Gospel of Luke: Advent - Chapter 10

 Jesus is...

- The Son (vs. 22) 

- Teacher (vs. 25)

While these two titles are the only ones I've highlighted for this chapter there is a theme that I noticed and found encouraging.  On two occasions discussed in Chapter 10 (the disciples returning to report on their mission; verses 17-20, and Jesus visiting Mary & Martha's house; verses 40-42) Jesus emphasizes the importance of choosing to keep our focus on the eternal.  In the first instance the disciples are rejoicing about how they; through the power of Jesus name, had power over demons.  But notice how Jesus responds in verse 20 "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In the second instance Martha is complaining to Jesus that Mary isn't helping her with the household tasks and in verses 41-42 we see Jesus' response "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

How often we, like these disciples and women,  become distracted by the issues and busyness of life. We get so caught up in things that will "pass away".  We need that same reminder; to focus on the eternal, to put Jesus as our first priority.  As we go through this busy Christmas season, enjoying many fun things, may we never lose sight of Who we are celebrating and the glorious gift of His birth....Emmanuel...God with us; He came to us so that we could forever be with Him.

Gospel of Luke: Advent - Chapter 9

Thoughts on Chapter 9:

Jesus is... 

- The One who sends disciples (vs. 2)

- Abundantly supplies; often more than we need (vs. 17)

- The Christ of God (vs. 20)

- The Son of Man (vs. 22, 26, 44, 58)

- God's Son; His Chosen One (vs. 35)  "Listen to Him!"

- Power over unclean spirits/Healer (vs. 42)

- Knows our hearts/motivations (vs. 47)

One encouragement from today's reading is that Jesus welcomes, ministers to and provides for those that seek Him.  In verse 11 Luke tells how that when the crowds heard that Jesus was at Bethsaida they followed Him.  Jesus welcomed them, taught them about the kingdom of God and "cured those that had need of healing", later He provides food for the crowds.  Looking at this passage I was thinking of how Jesus provided for their emotional needs - He welcomed them, their spiritual needs - He taught them about the kingdom of God, and their physical needs - He healed them and fed them.  No matter what we are facing we need to be faithful in following Jesus because HE is the source of all we need for every area of our lives. 

Gospel of Luke : Advent - Chapter 8

 Good evening.  I love how that a simple exercise can help to keep our focus on Jesus. As I read through these chapters it again makes me so grateful for This Jesus that desires a relationship with us and through His sacrifice provided the way for us to have that relationship.

Jesus is...

- Commander of the wind and waves (vs.24-25)

- Son of the Most High God. (vs. 28) Even the demons recognize and bow to Jesus!

- He has the power and authority to command demons (vs. 32) 

A few words on a few other events in this chapter: 

In verses 37-38 we see that the people were afraid of Jesus and asked Him to leave.  Even though He leaves notice how He sends the healed man to proclaim what God has done for him.  Compare this with the great commission (Matthew 28:16-20) Jesus gives when He ascends to Heaven after His resurrection.  Just like this man who had been demon-possessed was to now proclaim his healing to others we too are to declare all that Jesus has done for us.

In verse 48 Jesus speaks to a woman who touched the edge of His garment to be healed.  Jesus could have moved on and only He and the woman would have known what had happened in her body; the complete healing she received from Him, but Jesus is a personal God who desires relationship.  Jesus calls her "daughter" (note: this is the only time Jesus calls someone daughter).  This woman had been isolated for 12 years.  Under Jewish law she was considered unclean because she had an "issue of blood".  By Jesus stopping and declaring her healed He was also declaring her clean under Jewish law; daughter...a term of family, belonging, endearment...she could now, under Jewish law, be welcomed back in to her town; but also, and much more significant, was that she was welcomed by faith into the family of God. 

In verse 50 Jesus says "Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well." in response to the news that a girl had passed away.  Then in verse 52 Jesus says "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping."  the response of those in the house mourning was that they laughed at this seemingly absurd comment.  This laughing brings to mind Sarai's reaction when she is told that she and Abram are going to have a baby in their very old age (see Genesis 18).  In both of these cases Jesus was declaring that He could bring life to the dead (in Luke it was a little girl, in Genesis it was a dead womb).  In both places we see Jesus' authority over life and death and what He has declared will happen does happen.  Nothing is impossible for Jesus!  

Gospel of Luke: Advent - Chapter 7

 Good evening.  I've mentioned before how much I enjoy using a lexicon when reading Scripture.  One reason is that terms can become so seemingly familiar to us; we hear Biblical terms and have an idea of what they mean.  I've found that so often looking up these words in the Greek give such a richer meaning to the passage.  I'll share my thoughts from Chapter 7 and then dive a bit deeper into one of the words in this passage.

Jesus is...

- the Authority (vs. 8)

- Compassionate (vs. 13)

- Son of Man (vs. 34)

- Forgiver of sins (vs. 48)

So, the term I want to look at a bit closer is the word used for forgiven in verse 48. The Greek word is aphiémi meaning "send away, let go, release, remit, forgive, leave alone, permit to depart".  Earlier in the chapter we are reminded that Jesus has authority over all (vs. 8) and here He shows that authority by forgiving sins.  "Jesus forgives our sins" can become a common phrase but that forgiveness isn't some far off thing; the forgiveness Jesus offers, sends away those sins by His authority, He remits the debt we have accrued due to those sins and makes it so that the sins must leave us alone.  We do NOT have to let those sins back in; we do NOT have to be bound by the shame of those sins, we do NOT have to live in the past.   Here are a couple other verses that talk about the completeness of God's forgiveness..

Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." and 

1 John 1:9  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

As we celebrate this advent season may we be more aware of the gift that Jesus has given us through the forgiveness of our sins; for salvation, and also for the countless times we sin even as believers.  May we be quick to confess and repent of our sins and always be humbled and grateful for the gift of forgiveness. 

Gospel of Luke: Advent - Chapter 6

 Good evening.  Here are a few thoughts from Chapter 6. 

Jesus is...

- Son of Man (vs. 5)  *see note below

- Lord of the Sabbath (vs. 5) **see note below

- Prayerful.  Jesus prayed all night before choosing the 12 apostles. (vs. 12-13)

- Merciful (vs. 36)

- A Firm Foundation (vs. 46-48)

*the title "Son of Man" that Jesus uses for himself here and in Luke 5:24 is a reference to Daniel 7; specifically verses 13-14.  "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.  And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."  For further reading compare this passage with Philippians 2; specifically verses 10-11.  Also be on the lookout for when Jesus uses this title about Himself.  Fun fact: Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of Man more than 70 times.  

**the word used for Lord in verse 5 is the Greek word kurios according to Strong's Lexicon this title means someone with "absolute ownership rights"

Gospel of Luke: Advent - Chapter 5

 Good evening.  This weekend has been filled with Christmas preparations.  As I mentioned yesterday, we got our tree and started decorating the house.  Today we finished decorating the inside of the house and decorated the tree.  Yesterday we also did some baking and made gingerbread cookies.  It's definitely Christmastime when my grandmother's sifter and cookie cutters come out. I thought I'd share a couple fun pictures today and then dive into some observations from Luke Chapter 5. 

Do you have any special recipes that you like to bake with your family?

So fun...and now some thoughts on Luke chapter 5:

Jesus is....

- Our bountiful supplier (vs. 4-8)

- Not bound by the laws of nature - He commands nature (vs. 4-8)

- Worth leaving the things of this world to follow Him **Jesus is better** (vs. 11, 28)

- Jesus prioritizes prayer (vs. 16)

- Healer (vs. 17)

- Forgiver of sins (vs. 20)

- Son of Man with authority to forgive sins (vs. 24)

- Minister to the "greatest" sinners, those seen as "more" sinful by society; He eats with them. (vs. 29-30)

- The Bridegroom (vs. 34) *See Paul's letters for more on the church being the bride of Christ. 

What caught your eye in this chapter?  

Gospel of Luke: Advent - Chapter 4

 Getting this up very late (but it's still the 4th!) as we were busy today getting our Christmas tree and doing some decorating and baking. Here are the thoughts I jotted down for chapter 4.

Jesus is...

- Full of the Holy Spirit (vs. 1)

- Led by the Holy Spirit (vs. 1)

- Fully human like us; He was hungry (vs. 2)

- Fully knows the Scriptures (vs. 4, 8, & 12)

- Has the power of the Holy Spirit (vs. 14)

- Teacher (vs. 15)

- Raised in Nazareth (vs. 16)

- The fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 61 (vs. 18-21)

- Gracious/Has gracious speech (vs. 22)

- Holy One of God (vs. 24)

- Able to cast out demons/Authority and power over unclean spirits (vs. 35-36)

- Healer (vs. 39-40) *His healing is immediate and complete; notice Simon's mother-in-law immediately got up and prepared a meal. 

- Sent with a purpose; to spread the Good News (vs. 43)

What were your thoughts and/or things you were struck by in this chapter?