trying to find His way
“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…
“And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:26) This seems like a strange story, that doesn’t quite fit.Jesus uses two words, unclean and spirit, not the word demon.A spirit (literally breath, wind) is an invisible presence or power.The Holy Spirit is an invisible presence/power that is clean, from God.The clean/holy…
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:23) On another occasion, Jesus said something that sounds the opposite.The disciples saw a man casting out demons in Jesus’s Name.But he was not one of them, not with them as they followed Jesus. “‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus…
“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…