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

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