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Category Archives: Luke

Peter & John — Luke 22:39-46

11 Nov

Luke 22:39-46
39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

Dear God, I was listening to a sermon earlier today about prayer. The pastor was going through the Lord’s Prayer and how it is a model how to pray. Kind of an outline, if you will. It includes worship, a desire for your will, requests for provision and forgiveness, and an acknowledgment of your sovereignty. The part I just left out is the part about temptation. Jesus tells us to ask that you would keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil. It’s interesting that that is His encouragement here–“Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

Now whenever I think of temptation, I usually think of the big things: lust, greed, lying to protect myself, etc. But I think the temptations Jesus is referring to here are much more insidious and lethal because they are silent killers. I think Jesus is referring to the temptation that he is feeling in the moment–that His will would supersede your will. Jesus didn’t want to go through what was in front of Him, but He knew He had to in order to accomplish your will.

So how am I tempted throughout the day? Sure, lust, greed, and those other things enter into the picture for me, but I also get tempted by lethargy. I get tempted by wanting to entertain myself and have self-indulgent respite. I want things to be about me. I want the world to bend to allowing for my comfort.

Father, help me to recognize the temptations for what they are and to die to myself in my pursuit of you. Jesus implores Peter, James, John and the others to pray against falling into temptation. And they faced all kinds including aggrandizement (who is the greatest?) and self-preservation (what would happen over the next few days). I am no different. So I don’t know how this works and how you keep me from temptation, but I pray that you will deliver me from evil and help me to live purely by your will.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 11, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:24-38

10 Nov

Luke 22:24-38 NASB
[24] And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. [25] And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ [26] But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. [27] For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. [28] “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; [29] and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you [30] that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [31] “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; [32] but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” [33] But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” [34] And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” [35] And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” [36] And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. [37] For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” [38] They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

Dear God, just how many of these “who is the greatest” arguments did these guys have? I think this is the second one that Luke records.

I had an employee recently talk about some of the disagreements and tensions among people on our staff. Now, we have 13 paid staff and 50-ish office volunteers. I told this particular staff person that as long as there are at least two people working in an office there will be occasional tensions. No workplace will be conflict-free.

But these guys…Jesus is describing his death to them, pouring out the last supper and they are arguing about who is the greatest? I can’t imagine how much this must have anguished Jesus in the moment.

I wonder how much I anguish you. I had a good talk with a relative yesterday that included us talking about our kids. We were talking about our inadequacies as parents and how we try to overcome them. We’ve both made decisions that the other doesn’t quite understand, but the nice thing is that I think we are in a place where we give each other the space to make the best decisions that we know how to make at the time and don’t judge the other for things and circumstances we don’t understand.

Father, I’m kind of rambling this morning, but at the end of the day I just don’t want to get so focused on myself that I miss both the anguish of others around me and the call that you are giving me at any given moment. Help me to work well and bring you glory in all that I do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 10, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:7-13

09 Nov

Luke 22:7-13 NASB
[7] Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” [9] They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” [10] And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. [11] And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ [12] And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” [13] And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

Dear God, I think that Luke is the only Gospel to record that it was Peter and John who were tasked with setting up the Passover meal. What a weird time this must have been for them. I wonder just how dense the fog was around their eyes.

I suppose I need to explain that. Several years ago, my wife and I were going through a proverbial valley that was unlike anything we had experienced before. There were times when we couldn’t tell up from down. We ended up referencing the title to Robert McNamara’s book The Fog of War often to describe our inability to really see, assess, and respond to what was happening around us. I wonder how much Peter and John we’re experiencing that kind of fog over these last few weeks.

The nice thing here is that you laid out a path for them and made it straight. Jesus gave the. The assignment and they had the courage to admit they didn’t know where to set things up. They had a choice in that moment. They could be intimidated by Jesus and just go out on their own or they could ask for His direction. They chose to ask and he gave them a path they could follow.

Father, in the midst of my own life, even when I don’t understand the path in front of me, please make it straight. Reveal it to me. Help me to see everything around me with your eyes—no, I don’t think that’s always the right thing to say because your eyes often see more than I need to know. Help me to hear your still small voice and to see what you need me to see. Help me to know how to respond. And of course, that leads me to the serenity prayer. In those moments, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 9, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 18:24-28

08 Nov

Luke 18:24-28 NASB
[24] And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” [26] They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” [27] But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” [28] Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.”

Dear God, Peter is still trying to do it on his own. Jesus says, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God,” and Peter’s response seems to be not one of relief that you are doing this for him, but that he has been good enough on his own to get where he wants to go.

I have a confession: there are times when I think an awful lot of myself. It’s not a good thing at all. I can look down on others and judge them. I’m terrible at knowing how to receive compliments.

But then there are times when my inadequacy and failings fall on me like a ton of bricks. I recognize how sinful I am. Fear will grab me and I’ll realize that I need a provider. I’ll see the humility or even the pain in someone else’s life and realize that my problems are so small.

Father, help me to take the impossible and fall into your arms, depending upon you to make it possible. Help me to reject the idea of justifying myself and fully embrace the idea that it’s okay to need your grace. And help me to share all of this with others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 8, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 12:35-48

07 Nov

Luke 12:35-48 NASB
[35] “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. [36] Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. [37] Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. [38] Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. [39] “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. [40] You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” [41] Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” [42] And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? [43] Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. [44] Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. [45] But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; [46] the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. [47] And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, [48] but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Dear God, after 2,000 years, it’s hard to know what readiness looks like. Am I getting this right? Am I faithful? The real question: Am I letting you down?

If there is an area of weakness in my life—hold it. That’s a foolish statement. Let me try again. If I were grading all of the weaknesses I have, I would say my most glaring is evangelism. I just don’t reach out to my neighbor enough and offer them life through submission to you. Perhaps it’s my desire to be liked that holds me back—even by strangers and people I’ll never see again. Yes, I do indeed have many weaknesses, but this is certainly one of them.

Father, don’t only give me eyes to see and ears to hear, but give me courage to speak and wisdom with what to say. In the end, I just don’t want to have let you down any more than I already have.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 7, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:51-56

06 Nov

Luke 9:51-56 NASB
[51] When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; [52] and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. [53] But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. [54] When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” [55] But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; [56] for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.

Dear God, this is a story I had forgotten related directly to James and John. If you’d have asked me, “Who wanted to send down fire on the Samaritans for rejecting Jesus?” I would have guessed Peter. But as I look at it, Peter’s mistakes are usually just foolish and not as much about judging others as just fighting his internal insecurities. He’s also very impetuous. But John seems to like rebuking people. He rebuked the guy casting out demons. Now he’s rebuking Samaritans for their ignorance. His insecurities seem to drive him to elevate himself over others through self-righteous anger.

I’ve certainly seen this in myself from time to time, but the more tile I spend meeting people from all walks of life, and the more I get in touch with my own weaknesses and the grace you offer me in spite of them, the more I am willing to give it to others. I think this is part of John’s journey too. In his letters later, he will write a lot about love, but I can’t see him writing all of that at this point.

Father, complete the work you have started in me. Thank you for loving me, for forgiving me, and for giving me opportunities to grow closer to you. I’m sorry I fail. I’m sorry I’ve let you down over and over again. Thank you for being a God who didn’t destroy the Samaritans that day for their foolish ignorance, and for not destroying me now.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 6, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:46-50

05 Nov

Luke 9:46-50 NASB
[46] An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. [47] But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, [48] and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” [49] John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” [50] But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

Dear God, my thought when I read this was, Oh, John, don’t try so hard to impress him.

There were times when Jesus was impressed by people, but rarely were they trying to impress him at the time. The faith of the centurion impressed him. I recently read the passage about the scribe who asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. Jesus told him he wasn’t far from your kingdom. But in this case, if the story played out as Luke describes, John’s telling Jesus about the guy they rebuked is a response to Jesus getting onto them about who is the greatest. It’s almost like John missed the whole lesson of what Jesus said about being humble and serving. He was too focused on Jesus being impressed.

Of course, I can fall into this trap. I really want people to be impressed with me. I always have. Is that a need to please? No, I think it’s more an insecurity that’s buried down there within me that needs the approval of others to be quenched. But then it’s never really quenched.

Father, help be to serve without needing to use my service for recognition and adulation. Help me to welcome all and to be willing to sacrifice my own ego and comfort for someone to whom you are calling me to serve. Give me insight and discernment. Give me ears to hear. And I am sorry for the self pity that often drives me into selfishness and neediness.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 5, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:18-20

04 Nov

Luke 9:18-20
18 One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
19 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
20 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

Dear God, I wonder what Jesus prayed for when he was alone in times like this. Was he already praying that this cup would pass? Was he praying for the disciples? Was he praying for strength, wisdom, and/or protection? I’m sure it was all of these things.

It’s interesting that, in this telling of the story, Peter doesn’t get any extra love for his declaration. I think both Matthew and Mark record Jesus telling Peter that he is awesome because he knows this. Here, verse 21 just says that Jesus tells them to not tell anyone.

Father, I’m not sure what to think about all of this or what is here for me, but I know that I probably need to be much more intentional about my prayers for others. I am glad my wife and I pray together out loud daily because if I didn’t I’m not sure how much intercessory prayer I would do at all. I’m also not sure how much I would pray for my own life beyond these journals. But even with the prayers I do with her, I need to be better. I need to be more intentional. I need to sink my teeth into praying for and loving others so that I might decrease in my ow eyes and you will increase.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 4, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:12-13

02 Nov

Luke 9:12-13 NASB
[12] Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” [13] But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”

Dear God, I find it interesting that all three of the synoptic Gospels are careful to link the returning of the 12 after Jesus sent them out with this feeding story. It must have been one of those legendary Jesus stories. “We were tired and Jesus had promised us a break and some alone time with just him. Then the people wouldn’t let us get alone so Jesus taught them. We thought we had a way out because they got hungry so we tried to send them away. But Jesus wouldn’t send them away. Instead, he did this amazing miracle to feed them!

Oh, how I can get a bad attitude when I’m tired. And then I can start to make really bad decisions when I am feeling sorry for myself. But Jesus’ attitude here reminds me of a story I once read about a woman swordfish boat captain. She was one of the characters in The Perfect Storm and she wrote her own book called The Hungry Ocean. It was unique to have a woman captain leading a bunch of men, and the boat owner gave her some advice before her first voyage: “There will come a time when you aren’t catching any fish and the men are going to be tired. They are going to pressure you to go home. Just remember, the captain is the one SOB who won’t go home.”

Father, help me to be the kind of captain Jesus was. Help me to lead and to press on with mercy. Love through me. Provide care for others through me. And minister to me, my spirit and souls in the process.

I pray this by Jesus’ name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 2, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:28-36

31 Oct

Luke 9:28-36 NASB
[28] Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. [29] And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. [30] And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, [31] who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. [32] Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. [33] And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”-not realizing what he was saying. [34] While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [35] Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” [36] And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

Dear God, it seems like this telling of the transfiguration is a little more detailed than the others. I’d need to go back and check to see if the others do this, but I don’t remember the little details like eight days later and being afraid walking into the fog. I don’t even remember the part where they fell asleep and woke up to see everything happening.

It says that “they were afraid” about the cloud. Did that include Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or was it Just Peter, James, and John? I would imagine at that point that Jesus, Moses and Elijah knew what was happening and were at peace.

I wonder if this felt like a dream to the three disciples. To wake up and see such an extraordinary sight. I’ve talked about Peter’s response before so I don’t know that I need to cover it again. It’s just an amazing thing that I’m convinced was meant to strengthen Jesus for the home stretch leading up to the crucifixion.

Father, give me what I need so that I can be strengthened to do your will. Give me courage. Give me strength. Give me love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, and self control. Let your fruit come to bear in my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 31, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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