SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:18-27 “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) OBSERVATION:…
May 11 — Luke 9:10-17
SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:10-17 “Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them….They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers! (Luke 10:16-17) OBSERVATION: The disciples have witnessed – and been a part of – amazing miracles. Could they have imagined this next…
May 10 — Luke 9:1-9
SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:1-9 OBSERVATION: Jesus multiplies His ministry, and His message starts to spread. He gives authority and power to His followers to carry on His work, and they preach and demonstrate the good news of the Kingdom. Note that it is the good news of the Kingdom, and not just the good news of salvation….
May 9 — Luke 8:40-56
SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:40-56 OBSERVATION: I am struck by the eager welcome that Jesus receives, and how desperate people are for His help. The crowds welcome Jesus with open arms, the woman desperately clings to Jesus for healing, the crowds are eagerly pressing up against Him, and the Jairus begs Him for His help. This is a…
May 8 — Luke 8:26-39
SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:26-39 OBSERVATION: In this story I see how sin (and Satan) take over a life and destroy it… and how Jesus takes over a life and rebuilds it. The demons are smart in going into the pigs; even though they lose the one, they succeed in deceiving the many townspeople. Instead of being impressed…
May 7 — Luke 8:22-25
SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:22-25 OBSERVATION: Jesus challenges them, ‘where is your faith?’, but I find myself sympathizing with the disciples. Their fear that they would perish reveals that they do not really know who Jesus is (afterall, could God’s plans for the messiah be thwarted by a chance thunderstorm?). Also, their surprise at His calming the storm…
May 6 — Luke 8:16-21
SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:16-21 OBSERVATION: Jesus does not ‘measure’ people by their religion but by their simple faith, humility and love. Those with open and honest hearts will shine like lights before others, they will be a breathe of fresh air. Open and honest hearts will hear what the Lord has to say, apply it personally, and…
May 5 — Luke 8:1-15
SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:1-15 OBSERVATION: The first part of this section shows the women responding to Jesus, and we should keep in mind that women were second-class citizens at that time. A sure sign again that Jesus was not focussed on the “great” but the “small” (in the world’s eyes). His message, like seed, was spread indiscriminately,…
May 4 — Luke 7:36-50
SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:36-50 OBSERVATION: Jesus has an amazing ability to handle critical comments. He exposes the loveless, proud heart of the Pharisee and at the same time honours the humble, sinful heart of this immoral woman. Her sins were great, but her heart was humble, and that is what Jesus (and God) is looking for. Jesus…
May 3 — Luke 7:18-35
SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:18-35 OBSERVATION: John believed that Jesus was the messiah, he was just confused about why Jesus operated as He did. Jesus’ answer to John’s question is to point to the miracles as signs that He is the messiah, as the Jewish Scriptures prophecied. But He also adds that the messiah will not operate in…