Category: Staff Reading

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Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke begins this parable with Jesus’ definition of the Pharisee: “confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.” He doesn’t say all Pharisees fit this description, but it seems this is the typical Pharisee, one that everyone listening to the parable would relate to.

The Pharisee draws attention to himself with audacious, condescending words: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people…or even like this tax collector.” He then justifies himself by announcing he fasts twice a week and gives a tenth of his income.

On the other hand, the tax collector humbly presents himself to God and asks for mercy.

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

It is good to do good, but no there is nothing I can do to earn salvation–salvation only comes by grace.

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 18:9-14

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Parable of the Persistent Widow

As I was praying this morning, I remembered a friend who is going through a particular battle that has taken a huge toll on her physically and emotionally. Then I logged onto my computer and saw the quote from Richard Foster from his book, Prayer. It is difficult to comprehend how prayer works, but we know this is central to our faith. In this passage Luke prefaces the parable with these words:

to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

The woman in the story constantly approaches the judge (notably NOT a man of God) to demand justice. She’s not looking for a handout or for more than her fair share, she just wants justice. The “unjust judge” is tired of being bothered by this lady and in some respect is concerned she might resort to violence, so he hears her case and ensures she received justice.

Jesus explains that if an unjust judge would do this, how much more will God bring about justice for his people.

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.

The last verse adds a bit of a twist to this parable. Up to this point it’s an easy story to read and nod in agreement. Jesus adds:

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Suddenly we are moved from an interesting story about a nagging widow to a question of faith for us all to consider. We are compelled to pray without ceasing, trusting that God hears our prayers, that God wants to hear our prayers. Lord help us to be a people who prays consistently and persistently and hear our prayers Lord.

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 18:1-8

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Jesus speaks about the end times in this passage, when he will return in a flash, unexpectedly and suddenly. For the Pharisee he explains that the coming of the kingdom of God is right in front of them, but they can’t see it.

The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.

The Pharisees don’t understand this response, because they have their well developed pre-conceived notions as to how the Messiah will return and what he will do. Before we judge the Pharisees too harshly, we should recognize they were working within a system of beliefs that some in this day might call a denomination or church. Jesus holds us to a much higher standard than any set of manmade beliefs.

Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples that his return will come without warning, the long awaited rapture when “one will be taken and the other left.” Suddenly all the worldly wealth and desires pale in comparison to the glory of Christ and His Kingdom.

On that day can we say that we honestly did all we could to spread the Gospel? Lord help me to do your will this day. I long for the day when lightning strikes and those who have truly professed faith in you are redeemed, but I hope and pray that many, many more will see your light before it strikes.

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 17:20-37

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Ten Lepers are Healed

As Jesus was walking he was approached (at a responsible distance no doubt) by ten lepers. They shouted out “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” I assume they shouted because as lepers they would have been force into isolated groups. Jesus doesn’t hesitate. He heals them with a word and tells them to go and see the priests to verify their status and be reinstated to the community.

Yet only one of the ten is thankful, only one runs to Jesus to show appreciation, and this one is a Samaritan. I think Jesus wanted to make a point that even those despised by the world can come to him for salvation. The other nine may have been healed physically, but this man was healed completely.

As we cry out to Jesus for many things, I pray we will remember to be grateful for how the Lord appropriately responds.

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Plot to Kill Jesus — Caiaphas

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and as he walked out of the tomb in front of many people the crowd appears to fall into to camps: some believe, some don’t. It’s hard to imagine anything in between. I don’t think our present level of cynicism was common in that age, but it seems plausible that some thought it was all a show.

For some this was divine, for others this was a threat. Caiaphas speaks  for the Sanhedrin,

…it is better for you that one man die for the people
than that the whole nation perish.

These prophetic words are not meant to suggest that Jesus will be the propitiation for our sins; rather, Caiaphas concludes Jesus must be eliminated in order to preserve the Jewish State, their Temple and their system.  He speaks for the leaders and solidly sets in motion the events that will soon follow. The Jewish counsel will figure out how to kill this one man (though they will defer to the Romans for the dirty work) in an effort to save their system. To wrestle with this level of offense, the Sanhedrin would have included 71 Jewish leaders. Keeping the discussion secret seems impossible!

This is a great turning point in the earthly ministry of Jesus. Apparently the words of Caiaphas became known so Jesus and his disciples relocated about 15 miles away to Ephraim until the final march into Jerusalem.

So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

The great happiness of the crowd is squelched by the leaders actions. Yet this will ultimately work against them. When the people are confronted with the risen Jesus and hear the proclamation of the Apostles, I’m sure there will be some who remember the actions of the counsel and recognize how they have been greatly misled, even deceived, and propel into existence the birth of Christ’s church–Christianity.

As we have observed in this life, great tragedy provides a great opportunity for triumph. True character is revealed in the wake of horrible events. May God guide us in the path of righteousness as we grow in faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Bible Gateway Links:

John 11:45-54

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Jesus Wept and Lazarus Walked

As Jesus explained in the previous text, he now arrives at the scene where Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days–he is dead. Both Martha and Mary cry out to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” This was a family that Jesus knew well, they must have spent many days together talking about everyday normal stuff…they were great friends. That alone makes me pause.

Martha hears Jesus is coming and she goes out to meet him; Mary does the same. These are significant words on many levels. In a culture that shuns women and prevents them from any leadership role, here we see the Apostle John highlighting their story for all to read. Of the hundreds of stories and angles, God inspired John to write in these women into the story of the Gospel.

Jesus sees them and the others who have come to comfort them in their time of loss. He know what is about to happen, but he must have been swept away with human emotion as we read the most often quoted, shortest verse in the Bible,

Jesus wept.

The Jews that saw this were divided: some see the love that Jesus had for Lazarus while others are immediately cynical, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus wept for so many reasons, but I think he wept because he felt the pain of their loss. They weren’t pointing fingers at Jesus when they said he wouldn’t have died had Jesus been there, they were lamenting, grieving, reaching out to their friend. This isn’t a time for great lectures and preaching sermons. Jesus have very few words to say as he comforts his friends first of all by being there with them.

What he does next is way over the top, extraordinary, miraculous and dramatic. Before the incredible moment, Jesus prays,

Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.

He walks to the tomb, has the stone rolled away and calls out to Lazarus to “come out!” and the “dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen…”

Fully human, fully God. Both evident in these few verses.

Bible Gateway Links:

John 11:17-44

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Sickness and the Death of Lazarus

This is part one of the story of Lazarus, his death. Lazarus is Mary’s brother, part of a family that Jesus knows well, a family he loves. This really struck me this morning. Jesus was known for many great works and amazing sermons, but Jesus was fully human as well, he spent time with others in a variety of “normal” settings. The humanness of Jesus is hard to comprehend, but here we read “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

Jesus sets the stage for his disciples and tells them what’s about to happen, though (as usual it seems) the don’t quite understand what he’s telling them when Jesus says, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.” Their reaction: “Lord, if he sleeps he will get better,” so Jesus tells them plainly: “Lazarus is dead.” Oops. There must have been times when the disciples talked amongst themselves and wondered if they were really the right guys.

They have a rather long, sad walk back to a place where they know Jesus was threatened and now they know there is a scene that they really can’t begin to comprehend. We have the advantage of reading the next section of scripture, they were walking one step at a time.

In the section before we read where the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, now they get that opportunity. But first the walk.

Thomas, later referred to as Doubting Thomas, spurs them onto action, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Count me in Lord! Let’s Roll!!

Jesus does that which is not ordinary for people who need extraordinary help. Thank you Lord!

Bible Gateway Links:

John 11:1-16

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Sin, Faith, Duty — Watch Yourselves

Jesus set the standard extremely high in verses 1-4 and the disciples respond: “Increase our faith.” Wow! The disciples are listening to Jesus describe what will happen to those who cause people to stumble and they get it–they will be held accountable. There will be a time when leaders will have to answer for their decisions. “So watch yourselves,” Jesus said.

If you have even a small amount of faith, you can do amazing things. But we are called to be humble and to do all things giving God the glory:

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.”

God will do amazing things through our hands, our voices, our lives. Be truly humble when He does!

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 17:1-10

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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The Rich Man and Lazarus

The parable of the rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus (not the one Jesus raised from the dead) is entertaining to read and consider, but includes a very serious lesson in the last verse.

The rich man lived in luxury ever day of his life on earth. Dressed in fine linen, he had appeared to have everything one could every want. In contrast, Lazarus sits at the rich man’s gate and begs for food, even the crumbs that would fall from the man’s table. In time they both die. The rich man goes to Hades and the beggar stands beside Abraham in heaven and there is a conversation between the two. It’s obvious that the beggar is now completely healed and happy while the rich man is tormented daily.

The beggar’s trials were temporary and his reward eternal. The rich man’s reward was temporary as well and his eternal suffering overshadows the few days of wealth on earth.  Great perspective as we go through our daily struggles.

The conversation between the two in eternity has been the subject of many books and movies. The rich man in Hades begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his family to warn them lest they end up in Hades with him.  The classic “angel returns to earth to undo wrongs” kinda story. It’s fun and light until Jesus ends the story and probably leaves people scratching their heads:

If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.

Jesus provides some insight into his resurrection and rejection by those who will simply refuse to believe. As we read through Christian apologetics and learn more of the factual evidence that supports Christianity we always come back to this point: we must have faith. No amount of tangible evidence will convince the close-minded–even if they see someone come back from the dead. The good news is that many will be changed, many will come to Christ, so our job is not done.

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 16:19-31

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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God’s Law Will Remain

These few verses give us great reason to read and understand the Old Testament, the Law that was provided by God (as opposed to that which the Pharisees had created). Jesus defines a point in history that is before and after John the Baptist:

Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. (NLT)

People are eager to hear the Gospel, they really are! Perhaps we make it too difficult, too complex or maybe we make it too simple, too cheap!! Somewhere between the two ends of the spectrum we need to preach the Gospel and let the Holy Spirit do his great work. We don’t have to have all the answers or even pretend to understand all that is before us. What we know is that Jesus came to fulfill all we read about in the Scriptures and we must share that as faithful witnesses.

The Law will not disappear. Adultery is still adultery, yet another reference that points to the sanctity of marriage (that’s a whole different subject). God provided a firm foundation in the old covenant and Jesus builds the church on top of this unmovable force.

 

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 16:16-18

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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