Luke – Page 7 – Be Still…

December 5 Your Salvation is Near (Luke 21:25-36)

Woman walking into a tunnel with bright lights at the other end

If we were wondering what to look for, Jesus clears it up for us in today’s passage. As we are walking through Advent together, it’s easy to get caught up in the distractions of the Christmas season. Magnificent as Jesus’ birth was, that was only Jesus’ first coming. He is coming again, too!

When he does, he will bring our salvation. At last, we’ll have our ticket to live with God forever, forgiven, and free. It’s the hope we have in this promise that keeps us going when we feel burdened, fearful, or doomed.

Luke 22:39-53 – Not My Will But Yours, God

Read Luke 22:39-53

Jesus praying with an angel holding him close

Jesus knew the cross was coming. He knew the agony that awaited Him. Keep that in mind as you read these words from Jesus’ final hours. You may even want to read the entire chapter for a richer understanding. Read the whole chapter here Luke 22.

What spoke to me today was how often we fall asleep like the disciples. How many times have we missed the message from God we were supposed to hear because we were too busy making our own plans. How many times have we fallen prey to the temptations of the world closing in around us?

Luke 2:1-20

Read Luke 2:1-20

Luke is one of the books of the Bible I’ve already walked through with you, but for today’s reading, I am bringing it back. This is a story you can never hear too many times. When God became one of us. He loved us that much.

So much focus is placed on the “holidays” these days. I think many have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas. I’m as guilty as the next, wanting to make sure everyone’s gift is just perfect, that tree is decorated with all my favorite ornaments, etc. But amidst the craziness, there is a baby. We remember this birth more than any other birth in history. As we should. This is the birth of a king. Our King, and he’s the Savior of the world. Continue reading “Luke 2:1-20”

Luke 24:50-53 – See Ya Later!

Read Luke 24:50-53

Jesus’ time to return to the Father has come. In these few short verses we see him taken up to heaven. I suppose this is why we always think that heaven is in the sky. As a kid, I remember thinking the astronauts heading into space must be seeing heaven up there. Another cool moment is when you look outside your airplane window only to see blue sky as far as you can see and white cottony clouds below. We’ve all seen pictures of angels floating around on clouds. Is that heaven?

None of us know for sure what heaven is really like. We do know that God is there. There have been countless books written, and a simple google search can give you reading material for days. I like to look to the Bible. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” I will look forward to the day when I see Jesus face to face in the place he has prepared for me. Continue reading “Luke 24:50-53 – See Ya Later!”

Luke 24:35-49 – A Ghost?

Read Luke 24:35-49

Jesus’ followers needed to wrap their heads around what they were seeing. Jesus had told them he would rise after three days. They heard the words, but comprehending what it meant was a different story.

We hear Jesus speak of ghosts here, or spirits in the original Greek. People of that day were familiar with ghosts apparently, so that is how they tried to explain or understand what was happening. Jesus was quick to correct them – he was not a ghost. If there was any doubt, he ate some food. Ghosts surely don’t eat food!

Jesus was in their midst. They must be wondering how long he would stay. They didn’t realize how much they missed him, and maybe they felt a little bad for “taking him for granted,” delighted to have more time with him. Their thoughts were probably a mixture of joy, fright, and concern over how they would explain this to the rest of the community. People just don’t come back to life and walk around like nothing happened. But Jesus wasn’t intending to stay for long. He wouldn’t be seen by everyone either. Continue reading “Luke 24:35-49 – A Ghost?”