Day 21 Friday Luke 5
In v. 31 Jesus states, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners to repent.” What a convicting statement to anyone who would hear it and consider it. Sinners were being called to repent, the sick to be healed by the physician they so badly need. But who would respond? Who is completely righteous? Who is sick with sin?
The whole Jewish culture of Jesus’ day was aware of their sinfulness and their need to repent. There were numerous offerings made for their sins. Flocks of people had gone out to see John the Baptist in recognition of their sins. Even the High Priest had to make an offering for his own sins before dealing with the sins of the people. If there was one thing they knew from the conviction of the Law is that they all had and did commit sin.
Jesus came into that world as both the Priest who made the offering for sin and as the offering Himself for the sins of the world. (Hebrews 7:23-28 & 10:11-14). In this He became the very remedy for sin. As John the Baptist said of Him, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).
The questions before every sick patient is always the same. Will we accept that we are ill? Do we TRUST our PHYSICIAN and how much do we TRUST the remedy for the illness? If little, we display little trust for both the remedy and the Prescriber. If much, we obtain and apply the remedy completely and absolutely as directed by the Physician.
The same situation presents itself to us all in 2025. Do we know that we struggle with the illness of sin? Do we TRUST Jesus as our Physician? Do we seek and apply His medicine completely as directed by Him for both a forgiven and ongoing transformation of our spiritual condition?
What could be a greater answer to prayer than a cure for a deadly disease? What could then be more heartbreaking than to be offered that miracle cure but refuse to take it and apply it as directed? What indeed?
Day 22 Saturday Luke 6
Jesus calls His followers to love those who we consider the most unlovable which is to say to act with love toward even those that do not act with love toward us. This world that He describes is one that seeks not to get even or to plan on how to crush my historic rivals but instead on how to do loving things that will ease tensions by looking for the good human qualities in another instead of emphasizing their worse behavior. It is to try to see them as humans that love and fear things just as we do. This is what Abraham Lincoln referred to at the conclusion of his first inauguration speech when he said, “We are not enemies … when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better nature of our angels.”
Sadly, his words fell on deaf ears and death and devastation followed for four long years. The outcome produced a more just and necessary direction but why couldn’t it have been achieved through love and obvious faith filled reason among a people whose common foundation was freedom? Instead madness steered actions driven by the triune sins of pride, retribution and bitterness and plunged humans once again into the currents of anguish.
The saddest part is that in 1860 the same warning signs had existed in the echoes of history so many times before. The results well known, the path well worn, the bloodstains still obvious. Those same signs in 2025 not only haunt us, but warn us still today to avoid that repeatable trap. Jesus warns us still, “Forgive and you will be forgiven.” (V. 37) To somehow love even during very real disagreements.
Jesus painted the picture in vv. 46-49. “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord and do not do what I tell you?” “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them” is like a person who built their house on a firm foundation and when the storms that surely will come show up that house will stand firm. But anyone who builds their house on a faithless and faulty foundation will also face the inevitable storm. It is then they will discover that that foundation was truly unreliable and their house will fall in the storm. Devastation will result, “And the ruin of that house was great.” (some of that my paraphrase)
Free will is always a blessing and a challenge. It blesses in that we can choose to love God and each other. A challenge by the evidence that too often we fail to choose to love. In our world, in our nation, in our communities, families, marriages … the opportunity to love and be loving remains. A choice to be made!
Day 23 Monday Luke 7
Luke 7 is a whirlwind of incredible events. There is the healing of the centurion’s servant. The raising from the dead the son of the Widow of Nain. The very quick mention of several miracles that Jesus also did in a day as if they are old hat. All of them would make headlines if they were done today!
After this we have the interaction with John the Baptist’s followers and the confirmation that Jesus is the Christ. Then the confirmation from Jesus that John is not only a prophet but the special prophet called to ready the people for the coming of the Christ.
Following all of these incredible happenings is perhaps then the highlight of Luke 7. Jesus now dining at a pharisee’s house is confronted with a woman who is described by the pharisee as a “sinner.” Most scholars believe this means that she is a prostitute. The pharisee is appalled that Jesus has not shewed her away in disgust. As in so many of the cases we find another person who the religious culture of the day sees as disposable and deplorable.
Jesus moved by her tears of repentance allows her to show love and appreciation to Him in the way that she can. He seems to be moved by her deep appreciation of His public acceptance of her and recognizes that He is the Christ. He risks much in the polls to show her grace!
He then speaks to Simon the pharisee about the differences between true appreciation for God’s love and a heart that thinks perhaps that it has earned God’s love through a pious life. Jesus makes it clear that one who believes that they have received God’s mercy will have a heart full of deep appreciation and joy toward God.
Of all of the many wonderful scenes in chapter 7 this perhaps is the most beautiful. This also leaves us to consider two questions. #1 “How truly grateful am I toward God for being forgiven?” #2 to one who does not yet know that God’s grace is possible, do you know that He offers that same hope and grace to you right at this moment no matter where you have been or what you have done? Forgiveness is possible with the simple affirmation that we all need what Jesus did on the cross to receive forgiveness for our sins! WE ALL NEED THIS!
Day 24 Tuesday Luke 8
Once again in Luke 8 we see a multitude of wonderful miracles performed by Jesus. Between His convicting preaching and compassionate actions we can see why such crowds followed Him everywhere.
In the whole of this chapter I believe we gain some incredibly precious insights. Before the miracles take place, we get the parable of the sower that centers on the teaching of the necessity of hearing and following the word that fruit may be brought forth through faithful obedience to God. (v. 15)
This parable is followed by a brief account of letting the light of faithful lives shine. (v. 16) This then is followed by the family of Jesus coming to visit Him and He summarizing that His family are those that hear and do the will of God! (v. 21)
I believe that Jesus is making clear the link between trusting Him enough to obey and the blessing of the miracles that follow in chapter 8. The chapter has examples of both those who reject His Kingdom (v. 37) and those who seek Him and His Kingdom (vv. 48 & 55). The latter being greatly blessed by faith in Him.
The question we are invited to explore is that His miracles await us all if only we will seek His Kingdom. If only we will seek to hear His word and follow His instruction, then we also will discover miracles in our lives. They may not always be what we think we need, but they will surely be what He knows we need. The invitation is to stay the course, participate in the process and rejoice in His presence! For with Him we need never be alone again to navigate the tenuous journey of this life!
Day 25 Wednesday Luke 9
In this chapter of Luke in vv. 23-27 we discover three great related ironies taught by Jesus. #1 If one wants to follow Jesus they must be willing to carry that which was an instrument of pain and death (the cross) and follow Him for that is what He was going to do to bring life into the world. How odd to hear that that classic instrument of horrific punishment and death was going to birth life.
#2 The only way for a person to save their life was by giving it up. By releasing one’s governance of their own life to the will of God, one would receive not only eternal life in the Kingdom to come, but also purposeful life in this world. The reality of this has been so beautifully understood and declared by the latter part of the prayer of St. Francis, “O divine master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive- it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. And it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
#3 A person truly gains nothing by obtaining something temporary and insignificant in this world, while in the process forfeiting something far grander and eternal in heaven. Jesus said this in His statement, “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” Martyred Christian missionary Jim Elliot echoed this sentiment in his diary when he wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Today we live in a world that struggles with self-obsession. Self-fulfillment, self-sufficiency, self-expression and selfies. And yet we find report after report that people are lacking hope, joy, peace, love and purpose. Jesus explains that we were made by a Designer (God) Who designed us to find our fulfillment and purpose by serving God and others. He warned us that the treasures of this world are finite and fading away. Beauty, wealth, popularity, power, they all will cease in time. In truth, if they were our focus we will find that they possessed us far more than we possessed them. For truly no hearse ever tows a U-Haul. Even if it did, it would only pull it as far as the grave where its contents would rust and rot as a tribute to their failed promises.
Day 26 Thursday Luke 10
In today’s reading, Jesus has entered the household of Mary and Martha. These two are almost certainly the same two sisters that also have a brother named Lazarus. (See John 11). Upon Jesus entering the house, Martha seeks to fulfill all of the tasks of a good hostess. She is making sure that all levels of hospitality are thoroughly being addressed. At the same time the other sister Mary chose instead to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to the Him teach.
You can almost imagine Martha working feverishly at the tasks while glancing at Mary wondering when she would help. Perhaps there were also sighs, banging of dishes and slamming of cupboard doors to indicate her growing disgust with her sister.
Finally, when she can not stand it anymore she asks Jesus to intervene. Surely, He has noted her sister’s lack of responsibility, her total lack of respect for decorum. Clearly Mary has violated her role as a Jewish hostess and left all the work to Martha. Emily Post would surely be in her corner. But how about Jesus?
To Martha’s surprise He seems to kindly respond that clearly Martha is stressed out about many things. Her stress is causing her to miss some of the most significant things in life – Jesus’ presence included. But Mary has chosen the better thing.
Jesus was not saying that we don’t not have responsibilities in life. Nor was He saying that He would not appreciate some dinner at some point that evening. What He was saying is that it is very easy to get so consumed by things, and they can stress us so much that they steal from our lives. They can rob us of our moments, our family, our friends and our relationship with God.
If such stressful habits become our lifestyle we will become a prisoner to them. This can cause a separation from God that will cause us to miss the spirit of joy and emancipation that He seeks to give us. In that cage, we will also miss precious time with others as we continue to live this robotic lifestyle. He is calling us to something far better and far more balanced. He wants to help us to recognize that there is a point each day when the tasks of the day have been addressed, and there is a need to spend time with God, family and friends.
Day 27 Friday Luke 11
In vv. 37-41 Jesus challenges a Pharisee to understand where they are getting lost and in that lostness what they are missing. The Pharisees had made many clarifications to the more general law that was given by Moses. In doing that they had created a very particular way of living. It was detailed and yet constantly needing more fine tuning as they continued to seek a more perfected way to live. It began to get lost in itself, in its complication and even ongoing interpretation of what the law meant in practical life. Driven by a desire to exactness it began to lack the very nature of God and the life it was intended to support.
The same warning of Luke 11 still hovers over Christians today. We all need to recognize that God gave humans instruction out of love. Also, that no human can fulfill God’s standard. Therefore, we need both humility before God and gratitude that His grace cures our broken souls. In this we also recognize that our attitude toward others must also be gracious, humble and forgiving.
So daily let us live with the encouraging help of the Holy Spirit to guide, remind and correct us. In this we find the hope of truly loving God and neighbor with all that we are despite all our foibles. Despite ALL of OUR struggles with sin and grace.
Day 28 Saturday Luke 12
One of the most beautiful sermons ever given is found here in Luke 12:22-31. Jesus recognizes that humans live in an imperfect, fallen world that can fill their hearts and minds with massive amounts of stress. The fear that accompanies this can be paralyzing emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. He tries to lovingly remind us that God does not want this for His children.
Jesus speaks encouragement to those listening. As Luke writes his Gospel he uses a particular Greek word to try to capture what Jesus was saying. The word he uses is katanoeo, which in English is translated consider. (vv. 24 & 27) It is a combination of two other Greek words, kata which means according to, or after; and noeo which means understanding, perception. This word katanoeo means to fix your eyes upon or consider. He invites them (and us) to calm their hearts and notice in the beauty and miracle of nature, which is absolutely free, how God provides wonderful miracles all around us daily.
Next Jesus includes the following section to invite worried folks to refocus on that which can never be taken away from them by anyone. In this they will find peace. Listen to vv. 32-34. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So, if you find yourself tremendously stressed, try to take time to go for a walk. Look at the beautiful things in nature. Refocus you mind then on the irreplaceable blessings that you have as you walk, God, friends, family, your pets, wonderful memories. Then begin to talk things over with God. Repeat to yourself over and over v. 32. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Day 29 Monday Luke 13
What is the Kingdom of God, it is like a mustard seed. That is a metaphor that a lot of us have heard over the years. For those who have not, a brief explanation may help. The mustard seed is a very tiny seed and yet from it comes an incredible produce that is awesome.
In saying this Jesus is saying that faith in Him is an incredible thing that produces amazing and miraculous results. The most wonderful thing about this is that God begins with us right where we are. In other words, no one has to be pious or be able to pass a theological test to begin with God. He meets us in our weaknesses and struggles and invites us to begin a relationship with Him.
It starts with us admitting that we are sinners as we all are. To be a sinner is simply described with a Greek word that is an archery term, it simply means “I didn’t hit the target with my life.” It admits that my actions, reactions, thoughts words, and even intentions are sometimes not what God wants them to be. It is this beautiful moment of confession that says I need healing and a new direction.
One word of warning, the mustard seed growth is an ongoing process. We often find we are not yet the person we would like to be, but the beauty is that even in this He loves us and we are not alone in our struggles. He just keeps saying to us, “Keep walking with Me, keep listening, and Oh the miracles you will see in your becoming what I am helping you to become!” This then is the mustard seed, this is God’s kingdom here on earth.
Day 29 Monday Luke 13
What is the Kingdom of God, it is like a mustard seed. That is a metaphor that a lot of us have heard over the years. For those who have not, a brief explanation may help. The mustard seed is a very tiny seed and yet from it comes an incredible produce that is awesome.
In saying this Jesus is saying that faith in Him is an incredible thing that produces amazing and miraculous results. The most wonderful thing about this is that God begins with us right where we are. In other words, no one has to be pious or be able to pass a theological test to begin with God. He meets us in our weaknesses and struggles and invites us to begin a relationship with Him.
It starts with us admitting that we are sinners as we all are. To be a sinner is simply described with a Greek word that is an archery term, it simply means “I didn’t hit the target with my life.” It admits that my actions, reactions, thoughts words, and even intentions are sometimes not what God wants them to be. It is this beautiful moment of confession that says I need healing and a new direction.
One word of warning, the mustard seed growth is an ongoing process. We often find we are not yet the person we would like to be, but the beauty is that even in this He loves us and we are not alone in our struggles. He just keeps saying to us, “Keep walking with Me, keep listening, and Oh the miracles you will see in your becoming what I am helping you to become!” This then is the mustard seed, this is God’s kingdom here on earth.
Day 30 Tuesday Luke 14
In vv. 7-11 Jesus speaks of something that has always been difficult for the majority of humanity, that is being truly humble. There is great difficulty in being truly humble. As C. S. Lewis pointed out, that even when we achieve humility, we risk becoming very proud of it. (my paraphrase). If we are truly being self-reflective, we will have to admit that humility can be a tough nut to crack.
We may ask why would it be a sin to have pride? Aren’t we supposed to be proud of our children? Is it a bad thing to take pride in our work? Shouldn’t we be proud of our nation, our favorite sports team or the college degree we poured our blood, sweat and tears into? I think God gave us a good pride that is appropriate to feel and to display with temperance as long as it is not an idol.
To understand this more clearly let us examine what Jesus says in verse 11. Jesus says, “For every person who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Exaltation is to be directed toward God alone. Humility is a necessity for humans because it causes us to seek more of God. A human is not made to bathe in exaltation for it becomes unruly and impossible to handle. Truly, “pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (See Proverbs 16:18)
Henry Ward Beecher said of the dangers of pride, “A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.” This is the great trap, pride always wants more. It is misplaced glory. Its insatiable appetite creates an absence of true satisfaction and in that it lacks true joy. It spends a period of time, or sadly a lifetime chasing the wrong thing. A thing that will never be truly obtained on earth because it can never be eternally maintained. All earthly glory is truly fleeting! The only eternal glory is of God and heaven.