Gospel of Luke, Chapter 17

As part of “A New Christmas Tradition”, I am posting my thoughts on the Book of Luke as we read through one chapter per day in this month of December. I welcome you to read along, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Luke Chapter 17:

Verses 1-2: Jesus lets us know that offences will come, and gives a strong warning to those who would be the offender.

Verses 3-4: Jesus gives direction on how to respond to those who do us wrong. We aren’t supposed to just bear it silently. We are to go to the individual and let them know how they have wronged us. And then, if they repent, we are to forgive.

Verses 7-10: If all we do is what is required of us, out of a sense of “duty”, we are “unprofitable servants”.  When we do what we do out of a heart of love, we go beyond duty.

Verses 11-19: Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks. How many times has God extended mercy, even knowing He might receive nothing in return.  Also, the nine that went their way without returning to thank Him were Jews. I wonder if when we have an attitude of entitlement, we lack real appreciation for what we receive.

Verses 20-21: When asked when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation… it is within you.”  Elsewhere we are told the kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  The kingdom of God is Jesus reigning in our hearts and lives. The only visible observation of the kingdom of God is what it produces in the lives of those who have entered into it.

Verses 22-36:  When Jesus is revealed to an individual, it is time to respond. Don’t put it off. Others may continue on in their lost condition, but you must choose to immediately and faithfully follow Christ.

Verse 37:  The followers of Christ will be gathered together to where the source of their life (Christ) is.  Where truth of the Word is preached, there will God’s people be gathered.

 

Read Full Post »

Blessed Are The Meek (Part 1)

Matthew 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Inherit: to receive a portion for a possession, as an inheritance; to be an heir.

Earth: earth, land, ground, country

Since everything on this earth belongs to God, then we as His children, while we are on this earth, have access to all that is His:   

1 Corinthians 10:26: The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.

We can know that every need will be supplied.

However, I don’t believe Matthew 5:5 is talking specifically about the literal earth, because:  

2 Peter 3:9-14  the day will come  in which the elements shall melt, the earth and the works therein shall be burned up…. all these things shall be dissolved… we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness… be diligent that ye me found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

I believe Matthew 5:5 is talking more about a spiritual inheritance: 

Revelation 21:1-7  a new heaven and a new earth…. the holy city, new Jerusalem… the tabernacle of God with men… no more death, sorrow, crying, pain… he that overcometh shall  inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Remember Abraham: 

Heb 11:8-16  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God… These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.

Abraham wandered as a stranger and pilgrim in the very land that had been promised to him for a possession, yet never actually took possession of it.  But, he knew that the promise was for something greater than land on this earth… it was a spiritual land.  The same spiritual land that we may possess now!

Read Full Post »

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

To be poor in spirit is to be humble and lowly in our own eyes; to be as little children in our opinion of ourselves, weak, foolish, and insignificant; to acknowledge that God is all and we are nothing, and to humble ourselves before Him, and under His mighty hand; to have no confidence in our own righteousness and strength, that we may depend only upon God for our salvation.

Matthew 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus dealt with both the spiritual and the physical needs of the people.  Matthew 9:35-36   says that He went preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion, because they fainted (were tired and lay down), and were scattered as sheep without a shepherd.  What a picture of hopelessness and helplessness!  Yet Jesus was their hope and their help.  He could help those who were unable to help themselves.  Matthew 11:1-5.

The greatest need that we all have, that can only be met by Jesus, is the bondage and penalty of sin.  Where we are powerless to break free of the cords of sin, we have Matthew 1:21 to tell us that Jesus came to save His people from their sins. 

He came to give us the Kingdom of God…. righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  Romans 14:17

Many times people trust in something other than God, and they miss out on Salvation.  In  Mark 10:17-27, we see a man who had kept many of the commandments; but because he was trusting in his riches, he couldn’t let go of them to trust God.  Yet, we may be “poor” in temporal things, yet rich in spiritual… enough even to help others  2 Corinthians 6:10, Proverbs 8:18, Proverbs 13:7.

We can get so caught up in building our own safety net for things of this life, that we neglect our soul and what’s most important for eternity.  In Luke 12:16-21,  we see a man who had spent all his years making things comfortable for this life, but never took time to get things right with God.  Suddenly, his life ended and he realized he had not prepared to meet God!

In Luke 9:57-62  we see several different priorities shown.  In vs 57-58, maybe having a home was more important than following Jesus. In vs. 59-60, earthly responsibilities were more important.  And in vs 61, it was his family and friends that took precedence.   Vs 62  shows that when Jesus comes to us, following Him must be more important to us than anything else.

Without God, we are truly poor.  But there is good news:

Read Psalms 72:12,   Psalms 34:6-8, and  Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-9  You will see that if you have gone your own way, if there is still sin in your life, if you have never given your life totally to God, you can be saved… if you will seek him when he is calling you… Don’t put it off… Don’t miss the opportunity to be saved from your sins and ready for eternity.

Read Full Post »