JESUS THE CHRIST PRAYED FOR US

PROCLAMATION

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ …”  Luke 23:33-34 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  After Jesus was arrested, the guards began to mock Him, and beat Him, and insult Him. (Luke 22:63-64)  The next day they took Him before the council of elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law.  They questioned Him and decided that He was guilty of blasphemy. (Luke 22:66-71)  Then they took Him before Pilate who questioned Him but could find no fault in Him. (Luke 23:1-4)  Hearing that He was a Galilean, Pilate had Him taken to Herod. (Luke 23:5-7)  After he questioned Him and mocked Him, Herod sent Him back to Pilate. (Luke 23:8-15)  Again finding no fault in Jesus, Pilate was going to release Him, but he gave in to the requests of the crowd and released Barabbas, and ordered that He be crucified. (Luke 23:13-25)  After the soldiers scourged Him, (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; and John 19:1) they took Him to Calvary, nailed Him to a cross, and placed Him between two criminals.  Before He died on the cross, Jesus prayed and asked God in heaven to forgive all of us. (Luke 23:26-34)  The people in the crowd, and the rulers, and the soldiers mocked Him.  One of the criminals who was crucified beside Him also insulted Him.  The other criminal rebuked him and asked Christ to remember him when He gets to His kingdom. (Luke 23:35-43)  Jesus said that day he would be with Him in paradise.  Then He cried out with a loud voice, breathed His last breath and died. (Luke 23:44-46)

 

APPLICATION

The seven last sayings of Christ on the cross are documented in the four gospels, although no one gospel has all seven sayings.  The gospel of Luke records three of them including this one, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)  Here Christ was clearly praying for the soldiers who crucified Him, but also for His enemies, for those who wanted Him crucified, and for those who made His crucifixion necessary.  That last group includes all sinners, including those of us today. (Romans 3:23)  He who had no sin, took on all of the sins of the world so that we might be saved. (John 1:29 and 1 John 2:2)  He paid the price for our sins to offer us a chance at salvation. (Romans 6:23)  We ought to be thankful that He prayed for us, that He died for us, and that He rose from the dead for us.

 

THY WILL BE DONE

PROCLAMATION

“And He came out, and went … to the Mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him.  And when He was at the place, He said unto them, ‘Pray that ye enter not into temptation.’  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.’ ” Luke 22:39-42 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  Each day, while He was in Jerusalem, Jesus would teach in the temple, and each evening He would go out to the Mount of Olives and spend the night. (Luke 21:37)  Early every morning a crowd came to hear Him. (Luke 21:38)  The chief priests and the scribes sought to  kill Him but they were fearful of the crowd.  Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the chief priests and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus and they agreed to give him money. (Luke 22:1-6)  When the Festival of Unleavened Bread came, which is called the Passover, Jesus sent Peter and John to go and make preparations for them to eat the Passover. (Luke 22:7-13)  After the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives.  This is where Jesus prayed to His heavenly Father and said, “… Not My will, but Thine, be done.” (Luke 22:14-42)  When He had finished praying and was speaking to His disciples, a large crowd approached them.  Judas Iscariot led the crowd which included with the chief priests, the officers of the temple, and a number of Roman soldiers.  Judas identified Jesus with a kiss and they arrested Him. (Luke 22:47-53)

 

APPLICATION

All too often when we pray, our prayers are very selfish.  We are only concerned about our own wants, needs, wishes, and desires.  Here, Jesus, The Christ, expressed what He wanted for Himself, “… Remove this cup from Me …” but He made it clear that He wanted the will of God to be done.  The will of God was more important to Him than His own wants.  We need to acknowledge that all of our wants and plans are subject to God’s will.  Christ taught us, in the model prayer, to say “… Thy will be done …” (Matthew 6:10)  Our prayers are not to be just a selfish request list, we are also to pray for one another. (James 5:16)  Remember, The Lord God did not restore unto Job what he had lost until after he had prayed for his friends. (Job 42:10)  Additionally, we may occasionally ask for something which is inappropriate, and the best way for us to clean that up is to say, “However, not my will, but Your will be done.”

SACRIFICIAL GIVING

PROCLAMATION

“And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.  And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  And He said, ‘Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all;  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.’ ”  Luke 21:1-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  While He was in the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus observed the people as they gave their gifts to the temple treasury.  He made no comment about the gifts of the rich as they gave.  However, He was impressed by the gift of a poor widow who put in two coins.  He commented to His disciples about her because she gave all that she had, while the rich men gave out of their abundance. (Luke 21:1-4)  Her gift was a sacrificial gift.  The remainder of chapter twenty-one of The Bible Book of Luke presents the future destruction of the temple and the signs of the end of times. (Luke 21:5-28)  He ended by telling them a parable which compared the fig tree to the kingdom of heaven. (Luke 21:29-36)

 

APPLICATION

In The Bible we are taught to give.  “… Remember the words of The Lord Jesus, how He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)  We are to give to support the poor and weak.  He that gives and blesses others will himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  As you give, so shall it be given unto you. (Luke 6:38)  He that gives sparingly will receive sparingly; and he that gives bountifully will also receive bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)  We are to give to help the less fortunate, and to support of the church and the kingdom building efforts here on earth.  The real issue is not the amount which we give, but rather proportionately how much of what we have do we keep for ourselves.  To be really generous, we should “give until it hurts.”  Giving a little when we have a lot is not as impressive as giving a lot when we only have a little.  Giving out of our excess is good, but it is more pleasing to The Lord God when we step out on faith and give sacrificially.  While we are living under grace and not under the tithing system, giving one tenth of our increase is a good indication of where our giving should start.  All gifts to the church above the tithe are considered freewill offerings.  Not giving to the church at all is considered robbery. (Malachi 3:8)  Not sharing our blessings with others will result in negative outcomes for us. (Luke 12:16-21 and Luke 16:19-31)  So, let us give, and give generously.

THE RESURRECTION AND MARRIAGE

PROCLAMATION

“… The Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection, … asked Him, saying, ‘Master, Moses wrote unto us, if any man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.  There were therefore seven brethren; and the first took a wife, and died without  children.  And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. … and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died.  Last of all the woman died also.  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she?  For seven had her to wife.’  And Jesus answering said, unto them, ‘… the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage … for they are equal unto angels; and are the children of God, being children of the resurrection.  …’ ”  Luke 20:27-40 (KJV)  

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  As Jesus was teaching and preaching in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes came up to Him and questioned Him regarding by what authority did He do or say things. (Luke 20:1-2)  He answered them by asking the by what authority did John baptize.  They could not answer Him, so He would not answer their question. (Luke 20:3-8)  Then He told them The Parable of The Tenants (Luke 20:9-19) which upset them even more.  When He was asked about paying taxes, He said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesars, and unto God the things which be God’s.”  They were astonished with His answer. (Luke 20:20-26)  The Sadducees tried to trap Him with the question about the woman who had been married sequentially to seven brothers.  After He responded, no one dared to ask Him any more questions. (Luke 20:27-38)  Then He asked them why they call The Messiah The Son of David when David called Him Lord?  Then He said, “Beware of the scribes, which … love … the highest seats in the synagogues … which devour widows’ houses … the same shall receive greater damnation.” (Luke 20:39-47)

 

APPLICATION

We are spirits which temporarily reside in earthly bodies.  When we die our spirit will leave the body. (2 Corinthians 5:6 and 5:8)  When we get to heaven, we will be given a heavenly body. (2 Corinthians 5:1)  We believe that our heavenly body will resemble our earthly body, therefore we will recognize the people in heaven that we knew on earth.  However, our relationship will be to God and not each other.  We will be the children of God. (Luke 20:36)  According to the Apostle John, those in heaven were around the throne praising God. (Revelation 7:9-12)

PRAISE THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying ‘Blessed be The King that cometh in the name of The Lord; Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.’  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, ‘Master, rebuke Thy disciples.’  And He answered and said unto them, ‘I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.’ ”  Luke 19:37-40 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  After He had finished teaching His disciples, Jesus left that area and headed towards Jericho.  As He entered Jericho, He stayed at the home of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. (Luke 19:1-10)  While there He told them The Parable of The Ten Minas. (Luke 19:11-26)  As He left there and entered Jerusalem, the crowd of disciples with Him began to shout praises to The Lord.  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd asked Jesus to tell His disciple to be quiet.  Jesus replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40)  When He came near Jerusalem, Jesus wept over it for He knew that the day would come when the Romans would level the city and slaughter all of the inhabitants. (Luke 19:41-44)  When He went into the temple, He cast out those who were selling animals for sacrifices.  Then He began His daily teachings in the temple, while the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him. (Luke 19:45-58)

 

APPLICATION

In multiple places throughout The Bible, believers are told to praise The Lord.  Here, Jesus, The Christ, makes it perfectly clear that if His believers do not shout out praises, then the stones will praise Him.  Some Bible scholars believe that the stones refer to non-Jewish people while others believe that the reference is literally to the rocks.  The Lord God has the power to bring forth unexpected people, or even to cause the inanimate objects to declare His praise.  I do not want a rock to take my place, so I will praise The Lord.  No rock will have to speak for me.  Believers should not have to be told to praise The Lord.  His praise should continually be coming out of our mouths. (Psalm 34:1 and 71:6)  So, let us praise The Lord, for He is worthy to be praised.

 

ALWAYS PRAY AND DO NOT GIVE UP

PROCLAMATION

“And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, ‘There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man;  And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, ‘Avenge me of my adversary.’  And he would not for a while; …  But afterward he said ‘… this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her …’  And The Lord said, ‘… Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him …?’ ”  Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  Again Jesus continued to teach His disciples.  He told them The Parable of The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8), The Parable of The Pharisee and The Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), and The Parable of The Rich and The Kingdom of God. (Luke 18:18-30)  Afterwards, Jesus spoke to His disciples and He predicted His death for a third time. (Luke 18:31-34)  The eighteenth chapter ends with an account of Jesus giving a blind beggar his sight. (Luke 18:35-43) 

 

APPLICATION

Prayer is the means by which we communicate with The Lord God.  The Bible teaches us that we ought to always pray. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  Before all things that we do and say, and for all that we want, we should pray. (Matthew 21:22)  We should pray over and over again until God answers our prayer.  The old saying is: “PUSH,” which means “pray until something happens.”  The Bible says: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)  Christ tells us that persistent prayer pays off. (Luke 18:7-8)  God’s people are to be a praying people.  However, when we pray, we are not to use vain repetitions. (Matthew 6:7)  We may be asking for the same things, but we should be sincere and use different words.  Remember, our prayers should be in line with the will of God.

 

 

DO NOT CAUSE SOMEONE TO STUMBLE

PROCLAMATION

“Then said He unto the disciples, ‘It is impossible but that offences will come; but woe unto him, through whom they come!  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.’ ”  Luke 17:1-2 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  Jesus acknowledges that people, even believers, are going to sin.   Then Jesus said, but woe be unto the person through which the temptation comes.  They would be better off being thrown into the ocean with a large stone tied around their neck.  Serious punishment is coming to anyone who causes a believer to stumble and sin. (Luke 17:1-2)  If a believer sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them, even if they do it and repent seven times, we must still forgive them. (Luke 17:3-4)  Then the apostles asked Him to increase their faith.  Jesus explained “mustard seed faith” to them. (Luke 17:5-6)  Then He talked about the master and servant relationship. (Luke 17:7-10)  As Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He entered a village and met ten men who were lepers.  They called out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  Jesus told them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went, they were healed. (Luke 17:11-14)  One of them, a Samaritan, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, praising God and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him.  Jesus asked him where the other nine men were, then told him, “Arise, go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:15-19)  When the Pharisees asked Him when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus told them that the kingdom of God was not something that can be observed.  Then He told His disciples what it would be like when The Son of Man returns. (Luke 17:22-37)

 

APPLICATION

Things and situations and temptations are going to come and present themselves to people, including believers, and they will stumble and fall into sin.  We all know that it is wrong for us to sin.  It is worse for us to cause someone else to sin or to engage in sinning with us, especially a believer.  Christ clearly does not like those who lead believers into sin and His punishment for them will be severe. (Matthew 18:7 and Luke 17:1)  We should do our best to avoid sin.  Believers and others see our behavior, so we should also abstain from even the appearance of sin. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  Let us not be the reason that someone stumbles and falls into sin. 

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS

PROCLAMATION

“There was a certain rich man … And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus … desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table  …  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom;  The rich man also died, and was buried.  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and with Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’  But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented …’  Then he said, ‘… send him to my father’s house; For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, least they also come into this place of torment.  Abraham saith unto him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.’ …”  Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION                                                       

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  Here Jesus continued to teach His disciples.  He told them The Parable of The Shrewd Manager. (Luke 16:1-13)  His point was that no one can serve two masters, we cannot serve both God and money.  He also told them The Parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31)  The rich man was blessed with much but he did not share with the poor man seated outside of his gate.

 

APPLICATION

There are those who have been blessed to receive more than sufficient finances, some with great wealth.  There are also those who were not blessed with very much in terms of financial means.  While we may not consider ourselves to be “rich”, those of us who have should share with those who have not and are in need.  We were not blessed in order to hoard our blessings and keep them for ourselves.  Remember the parable which Jesus taught about the rich man who built bigger barns to store his excess goods.  He would not share his excess with others, feeling that he had enough to last for years, and he died before he could enjoy his excess. (Luke 12:16-20)  We are blessed in order to be a blessing to others who are less fortunate than we are.  He that blesses others, will himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  Our final destination after death will depend upon the belief in our heart.  Those of us who are believers will be absent from the body, and present with The Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

 

THE PRODIGAL SON

PROCLAMATION

“And He said, “A certain man who had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.’  And he divided unto them his living.  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into the fields to feed the swine. … And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger.  I will arise and go to my father … But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. … The elder son was in the field; and when he came … he was angry … his father intreated him … ‘all that I have is thine.  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.’ ”  Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION
These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  Jesus continued to teach His disciples and the crowd.  He told them The Parable of The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7), The parable of The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10), and The Parable of The Lost Son, which is frequently referred to as The Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32)  All three parables reveal the joy that is felt when that which was lost is found.  The lost son, who collected his inheritance early, left home, and squandered all of his money on riotous living.  When a famine came, he had to take a job feeding swine.  When he finally “came to himself” he returned to his father’s home.  His father received him joyfully and celebrated his return with a feast.  The brother who stayed with the father was angry and jealous.  The father had to go to him and tell him that all he had was his.  The celebration was because his long lost brother was found. 

APPLICATION

The sinners that we are, we were lost.  As believers, we realized that we cannot save ourselves and so we “came to ourselves” and accepted Christ as our Savior.  There is joy and celebration in heaven every time that a lost soul is saved.  Our heavenly Father will always welcome us when we come to Him.  He will clean us up, wash away our sins, and see us through the eyes of Christ who died for us.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)  However, we have to want to come to Him, and we must do so of our own free will.  Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)

BETTER TO BE INVITED UP THAN TO BE ASKED DOWN

PROCLAMATION

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room, that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, ‘Friend, go up higher.’  Then shall thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.  For whosoever exalted himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Luke 14:10-11 (KJV)

EXPLANATION
These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  On one Sabbath day, Jesus was invited to eat at the home of a prominent Pharisee.  While He was there, He saw a man who was suffering, and He asked the Pharisees, “Is it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?”  They did not respond to Him, and so He healed the man. (Luke 14:1-4)  Then He asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that fell into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?”  Again they were silent. (Luke 14:5-6)  When He noticed how the guests picked their seats at the places of honor at the table, Jesus told them the following parable.  “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come to you and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’  Then humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’  Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.  For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  (Luke 14:7-11)  He told the host, when you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, relatives, or rich neighbors.  Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, those who cannot repay you, and you will be blessed at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:12-14)  Then He told one of the guests about a certain man who prepared a great banquet and invited many guests but they all offered excuses as to why they could not attend.  Then he told a servant to go and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame but there was still room for more.  Then he told his servant to go out to the highways and hedges and compel all that he met to come because he wanted his house to be filled. (Luke 14:12-24)  Then Jesus talked about the cost of being His disciple. (Luke 14:25-35)

APPLICATION
Our pride can cause us to needlessly suffer.  One whose pride causes him to exalt himself will be humiliated and embarrassed.  One who truly humbles himself will be exalted.  The proud in heart are an abomination to The Lord. (Proverbs 16:5)  Everyone who is proud and lofty, who lifts himself up, shall be brought low. (Isaiah 2:12)  The Lord God resisted the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)  It is better for us to be invited up to a place of honor than it is to be asked to move down to a lesser place.  “For all those who exalt themselves will  be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) 

 

REPENT OR PERISH

PROCLAMATION

“And Jesus answering said unto them, ‘… I tell you, nay;  But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, nay;  But except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:2-5 (KJV)

EXPLANATION
These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  As He continued to teach the crowd, a person in the crowd told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.  Jesus responded to him, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?  I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:1-3)  He said the same regarding the eighteen who died in Siloam when the tower fell upon them. (Luke 13:4-5)  Then He told them The Parable of the Fig Tree.  The fig tree was not producing any fruit, so the man who owned the vineyard was going to cut it down.  However, the caretaker of the vineyard interceded to give the fig tree one more year, one more chance before cutting it down. (Luke 13:6-9)  As He was teaching in the synagogue on the sabbath, there was a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years.  Jesus saw her, and called unto her, and said, “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.”  Immediately she straightened up and was healed and she praised God. (Luke 13:10-13)  Then the synagogue leader said to the people, there are six days in which men ought to work, and they should come and be healed on those days, not on the sabbath.  Jesus call him a hypocrite and said that he does things that could be considered work on the sabbath, so why couldn’t this woman be healed on the sabbath.  At this his adversaries were ashamed but the people rejoiced. (Luke 13:14-17)  Then Jesus told them The Parable of The Mustard Seed and the Yeast. (Luke 13:18-21)  As He went through the towns and villages teaching, someone asked Him if only a few people would be saved.  Jesus told him that many will try to enter but will not be able to.  They will say what they did with Him, but He will say unto them, “… I know you not … depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity…” (Luke 13:22-30)  That same day some Pharisees came and warned Him to leave town because King Herod wanted to kill Him. (Luke 13:31-34)

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, made it clear to the crowd that followed Him, if they did not repent, then they would also perish. (Luke 13:3 and 13:5)  The same is true for us today.  Those of us who repent and confess will have our names written in The Lamb’s book of life.  Those who do not repent will perish because their names are not in the book of life. (Revelation 20:15)  So, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)  Only those who confess and believe will be saved. (Romans 10:9)  We have been given another chance to repent before we perish. 

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED

 

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED

PROCLAMATION

“And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.  For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”  Luke 12:47-48 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  When Jesus left the house and went outside, and a large crowd gathered around Him.  He spoke to the crowd giving them both warnings and encouragements. (Luke 12:1-12)  He told them The Parable of The Rich Fool. (Luke 12:13-21)  Afterwards, He spoke to His disciples and told them not to worry (Luke 12:22-34), but to be watchful and “be ready, because The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Luke 12:35-40)  Then He told them the parable of The Faithful and Wise Steward. (Luke 12:41-48)  Finally He said that He did not come to earth to bring peace, but to bring division. (Luke 12:49-53)

 

APPLICATION

In this chapter Jesus, The Christ, made several points which provide important “take home” lessons for us today.  One, whoever denies Him before men will be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8-9)  Two, store up for yourself treasures in heaven not on earth. (Luke 12:21)  Three, first seek the kingdom of God; and all the things that you need will be added unto you. (Luke 12:31)  Four, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34)  Five, be ready, because The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. (Luke 12:35-40)  Six, to whom much is given, of him will much be required. (Luke 12:48)  With great influence, position and power comes great responsibility, and also great punishment for misuse of them.  Be very careful about what you ask God for.  When we know better, we should do better.  Those of us who do wrong knowingly will be punished more severely than those who do wrong out of ignorance.

 

BLESSED FOR OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“But He said, ‘Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.’ ”  Luke 11:28 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  One day, after He had finished praying, one of His disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, and He taught them the model prayer. (Luke 11:1-4)  Then He told them some examples of giving and then He said to them “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:5-10)  He also said that if an evil earthly father will give good gifts to his children, how much more will their heavenly Father give to His children. (Luke 11:11-13)  Later, after Jesus drove the demon spirit out of a mute man, some of the people in the crowd said that it was by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that Jesus could do this.  Jesus responded to them and said that a house or a kingdom which is divided against itself cannot stand. (Luke 11:14-26)  As He was saying these things, a woman in the crowd yelled out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”  Jesus replied to her, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:27-28)  As the crowd around Him increased, Jesus said that they were a wicked generation.  They were seeking signs but no sign will be given except the signs which have already been done.  Then He told them about light and darkness. (Luke 11:29-36)  As He was speaking, a Pharisee invited Him to his house to eat.  So Jesus went and surprised the Pharisee because He did not first wash His hands before the meal.  Jesus said that they focus on cleaning the outside but their insides are wicked.  He then said, “Woe to you Pharisees …” and He issued several chastisements against them. (Luke 11:37-44)  Then one of the lawyers said that He was insulting them, and Jesus issued several chastisements against the lawyers. (Luke 11:45-52)  Jesus went outside and the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose Him fiercely, questioning Him in order to trap  Him. (Luke 11:53-54)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible says that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was blessed and highly favored. (Luke 1:28)  However, the phrase “blessed art thou among women” does not confer upon her a status which is worthy of being worshiped or prayed to.  The same was said of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. (Judges 5:24)  Jesus gently reproved the woman in the crowd who called out a blessing to His mother.  He made it very clear that it was more important to hear and obey The Word of God.  This blessing is one of the many conditional blessings which are presented in The Bible.  We are blessed if we are both hearers and doers of God’s Word. (James 1:22)  Jesus, The Christ, said, “If ye love me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 and 14:21)  Obey The Word of God and be blessed.

 

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

PROCLAMATION

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him … ‘And who is my neighbor?’  And Jesus answering said, ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest … And likewise a Levite … But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed … Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?’  And he said, ‘He that showed mercy on him.’  Then Jesus said unto him, ‘Go, and do thou likewise.’ ”  Luke 10:25-37 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  After feeding the five thousand men plus their wives and children, Jesus went off privately with His disciples. (Luke 9:18)  He told them of His upcoming death. (Luke 9:21-22)  Later on, Peter, James, and John witnessed His transfiguration and saw Moses and Elijah talking with Him. (Luke 9:28-36)  The next day, in front of a large crowd, Jesus healed a demon-possessed boy. (Luke 9:37-43)  Then for the second time, He predicted His own death. (Luke 9:43-45)  As He was heading for Jerusalem, He told them that there was a price to pay for following Him. (Luke 9:57-62)  Then Jesus appointed seventy-two men, gave them the power to heal the sick and to cast out demons, and sent them out to the surrounding villages, two by two, as He had done earlier with His disciples. (Luke 10:1-17)  On one occasion, as He was teaching, an expert in the law asked Him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus replied to him, “What is written in the law?”  The man answered, “Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Jesus replied that he had answered correctly and said, “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28)  However, the man wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  In reply, Jesus told him The Parable of The Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:29-37)  Jesus went to the home of Martha and Mary.  Martha was busy making preparations for a meal, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to His words.  Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but He replied that she was worried about too many things and that Mary had made a better choice. (Luke 10:38-42)

 

APPLICATION

In this parable, the priest and the Levite passed by the man in need without stopping to offer any assistance.  Only the Samaritan stopped and helped the man.   The Samaritan showed mercy to the man in need, and he went above and beyond in offering assistance to him.  The point here is for us today to “Go and do likewise.”  Today, there are many people in need of assistance and there are many ways that we can help them.  It is not always about giving someone money, although that would be helpful.  We are blessed in order to share and to be a blessing to others.  Many of us have clothes which we don’t wear that someone could use.  Most of us can afford to buy a meal for a needy person.  The Bible says, “… As you give so shall it be given unto you…” (Luke 6:38)  However, if you are going to give money to an organization, please check it out and make sure that the money is going to the purpose for which it was intended.  Christ said, “…As ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40; but read Matthew 25:31-46 for the whole story)

JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND MEN

PROCLAMATION

“Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.  And they did eat, and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.”  Luke 9:16-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Luke, the physician.  After He raised Jairus’ dead daughter, Jesus called His disciples together, gave them the power to cure diseases and to drive out demons, and sent them to the surrounding villages to heal the sick and to proclaim the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:1-6)  After the disciples returned, He took them with Him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowd followed them.  Jesus spoke to the crowd about the kingdom of God then He told His disciples to feed them.  Jesus took a poor boy’s lunch, blessed it, and fed five thousand men, plus their wives and children, two small fish and five barley loaves of bread, and they had more food leftover than when they started. (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-42; Luke 9:10-17; and John 6:5-13)  He multiplied it and increased it, and He made a lot out of a little.  Later He asked His disciples who do the people say that He was.  After they answered, He asked them who do they say that He is.

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, performed a number of miracles.  The miracles were not done to impress the people.  They were always done to help the people, and to prove that He was The Son of God as He had said.  Christ is still performing miracles today.  However, people do not give Him the credit for them because He cannot be seen.  As we look back over our lives, we can see the hand of God performing miracles, beginning with the fact that we were wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-15)  He has protected us from dangers seen and unseen.  He has made a way for us in situations when there seemed to be no way out.  The fact that we are alive today is a miracle, given all that is going on around us in the world today.  Christ may not have fed us today, but He has performed many miracles for each of us.  He gave us the increase.

 

 

JESUS CALMS THE STORMS

PROCLAMATION

“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that He went into a ship with His disciples; and He said unto them, ‘Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.’  And they launched forth.  But as they sailed, He fell asleep;  and there came a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and they were in jeopardy.  And they came to Him, and woke Him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we perish.’  Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; and they ceased, and there was a calm.  And He said unto them, ‘Where is your faith?’  And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, ‘What manner of man is this?  For He commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.’ ”  Luke 8:22-25 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.   After He left the home of the Pharisee, Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, preaching and teaching.  His disciples and some of the women were with Him. (Luke 8:1-3)  There was also a large crowd following Him and He told them The Parable of The Sower, (Luke 8:4-15) and He told them about A Lamp on A Stand. (Luke 8:16-18)  Then Jesus and His disciples went over to the other side of the lake.  As they were sailing on the lake, a severe storm arose which frightened His disciples.  Jesus was asleep on the boat and they woke Him.  He got up and rebuked the storm saying, “Peace, be still.”  Immediately the winds and the waters were calm. (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:22-25; and John 6:16-21)  When they crossed the lake they arrived at the country of Gardarenes.  There Jesus met a demon-possessed man who lived among the tombs.  The demon said that his name was “Legion” because many demons had entered into him.  Jesus commanded to leave the man and He allowed them to enter a herd of swine feeding nearby, and the swine ran down a steep bank into the sea and drowned. (Luke 8:26-36)  Jesus left there at the request of the people, went back across the sea to Galilee, and there He healed the woman with the issue of blood, and He brought back to life the dead daughter of Jairus. (Luke 8:37-56)

 

APPLICATION

The rebuking of the wind and the waters by Jesus when He calmed the storm is recorded in all four gospels.  Christ controls the storms in our lives, both physical and situational.  He may choose not to calm every storm, even though He can because He is omnipotent.  However, He will be with us as we go through our storms.  He said that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  We are protected in His hands. (John 10:28-29)  So, we have no need to fear the storms of life.

A DISPLAY OF GREAT FAITH

PROCLAMATION

“Now when He had ended all His sayings … He entered into Capernaum.  And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching Him that He would come and heal his servant. … Then Jesus went with them. … The centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, ‘Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof; ... but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. … When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned Him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, ‘I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.’  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”  Luke 7:1-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Luke, the physician.   After Jesus went down from the mountainside, (Luke 6:12-17) He spoke to His disciples and to those who followed Him. (Luke 6:20-49)  When He had finished speaking, He left there and entered Capernaum.  This is where He healed the servant of the centurion who had displayed such great faith in Him. (Luke 7:1-10)  Afterwards He went to the town of Nain and raised the widow’s son from the dead. (Luke 7:11-17)  When the disciples of John the baptizer asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus told the disciples of John to tell him what they had seen and heard. (Luke 7:18-35)  Later on, Jesus accepted an invitation to dinner in the home of one of the Pharisees.  While He was there a woman anointed His feet with perfume.  When the Pharisee, who had invited Him to dinner, saw this, he commented to Jesus that the woman was a sinner.  Jesus replied to him with The Parable of The Two Debtors.  Then He told the woman, “Thy sins are forgiven.” … “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50) 

 

APPLICATION

On more than one occasion Jesus responded to His disciples, ‘O ye of little faith.’  The same can be said of believers today.  Without faith it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:16)  This centurion displayed such great faith in Jesus that it impressed Him. (Luke 7:9)  As believers, we are to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)  We need to exercise our faith in order for it to grow.  The testing and trying of our faith produces perseverance. (James 1:3)  The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trials…” (James 1:12)  So, let us keep the faith, and exercise our faith, and pray for an increase in our faith which will allow us to please The Lord God.

BUILD YOUR LIFE ON A SOLID FOUNDATION

PROCLAMATION

“Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and doeth them, I will show you whom he is like.  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock;  and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded upon a rock.  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately if fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”  Luke 6:47-49 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.   On a sabbath day, Jesus and His disciples were going through the fields and they plucked ears of corn and ate them.  The Pharisees saw this and asked Him, “Why they did that which is unlawful to do on the sabbath?” (Luke 6:1-2)  Jesus answered them by asking had they not read what David did when he and his men were hungry. (Luke 6:3-4)  On another sabbath while in the synagogue, Jesus healed a man with a shriveled right hand.  He asked if it was lawful to do good on the sabbath.  The scribes and the Pharisees who saw Him do it were furious with Him and began to discuss among themselves what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:5-11)  There was a large crowd which followed Him, some of them wanted to hear Him, while others wanted to be healed.  He taught them to love their enemies, (Luke 6:27-29) to give to anyone who asks, (Luke 6:30) to do unto others as they would have them to do unto themselves, (Luke 6:31 – The Golden Rule) to lend money without expecting repayment, (Luke 6:34-36) not to judge others, (Luke 6:37) and to give and it will be given to them. (Luke 6:38)  He also told them that good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit. (Luke 6:43-45)  Then He said that people who hear Him and put His words into practice are like a man who builds his house on a solid foundation. (Luke 6:46-49)

 

APPLICATION

It is not enough to hear The Word of God, we must also internalize it and put it into practice. (James 1:22)  Our beliefs and our behavior, our spiritual house so to speak, should be built on a solid foundation. (Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49)  The only truly solid foundation is Jesus, The Christ.  He is The Rock of our salvation and our foundation.  Our life, our thoughts, our words, and our actions must be built upon The Rock. (1 Corinthians 10:4)  It is our foundation in Christ that keeps us standing when the storms and the temptations of life come up against us.  As the words of the Christian hymn state: “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” (“My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” by Edward Mote)