought provoking. One statement he often made was, "Words mean things."

In our day and age we seem to forget that when we say say something the very words we speak have power. They are precise tools or deadly weapons. They can in fact shape our very reality to some degree.

A recent study of doctors has found that cancer patients with a positive outlook, those that spoke of and made plans for the future, were the ones most likely to recover. They literally spoke life into their existence.

Jesus understood the power of words better than anyone. He is the Word of God. He is the power behind the thought that formed everything that exists. So whenever He spoke, reality responded.

I find the following scripture fascinating. Who is Jesus speaking to?

Luke 4:38-39 After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon's home, where he found Simon's mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. "Please heal her," everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he spoke to the fever, rebuking it, and immediately her temperature returned to normal. She got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

Jesus spoke to the fever - not Simon's mother-in-law! He knew the source of the illness was not her. He had the power to command and control the very sickness itself - with words.

Father, thank You for words of wisdom and life preserved in the Bible. May I wield them properly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I can't hear you... Jan
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Luke 3 - Shaking the family tree

Imagine discovering that you are the descendant of a famous king, one known for his wisdom and power. How would that affect your life? Or would it? We in America don't seem to value heritage anywhere near as much as many other cultures.

I've written before that I am directly descended from nobility, and therefore attempt to live my life in a manner which brings honor to our family name. Likewise, I try to train my sons to live in a manner worthy of the lineage they've been grafted into.

Here in Luke I see that Jesus' lineage includes some pretty important names such as Adam, David, Solomon, Methuselah, and Isaac. However, there is one name that jumped out to me today - one I'd never noticed before.

Luke 3:26-27 Naggai was the son of Maath.
Maath was the son of Mattathias.
Mattathias was the son of Semein.
Semein was the son of Josech.
Josech was the son of Joda.

Joda was the son of Joanan.
Joanan was the son of Rhesa.
Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the son of Neri.

Bear in mind that in Amarica we pronounce the name Judah as - joo-duh. However, in Hebrew it would be - yoo-duh. So, how would a Hebrew pronounce "Joda"? It would be Yoda!

Father, thank You for fun coincidences. May Joda, if he is one of Yours, have a laugh with me today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May The Source of the force be with you. Jan
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Luke 2 - Simeon

Can you imagine being Simeon? I don't know if I would want to be him. God actually told him that he wouldn't die until after he'd seen the Messiah. He lived his life wondering, "OK, is this kid the one. Is this my last day on earth?" every time a new child entered the temple. However, unlike what I would have probably thought, Simeon had a very different attitude. He eagerly awaited and expected the Messiah.

Luke 2:25-32 Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me,
I have seen the Savior you have given to all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"

What an awesome response. He doesn't have any sort of pity party, he doesn't moan, "Oh, great, now I'm gonna die!" No, he rejoices. What an amazing attitude of submission and joy in God's will.

Father, may my will be submitted to You, in hard times and in good. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Live in peace, Jan
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Luke 1 - Righteous

In reading this chapter I found an interesting verse.

Luke 1:6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations.

Since they were righteous in God's eyes, did they need Jesus? And if they could be considered righteous by God, others could too. So is it possible to be saved without Him?...

Peace, Jan
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