Jesus was nearing the end time of His earthly ministry. It never failed to grieve Him that people felt like there was something they could do to earn by rights (or purchase for themselves) salvation. A stubborn refusal to listen—always setting up their own barriers to becoming persuaded of their need for God—it was very […]
The Pharisees couldn’t relate to shepherds and sheep, but they could understand money. Yet, they failed to acknowledge how it applied to them since they didn’t see themselves as doing anything sinful. Therefore, Jesus turned to a parable which would be unmistakable in meaning to them. Luke 15:11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who […]
Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I […]
While shepherds and sheep were common teaching examples, the Pharisees didn’t really make a connection. After all, shepherds were lower class people and the Pharisees were better than that, or so they thought. So, driving home the point about the value of one in the eyes of the Father, Jesus tells another parable. Luke 15:8 […]
People living in relative comfort –especially ones who are experiencing success and with ample pleasure in priorities– often find suffering to be a deal-breaker when it comes to Jesus. As the crowd thinned, one thing became crystal clear to the Pharisees: Jesus’ larger group of followers weren’t from elite schools of Torah study but they […]
Jesus was gaining popularity, and it was not a happy thought for Him. He knew the dangers of the crowds, their fickleness, and their power, relatively speaking. He refused to let their ideas of His kingship take over. Their idea was king-by-force and multiplied loaves and healings every day! Overthrow those Romans! No more worries! […]
Some excuses are good excuses. Some excuses are bad excuses. In the end, all excuses are really just excuses. Jesus knew He had come to the Jewish people… to deliver them! To invite them into a saving relationship with Him! To know the good news of salvation that the Father had sent Him to tell. […]
Luke 14:1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, He was being carefully watched. This Pharisee was prominent, and he knew it. You could tell that by the way he carried himself and the way he talked…that way he looked around while he was speaking to make sure […]
Whenever there’s a task to be done, there’s always someone to come along and offer discouragement or diversion or to throw cold water on the idea. Jesus knew what His mission was. Destination: Jerusalem! Luke 13: 31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere […]
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You […]
