This is Jesus’ last recorded parable in Luke before he arrives in Jerusalem, so it is a fitting end to our Lenten devotionals. Once again, Jesus wants to correct wrong expectations, but also stir up his followers’ thinking. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct your thoughts regarding how you should respond to Jesus, even as you remember his death today, and await his first return on Easter. 11 While they...  Read More

Our expectations have a lot to do with our responses. If we think Jesus came to take away difficulties, we set ourselves up for a lot of disappointment. But sometimes we live as if that were true. Thankfully, Jesus is honest with us about what to expect. Invite the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see how this passage applies to your own life as you reflect on it. 1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Th...  Read More

Are you a glass half-full or a glass half-empty person? I find when I think about expectations as a follower of Jesus it’s easy to focus on the costs, but that is only half the story. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the Father that Jesus sees and shows us through his words and actions. 22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; ...  Read More

This passage follows immediately after Jesus warns people to count the cost of following him. Apparently, they did not all run away! Mission might look different in our context, but certain elements will be the same. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see and ears to hear what you need to take away for yourself to expect as a follower of Jesus. 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two othe...  Read More

In this last week of Lent we will return to some earlier chapters in Luke and look at what Jesus teaches his disciples in regard to what they can expect as his followers. Counting the cost and benefits is important if we are going to follow Jesus for the long haul, and Jesus is quite clear about certain things. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you see and hear what he wants you to understand. 18 Onc...  Read More

We end this week of looking at faith in action at an unusual place–after Jesus’ death. In some ways it is fitting. It is when we are left on our own that our faith is truly tested. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts as you consider the actions of this man. 50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man,  51 who had not consented to their decision and a...  Read More

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. His time is near. He spends much time around the temple, interacting with lots of people, including the common folk as well as those looking out to arrest him. Pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to teach you as we look at the faith Jesus honors in his last days. 1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor wi...  Read More

Today’s passage follows immediately after yesterday’s, when Jesus healed a blind man. The more encounters we look at, the more I am reminded of similar incidents. There are definite themes we continue to see in the way Jesus interacts with people, yet each one is unique as well. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts. And if you were raised going to Sunday School, see if you can read through t...  Read More

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Today’s story is an interesting study of contrasts. As we continue to think about what it means to step out in faith, pray that the Holy Spirit would give new insight into how to act even when we don’t see everything clearly. 31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jer...  Read More

This week we continue to develop a deeper understanding of what faith looks like, focusing a bit more on what action looks like as an overflow of the heart. Although we are jumping back a few chapters today, Jesus is faced with the same question as Friday, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” As this is a familiar story, be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to guide your heart towards understanding...  Read More

As we come to the end of a week of looking at faith, Jesus manages to expose the very core of our faith–the heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts as you look both at this passage as well as your own heart. 18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the c...  Read More

The passage that comes between yesterday’s (healing of the ten lepers) and today’s involves Jesus being questioned about when the coming of the kingdom of God will kick in. Does the kingdom of God usher in the “end times” or is it something else that enters our world now? Or is it some sort of hybrid? That background is relevant to today’s passage, because it is not simply about persistence in pra...  Read More