Luke in 33 Days: Luke 11:29–12:12

Wednesday 13 March

Read Luke 11:29–12:12

Think

Lk 11:29-32 – The ‘Sign of Jonah’ was the fact that when Jonah preached to the Ninevites they repented and turned to God immediately.  The people to whom Jesus preached were reluctant to hear his message.

Lk 11:33-36 – As Jesus criticizes the scribes and the Pharisees he speaks of the need to be ‘clean inside and out’.  Will you allow God to cleanse you inside?

Lk 11:37-54 – Jesus criticizes the religious leaders very harshly; they respond aggressively – looking for ways to catch him.  How do you respond to criticism?

Lk 12:1-12 – This passage is a warning not to deny Christ or the Holy Spirit by our actions. It is also encouragement – God will look after you!  Are we brave enough to do / say what is right?

Pray

Pray for an open heart to hear Jesus’ word spoken to you personally.  Pray for light to help you work out the areas of darkness in your own life.  Pray for courage to live faithful to Jesus’ message of grace and love.

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 11:1-28

Read Luke 11:1–28

Think

Lk 11:1-13 – How is your prayer life?  Are you disciplined and persistent?

Lk 14:14-28 – In this passage Jesus casts a demon out of someone who was mute.  The people don’t seem to notice the healing; rather they seek to accuse Jesus of being in league with the devil. Jesus prayer, his spiritual action defeats evil; prayer is effective and powerful.

Pray

“When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”

Luke in 33 Days: Luke 10

Read Luke 10

Think

Lk 10:1-23 – This chapter offers us a lot to think about.  First the sending of the 70 to “cure sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

Think about that bold faith mission of the seventy, would you have the courage to go as they were sent?

On their return Jesus exclaims “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.”  By their faithfulness the seventy who were sent achieve great things for the Kingdom of God.

Lk 10:25-37 –The parable of the good Samaritan; an illustration of neighborliness; what kind of neighbor are you?  Jesus’ simple instruction to do what is right.

Lk 10:38-42 The call to be a learning disciple of Jesus.

Pray

 “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Luke 10:2

Luke in 33 Days: Read Luke 9:28–62

Read Luke 9:28–62

Think

The transfiguration of Jesus is a moment on top of the mountain when Jesus’ closest disciples get to see him for who he really is.  Peter has already confessed that he is the Messiah – but his understanding must grow even more.

From the mountain Jesus returns to ministry, he heals a boy with a demon – but other disciples could not. The disciples seem to be getting competitive about who has more power – who can do more good – who is the best.

Jesus reminds them that in the Kingdom of God the least is the greatest.

Verse 51 tells us that at this point Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem.”  It is at this point that Jesus begins his journey towards the cross; where by becoming the least – he will become the greatest.

Pray

We, like the disciples, long to cling on to the high moments – the moments of success, of comfort.  Seeing Jesus’ transfigured on the mountain is a moment that they want to hold on to.

But life moves.  Sometimes along difficult paths.

Pray for the resolve to remember that Jesus travels those paths with you.

Luke in 33 Days: Read Luke 9:1–27

Read Luke 9:1–27

Think

Jesus sends his disciples out on a mission.  Vs 6 tells us that they

“…went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.”

Their mission was so effective that even King Herod heard of what was going on.

We go on to hear about the feeding of the five thousand.  God’s abundant and graceful ability to provide for all of their needs.

And then on to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah of God – the anointed King.  Following this proclamation Jesus goes on to speak of the kind of Messiah he will be, and the kind of life Christians are called to:

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Pray

The obedient disciples on their mission make such a huge impact that even the King hears of what they have been doing.  Jesus calls Christians to obedience – to take up their crosses – as hard as it may be.

Pray for the courage to be obedient.

Luke in 33 Days: Read Luke 8:16-56

Read Luke 8:16–56

Think

The first parable is that of a lamp on a lampstand.  Then we encounter several major miracles:  The calming of a storm, the healing of a demon possessed man, the cure of a hemorrhaging women and then the resurrection to life of a young girl.

The light of Jesus’ word brings healing and hope.

To life threatening chaos.

To a broken and confused mind.

To a woman who has been rejected for being unclean.

To a girl who has lost her life.

In verse 56 we hear:

“Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.”

Pray

The appropriate response to Jesus’ miracles is astonishment. When last did you take a moment to be amazed by the things Jesus does?

Readings for week 3

You can download all the readings for week 3 here.