[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
LUKE
1
The
longest chapter in the NT. Happy reading 😅
The
theme of Luke is found in verses 1-4.
Almost
everything recorded in chapter 1 is not found in the other gospels. Very
unique.
Btw,
the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts are written by Luke.
LUKE 2:52
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
men.”
4 descriptions of Jesus's growth:
1. Increased in Wisdom, that's intellectual growth
2. Increased in stature, that's physical growth
3. In favor with God, that's spiritual growth
4. In favor with man, that's social/relational
growth.
Intellectually, Physically,
Spiritually, and Socially. This is how we, all, must grow up in this world. One of my favorite
Bible verses to read out on Birthdays.
LUKE
3
Particularly
v1-20
Repentance
John's
preaching is repentance. He called people to repent v3. Some thought they did
not need to repent, John confronted them saying "Brood of Vipers."
He dared to confront the politician, Herod and it led him to his own death
(v19-20)
Calling
to repent is not enough. That's why v.8. One must bear the fruits of
repentance. Because one can simply say, "I believe" or "I
repent" or "Jesus is my Saviour" or "I'm Christian,"
one must really demonstrate the fruits of confession and repentance in real life.
What
does repentance look like? v11-14.
Gospel
preaching without a call to repentance (explicitly or implicitly) is not the
complete Gospel!
LUKE
4
Particularly
v24-27
I
would add as well: in the days of Jesus, not everyone was healed from sickness
nor cleansed from leprosy.
I
would go on to say, not many in our present days too, know or receive the grace
of God in their life.
And
if we wonder why, because God's miraculous grace (including healing, cleansing,
salvation, spiritual fruits) is only for those who believe in God and come to
Him in faith with a penitent heart!
Oh!
Gracious God! Why would You save a wretch like me! Blessed be Your name!
LUKE
5
Particularly
v17-26
v19
"And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the
crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the
tiling into the midst before Jesus."
They
never gave up. They did something which most of us will never dream/think of —
from the housetop, removing the tiles.
Have
I sought God or asked Him anything with this degree of faith and importunity?
LUKE
6 particularly v.30-36
What
a hard teaching on giving!
1.
Give to everyone who asks. [Areh!]
2.
And don't ask back! [Kya baat heh!]
3.
Fulfill 1 and 2 not only to your friends but to your enemies as well. [Kya baat
heh!]
4.
Not only in giving, but even in lending, don't expect to get back! [Just wow!]
5.
Lend especially to those who will never give you back because they are too
poor. [Hmmm!]
God
wants Christians to be generous! Especially to the poor. I am not a rich man,
in fact, am a very poor man, but there are millions of people who are poorer
than me too!
And
I know no man nor myself have come to this standard! BTW, if we practice this
perfectly, we will die of starvation within a day! 😅 And remember, heaven is not guaranteed for those who
practice this. Only faith in Jesus saves us!
LUKE
7
v1-10
What
a contrast between a godly prayer and an ungodly prayer!
The
Jews thought the Centurion deserved a blessing because he did a good job for
them (Jews). While the Centurion thought He was totally unworthy even to
welcome Christ.
The
Centurion asked Jesus in humility and in faith. The Jews put leverage on Christ
as if Christ was obligated to heal the Centurion's servant.
Jesus
commended his humility, his faith, and healed his servant instantaneously.
Many
times, I hear people ordering God to do this and that in their prayer as if God
exists to serve them. If I really know who God is and who I am, I will come
before him in humility, penitence, and in faith.
LUKE
8:40-48
First,
the faith of this woman is extraordinary. Second, She didn't run away after the
healing. Rather, she came trembling, falling down.
When
God asked Adam, he blamed Eve. Eve in turn blamed the serpent.
When
nobody sees or knows, it's tempting to hide, as if nothing wrong has been
committed! Indeed, it takes courage, honesty, faithfulness to admit wrongdoing
or anything!
Well,
in my adult life, I have been trying to be very responsible for all my actions
and words, but I haven't come even close to the standard I want to be!
LUKE
9:12-14
"You
give them something to eat."
That's
my Jesus. If I were there, I would definitely be "very smart and
wise" and say exactly like the 12 disciples. I might even be thinking,
"These multitudes deserve to feel hungry because they are so lazy or
thoughtless in bringing no food when they set out to come here." My Jesus
is gracious, generous, and powerful to provide all for all! 😇🙏
LUKE
10:2
"Then
He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray
the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’"
While
I was in Derabassi, Punjab, as I was thinking about missions, I was so
encouraged to realize that Jesus had called all Christians to pray for
missionaries. It means millions of people across church history have prayed for
us. And therefore, missionaries can go with confidence, even because of others'
prayer! 👍
Still
fascinating to think through! 👍
LUKE 11:23
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me
scatters.”
It's
a default position to wonder or ask, "Is the Lord with me?" It's
another level to ask, "Am I with God?"
Furthermore,
there's no middle ground, no middle position. Either with Jesus or against
Jesus.
Hard
teaching!
LUKE
12:6
“Are
not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten
before God.”
God
doesn't forget the sparrow, a thing of only 2 copper coins. Certainly, He does
not forget me, a man created in His image.
Very
certainly, never will He forget me, for I am bought by the precious blood of
Christ!
LUKE
13:33
"Nevertheless
I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a
prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem."
The
Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, both, are written by Luke.
In
the gospel, he portrays Jesus’ life on earth as a perfect life lived. In the
book of Acts, he portrays Paul's life as a Christian a faithful life lived.
Both
accounts ended with them journeying to Jerusalem, being arrested, and handed
over to the Romans. [Their arrests were foretold, yet they gave up their lives
willingly.]
Just
an observation! For today! I happened to be reading Luke 13 and Acts 21 in other
groups I am associated with. So, can't ignore the interesting connection
between these two chapters!
LUKE
14: 25-33
Counting
the Cost of Following Christ.
Every
time I read this passage, and many times I recall this passage to mind, I look
into my future and have a conversation with my future family.
I
dreamt to be somebody by the time I have attained my present age now. [Maybe, I
would never fulfill my dream even if I didn't choose to be in the ministry of
the word because my dream was bigger than my brain and heart! 😬]
But,
when I accepted the call to ministry 8 years ago, I counted (and still am counting)
what it will cost my family someday! I just pray that the faithfulness of God
would always be my strength!