trying to find His way
“Do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say.” (Luke 12:11) Jesus is speaking to His followers, those committed to His way of love.Having spoken against the Pharisees (Luke 11:37-54), He now warns His disciples.The religious leaders will not tolerate dissent, and will demand compliance.They will use fear, condemnation and discipline to…
“I will show you whom you should fear…” (Luke 12:5) The “fear of the Lord” is a phrase many people wonder about.For many, it is a word that speaks of terror, fright, horror, panic.Some christians actually use it this way, to threaten and control others.I personally think we should not use the English word ‘fear’.If there…
“You load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46) We are all weighed down by the burden of sin and death.God comes in Jesus to bring us back into His rest.“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I…
“You have taken away the key to knowledge…” (Luke 11:52) What is this key to knowledge that Jesus speaks about?“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)God is the source of knowledge, wisdom and instruction.‘Fear’ (Hebrew ‘yare’) means respect, reverence, awe, wonder. To know Who and what…
“You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” (Luke 11:42) Jesus clearly says that the Pharisees should have been tithing.Some people still insist on tithing for believers today.As I see it, Jesus was speaking to old covenant followers.Yes, old covenant followers should have done both the latter and the former.But the latter –…
“Woe to you Pharisees, because…” (Luke 11:42) The Pharisees were deeply devout believers, considered the most holy.They were devoted to God, to the Law, to holiness and obedience.They were meticulous and scrupulous in obeying God’s Law.They were eager to fulfill the smallest letter, the least stroke of the pen (Matthew 5:18).Yet, Jesus speaks these harsh words of…
“Inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39) Acting or looking like a religious person doesn’t change the inside.God knows what is inside of me, and wants to work on me there.My outward appearance and my public role or persona are not the real ME.God sees my character, my inner self, and what that…
“See to it that the light within you is not darkness.” (Luke 11:35) Jesus is talking about how our lives can glow – or not.If our focus in life (eyes) is healthy, it will show in our life.People will see the glow of goodness and be drawn to it.If our focus is dark, that will emanate…
“Something greater than Solomon is here.” (Luke 11:31)“Something greater than Jonah is here.” (Luke 11:32) Jesus was obviously more than just a teacher or prophet.He was already performing signs and wonders that convinced the people.The crowds sensed something greater and flocked to Jesus.But not the religious leaders, “a wicked generation” (Luke 11:29).Confident in their own rightness, they looked…
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) A woman is so inspired by Jesus, she cries out:“Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” (Luke 12:27)On the one hand, I can appreciate what this woman means.She experiences Jesus as wonderful, and feels blessed to see and hear…