March 24, 2024
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28 ESV). These are the words of Jesus from his Sermon on the Plain, describing the new way of living in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead of
March 22, 2024
“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:15-16 ESV). The more that crowds gathered around Jesus, the more often He would “withdraw” to pray. Jesus modeled an important
March 21, 2024
‘And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.’ (Luke 4:41 ESV). At Simon’s mother-in-law’s house in Capernaum, Jesus healed and cast out demons from a multitude of people who lined
March 20, 2024
“And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13 ESV). The devil departed from tempting Jesus after three failed attempts. It might be noted that these are the same three temptations to which Adam succumbed. Yet, Jesus overcame them all. The temptation of Adam and Eve
March 17, 2024
“And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38 ESV). In the gospel of Luke, an 84 year old widow named Anna came up to the Temple at the same time that Mary
March 15, 2024
“And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God” (Luke 1:64 ESV). In today’s New Testament reading from Luke, the Lord had made Zechariah mute for doubting the word of His angel Gabriel concerning the coming birth of his son, John, to his elderly wife, Elizabeth. He was mute
April 27, 2023
‘Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”’ (Luke 23:42 NLT). In the gospel of Luke, it is recorded that Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one on either side. In the crowd watching the crucifixion were certain Jewish leaders who sneered at Jesus saying, “He saved others; let Him save
April 25, 2023
“Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives” (Luke 22:39 NLT). On the night that Jesus would be betrayed, He went out “as usual” to the Mount of Olives to pray. On this unusual evening, Jesus followed His usual habit: He prayed on the
April 24, 2023
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32 NLT). The Lord addressed him as, “Simon, Simon,” not as “Peter,” for he
April 22, 2023
“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins” (Luke 21:1-2 NLT). As Jesus watched the people putting their gifts into the Temple offering, He offered several insights. One insight is that God sees