Luke 16:19-31 The story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 has sometimes been used by those who decree that the term "wealthy Christian" is an oxymoron to justify their belief. But even if you categorically believe this to be the uniform teaching of the New Testament, and from a truly contextual approach I personally do not think that idea is tenable, this is de...

Luke 14:25-35 "Any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, say goodbye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple." It's funny that Jesus starts this passage off talking about family. Most people freak out when they are told they should hate their father and mother, we quickly reassure them that what Jesus means is that our love for them should feel lik...

12Then He also said to him who invited Him,"When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.13But when you give a feast, invitethepoor,the[d]maimed,thelame,theblind.14And you will beblessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrec...

"29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Fatherknows that you need them.31But seek his kingdom,and these things will be given to you as well." -Luke 12:29-31(NIV) What do we do when we feel something necessary to a full life is missing from our experience and has been for y...

Luke 10:38-42 You can take this story at face value and make it about a busy older sister (we don't know for sure, but based on how bossy she is - she probably was the oldest ;) and her "got my priorities straight" little sister who models making Jesus #1 in our lives (perfect little sisters, am I right?). I mean, if you're like me and grew up in church you have probably ...

Luke 10:19-20 records Jesus response to the disciples' joy about the power given by Him that had resulted in their mastery even over demons. The Lord's reply was a profound one for every one of His followers, both then and now: "19I have given you authority to trample on snakesand scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.20However, do no...

Luke 8:27-39 Jesus steps out of the boat just after commanding peace to the waves to meet another stormy situation. Here a man meets them - he's completely naked, probably filthy as can be, and covered in scars of self harm (Mark 5:5). That's just what they see first off. They learn he lives in the tombs - you know, with dead people. And he cries night and day while he cu...

Luke 8:19-21. "Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, 'Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.' " He replied, 'My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.' " Luke 8:19-21 is a hard passage for some for whom family ties wer...

Luke 7:18-35 This John sitting now in prison was the one who baptized Jesus. And it wasn't just any baptism, the sky opened up and a dove landed on Jesus while a voice from Heaven said, "This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased." John himself recognized Jesus as God already - in John 1:29-36 he says three different times that JesusISthe one they have been waiting for. Bu...

Luke 7:1-17 The thing that sticks out to me in both healing stories in this passage is the heart of the people. Look at the centurion man, He did not think himself worthy to come to Jesus. We are told by his servants that he is worthy and he loves the nation and built a synagogue for them. Clearly this man is somebody of great honor and value in the community. But he rega...

Today's reading included Luke 6:27-36. In this section Jesus tells his disciples what he apparently later said to his wider listeners in other gospel accounts. It is part of His plan for the flourishing of human life and the glorification of His Father. Here is how it reads in Luke in the NIV translation of the Bible: 27"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemi...

The temptation of Jesus. I've read this passage (Luke 4:1-13) several times. It's a great reminder that because Jesus, fully man, was able to resist the temptations from Satan, so can we. And that because He walked through it, just like we do, we have a God, a father, that can completely sympathize with everything we will ever be tempted by.But this time reading and thinki...

Luke 2 captures the only moment we know of Jesus' childhood outside of the birth narrative. At age 12 he was in his last year before preparing to enter into the Jewish religious customs as an adult and yet something striking happens. He ends up in his heavenly Father's house, the temple, and is literally blowing the teachers' minds with his questions understanding. Keepi...