Category: Luke

Luke 22:24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

It is easy to judge the disciples from a distance, to call them foolish and shallow because, in the shadow of all that Jesus foretold, here they are arguing over who’s the greatest. But maybe it was a diversion technique: We can’t stop this terrible thing that’s coming, so let’s just focus on something else.

Luke 22:25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

One thing I do recognize: I’m no different at my core, wanting to be recognized for my efforts. But Jesus says that’s not His way. In His kingdom, the greatest is the one who serves.

Luke 22:26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Lord, I have so much to learn. Help me to set aside my pride, which clamors for the world’s attention. Help me to focus on loving You, loving others, serving others, glorifying You. Amen.

Luke 22:27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 22:14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.

Jesus knows what is coming. He knows that Judas will betray Him and the disciples will abandon Him. And yet He says to them at this Passover meal, this literal last supper, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” He *knows* the faults and missteps of these people, what it means for Him and for them, and yet, He *eagerly desires* to eat the Passover meal *with them* before He *suffers* (emphasis mine).

Luke 22:15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

Commentary calls His actions “Such love and intimacy.” Hymns ask “What kind of love is this that gave itself for me?” Jesus says, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). I can’t even fathom love that eagerly desires a last meal with people who will betray me and turn their backs on me, and Jesus says, “I have set you an example that you should go and do as I have done” (John 13:15).

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Lord, My pride bucks at what You are calling me to do—love people who are fallible and weak, who will and have betrayed me, who aren’t nice, aren’t lovable, aren’t worthy of love in my opinion. And even as I bristle and squirm at this ask, I know You do this for me. Every. Single. Day. Help me to get over myself. Help me to surrender my pride and to love Your people, not because they are worthy, but because You are. Thank You for loving me, even though I don’t deserve it. Amen.

Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

I’ve heard a theory that Judas may have betrayed Jesus to get the ball rolling, to force the Messiah into action. Whatever his motive, the fact that he tried to give back the silver and ended up taking his own life, indicates that he did not accomplish what he had hoped.

Luke 22:4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.

It’s easy to judge Judas, but I’m not so different at times. My unwillingness, inability to give up control of my worries suggests that, just like Judas, I think I know better, I think I have a better idea, a better plan. Unfortunately, my way often leaves me bitter, anxious, unsettled—not what I was trying to accomplish.

Luke 22:5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.

God of Mercy, Thank You for Your love and compassion. Thank You for knowing everything about me yet loving me fiercely despite my flaws. Help me to lay my worries, my troubles, my plans at Your feet and trust You. Always. Help me to love others despite their flaws as well. Amen.

Luke 22:6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 21:5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said….

The disciples, when talking about the temple, remind me a little of children who are easily distracted by shiny objects. Jesus is quick to remind them of what is important, lasting, eternal. He reminds them to put their faith, trust, and hope in Him and to be vigilant for His return.

Luke 21:6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

And when I got all the way down to verse 34–“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with … the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.”—I realized He was talking to me, too. This is another loving reminder that my trust must be in Him alone. Worries and anxieties will distract me, weigh me down, steal my focus from Him.

Luke 21:7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

Lord, It’s so easy to be anxious and fretful. It truly takes no effort at all to let the minutiae of life consume me, but that way lies destruction. Help me focus solely on You, cling to You, live for You, in You, with You. Always. Amen.

Luke 21:34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 20:34-35 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage….

In today’s reading, the Sadducees are trying to trip Jesus up in matters of doctrine. Just like yesterday’s political debate, Jesus isn’t having it. But He doesn’t eviscerate them with His reply; He reminds them of who God is and who we are in Him.

Luke 20:36 …and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

Verse 38 reminds the Sadducees and us that “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Aside from doctrine and policy and everything else, we all serve the same loving God. That’s the truth to be focused on.

Luke 20:37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

Lord, We live in a world of division and confrontation. It is so easy to get so focused on protecting and defending the tenets of our faith that we lose sight of the important truth that we all serve the same loving God. Help us, instead of tearing each other down in the name of faith to lift Your name in praise and encourage each other. Help us all to draw closer to You. Amen.

Luke 20:38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Have a blessed day.

Luke 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.

The phrase “spies who pretended to be sincere” jumps out at me from today’s scripture. In today’s society, false faces seem to be the norm, but Jesus doesn’t want us to pretend with Him. He wants us to be honest, open, and authentic in our dealings with Him.

Luke 20:21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Verse 23 tells us that Jesus knew that the spies were duplicitous. He can tell when we are posturing or pretending. He wants us—all of us, the real us, the messy, inconvenient, uncomfortable bits included. We are His beloved children, fiercely loved exactly as we are, and He wants us to draw closer to Him.

Luke 20:22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Lord, Forgive me for the times when I pretend to be sincere. Sometimes I’m frustrated, sometimes exhausted, sometimes distracted, but I don’t ever want our time together to be insincere. Help me to always be present and honest with You. And thank You for Your fierce love, even when I’m not at my best. Amen.

Luke 20:23 He saw through their duplicity….

Have a blessed day.

Luke 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it….

What strikes me in today’s reading is 1. Jesus’s tears and 2. His words: “If you…had only known…what would bring you peace….” Jesus wants them to have peace. He tried to show them what would bring them peace. And yet, they didn’t see, didn’t understand. And He wept over the city.

Luke 19:42 …and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

What strikes me is that I “have” Jesus—I know Him. I claim Him as Lord of my life. I seek Him and spend time with Him—and yet, peace often eludes me. I *know* what will bring me peace—total surrender to, total trust in Jesus. And yet I hold on to fear and doubt and worry. Jesus, help me.

Luke 19:43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.

Lord, Thank You for loving me so much that You bring these issues of trust (I need to trust You fully) and control (I need to let go of control so that I can trust You fully) to me again and again. I know what will bring me peace—only You. Help me, Lord. Amen.

Luke 19:44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Have a blessed day.

Luke 19:35 They brought [the colt] to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

The crowd thought Jesus was the antidote for the oppressive rule they endured. Their praise was honest and sincere. Not only did they trust that Jesus *would* save them, they thought they knew *how* He would save them. And when it doesn’t happen the way they expect, their cries become “Crucify!”

Luke 19:36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

Lord, I see myself in this fickle crowd. My trust in You often feels conditional: “I will trust *if* You work in this way.” That did not work for the crowds all those years ago, and it won’t work for me. Thank You for the humility to see what I am doing. Forgive my prideful attitude. Help me, Jesus.

Luke 19:37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

Lord, You are calling me to complete trust in You. Your thoughts are nothing like my thoughts. Your ways are far beyond anything I could imagine. That is both a hope and a promise. Help me to let go of my fear and to fully trust You with this life You have given me. Amen.

Luke 19:38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Have a blessed day.