Category: Luke

Luke 12:6a Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  

I am thankful that I feel like I can give everything to God–big and little, important and trivial. I am still working on actually doing that. Sometimes, far too often, I cling to things that I should lay at His feet, but that’s a subject for another time. Today is about giving even the little things to Him.

Luke 12:6b Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

I absolutely can, will, and do pray for things like the rain to stop, or a parking spot to open up, or for me to make it just a little bit further. God doesn’t always grant my request in my timing, but the process of giving it to Him allows me His comfort no matter the circumstances.

Luke 12:7a Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your fierce love of me. Thank You that because You love me so deeply, You always have time for the minutia crowding my mind, my view, my day. Help me to never forget that I can give all my cares to You, no matter how big or small. Thank You so much. Amen.

Luke 12: 7b Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 

I’ve heard it said that God is bigger than our feelings, and I have a bit of an idea of what that truly means; however, I still need to work on keeping my mouth closed and clinging to God, especially when I feel angry, scared, or hurt. At those times I am prone to giving sway to my feelings and saying things that I am sure I will regret.

Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 

And when I think about the things I’ve said in the context of verses 2-3, I truly feel a sense of shame as I know I have said things in the heat of emotion–anger, fear, pain–that I would not want broadcast on live tv. And it suddenly occurs to me that this issue is directly related to the issues of pride and humility that God has been working with me on for so long.

Luke 12:3a What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight… 

Precious Savior, Thank You for being bigger than my feelings. Help me, when I am in the midst of emotional upheaval, to cling to You instead of giving sway to big emotions and words that will haunt me. Help me to lay it all at Your feet and wrap myself in Your peace instead of spewing words I will regret. Amen.

Luke 12:3b …and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 10:38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 

As I read today’s scripture, I think about every party I’ve ever given. I get so caught up in the preparations that I tend to forget that people are coming for us, to spend time with us, not to critique our house, our food, our party-giving skills. I’m a Martha for sure.

Luke 10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 

Instead of focusing on appearances, on preparations, on all that still needs to be done, Mary focuses on relationship. She spends time at the Lord’s feet listening to what He says. She doesn’t worry about what hasn’t been done. She invests time in listening, in being present.

Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Lord, Like Martha, I tend to get so caught up in what needs to be done that I forget that this life is about relationship, about listening, about being present in each moment with the people You have blessed me with. Forgive me. Help me to be present. Help me never to forget the importance of relationship. Amen.

Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Have a blessed day.

Luke 10:34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

This tale is so rich in lessons. The priest and the Levite had a moral, religious obligation to help the victim, and yet they not only pass by the victim, they move intentionally to the other side of the street. The Samaritan, however, is filled with pity, with compassion, for the victim–implied to be Jewish–even though there is a long history of hatred between Jews and Samaritans.

Luke 10:35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

These actions bring to mind the response of people after a natural disaster. Just like with the Samaritan, there is no judgment for political or religious affiliation, no questions about sexual orientation or world views. There is just a beautiful, compassionate outpouring of love and assistance. And isn’t that Jesus’s point? That everyone–regardless of differences–is our neighbor and that we should treat each other with love and compassion. Period.

Luke 10:36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

Precious Savior, Thank You for this reminder that we should love and care for each other. Period. Help us to see the divisions and barriers we put up that keeps us from doing so. Help us to love others like You love us–fiercely, compassionately, indiscriminately. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Luke 10:37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Have a blessed day.

Luke 10:30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

I love the way Jesus handles this situation. He knows that this expert of the law is trying to test Him and justify himself, yet He doesn’t bite. He doesn’t yell. He doesn’t tell the expert how very wrong he is, which is an exercise in futility. Instead, He tells him a story, a parable.

Luke 10:31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.

And instead of drawing all the connections and wrapping it up neatly at the end for the expert, He is going to allow him to come to his own conclusions because He knows that He can’t convince the expert of anything and He doesn’t want automatons. He wants His followers to seek and see His truth and follow willingly because they make that decision.

Luke 10:32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

Lord, I love reading Your scripture and seeing something I didn’t notice before, pondering something that didn’t strike me before. Thank You for opening my eyes to Your truths every time I study Your word. Thank You for allowing me to seek and make connections instead of requiring that I not question, not seek, not ask. Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Amen.

Luke 10:33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

Luke 24:28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 

I have so many questions about verses 28-31. Jesus pretends that he is going further. Why? Commentary says it is a test to gauge the effect of His previous teaching on them. I guess they pass because verse 32 shows their hearts “burning within them” as He talked. They urge Him to stay. Why? Because they feel the pull of His ministry? He breaks bread with them, a meal, and suddenly they recognize Him. And He’s gone. Why?

Luke 24:29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

Even in this time of difficulty and doubt following the resurrection, the disciples know Him. They long to spend time with Him. They fellowship with Him, drawing comfort from Him. Perhaps life mirrors this scene? Even when we are struggling, when Christ feels so very far away, our hearts, steeped in His great love, know Him, recognize His presence. We can trust that He is with us even when nothing else makes sense.

Luke 24:30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 

Lord, Grief and loss and difficulty are hard. Thank You for this reminder that You are with us, that our foundation of faith allows us to know that You are near, even when we doubt and struggle. Stay with us, Lord. Fellowship with us. Help us to see You clearly, no matter our circumstances. Amen.

Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 

Have a blessed day. I love you.