Luke 18:18-34

Some translation have the rich man asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life and others render the phrase, ‘the age to come.’ I prefer the latter because I believe it captures more of what the rich man wanted. The Jews believe God would usher in a new age and in that new age life would be full of possibilities. There would be absolutely no barriers or obstacles from you fulfilling every Godly dream and ambition you have. Whether you longed to create beautiful music or art, experience deep, fulfilling relationships, or any other noble pursuit, in the age to come your dreams come true.

The rich man’s problem was his underlying assumption that the culture in the age to come would operate the same as his present culture. Jesus is trying to help him see that where this present age is wedded to materialism and performance based acceptance, the age to come will be wedded to the magnificent grace of God. When you are resting in your assurance as God’s beloved you do not need any outside validation of your identity and thus the use of wealth and possession are seen in an altogether new light.

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

1-Feb-12       Luke 18:35-19:10

Luke 18:1-17

Luke begins chapter 18 with two parables which if taken out of context can be quite confusing. Remember, Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem. The closer he got to the city the more resistance he encountered. Jesus knows that in Jerusalem through his death and resurrection he will be vindicated at God’s Messiah. Jesus is affirming that God is at work bringing about the fulfillment of his plan. He is encouraging his flock to stay faithful. They can trust God to vindicate their faith in Jesus.

To emphasize his point Jesus presented the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. Which one went away vindicated by God? This parable is an excellent illustration of justification by faith. The tax collector had little or no faith in himself; but he had great faith in a great God of mercy. Jesus wants his followers, then and now, to rest their faith on the sure knowledge of God’s love for them.

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today

31-Jan-12     Luke 18:18-34

Luke 17:11-37

Luke does not give us much information about the ten lepers. At least one was a Samaritan. All ten moved away from Jesus as Jesus instructed them. All ten were healed in the process of their obedience. Only one, the Samaritan, turned, and went back to Jesus. I suspect we can draw all sorts of inferences from this episode, but at the very least we can affirm that as followers of Jesus we “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)

The Pharisees were trying to pin Jesus down to a specific timetable for the coming of God’s Kingdom. Jesus says if you are looking for signposts you will miss the Kingdom. Jesus is trying to get the people to look around and grasp what was happening in their own time. Jesus’ response is not about what is going to happen in the far distant future. Jesus was talking about what was happening in their lifetime. The rebellious attitudes of the people, against God and the Romans, would only end one way. Badly. Jesus is trying to help the people understand that God is giving them an invitation. Come, take hold of the Kingdom and become a co-laborer with Christ in the building for God’s Kingdom on earth.

Jesus extends that same invitation to you and me today.

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

30-Jan-12     Luke 18:1-17

Luke 16:19-17:10

Jesus told parables to help the people understand what God was doing in their present moment. This parable of the Rich man and Lazarus is not about life and life after death. It is not a moral tale about riches and poverty; although there are clearly some inferences we can take and apply to our lives.

In the parable of the Prodigal Son we read about the son who was lost and found, dead and alive. We read about the older son who had forgotten about his lost brother and who had no interest in acknowledging, much less caring for his destitute younger brother. Even seeing his long lost brother coming home in humility and repentance did not open the older brother’s eyes.

Luke follows this parable with Jesus teaching about faith, forgiveness and obedience. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews captures the point of Jesus’ teaching here when he wrote, “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2) When we keep our eyes on Jesus the virtue of humility arises in our lives. When we take our eyes off of Jesus the sin of pride arises.

Pride can be insidious as revealed by the disciples asking Jesus for great faith. They didn’t need great faith; they needed faith in a GREAT God. When you have faith in a great God you are no longer concerned about ‘what’s in it for me.’ 

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

29-Jan-12     Luke 17:11-37