Yes, God works in hidden ways and with small beginnings and the final result will be spectacular, but Jesus didn’t want them to get the wrong idea. It wasn’t about hanging out or being a hanger-on. There was far more to salvation than that. Faith is more than just hanging out. It’s the issue of […]
Small beginnings can bring about spectacular results…when a spectacular God is at work. Many people believed the Messiah would bring dramatic and spectacular change. What they didn’t understand was the hidden way it would happen and that the same dramatic and spectacular change can happen whether in a flash of a moment or through a […]
Small beginnings. A woman healed from 18 years of disability suddenly bursting forth in praise of God on the Sabbath! A crowd witnessing these wonderful things experiencing total delight! How Jesus must have been truly happy seeing the immediate results of small beginnings in the lives of simply humans! What did it portend for the […]
Jesus was gratified that people gathered for teaching in the synagogue. It made Him happy knowing there’s a willingness to listen, and in some cases, a willingness on someone’s part to let what was being taught change his or her life. Luke 13:10 “On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 […]
At gathering times for teaching, there was also a sharing of the news of the day. Jesus paid attention to it all. Luke 13:1 “Some present at that time … told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.” Pilate, the prefect of Rome, was spoken about regularly. Jesus knew about […]
Luke 12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!” Beyond the disappointment and the pain of rejection, foremost among the things that grieved Jesus were being misunderstood…both […]
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but […]
Jesus loved watching His disciples think. That’s partly why He chose them. They’d think, they’d seek, and they’d overcome anything by faith in Him! He deeply wanted them to know that life isn’t found in things of this earth. Life is found in the One from heaven! Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, […]
Jesus’ disciples were astonished that their lack of faith was so transparent. It’s like Jesus could see right through them. One after another, their ongoing silence betrayed that each of them felt convicted by that “you of little faith.” Not one of them was going to point a finger at the others as if Jesus’ […]
Jesus knew this issue of trust was a struggle for His disciples, so He pressed on with His healing words, Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25) They knew He was right. No one can do that! Why was worry such a perpetual torment? Why was trusting […]
