Category: Luke

Read Luke 19:1-10

What a story! This has always been a favorite. I’m a little “vertically challenged” myself, so I can totally identify with Zacchaeus’ problem of seeing over the crowd. This is a familiar passage, in particular because of the song we sang as children – can’t help that running through my brain right now. If you’ve never heard it – take a listen HERE.

When I read this passage today I noted a couple things. First, Zacchaeus was searching out Jesus. We’re told this man was a chief tax collector, a “chief”, so probably in charge of a lot of other ruthless tax collectors in the area, and also very rich. When we think of the people following Jesus, we don’t often picture rich tax collectors. (Exception Matthew, a called disciple who left behind that line of work.) What was Zacchaeus’ motive? Why was he so anxious to see Jesus that day? He even climbed up a tree to see him! Continue reading “Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus”

Read Luke 18:35-43

This may seem like just another miracle story, but there is more here. How did the blind man call out to Jesus? He didn’t say, “Hey you” or even “Hey Jesus!” He called to the “Son of David.” This is significant because it reveals that this man was not blind to the identity of Jesus. Son of David would point to Jesus as the Messiah, the descendant of David, their promised King.

Jesus wanted to know this man’s desire. After all, he was a beggar, perhaps he just wanted coins or enough food for his daily needs. But this man who knew who Jesus was wanted to see. His sight was immediately restored, and Jesus proclaimed that his faith had healed him. His faith in Jesus as the Son of God, the promised Messiah, truly a faith without seeing. Continue reading “Luke 18:35-43 – Be Bold in Your Faith”

Read Luke 18:31-34

This isn’t the first time that Jesus tells his disciples about what is going to happen to him. In this instance, he’s not referring to himself in first person which is a little odd. I wonder why he did that? Even more perplexing is that it says the significance of Jesus’ words was “hidden from” his followers.

I understand it to mean that God chose to keep the full picture of what was to come hidden or obscured from understanding. What do you think the disciples would have done if they had known the full story or understood the agony their friend would endure. Would they have tried to stop it? Would they have taken Jesus a different way so as to avoid his fate in Jerusalem?

Continue reading “Luke 18:31-34 – They Don’t Get It”

Read Luke 18:18-30

To be a follower of Jesus is not without sacrifice. When we truly listen and follow Jesus, sometimes our reality has to shift. For the rich religious leader in our story, Jesus’ words rocked his world, the world as he knew it. How has Jesus rocked your world? Has he asked you to do something totally outside your comfort zone? Have you obeyed?

Imagine you are wealthy and have every comfort available to man at your disposal. There is nothing you can’t have so long as money can buy it. Now imagine that you have to give it all up. You’d have to be pretty sure the exchange was worth it. For life forever with Jesus. Priceless. Continue reading “Luke 18:18-30 – Wealth on Earth or in Eternity”

Read Luke 18:15-17

Faith like a child. That’s what we should try to attain.

The disciples thought they were protecting Jesus from a distraction of children. No doubt Jesus and the others were exhausted from their travels and time spent teaching and preaching. These parents were only trying to do the best they could for their children by bringing them to Jesus for a blessing. Jesus used this opportunity for a teachable moment.

Jesus did not want the children shooed away. We know from other passages that Jesus loved children. In fact, Jesus called them back and blessed them. Jesus made an example of this moment and it should speak to us as well. We don’t have to be Bible scholars or have done many mighty things to spend eternity with God. Instead, we must receive the kingdom of God as a child. What does that mean, do you think? Continue reading “Luke 18:15-17 – Faith Like a Child”