April 17, 2025
“For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise” (Luke 18:32–33 ESV). As Jesus draws near to Jerusalem, He tells His disciples what will soon take place. He speaks
April 16, 2025
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 ESV). Before Jesus even begins the parable of the persistent widow, Luke tells us His purpose for telling it. Jesus wanted His disciples to know the importance of prayer, especially in times of delay
April 17, 2024
‘And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight”’ (Luke 18:41 ESV). When a blind man begging on the roadside near Jericho heard that Jesus was passing by,
April 17, 2022
HE HAS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID Jesus told His disciples that they were going up to Jerusalem where the prophecies concerning His death and resurrection would be fulfilled. He had told them this on many occasions, but now the time was near. Yet, His disciples didn’t seem to understand. Jesus had spoken of
April 16, 2022
THE NECESSITY OF CHILDLIKE FAITH After Jesus rebuked his disciples for preventing parents from bringing their children to be blessed by Him, He gave this spiritual principle concerning the kingdom of God. Those who would desire entrance into the kingdom must first receive it “like a child.” These questions arise: How does a child
April 17, 2021
THE CURRENCY OF THE KINGDOM IS ASKING When a blind man begging on the roadside near Jericho heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he commanded that the blind man be brought to Him. Jesus asked, “What do you want Me
April 17, 2020
THE CURRENCY OF THE KINGDOM IS ASKING When a blind man begging on the roadside near Jericho heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he commanded that the blind man be brought to Him. Jesus asked, “What do you want Me
April 16, 2019
THE NECESSITY OF CHILDLIKE FAITH After Jesus rebuked his disciples for preventing parents from bringing their children to Jesus, he gave this spiritual principle concerning the kingdom of God. Those who would desire entrance into the kingdom must first receive it “like a child.” These questions arise: How does a child receive the kingdom?
April 16, 2018
THE SIMPLE YET POWERFUL PRAYER FOR MERCY
Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and tax collector who went to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee thanked God for his superior position above others in this life. He compared his own righteousness to that of those around him and considered himself right with God. The tax collector confessed that he was a sinner and prayed for God’s mercy. Whose prayer was answered? Both. The tax collector received the mercy from God he requested and went home in a right relationship with God, his sins forgiven. The Pharisee who asked nothing from God, for he felt self-satisfied and self-justified, went home having received nothing from God.
We live in a world where people are like the Pharisee. They are self-satisfied and self-justified. They see no need for God’s mercy. For they consider themselves as good. Yet, to those who confess their sin and admit their need for a Savior, Jesus will hear and answer their simple yet powerful prayer for mercy.
April 17, 2017
Many come to Jesus, attracted to His person, but unwilling to admit their own spiritual bankruptcy. So it was for the RYR (“Rich Young Ruler”). He thought to add Jesus to his portfolio of good works. Yet, Jesus saw his heart. Jesus challenged him to die to his former life and leave everything behind to follow Him. This filled the RYR with sorrow, for he had great worldly wealth. It also revealed his failure to keep even the first of the ten commandments, putting his love of money ahead of his love of God.
The invitation to follow Christ is not a call to religious effort (i.e. “What shall I do?”), but a call to come and die, that you might be born again in newness of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:4, 11).