Afleveringen
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9 AndI say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, thatwhen you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who isfaithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust inwhat is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not beenfaithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the trueriches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who willgive you what is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either hewill hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one anddespise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
In Luke 16:1-3, Jesus tellsthe parable of the unjust steward, a man who, facing the loss of his job,cleverly secures his future by reducing the debts of his masterâs debtors.Jesus uses this story to teach about stewardship, faithfulness, and ourrelationship with wealth. This parable challenges us to consider how we use theresources God has given usâour time, talents, and money.
The steward, thoughdishonest, was commended for his shrewdness, not his ethics. Jesus points outthat worldly people often act with more urgency and ingenuity in securing theirfuture than Godâs people do in pursuing eternal priorities. As âsons of light,âweâre called to live with eternity in view, using temporary resources to makean eternal impact. In this parable Jesus offers three key lessons.
First, use wealthwisely for eternal purposes. Money, or âunrighteous mammon,â is not evil initself, but itâs temporary and deceptive. Weâre urged to use it to âmakefriendsâ for eternity. We can do this by supporting ministries, giving tomissions, helping the needy, and spreading the Gospel. Imagine meeting someonein heaven who says, âIâm here because you gave to that mission.â Thatâs thekind of investment Jesus calls us to make.
Second, be faithful inlittle to receive much. Faithfulness in small things, like how we handle money,reflects our trustworthiness for greater spiritual responsibilities. If weârecareless with earthly wealth, how can God entrust us with âtrue richesâ likespiritual influence or heavenly rewards? Every dollar we spend is a chance toshow our prioritiesâwhether weâre serving God or chasing fleeting pleasures.
Third, we must choose ourmaster: God or money. Verse 13 is clear: we cannot serve both God and mammon.Money is a terrible master, demanding our loyalty and distracting us from Godâspurposes. But when God is our Master, money becomes our servant, a tool toadvance His kingdom. This calls for single-minded devotion, where everydecision aligns with Godâs will.
Today, I challenge youto evaluate your stewardship by considering these three steps:
âą Assess your spending.Look at your bank account or budget. Where is your money going? Does it reflecteternal priorities, like giving to Godâs work or helping others? Commit toredirecting one expense this week toward a kingdom purpose, maybe a donation toa ministry or a gift to someone in need.
âą Practice faithfulnessin small things. Choose one area of stewardship, your time, a talent, or asmall financial decision, and be intentional about honoring God with it. Forexample, set aside 10 minutes daily for prayer or use a skill to serve yourchurch.
âą Declare God as yourMaster. Write down or pray this affirmation: âGod, You are my Master, notmoney. I will use what Youâve given me to serve You.â Let this guide yourdecisions, especially when tempted to prioritize wealth over faith.
Prayer
Lord, thank You forentrusting us with Your resources. Forgive us for times weâve served moneyinstead of You. Help us to be shrewd for Your kingdom, faithful in the little,and wholly devoted to You. Empower us to live for eternity this week. In Jesusâname, Amen.
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In Luke 16, it appears that the main theme of thischapter is stewardship and our accountability over what the Lord has entrustedus with. The Wall Street Journal quoted an anonymous wit who defined money as"an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere exceptheaven, and as a universal provider for everything except happiness." Paulwrote in 1 Timothy 6:10, that the love of money is still "a root of allkinds of evil" which has helped fill our world with corruption andlust (1 Peter 1:4).
When you read ourLord's sermons and parables, you are struck with the fact that He had a greatdeal to say about the subjects of money along with heaven and hell. Teaching usthat one day we will give an account of what we did with the resources that Hetrusted us with. So, we had better heed what Jesus says in this chapter aboutthe right and wrong use of wealth. Neither of the two accounts in this chapteris called a parable either by Jesus or by Luke, so it is likely that our Lordwas describing actual happenings. However, whether they are actual events oronly parables, the spiritual values are the same.
In this first story,Jesus speaks to His disciples about a stewardâa manager of his masterâswealthâwhoâs accused of squandering resources. The master demands an accountand fires him. Facing a crisis, the steward panics, realizing heâs unfit formanual labor and too proud to beg. He then asks himself the question, âWhat shallI do?â A good question we should be asking as we are reminded that we arestewards of Godâs gifts, not owners.
In this first story, thestewardâs role was to manage his masterâs wealth for his masterâs benefit, buthe wasted it through carelessness or dishonesty. His failure led to a reckoning,where he had to account for his actions and he got fired. Jesus uses this storyto remind us that everything we have; time, money, talents, and the gospel, allbelongs to God. Weâre entrusted to use these gifts wisely, not for selfish gainbut to honor Him and bless others.
The stewardâs crisismirrors our reality. One day, weâll all give an account to God for how weâvemanaged His blessings. Like the steward, we might be tempted to waste what Godgives us, like the prodigal son in the previous chapter, spending timecarelessly, hoarding resources, or neglecting our gifts. Yet, the story alsosparks hope: even in his failure, the steward begins to think strategicallyabout his future. Jesus isnât praising his dishonesty but pointing out hisurgency to act wisely in a crisis. We, too, must act with purpose, knowing ourtime as stewards is limited.
God calls us to investour lives, not just spend or waste them. This means using our money to help theneedy, our time to serve others, and our abilities to share the gospel. Unlikethe worldâs shrewdness, which seeks temporary gain, our stewardship aims foreternal impact. Are we living as faithful stewards, or are we squandering Godâsgifts? The stewardâs question, âWhat shall I do?â is ours to answer today. Maythe Lord help us to choose to manage Godâs resources with gratitude, diligence,and love, preparing for the day we stand before Him.
Today, I want to challengeeach of us to invest wisely by reflecting on one area of our life; time, money,or talents, where we might have been wasting or hoarding Godâs gifts. Inprayer, we should ask God to show us how to invest that gift for His kingdom.Then, we should take one practical step this week: Give generously to someonein need, dedicate time to serve in our church or community, or use a talent toencourage others or share the gospel. By acting faithfully now, we will preparefor a future of eternal reward and bring glory to God.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for entrusting us with Your gifts. Forgiveus for wasting whatâs Yours. Help us invest our time, resources, and talentsfor Your glory and othersâ good. Guide our actions this week to honor You. InJesusâ name, Amen.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Today, weâre finishing Luke chapter 15. In this chapter, Jesus tellsthree parables in response to the Pharisees who criticized Him for being afriend to tax collectors and sinners. The theme running through all threeparables is lost, found, and rejoicing. Keep that in mind.
At this point in theparable, the scribes and Pharisees felt confident that they had escaped ourLord's judgment, for He had centered His attention on the publicans andsinners, pictured by the prodigal son. But Jesus continued the story andintroduced the elder brother, who is a clear illustration of the scribes andPharisees. The publicans and sinners were guilty of the obvious sins of theflesh, but the Pharisees and scribes were guilty of sins of the spirit (2 Cor.7:1). Their outward actions may have been blameless, but their inward attitudeswere abominable (see Matt. 23:25-28).
We must admit that theelder brother had some virtues that are commendable. He worked hard and alwaysobeyed his father. He never brought disgrace either to the home or to thevillage, and apparently he had enough friends so that he could have planned anenjoyable party (Luke 15:29). He seems like a good solid citizen and, comparedto his younger brother, almost a saint.
However, important asobedience and diligence are, they are not the only tests of character. Jesustaught that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love others(Luke 10:25-28), but the elder brother broke both of these divine commandments.He did not love God (represented in the story by the father), and he did notlove his brother. The elder brother would not forgive his brother who wastedthe family inheritance and disgraced the family name. But neither would heforgive his father who had graciously forgiven the young man those very sins!
When you examine thesins of the elder brother, you can easily understand why he pictures thescribes and Pharisees. To begin with, he was self-righteous. He openlyannounced the sins of his brother, but he could not see his own sins (see Luke18:9-14). The Pharisees defined sin primarily in terms of outward actions, notinward attitudes. They completely missed the message of the Sermon on the Mountand its emphasis on inward attitudes and holiness of heart (Matt. 5-7).
My friend, the heart ofGod is for lost sinners to be found, and when they are, there is rejoicing.Jesus rejoices, heaven rejoices, angels rejoice, friends rejoice. But do youknow who wasnât rejoicing? The Pharisees. They were sanctimonious,self-righteous, proud, angry, bitter religious people. Their religion was builton good works, and they thought they were better than everyone else. Jesusnails them with this story.
Jesus uses the story ofthe older brother to drive this home. My friend, we need to be aware of this.Our churches are full of people who work, work, work, serve, serve, serve, butitâs often to be seen, to be commended, to get a pat on the back. Like thePharisees, they say, âIâm not like others. I tithe, I go to church, I do allthese good things.â But they miss the point. When the publican bowed his headand prayed, âIâm a lost sinner, have mercy on me, O God,â Jesus said he wenthome justified, not the proud Pharisee.
Today, we donât want tobe like the Phariseesâcritical, sanctimonious, self-righteous, proud, angry, orrefusing to rejoice when a sinner comes home to the Lord. This is a powerfulending to the chapter. Letâs not forget the lost elder brother, who missed itall because his heart wasnât right with God or his father.
I trust these threestories of lost, found, and rejoicing will resound in your soul. Keep an eyeout for those around you who need to be found, so you can bring them to Jesus.
God bless!
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When I was growing up, Ihad a father who was a very committed follower of Jesus, but was also verystrict, and honestly, I had a fear of him and his punishments. If I got caughtdoing something bad, I dreaded coming home and facing my dad. I knew that hewas going to meet me with a belt or paddle in his hand and that he would bevery angry at me for disgracing him. I got many whippings that I deserved. (Bythe way, my brother Mark got a whole lot more.) This picture of my fathergrowing up made it tremendously hard for me as a young believer, because foryears I pictured our Father God in the same way.
It was this parable ofthe prodigal son, that eventually gave me a better picture of Godâs heart andlove toward us as a believer who had willfully strayed away from fellowship withHim. The prodigal son had squandered his inheritance, lived recklessly, and hitrock bottom. Yet, when he finally decided to return home, his father didnâtwait for him to clean himself up or earn his way back. The father had been patientlylooking and waiting for him to come home, he saw him from a distance, ran tohim, and embraced him with love and forgiveness before the son could evenfinish his confession.
This is a stunningimage of Godâs grace. The fatherâs actions break all cultural norms, older menin that time didnât run, especially not to meet a disgraced son. But thisfather runs because his love is unstoppable. He doesnât just forgive; herestores. The robe, the ring, the sandals, and the feast arenât just gifts, theyâresymbols of the fatherâs full acceptance, sonship, and celebration. The son camehome expecting rejection or, at best, servitude. Instead, he was met with mercythat transformed him from âlostâ to âfound,â from âdeadâ to âalive.â
This is Godâs heart forevery one of us. No matter how far weâve strayed, no matter the weight of ourshame, God is watching, waiting, and ready to run to us the moment we turntoward Him. His grace doesnât demand perfection; it demands only our return. Andwhen we come, He doesnât just forgiveâHe restores us to our place as Hisbeloved children, clothing us in His righteousness and celebrating our return.
But this story alsochallenges us to reflect: Are we living in the fullness of the Fatherâsembrace? Or are we still carrying the weight of guilt, believing weâre unworthyof His love? And, just as importantly, are we extending this same grace toothers, welcoming them as the Father welcomes us?
Today, let this story sink deep into your heart. If you feel far from Godâmaybebecause of sin, doubt, or shameâknow that He is watching for you, ready to runto you with open arms. You donât need to earn His love; you only need to turntoward Him. Take a moment to confess anything thatâs keeping you distant andtrust that His grace is enough to restore you.And if youâve alreadyexperienced His forgiveness, ask yourself: How can I reflect the Fatherâs heartto others? Is there someone in your life who needs grace, forgiveness, or areminder that theyâre loved? God calls us to be His ambassadors, showing thesame compassion and celebration for others that He shows us.
Today, if you havestrayed from fellowship with the Father, come home to God. Spend time inprayer, confessing any areas where youâve wandered and receiving Hisforgiveness. Let go of any shame and embrace your identity as His belovedchild. Also, take the time to extend grace to someone else. Identify one personwho needs encouragement, forgiveness, or love. Reach out to them with a kindword, a gesture of reconciliation, or an invitation to experience Godâs lovethrough your actions.
Prayer: Father, thankYou for running to us with Your love and grace. Forgive us for the times weâvewandered, and help us to rest in Your embrace. Give us courage to return to Youfully and to share Your heart with others.
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Thestory of the prodigal son is probably one of the most read and liked stories inthe Bible. We can relate to it in some way! Either we have strayed ourselves,or someone in our family that is dear to our hearts has wandered far away fromGod. This parable, told by Jesus, is about a young man who demands hisinheritance, leaves his fatherâs house, and squanders everything in recklessliving. By verses 14-19, heâs hit rock bottomâbroke, alone, and feeding pigs, adegrading job for a Jewish man. Yet, in this low moment, something shifts. Heâcomes to himselfâ and resolves to return to his father, not as a son, butas a humble servant. This is a story of sinâs consequences, repentance, and thehope of restoration.
Theprodigalâs journey shows us the deceptive nature of sin. Interestingly, he lefthome, like many young people, thinking they are looking for themselves, but inthe process they in reality lose themselves. He thought leaving his fatherâshouse would bring freedom, wealth, and joy. Instead, it led to slavery,poverty, and despair. Sin promises much but delivers little. It lures us withthe illusion of control and happiness, only to leave us empty, like theprodigal longing for pig food. This passage reminds us that a life apart fromGod is a âfar countryââa place of spiritual famine where nothing trulysatisfies. The prodigalâs hunger wasnât just physical; it was a soul-deeplonging for meaning, love, and home.
Yet,this low point becomes a turning point. His suffering wakes him up. Heremembers his fatherâs goodness, and how even the hired servants have bread tospare. This contrast between his misery and his fatherâs generosity sparks achange. Itâs a powerful reminder that God often uses our struggles to draw usback to Him. The prodigalâs pain helped him see his father in a new light,stirring hope that maybe, just maybe, he could return.
Didyou notice the phrase âhe came to himselfâ. It suggests heâd beenliving as someone else, lost in sinâs madness. Repentance begins with thisawakeningâa moment of clarity where we see our true condition and Godâs betterway. The prodigal didnât just feel sorry; he acted. He resolved to arise, go tohis father, confess his sin, and humbly seek a place in the household. Truerepentance involves the mind, heart, and will: recognizing our sin, feelingsorrow for it, and choosing to turn back to God.
Thispassage challenges us to âarise and goâ and examine our ownlives. Are we in a âfar country,â chasing things that promise happiness butleave us empty? Maybe itâs a habit, a mindset, or a pursuit thatâs pulling usfrom God. Like the prodigal, we need to âcome to ourselves.â Whatâs onearea where youâve wandered? Whatâs keeping you from returning to the Fatherâshouse, where thereâs bread enough and to spare? Godâs grace is waiting, but itrequires us to humble ourselves, admit our sin, and arise and act.
Iâllnever forget the old invitational hymn we used to sing in our churches, âLord,Iâm Coming Homeâ. Iâve wandered far away from God, Now Iâm coming home; Thepaths of sin too long Iâve trod, Lord, Iâm coming home. Iâve wasted manyprecious years, Now Iâm coming home; I now repent with bitter tears, Lord, Iâmcoming home. Iâm tired of sin and straying, Lord, Now Iâm coming home; Iâlltrust Thy love, believe Thy word, Lord, Iâm coming home. Coming home, cominghome, Nevermore to roam, Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, Iâm coming home.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thankYou for Your relentless love that calls us home, even when weâve wandered far.Open our eyes to see where weâve strayed and give us the courage to arise andreturn to You. Forgive us for chasing empty things, and fill us with Your graceand truth. Help us take one step toward You today, trusting in Your goodness.In Jesusâ name, Amen.
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InLuke 15, Jesus tells three parables about lost things. The first, the lostsheep, shows Jesus, the Good Shepherd, pursuing a foolish sinner far from God.The second, the lost coin, pictures a believer still in Godâs house but hiddenin the dirt, perhaps useless to Him through carelessness, sin, neglect, ordistraction. The woman, a picture of the Holy Spirit, lights a candle, cleansthe house and finds it. This third parable, the Prodigal Son, portrays a childof God out of fellowship with the Father, a backslider who, through love forthe world, willfully chooses separation, reckless living, and ends in misery,enslaved to sin.
Theparable of the Prodigal Son reveals both the heartbreak of a child strayingfrom God and the boundless love of our Heavenly Father. This story speaks tobelievers like you and me, who, like the prodigal, may slide back into theworld, losing fellowship with God through our deliberate choices. Letâs explorethree lessons from the younger sonâs journey:
First,the deliberate choice to stray in the younger sonâs demand for his inheritance(v. 12), was a bold rejection of his fatherâs authority and presence, as ifsaying, âIâd rather have your wealth than you.â This wasnât a careless mistakebut a willful choice to separate from his father, driven by a love for theworldâs pleasures. As believers, we can make similar choices, prioritizingworldly desires, such as materialism, status, or sinful pleasures, over ourrelationship with God. This backsliding begins in the heart, where we valueâthe far countryâ over the Fatherâs house. Scripture warns, âThe wages ofsin is deathâ (Romans 6:23). Choosing the world over God breaks ourfellowship with Him, setting us on a path away from His love and purpose.
Second,notice in verse 13 how this reckless path led to ruin. The son âwasted hispossessions with prodigal livingâ in the far country. His reckless lifestyle, squanderinghis inheritance on fleeting pleasures, led to spiritual and physical poverty.This mirrors the backslider who, having given their substance (time, talents,devotion) to the world, ends up enslaved to sin. The sonâs love for the worldpromised freedom but delivered bondage, leaving him isolated and desperate.Isaiah 55:2 asks, âWhy do you spend your money for what is not bread, andyour wages for what does not satisfy?â As believers, we risk wasting Godâsgifts when we chase what cannot fulfill us. The worldâs husks and its emptypromises leave our souls starving, far from the Fatherâs provision. (ReadGalatians 6:7-8). âSowing to the flesh reaps corruptionâ.
Byverses 14-16, the son experiences the misery of broken fellowship. A faminestrikes, his resources are gone, and heâs reduced to feeding pigs, longing toeat their food, with âno one giving him anything.â Having given hissubstance, he now gives himself, becoming a bondslave to a citizen of the farcountry. This is a picture of sinâs enslavement (v. 15). This is the misery ofa believer out of fellowship with God: spiritually lost, dissatisfied, and cutoff from the Fatherâs care. Yet, even in this despair, thereâs hope. The sonâsmisery prepares him to remember his fatherâs goodness, a reminder of Romans2:4: âGodâs kindness leads us to repentanceâ. Our Father waits torestore us when we turn back, ready to renew our fellowship with Him.
Thisparable should challenge us as believers to examine our fellowship with God.Are we, like the prodigal, drifting into the far country, choosing the worldâsallure over our Fatherâs presence? Have we made deliberate choices that lead toreckless living, wasting Godâs gifts and landing in spiritual misery? The goodnews is that our Fatherâs love never wavers. He longs to restore us, just asthe father welcomed his son home.
Godbless!
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Todaywe celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.. This morning, weâllreflect on seven incredible truths that reveal the depth of Godâs love andgrace toward usâtruths that change everything
TheAmazing Truth That God Loves Us â John 3:16 John 3:16 isnât just a verse; itâs the heartbeat of thegospel. God loves youâpersonally, deeply, eternally. Before we go further, letthat sink in. The Creator of the universe loves you. Thatâs the foundation ofHis amazing grace.
TheAmazing Truth That God Became Flesh â John 1:1, 14 âIn the beginning wasthe Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God⊠And the Word becameflesh and dwelt among us.â This is the miracle of the incarnation. The eternal Goddidnât stay distantâHe stepped into our world, taking on human flesh. Why? To bridge the gap between a holy God and a broken humanity. Godâs Amazing Grace came down to us in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Amazing Truth of Jesus Christ and His Virgin Birth â Isaiah 7:14; Matthew1:18-25 Thevirgin birth isnât just a detailâitâs a cornerstone of Godâs plan. Jesus wasnâtborn with a sinful nature like us; He was holy from the start. This set Himapart as the perfect Savior, born to be âGod with us.â Godâs Amazing Graceentered the world through a humble manger.
TheAmazing Truth of Jesus Christ and His Sinless Life â 2 Corinthians 5:21;Hebrews 4:15;
1 Peter 2:22
Jesuslived a life none of us couldâa sinless life. Hebrews says He was tempted inevery way, yet without sin. Peter declares He committed no sin, nor was deceitfound in His mouth. Jesusâ sinless life qualified Him to be oursubstitute. Thatâs amazing graceâHe lived the life we couldnât live.
TheAmazing Truth of Jesus Christ and His Vicarious Death â 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter3:18; Hebrews 10:10 On the cross, Jesustook our place. The word âvicariousâ means He died for usâthe innocent for theguilty. Every sin weâve committed, every failure, every shameâHe carried itall. The cross is the ultimate display of amazing grace: Jesus paid the price we owed, so we could be forgiven and free.
TheAmazing Truth of Jesus Christ and His Victorious Resurrection â Matthew 28:5-8 Eastermorning changed everything! The tomb is empty, death is defeated, and Jesus isalive! The resurrection proves that Jesusâ sacrifice was accepted, that sin anddeath have no power over Himâor us. Grace doesnât end at the cross; it bursts forth in victory at the empty tomb.
TheAmazing Truth of Godâs Holy Spirit â John 16:13-15; John 16:8-9
Godâs amazing gracedoesnât leave us to figure things out alone. The Spirit convicts us of our sin, showing usour need for a Savior (John 16:8). He reveals the truth about Jesus and guidesus into a life of faith. Without the Spiritâs work, weâd never see our need forgrace. Even today, the Spirit is drawing us closer to Godâsamazing truth.
ClosingThought: Thismorning many of us will observe the sun rising over the ocean or thehorizon. But hereâs a thought: the sun isnât really rising. It appears to be,but the truth is, the earth is turning toward it. In the same way, for us tosee the Son of GodâJesusârising in our lives, we need to turn. The Bible callsthis repentance: turning away from our sin and turning toward God and His grace.
This Easter morning, will you turn to Christ? Will you believe His amazing truth andreceive His amazing grace? Itâs not about being good enoughâitâs about trustingin what Jesus has already done. If youâve never surrendered to Him, or if youneed to recommit your life, now is the moment. Letâs pray together.
Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing grace. Thank You for loving us, for sendingJesus to live, die, and rise again for us. Thank You for Your Spirit, who opensour eyes to Your truth. Right now, we turn to You. Forgive our sins, fill uswith Your grace, and help us live for You.
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Picturea woman in a dimly lit Palestinian home, realizing one of her ten silver coinsis missing. These coins were more than money, they formed a headband worn by abride, a symbol of her marriage, like a wedding ring. Losing one was a crisis.So, she lights a lamp, grabs a broom, and searches every corner, sweeping awaydust and peering into shadows. When she finally finds that glinting coin, herjoy overflows.
Inthe first parable of Luke 15, the shepherd seeking the lost sheep shows usJesus, the Good Shepherd, pursuing a foolish lost sinner far from God. Thissecond parable, the lost coin, offers another layer. The coin, still in thehouse but hidden in the dirt, can picture a believer who has lost theirusefulness to God, perhaps through sin, neglect, distraction, or carelessness.
Thewoman represents the Holy Spirit, who brings the light of Godâs Word to exposehidden sin, sweeps the heart clean through conviction, and restores thebeliever to fellowship with the Lord. Every person, sinner or saint, bearsGodâs image, like a coin stamped with a kingâs likeness. Even when sin marsthat image, God sees their worth and pursues them.
Jesussays heaven rejoices when one sinner repents, but this parable also hints atthe joy when a believer is restored. Angels celebrate when a lost soul comes toChrist or when a wayward Christian returns to Godâs purpose. This challenges usto see everyone, unbelievers and struggling believers alike, as precious toGod, worth seeking and restoring.
Thisparable reveals Godâs heart for both the lost sinner and the believer whoâsdrifted. If you feel far from God today, maybe as a believer whoâs lost yourspiritual fire, know that the Holy Spirit is searching for you, ready torestore you with the light of His Word. If youâre walking closely with God,youâre called to join this mission.
Peoplearound you, friends, coworkers, or even fellow Christians, may be like thatlost coin, in Godâs house but not shining for Him. You can help by sharing thetruth of Scripture, praying for their restoration, or encouraging them toreturn to fellowship. (Read Galatians 6:1-5).
Thisalso challenges our attitudes. The religious leaders grumbled when Jesuswelcomed sinners. Jesus was saying that God actually searches for lost sinners!No wonder the scribes and Pharisees were offended, for there was no place intheir legalistic theology for a God like that. They had forgotten that God hadsought out Adam and Eve when they had sinned and hidden from God (Gen. 3:8-9).In spite of their supposed knowledge of Scripture, the scribes and Phariseesforgot that God was like a father who pitied his wayward children (Ps.103:8-14).
Dowe ever judge those whoâve wandered, whether unbelievers or believers caught insin? God pursues both with equal love, and we must too. Letâs be vessels of theHoly Spirit, bringing light and hope to those who need it. James ended hisepistle with these words: âBrethren, if anyone among you wanders from thetruth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner fromthe error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sinsâ(James 5:19-20).
Challenge:
Bea light this week and identify one person who seems far from God, either anunbeliever or a believer whoâs drifted. Pray for them daily, asking the HolySpirit to shine His light and restore them. Look for one chance to showkindness, share a Scripture, or invite them to reconnect with God, maybethrough a conversation or a church invitation. Then, watch for God to work andbe ready to rejoice when He does.
Prayer:
Lord,thank You for pursuing us when weâre lost, whether as sinners or believerswhoâve wandered. Fill us with Your Spirit to shine Your Word and restore othersto You. Give us boldness this week to pray, love, and reach out. May we joinheavenâs joy over every restored soul. In Jesusâ name, Amen.
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Luke15 has become one of my favorite chapters in the Bible over the years. Thispassage paints a vivid picture of Godâs heart for the lost. The chapter beginswith tax collectors and sinners, people who are despised and rejected bysociety, are drawing near to Jesus, eager to hear His words. Thisscandalizes the Pharisees and scribes, who see themselves as righteous andabove such âsinners.â
Theirgrumbling reveals their lack of love for the lost, but Jesus responds with aparable that unfolds in three stories about a lost sheep, a lost silver coin,and a lost son, all which reveal Godâs love and heart for sinners. In these storieswe clearly can see the Trinity. Jesus, the Savior seeking the lost sheep in thewilderness, the Holy Spirit lighting the candle, cleaning the house, seekingthe lost silver coin, and God the Father patiently waiting for the lost son tocome back home to fellowship with Him!
Inthe first story, a shepherd with a hundred sheep notices one is missing. Thatone sheep matters so much that he leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness tosearch for it. He doesnât give up until he finds it, and when he does, hedoesnât scold it or drive it back harshly. Instead, he gently lifts it onto hisshoulders, carries it home, and throws a celebration with his friends,shouting, âRejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!â Jesusexplains the punchline: heaven rejoices more over one sinner who repents thanover the ninety-nine who think they need no repentance.
Like the shepherd,God seeks out those who are lost, people whoâve wandered away, whether throughfoolishness, rebellion, or ignorance. No one is too far gone for His pursuit.Second, it reveals the value God places on every single person. The shepherddidnât say, âItâs just one sheep; I still have ninety-nine.â Each one isprecious, worth leaving the fold to rescue. Third, it highlights the joy ofsalvation. The shepherdâs celebration mirrors heavenâs joy when a sinner turnsto God. Angels rejoice, and God Himself delights in the return of His own.
Are we like the Pharisees, quickto judge or distance ourselves from those we deem âunworthyâ? Or do we reflectJesus, who draws near to the broken and outcast with compassion? The truth is,weâre all like that lost sheep at some point, foolishly straying, helpless, andin need of a Savior. (Read Isaiah 53:6). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to seekand save us (Luke 19:10), carrying us home on His shoulders. And now, He callsus to join Him in His mission to seek the lost.
Thereis a fourfold joy expressed when a lost sinner comes to the Savior. There iscertainly joy in the heart of the person who is found. Both Scripture (Acts3:8; 8:39) and our own personal experience verify the joy of salvation. Butthere is also the joy of the person who does the finding. Whenever you assistin leading a lost soul to faith in Christ, you experience a wonderful joywithin (Psalm 126:5-6). Others join with us in rejoicing as we share the goodnews of a new child of God in the family (v. 6), and there is also joy inheaven (Luke 15:7, 10).
Challenge
Thisweek, letâs live out the heart of the Good Shepherd. Pray for one person inyour life who seems far from God, maybe someone you might naturally overlook orjudge. Ask God to soften their heart and give you an opportunity to show themHis love. Reach out to that person witha small gesture of kindness, a conversation, a meal, or a note ofencouragement. Show them the same grace Jesus showed the tax collectors andsinners.
Letâscommit to being people who seek the lost, not because weâre perfect, butbecause weâve been found by the Shepherdâs love.
Prayer
LordJesus, thank You for seeking us when we were lost. Fill us with Your compassionfor those who are far from You. Give us courage to reach out, wisdom to shareYour love, and joy in seeing others come to You. May our lives reflect thecelebration of heaven. In Your name, Amen.
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WhenJesus left the Pharisee's house, great crowds followed Him, but He was notimpressed by the size of the crowd or their enthusiasm. In this passage, Jesusspeaks to a large crowd following Him, saying, âIf anyone comes to Me anddoes not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bearhis cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.â He uses parables aboutbuilding a tower and a king preparing for war to emphasize counting the cost offollowing Him, concluding that disciples must forsake all and be like salt thatretains its flavor.
Imaginea massive crowd buzzing with excitement, trailing Jesus as He walks away from aPhariseeâs house. Theyâre drawn to His miracles, His teachings, maybe evenhopes of a political revolution. But Jesus stops, turns, and delivers asobering message: discipleship isnât a casual fan club. Itâs a costly, all-incommitment.
First,Jesus demands supreme love. He says we must âhateâ our family and even our ownlives. This isnât about despising people but loving Jesus so fiercely thatevery other affection pales in comparison. Think of a parent who sacrificespersonal dreams to follow Godâs call or a believer who risks family ties tostand for Christ. Our love for Jesus must eclipse all else, making us willingto surrender even whatâs dearest. I love how Oswald Chambers puts it: âThe onlyright we have is the right to give up the right to ourselvesâ.
Second,Jesus calls us to bear our cross. This isnât just enduring lifeâsannoyancesâitâs a daily choice to embrace shame, suffering, and Godâs will,just as Jesus did on His way to Calvary. Itâs saying no to selfish ambitionsand yes to serving Christ, even when itâs unpopular or painful. Picture earlyChristians facing persecution or missionaries leaving comfort for danger.Thatâs the cross weâre called to carry.
Then,Jesus uses two parables to drive home the need to count the cost. A buildermust ensure he has enough to finish a tower, or heâll face mockery for ahalf-built ruin. A king must assess if his army can defeat a stronger foe, orheâll need to seek peace. These stories challenge us to consider: Are we readyto follow Jesus fully, knowing it may cost our reputation, possessions, or evenour lives? Half-hearted commitment wonât do. Jesus wants disciples whoâllfinish the race, not quit when the glamour fades.
Finally,Jesus compares disciples to salt. Salt preserves, purifies, and adds flavor,making people thirsty for God. But if salt loses its savor, itâs useless, fitonly to be thrown out. A disciple who compromises their faith becomesineffective, unable to impact the world for Christ. Weâre called to stayvibrant, devoted, and true, reflecting Jesus in our character and actions.
Discipleshipis serious business. Jesus doesnât coerce us, He invites us to choose Himdeliberately, knowing the cost. Heâs looking for quality, not quantity, fordisciples whoâll be stones in His church, soldiers in His battle, and salt inHis world. As He spoke these words, Jesus was heading toward His own cross. Heasks nothing of us that He hasnât already given.
Challenge
This week, reflect on what discipleship costs you personally. Ask yourself: Isthere somethingâfamily, comfort, ambitionâIâm holding back from Jesus? Take onepractical step to deepen your commitment. Maybe itâs prioritizing prayer overdistractions, serving someone despite inconvenience, or boldly sharing yourfaith. Count the cost, then choose to follow Jesus fully. Be salt that flavorsthe world around you.Prayer
Father, thank You for Jesusâ call to true discipleship. Give us courage to loveYou above all, bear our cross, and count the cost. Help us be salt thatglorifies You. In Jesusâ name, Amen. -
Imaginesitting at a Phariseeâs table with Jesus when one of the guests exclaims, âBlessedis he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!â Jesus responds with aparable: A man prepares a great supper and invites many guests. When the timecomes, he sends his servant to say, âCome, for all things are now ready.âBut the invited guests make excuses. One bought land and needs to see it,another bought oxen and must test them, another just got married and canâtcome. Angered, the host tells his servant to go into the streets and lanes,bringing in the poor, maimed, lame, and blind. Still, thereâs room, so he sendsthe servant to the highways and hedges to compel others to come, declaring thatnone of the original invitees will taste his supper.
Thisparable is a vivid picture of Godâs invitation to His kingdom, a feast ofgrace, salvation, and eternal joy. The host represents God, the supper is thegospel, and the servant is like Jesus or His messengers, calling us to come.The first invitees, likely representing the religious leaders of Jesusâ day,had every reason to attend. Theyâd already accepted the invitation, yet whenthe time came, they prioritized worldly concerns, their property, work, andfamily over the feast. Their excuses werenât just polite refusals; they wereinsults to the host, revealing hearts more devoted to temporary things than toGodâs eternal offer.
ButGodâs grace doesnât stop with rejection. The host opens his table to theoutcasts, the poor, the broken, those society overlooks. When thereâs stillroom, he extends the invitation further, to the highways and hedges,symbolizing the Gentiles and all who seem far from God. This shows theboundless reach of the gospel: no one is too lowly, too distant, or toounworthy to be invited. Notice the hostâs urgency, âgo out quickly,â âcompelthem to comeâ. It reflects Godâs heart to fill His house with people who willaccept His gift of salvation, freely offered through Jesusâ sacrifice.
Yet,the parable ends with a sobering warning: those who made excuses were shut out.Godâs invitation is open, but itâs not indefinite. Saying âlaterâ to Jesusrisks missing out entirely. The excuses in the story, land, oxen, marriage, werenâtbad things, but they became idols when they took precedence over God. Today, wemight make similar excuses: âIâm too busy with work,â âIâll follow Jesus whenlife slows down,â or âI have other priorities.â This parable should challengeus to examine our hearts. Whatâs keeping us from fully embracing Godâs call?Are we settling for good things at the cost of the best, Godâs eternal kingdom?
Thebeauty of this story is the feast itself. Godâs kingdom isnât a duty; itâs acelebration! Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross, so all things are nowready. On the cross, Jesus declared, âIt is finishedâ. Salvation is complete! Thetable is set, and thereâs room for you. The question is: Will you come? Andwill you, like the servant, invite others to this feast, sharing the gospelwith urgency and love?
TodayâsChallenge for us:Identify one âexcuseâ or distraction that is keeping you from fully respondingto Godâs call. Maybe a busy schedule, a worldly priority, or fear ofcommitment. Pray for strength to put Jesus first and take one step towarddeeper devotion, like setting aside time for prayer or studying His Word. Alsobe willing to invite someone in your life who seems far from God, maybe acoworker, neighbor, or friend. Pray for them, then find a way to share Godâsinvitation, whether through a kind word, an act of service, or a conversationabout Jesus. Be the servant who compels others to come to the feast knowing thereis still room.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting us to Your kingdomâs feast. Forgive us forthe excuses we make. Fill us with Your Spirit to prioritize You above all andto share Your invitation with others. May Your house be filled, and may werejoice at Your table forever. Amen. -
Luke 14:12-14
12 Then He also said tohim who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask yourfriends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they alsoinvite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite thepoor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because theycannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of thejust."
Welcometo Pastorâs Chat! Today, weâre reflecting on Jesusâ words in Luke 14:12-14,where He challenges us to rethink who we invite to our tables. This passagecalls us to a generosity that seeks nothing in return, and itâs a powerfulinvitation to live differently.
Jesusis at a dinner, surrounded by people who likely invited each other out of habitor to gain favor. He turns to the host and says something radical: when youthrow a feast, donât just invite your friends, family, or wealthy neighbors whocan pay you back with an invitation of their own. Instead, invite the poor, themaimed, the lame, the blind, those who canât repay you. Why? Because trueblessing comes when you give without expecting anything in return, trusting Godto reward you at the resurrection of the just.
Thisisnât about banning dinners with friends or family. Jesus isnât saying thoseare wrong. Itâs about breaking the cycle of self-serving hospitality, where wegive only to get something back, whether itâs a favor, status, or applause. InJesusâ day, inviting the poor or disabled wasnât common, they couldnât boostyour social standing. But Jesus flips that logic upside down. He says realgenerosity looks beyond what youâll gain. Itâs about giving to those who havenothing to offer you, reflecting Godâs heart for the overlooked.
Thinkabout how this applies today. We might not host big banquets, but we âinviteâpeople into our lives in other waysâthrough our time, resources, or attention.How often do we gravitate toward those who can benefit us? Jesus challenges usto seek out those who canât repay. Maybe itâs a neighbor struggling to get by,a coworker whoâs always ignored, or someone society dismisses. When we givefreely, weâre not losing out; weâre storing up treasure in heaven, where Godsees and honors every selfless act.
Jesuslived this out perfectly. He ate with tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts,offering love without expecting repayment. His generosity cost Him everything,yet God exalted Him. Thatâs the kind of heart Heâs calling us to, one thatgives for Godâs glory, not our own gain.
So,how do we live this out? Start small: share what you have without keepingscore. It could be buying a coffee for someone who canât return the favor,volunteering time to help a stranger, or listening to someone whoâs oftenunheard. The point is to give with no strings attached, trusting God for theoutcome.
Hereâsa challenge for this week: Do one intentional act of generosity for someone whocanât repay you. Maybe itâs a kind gesture for a homeless person, helping astruggling single parent, or praying for someone without telling them. Ask Godto show you who needs your kindness and let His love flow through you.
Prayer:
LordJesus, thank You for Your selfless love that gave without expecting return.Forgive us for the times we seek repayment for our kindness. Open our eyes tothose who need our generosity, and give us courage to give freely, trusting Youfor our reward. Holy Spirit, guide us this week to reflect Your heart. In Yourname, Amen.
ClosingChallenge
Friends,letâs embrace Jesusâ call to generosity without expectation this week. Find oneperson who canât pay you back and bless them quietly. Watch how God uses it, notjust in their life, but in yours. Share your story with someone to inspire themtoo! Letâs go love like Jesus today
God bless!
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Welcometo Pastorâs Chat! Today, weâre diving into a powerful lesson from Jesus in Luke14:7-11, where He teaches us about humility through a parable told at a dinnertable. You can easily picture the scene in this passage. Jesus is at a dinner,watching guests scramble for the best seats, closest to the host, the spotsthat scream, âIâm important!â Itâs a familiar human impulse, isnât it? We wantto be noticed, valued, respected. Maybe itâs not about seats at a table for us,but we chase status in other ways, through titles, likes on social media, orbeing seen with the ârightâ people.
Jesussees this and tells a parable that flips the script. He says, donât rush to thehead of the table, assuming you deserve it. Why? Because pride sets you up forembarrassment. If someone more honorable arrives, youâll be asked to move down,talk about a humbling moment! Instead, Jesus says, take the lowest seat. Becontent with less. Trust the host to notice and invite you higher if itâsfitting.
Thisisnât just about dinner etiquette, itâs about the posture of our hearts. Jesusends with a principle that echoes through Scripture: âWhoever exalts himselfwill be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.â Humility is afundamental grace in the Christian life, and yet it is elusive; if you know youhave it, you have lost it! It has well been said that humility is not thinkingmeanly of ourselves; it is simply not thinking of ourselves at all.
Petermust have remembered this occasion because later he writes in his epistle ââŠYes, all of you be submissive to oneanother, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, Butgives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mightyhand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.â (1 Peter 5:5-6). Proverbs13:10 teaches us that, âOnly by pride comes contentionâŠâ. Pride is at the rootof all of our sins. Eve was tempted by Satan with pride, âYou will be like godif you eat this fruitâŠâ (Genesis 3:5).
Jesusis the greatest example of humility, and we would do well to ask the HolySpirit to enable us to imitate Him (Phil. 2:1-16). He didnât grasp for glory,though He deserved it all. He washed feet, served sinners, and died on a cross.Yet God exalted Him above every name (Philippians 2:5-11). Thatâs the kind ofhumility weâre called to.
So,what does this look like today? Humility shows up in small choices: lettingsomeone else go first, listening instead of speaking, serving without expectingapplause. Itâs resisting the urge to promote yourself and trusting God to opendoors. Itâs recognizing that everyone at the table, whether theyâre âimportantâor not, because they matter to God.
Hereâsthe challenge: This week, practice one act of humility each day. Maybe itâsgiving up your spot in line, let someone cut in front of you while driving withkindness and grace, complimenting someone without expecting anything back, ordoing a kind deed anonymously. Notice how it feels to step back and let Godtake the lead. We need Godâs grace to live a life of selflessness every day!And we should remember that, âGod resist the proud, but gives grace to thehumbleâŠâ (James 4:6).
Myfriends, by Godâs grace, letâs go out and live this parable. Choose the lowseat. Serve someone quietly. Watch how God works through your humility.
Prayer:
LordJesus, thank You for showing us the beauty of humility. Forgive us for thetimes we chase status or put ourselves first. Teach us to take the lowestplace, to trust You with our worth, and to serve others with love. Holy Spirit,guide us this week to live humbly, reflecting Your heart. In Jesusâ name,Amen.
Godbless!
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In this passageJesus gives us at least three examples of how to silence our critics.
First, we should bewilling to confront criticism with bold truth. The Pharisees invited Jesus todinner not to learn but to accuse. They used a suffering man as bait, hoping tocatch Jesus breaking Sabbath laws. Jesus saw through their motives andconfronted them directly, asking, âIs it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?â Thiswasnât just a question; it was a challenge to their inconsistent beliefs. Theirsilence showed they couldnât answer without exposing their hypocrisy, as theylacked the power to heal, and their rules didnât align with Godâs heart. Jesussilenced them by speaking truth boldly, rooted in Godâs priorities. When weface critics, whether at work, home, or in our faith, we can follow Hisexample. Instead of shrinking back, we can answer their questions oraccusations with questions and share the truth that points to Godâs love andjustice. For example, if someone challenges your generosity, you might calmlyask, âWhy should we withhold help when someoneâs hurting?â Bold truth, spokenwith grace, can shift the conversation and quiet unfair criticism.
Second, we can disarm ourcritics with undeniable compassion. The Pharisees thought they had Jesustrapped: heal and break the Sabbath, or ignore the man and seem heartless.Jesus didnât hesitate. He healed the man and sent him safely away, showingcompassion that no one could argue with. Then He pressed further: âWhich ofyou, if your ox or son fell into a pit, wouldnât pull them out on the Sabbath?âThis exposed their double standardâtheyâd act for their own interests butcriticized His mercy. Their silence proved His point: compassion reflects Godâsheart more than rigid rules. When critics attack us, acts of genuine love canbe our strongest defense. Imagine helping a struggling coworker despite gossipabout your motives. Compassionate actions speak louder than words, makingcriticism look petty. By loving others visibly and selflessly, we can silencedetractors, showing a faith thatâs impossible to dispute.
And third, we can overcometheir criticism with unshakable conviction. Jesus didnât just heal andleave; He justified His actions with logic the Pharisees couldnât refute. Heknew their real issue was His influence, not the Sabbath. By pointing outtheyâd save their animals on the Sabbath, He revealed their criticism wasnâtabout principle but envy. Their silence showed they had no comeback. Jesusâconviction in Godâs truth was unshakable. We face critics who may twist ouractions or question our faith. Like Jesus, we can stand firm, grounded in whatwe know is right. If someone mocks your commitment to prayer or service,respond with confidence in Godâs call to love and obey. Conviction doesnât needto be loud, especially when itâs steady, rooted in faith. When we live withintegrity, critics often run out of arguments, as our lives reflect Godâs truthmore than their words can counter.
Challenge
This week, identify asituation where you face criticism, maybe for your faith, choices, or kindness.Instead of arguing or retreating, take one step inspired by Jesus: speak atruthful word with grace, show compassion that canât be ignored, or stand firmin your convictions without wavering. For example, if someone questions yourgenerosity, quietly help someone in need anyway. Ask God for wisdom to respondin a way that honors Him and silences unfair attacks through love and truth.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank Youfor showing us how to face critics with truth, compassion, and conviction. Giveus wisdom to respond to opposition with grace and courage. Help us live in away that reflects Your heart, silencing critics through love and faithfulness.Amen.
Godbless!
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Thescene opens with Pharisees approaching Jesus: âGet out and depart from here,for Herod will kill youâ (v. 31). Theyâre likely scheming, hoping to scareHim from Perea, which was Herod Antipasâ territory, back to Judea, where theSanhedrin could trap Him. Herod, who beheaded John the Baptist (Luke 9:7-9),was curious about Jesusâ miracles but now threatens His life, perhaps fearingHis influence. The Phariseesâ warning may carry truth, yet their motives aresuspect, cloaked in false concern. Jesus, unfazed, and with courage, replies, âGoand tell that fox, âBehold, I cast out demons and perform cures today andtomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfectedââ (v. 32).
CallingHerod a âfoxâ, indicating that he was sly and despised, Jesus uses sharpsarcasm, not disrespect, fitting His prophetic role (Nehemiah 4:3). Jesus is novictim of Herodâs schemes because He knows that He is following a divinetimetable (John 2:4; Acts 2:23). Nothing, not even Herodâs threats, can derailGodâs plan for His death at Passover in Jerusalem, decreed before time (1 Peter1:20). âToday and tomorrowâ mean Heâll continue His work, freeing theoppressed, healing the sick, until the âthird day,â hinting at His death and resurrection,when His mission is âfinishedâ (John 19:30). No earthly power, neither Herodnor Pharisees, can stop Him. And it will not stop us if we know Godâs plan andpurpose for our lives!
ThenJesus declares, âNevertheless I must walk today, tomorrow, and the dayfollowing, for it cannot be that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalemâ (v.33). With biting irony, He notes Jerusalemâs grim history as the place whereprophets die, judged by the Sanhedrin as false (Luke 11:47-51; Acts 13:27). âItcannot beâ, in other words, âitâs not fittingâ, for Him to die elsewhere.This isnât resignation; itâs resolve to face His destiny, exposing the cityâsguilt in rejecting Godâs messengers.
Jesustone now shifts to anguish revealing His compassion: âO Jerusalem,Jerusalem, which kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often Iwanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under herwings, but you were not willing!â (v. 34). This lament, repeated later(Matthew 23:37), pulses with love, not anger. Like a hen shielding chicks fromdanger (Psalm 91:4), Jesus longed to protect IsraelâHis âhouse,â both thenation and temple. He knew its history, from Melchizedek to the Maccabees, yetsaw its rebellion. Despite countless chances to repent, they refused, leavingtheir house âdesolateâ (v. 35). The temple, their idol, would burn in AD 70,the people scattered, with no king or priest (Hosea 3:4).
Yet,Jesus gives them hope: âYou shall not see Me until you say, âBlessed is Hewho comes in the name of the Lordââ (v. 35; Psalm 118:26). , This points to His return, whenIsrael will mourn, then embrace Him (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:1). Jesusdoesnât forsake them; a future awaits in His coming Millennium reign whentheyâll sing His praise.
Jesusâ courage should challenge our fears. Hefaced Herodâs threats, unmoved, because He trusted Godâs plan. Are we as bold,or do we shrink from opposition? His lament reveals Godâs compassionate heartwhich is patient, yearning to gather us, yet grieved by refusal. Israelâs âyouwere not willingâ warns us: privilege doesnât save; only surrender does.The Pharisees hid behind their deceit, and Jerusalem clung to tradition. Today,we might dodge Godâs call with excuses or delay. But the door of grace wonâtstay open forever, because now is the time to respond (Hebrews 4:7).
ClosingChallenge
Todaydo you hear the calls of Jesus? Are you resisting Jesusâ call like Jerusalem,or trusting His timing like He did? This week, face one fear or excuse holdingyou back. Maybe sharing your faith or letting go of control. Step forwardboldly, praying for a heart soft to His gathering wings. Donât say âI wouldnotâ, but today say yes.
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Today, in Luke 13:22-30, we will hear Jesusgive us a call to the urgency of salvation.
AsJesus is teaching, someone, perhaps curious, skeptical, or admiring, asks aboutthe number that will be saved. The scribes often debated this, but Jesusreframes it: âDonât ask how many; ask if you will be one.â He says, âStriveto enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enterand will not be ableâ (v. 24). âStriveâ here is athleticâagonize, like anOlympian racing for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:25). Salvation is free, but itâsnot easy. The gate is narrow, demanding a changed heart, a new birth, and adisciplined life (Luke 9:23; Matthew 7:13-14). Most prefer the wide, easy roadto destruction.
Thencomes a sobering picture: âWhen once the Master of the house has risen upand shut the door, you begin to knock, saying, âLord, Lord, open for us,â andHe will say, âI do not know you, where you are fromââ (v. 25). Theyprotest, âWe ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streetsâ(v. 26), but He replies, âDepart from Me, all you workers of iniquityâ(v. 27). These are Jews of Jesusâ day, privileged with His presence, eatingwith Him, hearing His words, yet uncommitted. They delayed, trusting theirheritage as âchildren of Abrahamâ or their proximity to Jesus. God was patient,but the door shut, picturing Israelâs rejection and the Roman judgment of AD70. Itâs personal too: familiarity with Christ isnât faith. Many seek too late,when mercyâs door closes.
Theconsequence stings: âThere will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when yousee Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, andyourselves thrust outâ (v. 28). Imagine the shock of hearing about the patriarchsand prophets feasting, while theyâre excluded, and gnashing their teeth inregret over wasted chances (Psalm 112:10). Pride blinded them; they thoughtthey were first, but Gentiles, the âunclean dogsâ from east, west, north, andsouth come and take their place (v. 29). âThe last will be first, and thefirst will be lastâ (v. 30). Godâs kingdom flips human rankings. The Jewsâreligious tradition couldnât save them; it takes more than reverence for thepast (Isaiah 64:4; Titus 1:16).
Whydid they miss it? For the same reason we miss it! A false sense of security, Jesus was amongthem, yet they didnât trust Him (Luke 10:13-16). Pride kept them from humblingthemselves. Worst, their wills resisted: âYe would notâ (Luke 13:34).Delay hardened their hearts, a warning echoed in Hebrews 4:7: âToday, if youhear His voice, do not harden your hearts.â Salvation demands effort, notto earn it, but to overcome sin, Satan, and self through repentance and faith.
Forus, this is a wake-up call. The question isnât âHow many?â but âAm I striving?âMany seek casually, liking holiness but not pursuing it, banking on religious churchties or past moments with God. Jesus knows His own; the rest He discards asâworkers of iniquity,â despite their pleas. Yet, hope shines: people from allcorners of the earth will come, striving against obstacles, and will feast withthe saints. Salvationâs door is open now! âAnd you will seek me and find mewhen you have searched for me with all your heartâ (Jeremiah 29:13).
ClosingChallenge
Areyou striving or coasting? This week, pinpoint one obstacle to your faithâpride,delay, or complacency. Take a deliberate step through the narrow gate: confessa sin, pray earnestly, or share Christ with someone. Donât wait until the doorshutsâagonize for salvation today.
Prayer
LordJesus, thank You for the narrow gate of grace, open now but not forever.Forgive us for trusting in privilege or procrastination instead of You. Stir usto striveâwrestling sin, seeking You with all we have. Help us enter beforeitâs too late, and may we rejoice with the saints from every corner. Amen.
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These parables are oftentaken out of context and misinterpreted, but they have much to teach us aboutGodâs work, Satanâs schemes, and our call to discernment.
First, Jesus asks, âWhatis the kingdom of God like? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a mantook and planted in his garden; and it grew and became a great tree, and thebirds of the air lodged in its branchesâ (Luke 13:18-19). On the surface,this sounds like successâa tiny seed sprouting into a towering tree. Butsomethingâs off. Mustard seeds grow into shrubs, not trees. This abnormalgrowth hints at distortion. The Jews knew their Scriptures: a mighty tree oftensymbolized a world power (Ezekiel 17:22-24; Daniel 4:20-22), and birds, as inthe parable of the sower (Luke 8:5, 12), represent evilâSatan and his forces(Matthew 13:19). Jesus isnât picturing triumph here, but a kingdom infiltratedby falsehood.
Then He says, âTowhat shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman tookand hid in three measures of meal until it was all leavenedâ (Luke13:20-21). Leaven, in Scripture, consistently symbolizes evil (Exodus 12:14-20;Luke 12:1). Think of the Phariseesâhypocrisy or Herodâs corruption (Matthew 16:12; Mark 8:15). A woman hidingleaven in meal suggests stealthy contamination, not godly influence. Theseparables, echoing Matthew 13, donât show the kingdom conquering the world.Instead, they warn of Satanâs two-pronged attack: abnormality (the oversizedtree) and adulteration (the hidden leaven).
For context, Jesusspoke amid opposition. The synagogue ruler had just fumed over a Sabbathhealing, clinging to dead traditions. These parables counter that mindset:âYour rules wonât stop Godâs kingdom, but Satan will distort it.â Historically,Israel rejected Christ, and during this church age, Godâs program facesfailureânot in its ultimate victory, but in its present form. The mustard seedreflects âChristendomââthe visible, professing churchâgrowing unnaturallylarge, like after Constantine, when the âOrganized Churchâ became a politicalpower, not a humble âlittle flockâ (Luke 12:32). Like birds, the false teachersnest in its branches.
The leaven showscorruption creeping in: Pharisees with empty rituals, Sadducees denying thesupernatural, Herodians bowing to Rome. Today the church battles similardistortions, such as legalism, skepticism, and compromise. Jesus isnâtcontradicting Himself here. Heâd already called leaven evil (Luke 12:1). Nor dothese parables promise global permeation; population growth outpaced by truefaith. The kingdomâs seed often falls on barren soil, Satan sows counterfeits,and the net catches good and bad fish (Matthew 13). Yet, thereâs hope: Godâstrue kingdom endures, despite the mess. These stories challenge the crowd, andus, to look beyond appearances. The religious leaders saw only theirtraditions; Jesus saw Satanâs schemes and Godâs bigger plan.
What does this mean forus? Weâre in a mixed age where truth and falsehood grow together. We mustdiscern the real kingdom from its counterfeits, not confusing size or influencewith godliness. Satan attacks with abnormality (prideful bigness) andadulteration (subtle lies). Our job isnât to fix the whole tree or the meal butto be faithful, bearing true fruit in a crooked world, trusting God for thefinal harvest.
Closing Challenge
This week, examine yourfaith: Are you swayed by the âbig treeâ of flashy religion or the âleavenâ ofwatered-down truth? Pick one area of your life, maybe a belief, habit, orinfluence, and test it against Scripture. Root out any distortion and commit toauthentic, humble faith. Be a seed of truth in a tangled world.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank Youfor revealing the kingdomâs reality of growth amid corruption. Open our eyes toSatanâs schemes and keep us from false traditions or lies. Help us bear truefruit, faithful to You, not the worldâs show. Strengthen us to stand firm untilYour victory comes. Amen.
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As Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, He enters a synagogue in Perea,teaching on the Sabbath as was His custom. There, He encounters a womancrippled for eighteen years, bent double by a spirit of infirmity. This momentbecomes more than a healing, itâs a lesson in freedom, compassion, and theclash between Godâs heart and human tradition.
Youcan imagine the scene. Jesus is preaching when He notices this woman, bowedover, unable to straighten herself. For eighteen years, sheâd endured thisafflictionâlikely caused by Satan, as Jesus later reveals. Yet, sheâs faithful,present in the synagogue week after week, seeking God despite her pain. Jesus,ever sensitive to need, calls her forward. It might have seemed harsh to exposeher publicly, but He has a purposeâto defeat Satan, free her, and teach atruth. With a word, âWoman, you are loosed from your infirmity,â and atouch of His hands, she stands straight, glorifying God. The synagogue eruptsin awe, except for one voice.
Theruler of the synagogue, indignant, scolds the crowd: âThere are six days towork; come and be healed then, not on the Sabbath!â Too cowardly toconfront Jesus directly, he masks his anger in tradition. His outburst isalmost laughable, did he think healings were routine? Could he have freed herhimself? His bondage to rules was worse than hers to Satan; her body was bent,but his heart and mind were shackled. Jesus calls him out: âYou hypocrite!Donât you loose your ox or donkey on the Sabbath to water it? Shouldnât thiswoman, a daughter of Abraham, bound by Satan for eighteen years, be loosed onthis day?â The argument is simple yet profound: if mercy is shown toanimals, how much more to a person made in Godâs image?
Thiswasnât random timing. Jesus chose the Sabbath deliberately, repeating âlooseâto drive home the lessonâfreedom is His gift, not traditionâs prisoner. Thewoman, a âdaughter of Abraham,â likely had faith, marking her as one ofGodâs own. Her healing wasnât just physical; it mirrored spiritual liberation.Sin, sorrow, and suffering bow us down (Psalm 38:6; 42:5), but Christ lifts usup. Satan oppresses, sometimes for years, even believers (think of Paulâs thornin 2 Corinthians 12), but Jesusâ power is greater (John 10:10). Not everysickness is demonic (Luke 6:17-19), but when it is, Jesus can break itinstantly.
Therulerâs reaction reveals a deeper issue. He saw the Sabbath as a checklist, nota gift of rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Tradition became his excuse to avoidcompassion. Jesus exposes this hypocrisy, shaming His critics into silencewhile the crowd rejoices at His âglorious things.â The synagogue rulerâspetty clock told yesterdayâs time, blind to the new era Jesus brought (Luke12:56). This was no violation; it was Godâs work, fitting for the Sabbath.
Whatdoes this mean for us today? Jesus still calls the bowed-downâthose crippled bysin or griefâto come to Him. He offers freedom, not just from physical chainsbut from spiritual ones, often before we even ask. Yet, like the ruler, we cancling to rules or routines that block mercy. The Sabbath here isnât aboutlegalism but heart-rest through grace. When we see suffering, do we respondwith Christâs compassion or hide behind excuses? His adversaries were ashamed;His followers rejoiced. Which side are we on?
ClosingChallenge
Thisweek, look for someone âbowed downââphysically, emotionally, or spiritually.Donât let tradition or busyness stop you; take one step to âlooseâ them withkindnessâa call, a helping hand, or a prayer. Reflect: Are you free in Christ,or bound by your own rules? Act in His mercy today.
Prayer
LordJesus, thank You for seeing us in our infirmities and calling us to freedom.Forgive us when we prioritize tradition over compassion, like the synagogueruler. Loose us from sin, sorrow, and self-made chains, and help us lift othersas You do. May we rejoice in Your glorious works, living out Your grace thisweek. In Your name, Amen.
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Jesusbegins, âA certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he cameseeking fruit on it, and found none. Then he said to the vinedresser, âBehold,these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut itdown; why does it cumber the ground?ââ In Jewish law (Leviticus19:23-25), a new treeâs fruit wasnât eaten for three years, the fourth yearâscrop went to God, and the owner enjoyed it from the fifth year on. This ownerhad waited seven yearsâfar beyond the normâyet the tree remained barren.Frustrated, he orders it cut down, tired of it wasting good soil.
Butthe story doesnât end there. The vinedresser intercedes: âLord, let it alonethis year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it. And if it bears fruit,well; and if not, then after that you shall cut it downâ. Theparable stops abruptly, leaving us to ponder the outcome. Did the tree bearfruit? Was it spared or chopped down? Jesus leaves it open-ended, shifting thefocus from the treeâs fate to ours.
Thisparable speaks on two levels: to the nation of Israel and to us as individuals.For Israel, the fig tree was a symbol (Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:18-20). God,the owner, had lavished it with unique blessingsâcovenants, commandments,patriarchs, prophets, and priests (Romans 9:1-5). Unlike Gentile nations leftto fend for themselves, Israel was planted in fertile soil to bless the world.Jesus, the vinedresser, spent three years of ministry crossing the land,teaching with unmatched wisdom and working miracles like no one else. Yet, thenation remained barren, rejecting Him in unbelief. âWhy does it cumber theground?â it was askedâIsrael wasnât just fruitless; it spoiled the soil byfailing its calling.
Still,Godâs patience shines through. The vinedresser pleads for one more yearâmoretime to dig, fertilize, and nurture. This mirrors the forty years after Jesusâministry when the early church, starting with a Jewish remnant at Pentecost,preached the gospel powerfully to the nation. But rejection persisted. By AD70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the templeâthe tree was cut down. Godâsgrace had limits; judgment came when the borrowed time ran out.
Ona personal level, this parable is a mirror. God is gracious and long-suffering(2 Peter 3:9), doing more than enough to draw us to repentance and fruitfulness(Matthew 3:7-10). He has every right to cut us down for our barrenness, yet inmercy, He spares us. The three years might reflect Jesusâ ministry in ourlivesâHis presence, teaching, and Spirit working to produce fruit like love,faith, and obedience. The extra year is His ongoing patience, giving us time torespond. But we canât presume on His kindness foreverâjudgment will come (James5:9).
Theopen ending is intentional. Like the Book of Jonah, it forces us to finish thestory with our own lives. The question isnât âWhat happened to the tree?â butâWhat will happen to me?â God seeks fruitâreal, tangible evidence of a changedlife. He wonât accept substitutes like excuses or good intentions. When we hearof tragedies claiming lives, we should ask, âAm I just taking up space, or am Ibearing fruit for Godâs glory?â The time to repent and grow is nowââNow is theday of salvationâ (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ClosingChallenge
Reflecton your own âfig treeâ this week. Where is God seeking fruit in yourlifeâperhaps in your relationships, service, or devotion? Identify one barrenarea and take a step to nurture itâpray for strength, serve someone, or rootout a sin. Donât let this extra year pass fruitlessly; respond to His patiencewith action today.
Prayer
HeavenlyFather, thank You for Your patience, sparing us when we deserve judgment. Likethe vinedresser, You tend us with grace, seeking fruit. Forgive our barrennessand stir us to repent and grow. Help us bear fruit that glorifies Youâlove,faith, and obedience. Give us urgency to act now, trusting Your mercy wonâtlast forever. In Jesusâ name, Amen.
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Jesus is nearing Jerusalem when some in the crowd bring up agruesome tragedyâGalileans slaughtered by Pontius Pilate, their blood mingledwith their sacrifices. Pilate, a harsh Roman governor, was notorious forclashing with the Jews. He brought Roman ensigns into the Holy City, seizedtemple funds for an aqueduct, and quelled protests with violence. Thisatrocity, possibly during a feast when nationalism surged, saw soldiers strikedown unarmed Galileans at the altarâa shocking sacrilege. The crowd, especiallythe Pharisees and Judeans, assumed these Galileans were worse sinners,deserving such a fate. They expected Jesus to agree.
Instead,Jesus replies, âDo you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than allother Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unlessyou repent, you will all likewise perishâ (Luke 13:2-3). Then He brings itcloser to home: âOr those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killedthem, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt inJerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perishâ(Luke 13:4-5). The Siloam tower collapseâworkers killed on Pilateâs aqueductprojectâstung the Judeans. Theyâd judged those victims too, thinking they gotwhat they deserved for working with Pilate.
Jesusflips the script. He doesnât defend Pilate or the Galileans, nor does He diveinto political debates. He lifts the issue higher: tragedy isnât always divinepunishment. The Galileans werenât worse sinners; the Siloam workers werenâtuniquely guilty. Suffering doesnât always mark Godâs wrathâJobâs friendsmisjudged that, and so did the crowd. Even Jesus, sinless, suffered. If everydisaster signaled sin, how would we explain the trials of prophets, apostles,or Christ Himself? Jesus debunks their logic, then drives deeper: all aresinners, and all face judgment unless they repent. The real question isnât âWhydid they die?â but âWhy are you still alive?â
Thisurgency echoes through Scripture. Jesusâ first message was âRepent, for thekingdom of heaven is at handâ (Matthew 4:17). His last, to the church inLaodicea, was âBe zealous and repentâ (Revelation 3:19). Paul preached ârepentancetoward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christâ (Acts 20:21). The Greekword for repentance, metanoia, means a change of mind and heartâa turning fromsin to God. Itâs not just confessing; itâs forsaking sin and trusting Jesus.The Bible calls for repentance 969 timesâit hasnât dropped out of Godâs vocabulary,even if itâs faded from ours.
TheGalileansâ fate and Siloamâs collapse foreshadowed a greater judgmentâlikeJerusalemâs fall to Rome in AD 70. Jesusâ warning was clear: repent now, orperish. Today, weâre tempted to judge othersâ misfortunesââThey had itcomingââwhile dodging our own guilt. But Jesus cuts through: âUnless yourepent.â Weâre all in the same boatâone death per person. âNow is the day ofsalvationâ (2 Corinthians 6:2). As Jesus neared the cross, He urged thecrowdâand usâto wake up, stop pointing fingers, and turn to Him. He didnâtpromise a life free of towers or tyrants, but a way to stand forgiven beforeGod.
ClosingChallenge
Haveyou truly repentedâchanged your mind about sin, owning your guilt before God?This week, pick one area needing a turnâmaybe a hidden sin, a bitter attitude,or a neglected faith. Confess it, turn from it, and trust Jesus to transformyou. Donât delay; the time to repent is now.
Prayer
LordJesus, thank You for Your urgent call to repentance, preached from Your firstwords to Your last. Forgive us for judging others instead of facing our ownsin. Stir our hearts with metanoiaâa true change toward You. Help us turn fromsin, place our faith in You, and live as Your children. Give us courage to acttoday, trusting Your mercy. Bless us as we follow You to the cross and beyond.Amen.
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