Feb 5, 2012
One of the great challenges that God sets before us is the call to be joyful. Expressions of joy can easily elude the Christian, especially when we try to hold on to the darkness of our sin or when we trust in our own exrta-biblical rules and regulations. In such times, we may trust in our self-righteousness, but this will never give us fullness of joy....
Jan 29, 2012
As we come to the middle of Luke chapter 5, we find a story of great compassion, and of troubling confrontation. Jesus expresses incredible power as He cleanses a leper and heals a paralytic. We see faith expressed by a group of friends who bring one beleaguered to Jesus, and are challenged to consider how often we invite friends to Jesus. And we...
Jan 22, 2012
As we come into chapter 5 of the Gospel of Luke, we come to meet a man named Simon Peter. Headstrong, confident, capable – and also impetuous. He is a man who knows Jesus, who has seen Jesus help others. But he doesn’t see his need for the Savior, that is, until Jesus shows him the incredible power of God. When that happens, everything changes...
Jan 15, 2012
What a contrast a week makes! Last week, we noted the reaction of the Nazarenes to the preaching of Jesus. Theirs was hostility and anger. This week, we see how Jesus goes to Capernaum and preaches. The response of the citizens on this seaside town is completely different. They are amazed! They are astounded! And they are excited about the ministry of...
Jan 8, 2012
This week, Jesus comes home. After successfully defeating Satan in the wilderness temptation, Jesus entered into his Galilean ministry, going from town to town, teaching, preaching, healing the sick, and bringing deliverance to the oppressed. And news of what God was doing through Him had come back to the small village of Nazareth. It is likely...
Jan 1, 2012
In what may seem an amazing turn of events, Jesus goes from the waters of baptism directly into mortal combat with Satan himself and is tempted for 40 long days. Satan’s goal is to get Jesus to fall. If he could do this, the whole mission of redemption would be foiled. But Jesus defeats the enemy of our souls, not based on being God, but rather He...
Dec 25, 2011
This week, we consider a very unusual text for Christmas Day, the text which chronicles Jesus’ genealogy from Luke 3:23-38. Some may wonder what this text has to do with Christmas. But, it actually has everything to do with Christmas. It helps us to understand the goodness of God in giving us family, in giving us a reason for living, and for...
Dec 18, 2011
In Luke 3:15-22, we come to the end of the ministry of John the Baptizer, and the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. In this account, we learn of the greatness of John, and yet the humility of John. Likewise, we see the Jesus greatness of Jesus! And Jesus was greater than John in every way! He ministered a greater baptism, He had a greater position, and...
Dec 11, 2011
In Luke 3:1-14, we enter the next major section of this Gospel, which is the ministry of Jesus. However, Luke first introduces the forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptizer. He comes upon the word’s scene, in a time of great political and societal intrigue, with a very simple message – repent! And, his message is one we need to understand and to...
Dec 4, 2011
In the Gospel of Luke, we find the only reliable account of Jesus as a boy. You can find that in Luke 2:40-52. We see that Jesus is indeed a great role model for young and old, growing in stature, wisdom and favor with God and man. Jesus was an amazing young man, from whom we can learn much. We are to live balanced lives, But in addition to that, we find...
