Author: Norm

“If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Luke 11:20) Jesus is releasing those who are caught in the grip of dark powers.I cannot explain what ‘demons’ are, but I know what they do.They are negative spirits, spirits that hinder and harm people.This man was…

“How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13) Jesus changes the analogy from a friend (v.5) to a father (v.11).He describes how most human fathers know how to care for their children.This in spite of the fact that humanity is evil, not loving as it…

“Because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.” (Luke 11:8) With God, persistence pays off according to Jesus.He uses the comparison of a friend in need.If a friend is desperate, you would help them out.Even if it was inconvenient or costly. This analogy assumes two things:One,…

“He said to them, “When you pray, say…” (Luke 11:2) It is interesting to me that so far Jesus hadn’t expected them to pray.For all this time with them, He was still only modelling prayer.Or maybe they were praying, but in a more formal, traditional way.They wanted to pray like Jesus, to talk to God more…

“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42) Martha was serving, Mary was listening and learning at Jesus’s feet.Jesus says Mary has chosen what is better; is listening better than serving?But Jesus does not challenge Martha for serving.In fact Jesus’s whole message was about serving others.In this…

“Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37) Jesus reduces the God-pleasing life to this one simple rule.Be a neighbour like this Samaritan, do what he did.He did not need to change his religious perspectives.He did not need to study the bible or go to church.Just loving people like this was the key to life and living.This is…

“‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’” (Luke 10:26) Jesus asks two very important questions.I was raised to know what was written in the Law.The 10 Commandments were read every Sunday in church.They were understood in a specific way as well.For example, the 4th commandment meant specific restrictions about Sundays.The Sabbath was…

“All things have been committed to me by my Father.” (Luke 10:22) Has there ever been any other human that could have said this?Jesus does not say this because He is God; God already has all things!This is the Son of Man, the coming human Messiah (Genesis 3:15, Daniel 7:13-14).The only other humans that could have said this…

I do not take these words of Jesus literally.I hear them in the context of Genesis 3, God’s curse on the serpent. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) We live in a world of snakes…

In the previous chapter, James and John wanted to send fire.Since the Samaritans rejected Jesus’s peace, they wanted judgment.Here Jesus explains how to handle rejection: move on, walk away.We are servants of love, not judgment. To wipe the dust is not to judge people.It is to leave people fully, without taking anything from them.They have…