Daily Bible Reading: August 24th - September 7th
Date Added: 9/1/2008 12:21:13 PM Daily Bible Reading: August 24th - September 7th
Date: August 24
Reading: Luke 1:1-25
Today, we begin reading in the third book of the New Testament – the Gospel of Luke. This is not only the third Gospel in the Bible, but it is also known as one of the three Synoptic Gospels (the others being Matthew and Mark). The reason for these being called Synoptic Gospels is because of the common way in which they are written being very chronological and addressing many of the same stories. Even thou this is the case, it is interesting to compare how each of these first three Gospels begins their story of the Life of Jesus Christ.
Matthew, as you will recall, begins with the birth of Jesus. Mark, however, begins with the ministry of John the Baptist and introduces Jesus to us at His Baptism. Luke, on the other hand, begins with the birth of John the Baptist – or, at least, the announcement that John would be born. What this difference shows us is the individuality of each of these writers. Sometimes, when people think about the Bible and the different books in the Bible, they let their thinking mistakenly go to one of two extremes. One extreme is to deny or minimize the role of the Holy Spirit in the writing of Scripture and consider this the work of men only. The other extreme is to deny or minimize the unique qualities and personalities of the writers making them like robots that simply wrote what the Holy Spirit dictated to them.
The Biblical view is that each of the writers of Scripture wrote what they thought and what they felt compelled to write, and they did it in their own unique way. However, the Holy Spirit so directed their thoughts as to cause them to write that which was true and in accordance to God’s will. Matthew, Mark and Luke each desired to write a biography of the life of Jesus. Luke recognizes the fact, in the first few verses, that others had already written about Jesus and what we are to believe. Yet, he too has felt compelled to write the story of Christ from the knowledge and understanding he has. In fact, Luke is writing with a special purpose in mind. He is writing to a specific person, Theophilus, that he might know the certainty of the things he has been taught. These testimonies of Mathew, Mark, and Luke – varied yet in perfect agreement – are an excellent verification of the truth of the life of Christ.
The verses we read today introduce us in an intimate way to the family into which John the Baptist was born and the call that was placed on his life. We will be taking a close look at Zacharias, the message of Gabriel and the reaction of Elizabeth as we read through this Gospel again in the future.
Date: August 25
Reading: Luke 1:26-56
In yesterday’s reading, we saw how Gabriel, an angel sent from God, came to Zacharias and told him that his wife, Elizabeth, was going to have a child. This amazed Zacharias because he and Elizabeth were quite old and well beyond the typical years in which a woman could become pregnant. Yet, here was an angel from God telling him that he and Elizabeth would have a child that they will name John and that this child would do great things for the Lord. Zacharias could not believe what he was hearing and because of his unbelief he was struck dumb – made so he could not speak – for the entire 9 months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Our commentary yesterday did not highlight this part of the reading because we spent time talking about the introductory verses. However, because of what we have read today, I needed to bring this part of yesterday’s reading back to your attention. For, the same angel – Gabriel, God’s messenger angel – was sent to visit another individual, Mary, and to tell her that she too would soon become pregnant. Yet, Mary was unmarried and had no relationship with any man.
Verses 26 and 27 tell us that about 6 months after the visitation of Gabriel to Zacharias, God sent Gabriel to Nazareth to bring a message to a virgin whose name was Mary. The message the angel brought to Mary was the greatest message ever delivered to one individual. Mary knew the teachings of what we call the Old Testament. She knew the hope of Israel was for the coming of the Great Deliverer from God. She knew that when the angel said the child’s name would be Jesus, which means “The Lord Saves”, that the child would be called the Son of the Highest, that he would sit on the throne of David, that his kingdom would have no end, that she was being told that through her the long awaited Hope of Israel would come.
I don’t know about you, but I am sure I would have been in such utter amazement as what was happening and what was said, that I would likely have been unable to speak. I am sure Mary sat in amazement as well. We are told that in verse 29 that she was troubled and that the angel told her to not be afraid. So, Mary did speak to the angel in response to the tremendous message she just received. She asked a question, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” This was not question from an attitude of doubt and unbelief like we saw in Zacharias in yesterday’s reading. This was a question of wonderment from a young Israelite woman, who was likely in her mid-teens.
We know that Mary had a heart filled with faith because of her final words to the angel. After Gabriel explained that she would become pregnant by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit and that Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, was already in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel assured Mary with these words, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Mary, in faith, received these words and responded with a message that should be our personal message to God every day, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Mary was submitting herself to God’s Will for her life. We will never be called to the great and marvelous calling that was placed upon Mary. But, as God’s children we are called to be and do wonderful things for Him. Regularly pray for God’s will to be made known to you and daily pray for a heart like the one we see her in the life of Mary, a heart willingly submissive to the will of God.
Date: August 26
Reading: Luke 1:57-80
The time has come for Elisabeth to give birth to her miracle child. It must have been an amazing 9-month wait for her. You may remember reading that when Elisabeth became pregnant, she hid herself for 5-months and said that this gift from God of being pregnant took “away [her] reproach among men.” Being married and having children is something that was highly esteemed in this time period and is highly esteemed throughout Scripture. Elisabeth had felt that she was less than others because she was childless. Yet, now she not only finds herself pregnant, but the time has come to deliver the child. She must have been overwhelmed with joy. Her family, friends and neighbors all were rejoicing with her.
Being their only child, the child of their old age, and a son, it was expected that the child would be named after his father, Zacharias, or at least be given a family name. So, everyone was utterly surprised when Elisabeth rejected their suggestion of calling the baby boy Zacharias and stated that his name was John. You remember that the angel Gabriel had told Zacharias that the child’s name was to be John and Zacharias must have conveyed this to Elisabeth. Now the family and friends turned to Zacharias for confirmation as to the baby’s name. Zacharias, who has been unable to speak since the visitation of Gabriel 9-months before, writes on a table, “His name is John.”
Immediately he was given his voice and Zacharias began to praise God. Everyone who heard of this marveled and wondered as to what kind of a special child this would be. Well, the rest of the chapter speaks much of how special John would be. We will go over those things in greater detail when we read through the book of Luke again in the future. For now we realize that God is unfolding His plan that He determined from before time. He is choosing those whom He desires to fulfill the special roles. John, chosen before he was even conceived, is now born into the world. He will herald, or announce, the coming of Jesus.
God has a calling for you as well. He has a message for you to announce in your unique way to the world. It is the message that Jesus has already come and that the salvation He has to offer is now available to all who will hear and believe. Ask God to show you how you can be a messenger for Him today.
Date: August 27
Reading: Luke 2:1-26
Today we read of the birth of Jesus. What a wonderful story! It’s not even Christmas time, but we do not have to wait until then to read this part of Scripture. It is wonderful to have a time like Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birth, but we can read and ponder it any time. As you may know, no one really knows the day or time of year Jesus was born. It likely was not in December as we now celebrate. Some believe it was in September or October. Others think it was at another time. I tend to favor the month of October. But, it is not something to argue over as it seems God has purposely hidden the exact information from us.
What is important is that God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). And Luke, gives us the most detailed account of all that occurred around the birth of Jesus. Today, we read about why Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, how the shepherds heard of the birth and visited Jesus, and the taking of Jesus to Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord and the meeting of Simeon. These are details that no other Gospel gives and we can see God’s Providence throughout these events.
Have you ever thought about the significance of just the first four verses of Luke? Joseph and Mary are an obscure couple in an area called Galilee in an unknown village called Nazareth. They are simply trying to deal with this unusual pregnancy which is quickly approaching its completion. Caesar Augustus is the dictatorial ruler of the Roman Empire who is hundreds of miles away in the city of Rome in Italy. He, for his own purposes and with no thought of any one else, issues a decree that all the people in Rome should be counted. This was what we call in America a census. Caesar Augustus wanted to know the population of his Empire so he could determine the amount of taxes he would receive.
And, it just so happened that this census required each person to return to the city identified with their forefathers. Because Joseph was of the line of David, he was required to go to Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary would never have chosen to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem at this time. It was way too close to the time of Mary giving birth. God, however, by His Providence, using the actions of men, brought about the events that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem in time to give birth to Jesus there. This may sound somewhat insignificant, but it is not. It is very significant. For, hundreds of years before, the prophet Micah had prophesied that Bethlehem would be the birth place for Jesus (Micah 5:2). This was the fulfillment of prophesy.
God took special care to bring about these events just as He planned. God also takes special care to watch over your life as well. Thank God for the fulfillment of prophesy, even in the small events such as this one, because it adds testimony to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God promised to bring the gift of salvation. Also, thank God for His careful watch over your life as well.
Date: August 28
Reading: Luke 2:27-52
Today’s reading tells us all that we know about the first 12 years of Jesus’ life. In fact, it only relates to us two events – one, when Jesus was an infant, and the other when he was 12 years old. However, there is something significant the Scriptures relate to us about Jesus that every young person should understand.
In the first part of today’s reading, we saw Joseph and Mary entering the temple to fulfill a duty of the law when a couple was given a child by God. As they enter the temple both a prophet (Simeon) and a prophetess (Anna) see them and glorify God because they are aware of whom Jesus is. We will take a closer look at what they each said when we pass through this passage again in the future.
The last of today’s reading once again brought Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem and the temple. This time it was for the Passover Feast. In this event, Jesus was not an infant, but a 12 year old boy. The fascinating story of Jesus staying behind and questioning the doctors of philosophy and amazing the people is a story for us to cover at a future time. What I want to focus on here are similar sayings in these passages that tie these two stories together.
Look to verses 40 and 52. Verse 40 speaks of the time from Jesus’ infancy to age 12. Here is says that Jesus, “grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” Verse 52 speaks of the time from age 12 to adulthood. This verse states that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Do you see the similarities between these two verses? In particular, I want you to notice that they both speak about the wisdom Jesus had, and that it had to increase. It is amazing to think that Jesus, God the Son, had to increase in wisdom. But, it was a reality none the less, though we will not be able to fully comprehend how that occurred. Every young person needs to realize that even Jesus had to be patient with his time of learning and development for adulthood. He had to use that time of his life wisely and not be wasteful and frivolous with it.
I want to encourage you to consider how you are spending your time and what the focus is in your life. Are you seeking to increase your knowledge and wisdom in the things of God? Jesus did. Are you seeking to improve your relationship with God and with others? Jesus did. It says that he grew “in favor with God and man.”
Today, pray for the wisdom from God to hold the development of your spiritual life as your highest priority.
Date: August 29
Reading: Luke 3:1-38
In this chapter, Luke has jumped approximately 30 years from the birth of Christ to the beginning of the ministry of John. Luke sets the historical time period in the first verse by identifying various key rulers. He names Tiberius who was ruling as Caesar of Rome. He names the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. He names the local King Herod and his two brothers that ruled the divided area of Judea. And, he also names the high priests serving during this time. Luke, being a good historian, is doing this to verify his account. At the time of his writing, and shortly thereafter, these names would have been easily familiar to any who read Luke’s account. Individuals who read this Gospel account many years later, and even people today, can check the historical records and still verify most of these names as the people in power around 25 to 30 AD. It is passages like this that continue to demonstrate that God’s Word is true.
Toward the end of this chapter, after he has told us of John’s ministry and how Jesus was baptized, Luke again brings in verifiable historical evidence. He traces the lineage of Jesus all the way back to Adam. Though this Gospel story written by Luke was primarily for a Greek audience, a chronological listing like this would be very important. Certainly any Jewish reader would find this fascinating as he followed the line of ancestry back through the famous patriarchs of his nation’s history and finally through Shem and Noah, Methuselah and Enoch, to Seth and Adam. But, the Greek reader, who also was a person interested in history would find this self-verifying as he read Luke’s account and compared it with the known Scriptures of that time, what we call the Old Testament. They would have called it “the Law and the Prophets.”
There is one thing I do need to point out and make sure you understand. If you were to compare this lineage of Christ given here by Luke to the one given by Matthew (see Matthew chapter 1), you will notice differences. For example, right away you can see that here in Luke he states that Joseph, the husband of Mary, is the son of Heli. Yet, Matthew records that it is Jacob who is the father of Joseph. We need to ask the question, what is going on here? How could these and other differences exist in these records of the ancestry of Jesus? The answer is simpler than you might imagine. Matthew has recorded Jesus’ ancestry by tracing it back through Joseph, whereas Luke has traced it back through Mary. The confusion lies in the wording of Luke that says Joseph was the son of Heli. What we need to understand is that Joseph was Heli’s son by marriage. Heli was the father of Mary. Thus, Luke is following the line back from Jesus to Adam through Mary.
I would add just one last comment on the records here in Luke and Matthew. In the study of the Old Testament, it is found that several of the prophesies concerning the coming of Jesus indicate that He would be from the line of Judah and from the house of David. If you were to look carefully at these two genealogies, you will find that they verify this to be true. Both Joseph and Mary trace their ancestry to David and thus back to Judah.
God’s Word is true and is self-attesting; that is, it verifies itself. Thank God for His Word and for His Providential care in preserving it for us.
Date: August 30
Reading: Luke 4:1-32
Luke chapter 4 begins with the story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness following His baptism. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness and there Jesus fasted 40 days and was apparently tempted of the devil during that time. The temptations recorded here in Luke 4 and also in Matthew 4 seem to be the final temptations after Jesus had fasted the complete 40 days and was in His weakest physical condition. We do not know what the other temptations consisted of, but these three, are the ones that God has determined are sufficient for us to know about.
We are not directly told anywhere else that Jesus was tempted by Satan at any other time in His ministry, though He probably was. We do know that Jesus used the statement, “Get thee behind me Satan,” which is recorded here in verse 8, when he rebuked Peter for questioning Him as He taught of His impending death. We read that in both Matthew (16:23) and Mark (8:33). In a later reading, when you read the Book of Hebrews, you will find that Jesus was tempted in every way as we are (see Hebrews 4:15) and Jesus never sinned. If we consider just one other passage of we can better understand the significance of the three temptations identified in the first 13 verses of this chapter.
In another New Testament book that we have not yet read, we are taught about the three key ways in which we are tempted. In I John 2:16 we see these as “the lust of the flesh,” “the lust of the eyes,” and “the pride of life.” Each one of the temptations Jesus faced here in Luke 4 touches on each one of these three avenues of temptation that we all face. When Satan tempted Jesus to change the stones into bread to feed His hunger, this was a temptation of “the lust of the flesh.” When Satan took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and tempted him with the offer of giving Jesus all those kingdoms if He would only worship Satan, this was a temptation of “the lust of the eyes.” Finally, when Satan took Jesus to the top of the temple and dared Him to throw Himself down because God had promised to protect Him from physical harm, Jesus was being tempted through the avenue of “the pride of life.”
We can draw some very important messages from what we have read here in the first 13 verses of Luke 4. First, we can be comforted that Jesus has faced every type of temptation that we will ever face. That He understands our struggles. Second, we see that Jesus did not fail in any of these temptations. We can be encouraged that we too can overcome temptations in the same way Jesus did. Jesus overcame temptation by the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of God’s Word. Jesus entered the wilderness being “full of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:1) and He responded to every temptation with Scripture. To the first temptation Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, “…man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” In response to the second temptation, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 10:20, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” And, to the final temptation, Jesus responded with Deuteronomy 6:16, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
Today, commit yourself to grow close to God and to continue to know His Word. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and to teach you to love His Word as never before.
Date: August 31
Reading: Luke 4:33-44; 5:1-15
This is still early in Jesus’ ministry. We have read how the people reacted in Nazareth. They wanted to kill Jesus. He left His home town and went to another city in Galilee, the city of Capernaum. The reaction in Capernaum was quite different. The people were astonished by His teaching and the authority with which He taught. They were amazed by the healings he performed. In our reading of the remainder of Luke 4 we read of the healing of a man with an unclean spirit in a synagogue, the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and the healing of a multitude of people who sought Jesus after hearing of these other reports.
The number of people that responded to Jesus words and healings was great and they would seek Jesus out wherever He was. When they found Him they would beg Him not to leave. Yet, Jesus knew that His message of the kingdom of God needed to be preached in many other places.
We can be challenged by what we have read here. Do you have as intense of a desire to be with Jesus as the people of Capernaum? Do you seek Jesus every day, all the time, every where? In other words, do you begin our day seeking Jesus in prayer? Do you consider His presence in your life as you go through the day? Do you speak a prayer regularly during the day asking Jesus to be with you? The people of Capernaum wanted Jesus in their presence all the time? Do you?
Ask God to intensify your love for Jesus beginning today.
Date: September 1
Reading: Luke 5:16-39
I find it very interesting that Jesus found it necessary to withdraw from the crowds of people, get alone, and pray. We should never think we can go long without a special quiet time of prayer. If Jesus, God the Son, took time to be alone and pray, so should we.
Sometimes people claim that Jesus never claimed to be God. Well, that is absolutely not true. The story of the man with palsy who was let down into the house through the roof by his friends is one of those time when Jesus claimed to be God. He made the claim by declaring the forgiveness of this man’s sins. The Scribes and Pharisees that were present immediately made the connection and reasoned among themselves, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (vs. 21) They knew that only God can forgive sins. So, to them, Jesus was committing the sin of blasphemy because He was claiming a power to Himself that only belongs to God.
Jesus knew their thoughts and He asked a probing question and then made an amazing statement. Essentially, He said to the Scribes and Pharisees, “which is easier to say? Your sins are forgiven, or rise up and walk?” You see, God can do either one with just as much ease. And, to leave them without a doubt as to who He really is, Jesus tied the ability to heal and the power to forgive sins together. He said, “that you may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.” Jesus tied the need for this man’s healing with the authority He has, as God the Son to forgive sins. Jesus is God.
Date: September 2
Reading: Luke 6:1-19
In verses 1-12 of this 6th chapter of Luke, two events are recorded on different Sabbath days that teach us about the intent of the Sabbath, and really all of God’s law, and about who Jesus really is. Additionally, we see the divide between Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees developing. Here again we will see Jesus claim that He is God.
The first story involves the picking of grain or corn by Jesus’ disciples as the walked along. They were hungry and had no food with them. God’s law instructed the owners of fields to leave the corners unharvested so that the poor, the stranger, and those in need could freely pick from there in order to eat. This is likely what Jesus’ disciples were doing. The Pharisees, however, could only see one portion of God’s Law that they used to override all situations. That was the law declaring that no work was to be done on the Sabbath. To the Pharisees this was an act of laboring.
It is very interesting how Jesus responds to the Pharisees as He does not simply appeal to the “ox in the ditch” argument. What I mean by that is this. Jesus does not simply speak of how God’s Law provides for needy situations for the common person on the Sabbath to be helped. If your neighbor’s ox falls into a ditch, it is lawful to help him rescue his ox, even if it’s on the Sabbath. Instead, Jesus appeals to a situation in the life of David.
Now, David was a most revered individual in Israel’s history. Yet, Jesus tells of a story that you can read in I Samuel 21 where David and the young men with him eat the “showbread” that is put in the holy place as an offering to the Lord and could only be eaten by the priests. Yet, David is not condemned in Scripture for doing this. The Scribes and Pharisees knew the writings of Moses well and knew this story. What Jesus did with the story was this, however. He not only identified Himself with David, He placed Himself above David. For, as you read, He declared in verse 5 “…the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”
There is only one Being that can be Lord of the Sabbath and that is the God, the One Who defined and determined the Sabbath. With this statement, Jesus was equating Himself with God.
The Sabbath law was a portion of God’s Law greatly esteemed by the Pharisees and Scribes. But, they did not understand that God’s Law was truly given for the guiding of man to do good. This was demonstrated by Jesus in the second event recorded here by Luke that occurred on the Sabbath Day. Jesus met a man with a withered hand. The Scribes and Pharisees, seeing only the external “do not” of God’s Law watched to see if Jesus would “violate” the law and do “work” by healing the man’s hand. Jesus, knowing their distorted thoughts made them face the truth of God’s character imbedded in the very nature of His law. The character of God that incorporates the internal and true intent of God’s law is that man would be blessed and God would be glorified. So, Jesus asked, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?”
All of God’s Word, including that which we would call God’s Law, is to be seen in the light of what Jesus declared here. It is to be seen as the passage way to doing good, to saving or restoring life, and, as was evident here, bringing glory to God. Pray that God would keep you from stumbling over God’s Word as the Pharisees did. Ask Him to open your eyes to see His Word and its application as Jesus lived it and taught it.
Date: September 3
Reading: Luke 6:20-49
What a packed portion of Scripture! What we have read here is Luke’s rendering of the “Sermon on the Mount.” We first encountered this message in the Book of Matthew. What Matthew used three chapters to cover, Luke has condensed into these 30 verses that we read today. As we have been doing, we will comment on just a portion of the reading this time through and pick up on the other sections when we come by this way again. Even so, it will be quite difficult to do an extensive job with the little time we have to spend here. So, I do encourage you to take extra time, either now or in the future to meditate on these words from our Lord.
I’ve divided these 30 verses into 5 sections. The first section is verses 20-23 where Luke summarizes the Beatitudes. Section two is the list of “woes” found in verses 24-26. Third is the most extensive section from verse 27 through verse 38 where Jesus gives us instruction on interacting with the world. Section four covers the portion where Jesus teaches by parable and analogy. This covers verses 39 through 45. Finally, section five is His teaching on “true obedience,” which closes out the chapter. Today, let’s consider the first two sections, the “Beatitudes” and the “Woes.”
In the first few verses we read today, Luke has summarized what we know as the portion of the “Sermon on the Mount” that we call the “Beatitudes.” Matthew included a more extensive list that you may want to review. It is found in Matthew 5:2-12. Here in our reading for today, Luke brings forth 4 of the statements of blessings – blessings upon the poor, the hungry, the broken hearted, and those persecuted by the world because of Jesus Christ.
Jesus uses these physical conditions to teach a spiritual truth. When He says, “blessed are the poor” he is speaking about “poor in spirit.” That is, those that have had their pride broken and realize their unworthiness before God. When Jesus speaks of the “hungry,” He is talking about those that are “hungry for the things of God.” Those that weep are those that are broken hearted because of the knowledge of their sinful condition. Finally, the persecuted are those persecuted because of their commitment to Jesus. All of these, Jesus says, will receive blessings from God.
The “woes” that follow in the next three verses clarify why Luke selected the 4 statements of blessings that he did. Each “woe” is a contrast to one of the blessings. The first is to the rich in contrast to the blessing upon the poor. The second is to those that are full in contrast to those that hunger. Third is a woe to those that laugh now. This is in opposition to those that weep and mourn. Finally, Jesus declares a woe upon those that commended by the world. This is in contrast with the one’s He blessed for being persecuted because of their commitment to Him.
The “woes” from Jesus are for those that are trusting in this world and who believe the things of this world are those things that bring true satisfaction. The blessings are for those who realize that it is the things of God, the spiritual reality of trusting in Jesus Christ and His Word, that brings true satisfaction into one’s life – both now and in eternity.
Reflect on your life. Are you trusting in wealth, food, and good times to make you happy? Do you seek to do things, even things you know are not right, in order to have people say good things about you? Or, do you realize who you are before God and are you broken hearted because of the sin in your life? Are you willing to be ridiculed by the world because of your belief in Jesus Christ and your stand for the truth of His Word? Pray that God would work in your life to shape you into those whom He would call blessed.
Date: September 4
Reading: Luke 7:1-23
In the portion of Luke chapter 7 that we read today, Jesus has continued his ministry in Galilee healing many people and even raising a man from the dead. The stories of Jesus doing these things have spread like wildfire throughout the whole area. You could just imagine how excited the people were as they saw before their very eyes all these wonderful things. Think about someone you know who is sick or someone you know who recently died. What would it be like for you to see that sick person instantly healed and get up to walk or play? How would you react if the person you knew had died had suddenly stood up at his or her funeral and started talking to the people, ate a meal with you and was still walking around alive today?
I bet you would be so excited that you would have been telling everyone you met about what had happened. Well, that is just what was happening here in the cities of Capernaum and Nain and the surrounding region. And, the stories of what Jesus was doing eventually reached John the Baptist. You remember John. He was the one we learned about in the first chapter of Luke. John was the one who came before Jesus did and prepared the way for Jesus by preaching a gospel of repentance. However, once Jesus was ready to start his ministry, John was removed from the scene. This occurred when Herod put John into prison.
Now, as Jesus begins his ministry, John sits in prison and only hears scattered reports of what is going on. John may have had expectations that Jesus would cause an immediate change in the political and cultural scene. Though he heard of some of the wonderful reports of what Jesus was doing, John had his doubts as to whether Jesus was really the Messiah. It could have been just the depressed condition of sitting in prison that brought John to the point of wanting to know for sure that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Whatever it was that brought John to this point, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask whether He was the one they were looking for or should they look for another.
While these disciples of John were there, the Scriptures say Jesus “cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight” (Luke 7:21). Then Jesus turned to John’s disciples and said, “Go your way, and tell John what things he have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”
Jesus knew this was what John needed to hear to be reassured that Jesus was the One they were to be watching for and that John, himself, had completed his task as the forerunner of Christ.
It must have been wonderful for John to hear what his disciples reported to him when they returned. And, it must have been wonderful for John to realize that he had faithfully completed the task for which he was called. You, too, have been called of God to bear witness for Jesus Christ in this world. Will you receive the same assuring report from God as John did? Pray today that God will show you His will for your life and will enable you to live your life in accordance to His will.
Date: September 5
Reading: Luke 7:24-50
Yesterday, we read how John had developed some doubts concerning who Jesus was. He even sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus about who He was. Was He the One they were to be waiting for? We also saw how Jesus affirmed that He was the long awaited for Messiah by healing the people. Jesus sent John’s disciples back to John with the message of all the miracles He had performed.
Today, we have read how Jesus spoke to the people about who John the Baptist really was. We need to remember that many of these people had been followers of John. We know this because after Jesus speaks about who John was, it says that “All the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.” It may have been that the people began to have doubts as to John’s character and teachings, because they now heard how he doubted who Jesus was. “How could John have doubts?” they thought. Here Jesus was doing all these wonderful things. “Maybe John was not such a great man of God after all.”
Jesus was not about to let the people develop such a false idea of John. So, Jesus questioned the people. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” He asked them. “Was it a reed blown by the wind?” “Was it a person dressed in expensive clothes?” With these questions, Jesus was challenging the people to remember who they really went out to see when they saw John during his ministry. Did they see a man who was weak in his convictions, saying what ever pleased the people? Did they see someone who had chosen the comforts of the world and had little concern for the spiritual things? These are the types of questions Jesus was asking them.
Then, Jesus came to His main point about John. John, He said, was a prophet. In fact, John was more than a prophet. This is because John had the most special of all callings a prophet could have. Every prophet in some way foreshadowed are pointed to the coming of Jesus. But John, actually opened the way for Jesus to enter into the world. John, in a sense, stood at the door bridging the gap from the time of the Old Testament when the prophets of God said Jesus was coming, to the time of the New Testament, when the prophet of God, John the Baptist, said, “Jesus is now here.” This is why Jesus would say that “there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.”
Then, Jesus makes an astonishing statement, “but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he [John].” In other words, John declared the Kingdom of God was entering the world through the life of Jesus Christ. Now, the Kingdom of God is here, since Jesus has come. It is time for you to enter into that kingdom as well. Have you entered the Kingdom of God? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Do you believe that Jesus Christ entered this world to life a sinless life and to die the perfect sacrifice for your sins, and that He has raised from the dead and sits with God the Father in heaven right now? Are you trusting in the work of Christ to cover your sins and to provide the means of forgiveness before God? If so, you have entered into that kingdom. If not, you will read of these wonderful truths as you continue reading the Gospel of Luke. As you do, take time each day to seek God in prayer and asking Him for the faith to believe in His wonderful Son Jesus Christ.
Date: September 6
Reading: Luke 8:1-25
Yesterday, we read how John had developed some doubts concerning who Jesus was. He even sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus about who He was. Was He the One they were to be waiting for? We also saw how Jesus affirmed that He was the long awaited for Messiah by healing the people. Jesus sent John’s disciples back to John with the message of all the miracles He had performed.
Today, we have read how Jesus spoke to the people about who John the Baptist really was. We need to remember that many of these people had been followers of John. We know this because after Jesus speaks about who John was, it says that “All the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.” It may have been that the people began to have doubts as to John’s character and teachings, because they now heard how he doubted who Jesus was. “How could John have doubts?” they thought. Here Jesus was doing all these wonderful things. “Maybe John was not such a great man of God after all.”
Jesus was not about to let the people develop such a false idea of John. So, Jesus questioned the people. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” He asked them. “Was it a reed blown by the wind?” “Was it a person dressed in expensive clothes?” With these questions, Jesus was challenging the people to remember who they really went out to see when they saw John during his ministry. Did they see a man who was weak in his convictions, saying what ever pleased the people? Did they see someone who had chosen the comforts of the world and had little concern for the spiritual things? These are the types of questions Jesus was asking them.
Then, Jesus came to His main point about John. John, He said, was a prophet. In fact, John was more than a prophet. This is because John had the most special of all callings a prophet could have. Every prophet in some way foreshadowed are pointed to the coming of Jesus. But John, actually opened the way for Jesus to enter into the world. John, in a sense, stood at the door bridging the gap from the time of the Old Testament when the prophets of God said Jesus was coming, to the time of the New Testament, when the prophet of God, John the Baptist, said, “Jesus is now here.” This is why Jesus would say that “there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.”
Then, Jesus makes an astonishing statement, “but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he [John].” In other words, John declared the Kingdom of God was entering the world through the life of Jesus Christ. Now, the Kingdom of God is here, since Jesus has come. It is time for you to enter into that kingdom as well. Have you entered the Kingdom of God? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Do you believe that Jesus Christ entered this world to life a sinless life and to die the perfect sacrifice for your sins, and that He has raised from the dead and sits with God the Father in heaven right now? Are you trusting in the work of Christ to cover your sins and to provide the means of forgiveness before God? If so, you have entered into that kingdom. If not, you will read of these wonderful truths as you continue reading the Gospel of Luke. As you do, take time each day to seek God in prayer and asking Him for the faith to believe in His wonderful Son Jesus Christ.
Date: September 7
Reading: Luke 8:26-56
Jesus travels to an area near Galilee that is called the Gadarenes. There, near the lake, he meets a man whom the citizens of that land consider a crazy man. He lives in the caves of a cemetery, he acts wild, runs around naked, and when ever people catch and tie him up to try and control him, he breaks the ropes and runs off into the wilderness. But, this man was not just a crazy person, he was a person that was controlled by demons.
Immediately when the man saw Jesus, the demons recognized Jesus and begged Jesus to not torment them. The demons knew who Jesus was. They recognized Him as the “Son of God” and the one who has all authority over all things, even their own destiny. Jesus exercised that authority and freed the man of the demons and healed the man of his mental state. Notice that when the towns people came out to see what was happening they found the man “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind.”
We need to live our lives “at the feet of Jesus.” When we start our day without speaking to Jesus, when we go through our day with no thought of Him, when we bring the day to a close with our mind only on the things of this world and not Christ, we find ourselves much like the man who lived among the tombs. We run about unable to keep our life in order, our thinking is not as it should be, and we are unclothed (in a sense) because we are not covered in the righteous robes of Jesus. Like the wild man in the cemetery, we become subject to doing the will of the Devil rather than Christ.
Learn to “sit at the feet of Jesus” at all times. Begin this day with prayer and ask God to help you stay always conscious of Him at every moment of the day.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
David and the BWLC staff
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