We skip ahead a number of chapters today. While Jesus is focused on his journey to Jerusalem and what awaits him there, the qualities we saw in him from the beginning–how he uses his power, who he cares for–have not changed. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to teach you about what is important for your own faith to grow as we look at this vignette. 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled alo...  Read More

Today’s passage follows immediately after yesterday’s where we saw Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet. Luke seems to put a significant emphasis on prayer, as it comes up more in Luke and Acts (Luke’s sequel), than any other book in the Bible other than the Psalms. So it is fitting that we should look to Jesus to better understand what he wants us to know as we try to grow in faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to...  Read More

Last week we looked at attitudes that Jesus challenged. This week we look at attitudes Jesus encourages. As we seek to grow more like Jesus himself, he shows us what love for God looks like through the lives of particular people. Ask the Holy Spirit to engage your heart so that you can grow in faith as well. 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named ...  Read More

The clearest rebuke Jesus makes against anyone is against the Pharisees, the religious leaders with perhaps the greatest power in Jesus’ day. Initially in his ministry Jesus gives them opportunities to interact with him honestly, but they become more set against him as time goes on. This passage skips ahead a bit from yesterday, but it seems a fitting vignette to conclude our section on attitudes ...  Read More

Sometimes we come across passages that seem easy to understand, but we wonder, “Could Jesus really mean what I think he is saying?” Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts as you make sense of this story, which follows immediately after yesterday’s. 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have ne...  Read More

Today’s vignette follows immediately after yesterdays’ passage, the argument over who is the greatest. But there is a shift in focus as “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” There is a greater urgency to Jesus’ teaching because of the limited time he has left. By way of background, it is important to keep in mind how the Samaritans are viewed by the Jews. Similar in some ways to tax collectors...  Read More

Without knowing that Jesus’ crucifixion is around the corner, the disciples are understandably confused about some mixed messages. They hear about the coming of the Kingdom of God, and they’ve just recently experienced the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36), yet Jesus is talking about suffering, rejection, and death. It doesn’t add up in their minds. But having pretty much settled on the fact that Jes...  Read More

As Jesus and his followers get to know each other better, there are some assumptions, expectations, and misconceptions that rise to the surface that show people are not always on the same page with Jesus. Some attitudes are going to have to change if they are going to keep heading in the same direction together. This week we will explore some of those attitudes that Jesus challenges as we look at ...  Read More

Just this week we have seen Jesus’ care for a Gentile and his servant; a widow and her son; a Pharisee and a woman with a sinful lifestyle; and a homeless, demon-possessed Gentile along with his community. What a hodge-podge of people making up the beginnings of a new family of God! Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts as you continue to look at the focus of Jesus’ heart for people. This pas...  Read More

Today’s passage takes place after Jesus calms the wind and the waves in the boat, which we looked at last week. When Jesus and the disciples get to the other side of the lake, they are in Gentile territory, probably even more of an unknown to the disciples than a stormy sea! Try to put yourself in their shoes as you imagine this interaction of Jesus with a demon-possessed man. Begin your time by a...  Read More

As we continue to think about who Jesus cares about, it’s easy for our own assumptions to cloud our reading. Once again, invite the Holy Spirit to give you ears to hear and eyes to see what he wants you to take note of today. 36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life...  Read More

Today’s story follows immediately after yesterday’s, where Jesus healed the centurion’s servant. It would be helpful for you to know that the original audience would immediately connect today’s story to a similar incident in 1 Kings 17:7-24, where the prophet Elijah raised a widow’s son from the dead. It was evidence that God was on the move through Elijah. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your t...  Read More