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Category Archives: Luke

Luke 5:33-39

05 Sep

33 One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”

34 Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. 35 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

36 Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

37 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. 38 New wine must be stored in new wineskins. 39 But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”

Luke 5:33-39

Dear God, what is the role of fasting in my faith? I was having lunch with a friend three days ago, and he asked me when the last time I fasted was. I told him it was about 6 months. He was actually surprised it had been that recently. And I remember that day. I just woke up and as I started my morning it just felt like the right thing to do to fast that day. I had some big challenges at work that I wanted to bring to you at that level. I have the ever-present sorrows in my personal life I wanted to lift to you. So I took the day to fast and pray. And I think it was good. I’ve seen great success with that one specific challenge at work. And while I haven’t seen progress in my personal sorrow, I continue on with faith that you are working in ways I cannot see.

Interestingly, I just did a search for fasting in the New Testament and found only two references outside of the gospels. They were all in Acts and both involved selecting Paul and Barnabas for work.

I wonder why it wasn’t more a part of Paul’s instructions in his epistles. It seems like the kind of thing James would have told people to do. And John might have mentioned it too. Why did it kind of disappear?

Father, I know the point of this passage isn’t necessarily to get me to fast more. In fact, Jesus seems to be introducing a new standard while still saying that his disciples will resume the practice of fasting when he is gone. No, I think the point of this story is more about setting the tone for the difference between what Jesus is teaching us about who you are vs. the perception by the Jewish people up to that point. I’m not sure if I have things in my life that I’m doing that are foolish because they are no longer relevant. I don’t even think I can see those things on my own. So I guess my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will reveal to me the things I’ve made sacred that are irrelevant and the things that should be sacred that I’ve ignored or been reluctant to adopt. I guess I do have something else I need to lift to you before I stop this prayer. I am interviewing two people today and one person Monday for an open position where I work. Help me to see what you see and guide me to the right person. I have someone helping me in this process. Guide here as well.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 5, 2025 in Luke

 

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John 5:1-11

04 Sep

5 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

John 5:1-11

Dear God, okay, this is a fun story with a lot of layers. Here’s what I’m noticing when putting it in context with chapter 4:

  • Jesus has been watching Peter for at least a day or two. Maybe more. Maybe he was staying at Peters. but I need to go to John’s Gospel to see how he describes Peter meeting Jesus and how that overlaps with this. Peter’s brother Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and went to find Peter after he met Jesus: 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” With this, I presume that John was baptizing in the Jordan near the Sea of Galilea because it doesn’t seem like it was a big decision to go on to Capernaum. Maybe Peter invited them there to stay. And then when Jesus was teaching one day he saw Peter’s boat and the pushed off.
  • This story isn’t about the content of Jesus’s teaching, but about Peter’s (and James’s and John’s) decision to follow Jesus. But I have to wonder what Jesus was saying and how Peter was hearing it. Was he giving his Sermon on the Mount stump speech? Was he talking about how the poor in spirit and mourning would be blessed? Was he talking about forgiving enemies, suffering through persecution, raising the bar on the standards of sin, teaching them to pray, etc.? What did Peter hear before the next part?
  • Jesus uses the miraculous catching of fish to not only impress and recruit Peter, but James and John also.
  • Peter had already seen the healing power. He had heard the lessons. But it doesn’t seem he was very impressed until this moment. He might have justified the healings. Maybe he had seen that before. But he had never seen the obvious power to manipulate nature and bend it to your will. I guess you could say the healings were that too, but these might still be rationalized.
  • Peter’s response to Jesus is to say he himself is not worthy of Jesus’s presence. Maybe he had just heard about all the ways Jesus said you can sin by lusting and hating and wanted Jesus to know up front that he was guilty. Guilty in your eyes. Guilty in Jesus’s eyes.
  • Jesus invited him, James, and John to follow him. Jesus ignored his admonition to leave him because he was too sinful. Instead, he invited him to follow. Jesus knew they would work out the sin part as they walked together.
  • Peter, James, and John decided to follow. They could have easily stayed in their squalor. And their paths would not be easy. It might have been easier to stay and fish. But they were part of changing the world and we are still talking about these simple fishermen from Galilea 2,000 years later.

Father, thank you for inviting me to be on this journey with you. Help me to know how to walk it. Love through me. Lead through me. Lead me through others you appoint to teach and show me the way. Your way. Help me to not veer from the path. Help me to show others the narrow way.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 4, 2025 in Luke

 

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Luke 4:38-44

03 Sep

38 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. 39 Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

40 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 41 Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” 44 So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.

Luke 4:38-44

Dear God, after my experience teaching on Saul and David, and then looking at the maps when it came to the seven letters to the churches in Revelation, I am becoming more interested in place. In this case, I am becoming more interested in Capernaum. And I’m also interested in the context of this story of Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law in relation to when Simon was called as a disciple. I probably should have realized this by now, but I never noticed that this story happens before Jesus calls Simon to become Peter. So Simon has Jesus in his house, witnesses not only his mother-in-law’s healing, but also several other healings, and then will later have the fishing experience where there are so many fish the nets tear. So this is a prelude to that.

I wonder what Simon was thinking as this new prophet was in his house and healing all sorts of people. It must have been quite a spectacle. How did it set him up for the experience on the boat and Jesus calling him to follow?

The first thing I thought of this morning was a recent conversation I had with someone about something that is plaguing them. When I saw the description of everyone begging Jesus to heal Peter’s mother-in-law I wondered if I shouldn’t be begging you for the healing of several people I know. And these aren’t just physical ailments. Some are, but the ones that really distress me are the emotional ones. Hurts from the past that are unhealed. Secrets. Nightmares. The truth is, I don’t really know how to pray for this. I don’t have the words to say. But I know these situations need you. I know they need healing. I know they need the Holy Spirit to be praying, ministering, and helping.

Father, I beg you to help the people on my heart right now. Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray to the Father for them. Groan. Moan. Communicate the depths of my heart. Be with them. Break through the darkness. Tear back the lies. Shine light on the secret places so they might be freed. Oh, God, love them. Heal them, please, Jesus. Jesus, please heal them.

I pray this in that same Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 3, 2025 in Luke

 

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Luke 4:31-37

02 Sep

31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. 32 There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

33 Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, 34 “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.

36 Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” 37 The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

Luke 4:31-37

Dear God, to what extent am I supposed to pray like this? To what extent am I supposed to recognize demons and cast them out? Is my prayer life failing you in this way? Am I failing those around me in this way?

I looked at the map this morning to see where Nazareth and Capernaum were in relation to each other and to Jerusalem. Capernaum was on the Sea of Galilea while Nazareth is southwest of there and inland. Then Jerusalem was much father to the south. So the people in Nazareth tried to kill Jesus and his next move was to go to Capernaum. I wonder why. What took him that direction? Was it because it was farther from Jerusalem and he wanted to teach while letting some of the controversy die down a little? These are all wild suppositions. I don’t have the slightest clue. But it’s an interesting thing to note.

But back to demon possession, rebuking, and casting out, this seems like a big deal that I pretty much overlook in present day. I probably need to recognize it more. I probably need to look for it more. And maybe I should start in my own life and the lives of those closest to me. Am I or my loved ones being messed with in the demonic realm, and am I overlooking that in my prayers?

Father, I beg your protection right now. I beg it for myself, wife wife, my children, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, and my parents. For my coworkers. Over my home and the building I work in. Be with me. Be with us. Protect us. Guard us. Heal us. Redeem us to yourself. Whatever lies are keeping us trapped, let them be released. Oh, Father, be merciful, powerful, and healing. Cast out any demons involved in our lives through the power of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Free us, please. Holy Spirit, pray for us. Guide us. Teach us. Love us.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 2, 2025 in Luke

 

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Luke 4:14-30

01 Sep

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
19     and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Luke 4:14-30

Dear God, they went from pride in Jesus to fury in one moment. And why? All because he said your glory was being extended to the Gentiles. It was only a year or two ago I heard someone teach on this. I had never noticed it before. I thought they were offended at his insolence. “How dare this boy from our hometown think he’s better than us?!?” But that wasn’t it. They were mad because he invoked the idea that he was there for Gentiles too. The captives released? Gentiles too. Blind see? Gentiles too. Good news for the poor? Gentiles too. And here’s the biggie. The Lord’s favor? Your favor? Gentiles too.

As humans, we are simply too focused on our own good and survival. Our own advancement. If Jesus were to walk into a Russian church today and say he was there for the Ukrainians too, they would be furious. If we walked into a Ukrainian church and said he was there for the Russians, they would be furious. And I could go down the list. An Iranian mosque and say he was there for Americans too. An American church and say he was there for the captive, blind, poor South and Central Americans too. In every case, we would be mad he wasn’t there for us. And we certainly wouldn’t be inclined to help him help them. Those are the other people on the other side of the proverbial fence. We need to take care of our yard first. And we expect your loyalty to be with us.

It makes me think of the older son in the Prodigal Son parable. Of course, the father in that parable represents you. And you have your rebellious child you love, Israel. But is that child only Israel? Is maybe the younger child the Gentiles coming home to you while the older child, Israel, says, “No way!” I’m not sure if I’ve ever considered the rebellious child who left to be Gentiles before, but I need to go back and look at the beginning of that parable now:

The setup for the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:12) actually starts before two other similar parables at the beginning of the chapter:

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

So the intimation here is that Jesus is referring to sinful Israelites, but I would say Gentiles can certainly be part of the mix.

Father, you are not mine and mine alone. And I don’t demand that you do anything for my life here. Sure, I will gladly accept what you’re willing to provide me. I’ll gladly accept any answers to my prayers for people I care about. But I don’t demand it. I am your child. You are my father. You know so much more about this world and what is your best for me and all of us than I do. I am just here to learn to love you and others better. And I cannot love them well if I am jealous of your love for them at the same time. So I offer my worship to you. I offer my love and time to others. Help me to know how to live a life that draws others closer to you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 1, 2025 in Luke

 

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Luke 14:7-14

31 Aug

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Luke 14:7-14

Dear God, why do we need to be honored in front of others? What itch is that scratching? Is it insecurity? Is it the desperate need to know that our lives mattered? Typing this made me think of the passage in Matthew 16 about Jesus saying we need to lose our life to find it. He was referring to death and his own crucifixion (this is right after he rebuked Peter and told him to get behind him), but the lesson is consistent for this story. The day…no, the moment I start looking out for myself first is the point where I start to diverge from you. Not that you don’t want me to have good things. I don’t need to live an austere life to be submitted to you. But it is better for me to take less, offer someone else more, and then let you offer me something greater than I took for myself. The layers of these lessons from you are so consistent and so deep.

And it makes me think of the stuff I prayed yesterday about idols. When I worship an idol I understand there is a value exchange. I give up something so I can get something. And the idol is also offering me something so it can get something. The idol doesn’t want me. It tolerates me so it can get my affection and build up its ego. Of course, I’m speaking of traditional idols, but the modern idols we have in America fit this description as well. If I make the economy, my health, my job, or even the U.S. military my source of peace and safety then those things will always need fed. All of my decisions will be to maximize any of those things. I will start to idolize my physical health above all else. I will make decisions or support decisions that will make the economy work better for myself regardless of what harm that change might cause for my neighbor. I will say, “Take my money and build the best military you can to keep me safe, but don’t use any money to serve others who are suffering.” And those idols, as inanimate as any little statue, will take my money or attention and feed on it. They will just keep taking and taking and taking. And one day they will fail me. They have to. The economy will hit a recession or downturn. Something will happen to my body and it will get sick and die. And the Chinese, Russians, or, more likely, some terrorist (foreign or domestic) will still threaten me.

Father, only you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. And only you just loves me and wants relationship with me. Yes, you want me love, but it’s only because you love me so much. And you want me to love others because you know it’s what’s healthiest for me. So help me to be mindful of my selfishness. Help me to know when and where to sacrifice so that you might be glorified. And while I’m here, let me pray for my wife. She’s about to do a beautiful act of service this morning, but it might also expose her to some pain. Protect her from that pain. Protect her heart, mind, body, and soul. Please, Holy Spirit, walk with her. She will be loving on some people in pain. Give her your words to speak to them. Give her your insights into what they are saying and help her simply enjoy being your presence for them. And if there is anything you need to teach her or me through this, give us ears to hear. Give us eyes to see. Give us knowledge to know. And give us courage to change.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 31, 2025 in Luke

 

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Luke 12

17 Aug

12 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Teaching about Money and Possessions

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming

35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”

42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.

47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

Jesus Causes Division

49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.

53 ‘Father will be divided against son
    and son against father;
mother against daughter
    and daughter against mother;
and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
    and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.

57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.”

Luke 12

Dear God, it’s so important to put these stories in context. Sometimes the Bible is written so efficiently that we can miss how much is actually happening. In this case, the gospel reading for today isn’t until verses 49-53, but this whole scene starts back at verse 1. And I’ll give the translators credit here that they got the chapter break pretty accurately at this point. There is actually a change of scene here and this chapter can be a little independent of the previous one, although you do still need to know that we are coming on a conflict with the Pharisees in chapter 11 as we start chapter 12.

But there is so much here, I thought I would try to break it down by bullet points:

  • Talking directly to disciples: The first part of the chapter sets the stage where large crowds are gathering and Jesus sees them. He decides to take a moment to talk to his disciples and teach them
    • About the “yeast of the Pharisees–their hypocrisy.” There will be no tolerating of having a dual persona. Your public persona must be consistent with your private persona. Doing things only for show will be revealed.
    • That they might be killed, but don’t worry because they can’t do anything more to you after that (hardly an encouragement in that moment, but something that makes more sense outside of it). God is the one who must be respected and feared.
    • God cares for you as an individual more than you think he does.
    • That if they love Jesus and his teaching then he will have their backs.
    • There is the need to respect the Holy Spirit that they (and I) probably don’t appreciate enough.
    • They will be brought to trial and questioned, but the Holy Spirit will give them the words to say.
  • Talking to an individual in the crowd and then to those around: Someone seemingly interrupts and asks Jesus to play “Judge” like he is in the role of someone like Samuel, David, or Solomon (I’m thinking of how sometimes kings were judges like when Solomon ordered the baby be split in half to settle a dispute among two mothers).
    • Jesus doesn’t settle the dispute. He tries to teach the man an overarching lesson about earthly greed. It reminds me a little of the “You have heard it said _____, but I say _____” statements in the Sermon on the Mount.
  • Jesus turns back to the disciples (keeping in mind that all the people are still milling around) to extend the lesson to them: “Life is for more than food and your body more than clothing.” Don’t worry. It’s also reminiscent of the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus teaches on money (Matthew 6:19-34). I’ve heard the Sermon on the Mount kind of described as Jesus’s stump speech from town to town, and it feels like we are getting pieces of it here. At the end of the day, the teach is basically that, yes, your body might die, but if you are Jesus’s then you will ultimately live and be saved from the second death (going back to verse 5).
  • Be ready for the righteous thief: Where did I hear that recently? I’m sure I could look it up. But I liked the phrase of calling Jesus the “righteous thief.” Still talking to the disciples, this is what he was teaching them.
    • He’s obviously still mainly addressing the disciples because Peter interrupts and asks if this is just for the disciples or for everyone (verse 41). Jesus indicates that there are different expectations of different levels of leadership (verses 47 and 48).
  • Divisions!: This passage is so hard and the one that started me in Luke 12 this morning. It is the Gospel reading for a lot of denominations today. And what Jesus says (to the disciples) reminds me of the words Lin Manuel Miranda gave to George Washington in Hamilton: “Can I get real a second for just a millisecond? Lay down my guard and tell the people how I feel a second?”
    • Jesus tells of his suffering to come.
    • Jesus indicates it will be controversial and it will divide everyone, down to all levels of family.
  • Jesus turns to the crowd and gives a seemingly confusing statement: I can sit here now and interpret verses 57-59. Yield to Jesus now. I am accused and I am guilty. Settle with Jesus now while I can.

Father, I want to be ready. I want to have done what you’ve wanted me to do. Help me to know how to love you, worship you, and share that love with others. I was reading through a Christian Book Distributors catalog today and I saw all of these Bibles (half of a 64-page catalog was different times of Bibles) and study aids. I told my wife that people in the church really have no excuse to not be excellent worshippers of you. What we refuse to give is the time and discipline it takes to do it. We are fat and happy. We are comfortable. We are not desperate. So I lift up a couple of relatives right now with health issues. I beg for your healing for them so that their lives might be a living worship of you. And so that I can include their stories in the ones I tell about your mercy and power. You are amazing, God. Find me faithful. Find me worthy of your trust.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 17, 2025 in Luke

 

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Luke 8:4-15

22 May

4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

‘When they look, they won’t really see.
    When they hear, they won’t understand.’

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

Luke 8:4-15

Dear God, I’m preaching at a local church this Sunday, and I’ve had this sermon idea running around my head for at least a month leading up to this. So I thought I would take time away from my Saul series and spend a moment preparing for this sermon.

So here’s my idea. A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to the Voxology podcast. I don’t think I could find the exact episode or moment again, but I remember he was talking about hearing a woman say, “If I take hell out of the equation, I don’t see a compelling reason to follow Jesus.” That broke my heart–mainly because there was a time in my life that I could relate to that statement. As a child growing up in a Baptist church and going to revivals and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) conferences, I heard the question more than once, “If you were to die tonight, do you know where you would go?” Most of the times I was walking the aisle, I feel like I was doing it to buy my “fire insurance.” I am so thankful that I actually went to an FCA Leadership Conference in 1987 that taught me there is a Christian life to be lived and how to live it.

Before I go any further, Holy Spirit, I know I’ve prayed about this over the last month, but as I sit here and type these words this morning, please reveal yourself through my fingers and this keyboard. Take my mind and heart to the places you need them to go for the good of the people, or maybe just that one person, who will need to hear what you have for them through me on Sunday. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart bring glory to you and be pleasing to you, oh Lord.

So here’s the rough overview of my plan. Holy Spirit, correct me if I’m doing anything wrong:

  • Start with Voxology story: If I take hell off of the table, I don’t see a compelling reason to follow Jesus.
  • If we were having lunch with a friend, and they asked us this question, how would we answer them?
  • Happiness study by Sam Peltzman that reveals married people are likely to be happier than unmarried people.
    • But we don’t take that knowledge and get married so we can be 30 points happier than we would be if we were unmarried. We marry for love.
  • We should not enter into our relationship with God with anything other than him in mind.
  • We enter into this relationship because we carry around sin, insecurity, and this hole in our heart that we are constantly trying to fill. When we find God and a relationship with him, we turn loose of that and experience a life that produces fruit.
    • Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
  • How do we provide the Holy Spirit space to grow good fruit in our hearts?
    • Parable of the Sower
    • Odds are that the hearts in this room are not represented by the path or the rocks.
    • Most in this room are either fertile soil or soil that chokes out the Spirit with weeds and thorns.
  • Every gardener knows you have to weed your garden and tend your soil with water and fertilizer.
    • How do you tend your soil?
  • What is your floor
    • My floor:
      • Daily prayer journal
      • Faithful and consistent giving as well as extra giving
      • Intentional time in conversation with Megan
      • Hearing at least one Bible lesson/sermon from someone else each week
      • Communication with at least two male friends each week
      • Avoiding sexual temptation/lust.
      • Exercising at least four times a week.
      • Serve my wife by doing chores, favors she asks, and even using headphones
    • Things I add to the floor:
      • Extra writing projects
      • Volunteer work and praying for our community and country
      • Listening to Christian music and Christian podcasts
  • Use the bulletin insert to make up your own floor

Father, I pray that this is the message people need to hear from me this weekend. I pray that there might just be one person for whom this is a blessing. I pray that out of this time people would be drawn into deeper relationship with the God who loves them and only wants to grow great fruit in them for their sake. Make this all about loving you and not about any selfish gain on our part. You are worthy of my worship and my praise. I pray that you will share that with others through me.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 22, 2025 in Luke

 

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Judas and Barabbas Revisited

05 May

Judas and Barabbas

Matthew

26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:1-16

27 Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

Matthew 27:1-5

15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”

20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”

The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”

25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”

26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

Matthew 27:15-26

Mark

14 It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:1-11

6 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner—anyone the people requested. 7 One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who had committed murder in an uprising. 8 The crowd went to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual.

9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”

13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

Mark 15:6-15

Luke

22 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

Luke 22:1-6

13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

Luke 23:13-25

John

12 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate[a] with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

John 12:1-8

2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

John 13:2

38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”

40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

John 18:38-40

Dear God, I came across this prayer from December 2023 recently, and I wondered if it wouldn’t make a good Sunday school lesson. I’m teaching this Sunday and then I’m also starting a weekly Bible study next Monday the 14th so I want to dust this off and sit with it again for a bit.

The prayer I did back in December 2023 was long. Honestly, I’m surprised I spent that much time with it. I wonder how long it took me to put all of the scriptures together from all four gospels. Regardless, it’s interesting to think about and then compare the world then and the world now. Are we really that much different? Does the perceived weakness in Jesus then still frustrate us today. Is his way (read: your way) too soft? Don’t you realize the only way to get things done is to do this like Barabbas tried, but with your power?

I was talking with a guy on Friday, and he was rattling off presidents he thought were too week and wimpy. It was basically everyone since Reagan with the exception of the current president. H.W. and W. were to wimpy. I pushed back a little on W., saying I hadn’t heard that or thought that about him, but he was saying W. was too nice.

Oh, Father, help us. I get the feeling that’s what the church now thinks is true: nice gets you nowhere. Nice leaves you vulnerable. Nice is weak. Nice will lead to your destruction. We need tough. We need warriors. We need to fight. I said a couple of years ago that the logical fulfillment of Christian Nationalism is the Spanish Inquisition and, ultimately, the Crusades. As I look at what is happening now and how we are trying to nationalize Christianity and punish our allies for not being more like us I think it’s happening faster than I thought it would. And oh, how it will destroy trust in you. The first- and second-century churches were seen as loving and caring. That’s all they had to offer, and that’s still all we should have to offer because that’s who you are. You are loving and caring. Do you judge? Sure. Do you condemn? Yes. But that’s up to you to do. Our job is to love you with everything we have and love our neighbors as our selves. That includes our enemies. So help me to do that today. And help me to take that attitude into the world. I love you. I want to love like you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 5, 2025 in John, Luke, Mark, Matthew

 

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Luke 15:25-32

30 Mar

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Luke 15:25-32

Dear God, I just had this thought while reading this passage this morning: I wonder what the angels think of us humans and your fascination with us. I mean, I know the least in heaven is greater than the greatest of us, so I think they are beyond the jealousy expressed by the older son in this story, and they likely share your affection for us since they get sent here to care for us.

I’m asking because it makes me think that perhaps we should adopt their apparent attitude towards us when we think about our fellow humans we think we are better than. The ones we don’t think deserve you. I think they probably see us as your loved, created beings, and we should all see each other that same way.

In Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation, Sister Miriam focuses today on giving to others–alms giving. As she puts it in the last paragraph, “Giving alms frees us from narrow-mindedness, stinginess, and disordered attachment to things. It brings about the realization that we belong to each other. We need it. Oh, how we need it. It can often be penitential because it cuts us at our deepest level of selfishness and self-centeredness. The world is not all about us. The other serves as a constant reminder that we are made for communion and relationship.”

Father, I think they older brother in this story could have used a little more of a giving spirit. My wife and I try to discipline ourselves to give, but that will be wasted if we don’t also allow that giving to touch our hearts with compassion. There are people out there who frustrate me. And I confess that I look down upon them and judge them. I am judgmental and not curious. Help me to be more curious about them and to love them as your children, just as much as the angels love us.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 30, 2025 in Luke, Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation

 

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