Luke in 33 Days: Luke 17:20–18:14

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Wednesday 20 March

Read Luke 17:20–18:14

Think

Lk 17:20-37 – Its easy to get distracted by verses 34-37 and some of the other ‘end days’ phrases of this passage.  All of this has to do with Jesus’ phrase: “The Kingdom of God is among you” (Verse 21).  The Kingdom of God is where God is King, and where God is King; justice is done.

Lk 18:1-8 – After the warning about judgment Jesus tells a story about how even an unjust judge can be convinced to do what is right in the end.  How much more will God bring justice to the earth?

Lk 18:9-14 – ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Pray

Pray the tax collector’s prayer of verse 13.

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 16:14–17:19

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Tuesday 19 March

Read Luke 16:14–17:19

Think

Lk 16:14-18 – Verse 18 is not about divorce, it seems to be about the love of money.  Jesus seems to be accusing the Pharisees of leaving God (the first wife) and marrying money.

Lk 16:19-31 – How seriously are you willing to take the Bible’s command to care for the poor?

Lk 17:1-10 – Sometimes when we do good we feel insulted if no one praises us or thanks us.  In fact we sometimes seem to think that God should bless us when we do all that is expected of us.

Lk 17:11-19 – Only one leper bothers to give thanks for what was done.  Do you complain more than you give thanks?

Pray

Spend some time giving thanks.

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 15:11-16:13

Monday 18 March

Read Luke 15:11–16:13

Think

Lk 15:11-32 – The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the parables told in response to the Pharisees grumbling: “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (2&3).  These stories were told by Jesus to help us to understand God’s heart.

Lk 15:20 – How does it feel to know that God rushes forward to welcome you with open arms?

Lk 16:1-13 – Part of being a Christian is striving to be more like Jesus; this story illustrates the importance of showing grace.  Do you have a generous and forgiving heart.

Pray

Give thanks to God for his grace made known in these stories.  Pray about the ways in which you have not been generous in your heart; ask for help to be more generous.

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 14:15-15:10

Sunday 17 March

Read Luke 14:15–15:10

Think

Lk 14:15-24 – How quickly did you respond to Jesus’ invitation to give yourself to him?

Lk 14:25-33 – “None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”  What does this mean for you?  How do you live this command practically?

Lk 14:34-15:10 – Are you a lost sheep?

Pray

Pray for a willingness to respond to Jesus' invitation to live in the kingdom and taste the feast that God has prepared for us.

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 13:18–14:14

Saturday 16 March

Read Luke 13:18–14:14

Think

Lk 13:18-21 – These two passages speak of the Kingdom of God and how it subtly changes the world.  If we live as citizens of the Kingdom the whole world will be improved.

Lk 13:22-30 – Many of the words that we read when we read through every part of a gospel are more challenging than the words we get used to – the safe ones that we choose to read.  Do Jesus words of judgment make you anxious?

Lk 13:31-35 – This passage is a reminder of the direction Jesus’ journey is taking him in.  To the cross; to Jerusalem.

Lk 14:1-14 – The passage speaks for itself.

Pray

Luke 14:10 – What would it mean to you to hear Jesus say, “Friend, move up higher.”

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 12:41–13:17

Friday 15 March

Read Luke 12:41–13:17

Think

Lk 12:41-48 – Jesus continues teaching on the parable we read yesterday; challenging us to faithful obedience.

Lk 12:49-53 – The gospel that Jesus preaches is bound to cause division and persecution; it will not be easy to be obedient.

Lk 12:54-13:9 – In this passage Jesus again warns his hearers about the coming day of justice and our need to ‘repent’ which means to ‘change our ways’.

Lk 13:9-13:17 – The above passages have called us to change our ways, to repent, to be healed – but we don’t know how; we haven’t got the power within ourselves. In this passage Jesus heals a crippled woman with a word.  Maybe we don’t need our own power to change us.

Pray

Meditate on Lk 13:12: “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.”

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 12:13-40

Thursday 14 March

Read Luke 12:13–40

Think

Lk 12:13-21 – A warning against storing up treasures for ourselves, but not being rich toward God.  How are you being selfish at the moment?  How can you be more generous?

Lk 12:22-34 – Jesus instructs his followers not to worry too much about providing for themselves he encourages them to live generously and trust in God for provision.  How can you live more simply?

Lk 12:35-40 – This passage reminds me of school, the teacher would leave the classroom but the class would remain silent in the knowledge that his/her return was imminent.  If Jesus were to return today; how would he find you?

Pray

Pray for perspective when it comes to looking after your own wealth and posessions.  Ask God to help us let go a little of our desire to control so much.  Spend some time listening; perhaps imagining what Jesus would have to say to you if he returned today.