The anger of the Pharisees was growing.  They had been called out publicly for their hypocrisy…by this uncredentialed Jesus, no less!  They were enraged and secretly making preparations to deal with this guy once and for all.

Jesus was doing likewise.  He had His own “once for all time” event nearing.  In an earthly battle in the spiritual realm, both sides prepare.  The disciples would need to carry on after His death and they were getting very nervous about all the people who had Jesus on their enemies list.  Jesus knew they didn’t know the half of it.

Luke 17:1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

It’s bound to come Jesus says, so be prepared…to forgive.  WAAAT?  Prepare to forgive, not fight? 

Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

The disciples looked at Jesus with sober acknowledgement that Jesus never said things He didn’t mean.  He’d said, “You must forgive them.”  Must is unambiguous.  They looked at their own resources to make it happen and realized they didn’t have what it takes.  They looked at Jesus and said the only thing they could. The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (v. 5)

They were catching on.  The ability to forgive is fostered in relationship with God through faith in Christ!  Only this will carry them through the difficult days ahead.  Jesus, appreciating their progress, pushed a step further.

Luke 17:22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.  23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them.  24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.  25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Wait a minute, thought the disciples, I thought the Messiah was going to come—one big battle–and THAT was the end!  But what?  First, He must suffer and be rejected by this generation?  We thought He was going to save this generation.

Luke 17:26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

Think about it: 

• To Jesus’ disciples, they thought He was the Messiah, the King, and overthrow would bring the kind of vindication, redemption, and restoration promised in Scripture.  It bothered them that Jesus is telling them a different plan…one that involved suffering.  Why might that be different than what they thought following had meant? 
• In Luke 17:31-37, Jesus tells them that it will be like the days of Noah and how it will be when the rapture of the saints happens.  He tells them specifically not to go back to retrieve anything?  Why might Jesus tell them that?  Why did He say to remember Lot’s wife? 
• In the two examples Jesus provides (days of Noah and the days of Sodom) people were doing everyday things.  How did everyday things not include faith in God? 
• What are some things you can do to place Jesus Christ and faith in Him at the center of your everyday?

Lord Jesus, forgive us for having expectations of You that aren’t what You’ve planned at all.  Forgive us for arrogantly believing that You must do this or that on our timeline.  Forgive us for failing to keep You at the center of everything we do in these last days.  Increase our faith for the forgiveness we must offer and give us clear awareness of our need for forgiveness which is found only in You.  Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace.  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

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 troubling but inevitable, Jesus reminded Himself.  Worse, they were only deluding themselves.  Money can provide comfort and security here on earth, but it does nothing for a person when it comes to eternity and the final judgment that awaits every last person.

Jesus told the Pharisees and the crowds explicitly, Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”

“Detestable?  How horrible!  What a destructive teaching,” thought the Pharisees!  “We value the Law,” they protested silently.  “We love the Law, we obey it, and we require it of others to the minutiae!  If money comes our way, then it’s a blessing from the hand of God, not a curse!  What does that Jesus know?  We don’t serve money!”  Jesus, knowing the thoughts in their hearts, just shook His head sadly and told them a parable.

 Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades,

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!  What’s the rich man doing in Hades while the beggar is with our father Abraham?” thought the Pharisees as Jesus continued with a steady intensity,

Luke 16:23 “where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”

Jesus looked earnestly at their expression which betrayed a growing hatred, plain and simple.  They caught His meaning and were indignant that this untrained man was trying to tell them a thing or two.  Consumed with hatred and pride, their pattern was set in motion.  They had not been listening to Moses with ears to receive the truth. They failed to see the wisdom of the Prophets predicting the Messiah.   And they weren’t listening Jesus Whom they did not know would rise after they—in their hatred—had put Him to death.

Think about it:

• How stubborn is our belief that we can love both God and money? 
• How likely are we to help others whom we believe are “beneath us”? 
• Why would people not be convinced by someone rising from the dead if they didn’t listen to Moses or the Prophets?

Thank You, Father, for ample places in Your Word in which You outlined Your plan of salvation.  Thank You that it’s Your plan and not one of our own making!  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your faithfulness and grace!  Help us to be free from allowing Money to master us. Help us to reach those we love with Your Gospel and may we preach Your Word boldly so that no one misses out on the grace of God!  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

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 had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'”

Think about it:

• Which son obeyed everything? How might that have contributed to his feeling like he earned his righteousness but only fostered resentment of the other son? 
• Which one was “the sinner”? How did the father (who represents God) treat him? 
• The Pharisees with their conspicuous obedience must have felt like the obedient son. What was really bothering the Pharisees about Jesus’ teaching about God’s love on the lookout for sinners?
• Jesus spoke of the father keeping watch for the lost son and celebrating when he was found. Why might the Pharisees have resented Jesus given His lack of credentials? 
• What about human pride and resentment are offensive to God?

Thank You, God, for Your Law and Your grace.  We can resonate with Your servant, the Apostle Paul who wrote, “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:22-25) We want to love and serve You but we know that apart from Your Holy Spirit’s working, we fail time and again to measure up. For Your forgiveness, we praise You and thank You, Lord.  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

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 will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

“More to the Easter Story” Lenten Devotionals resume tomorrow. Enjoy a day of worship!

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 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Money was something they could relate to.  They looked intently at Jesus, knowing that they would rejoice over a lost coin being found.  Jesus looked at them with equal intensity, and the Pharisees began to feel a bit uncomfortable that they resented tax collectors and sinners.  It was this Jesus who was making them uncomfortable, when they were observant of the Law and this guy, this Jesus, was still associating with tax collectors and sinners.  They’d never do anything of that sort!  They didn’t want to.  A sinner who repents?  What does that have to do with us?  After all, a sinner who repents is still a sinner, right?

Think about it:

• When people are so steeped in their own prejudices, is it easy for them to see clearly?  Why or why not? 
• Read Luke 16: 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”  What does God see? 
• What distinguishes a sinner who repents (whom also the angels of God celebrate) from just a sinner? 
• When a sinner repents, does it automatically take away the sin?  Does repentance mean different things when one repents before mankind versus when one repents before God?  Why?

Thank You, Father, for the joy You have in rescuing us, delivering us from darkness into the Light of Your Son Jesus Christ!  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for teaching us what repentance truly means and for Your role in teaching and convicting us of righteousness.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the forgiveness You purchased for us so that our repentance could result in angels rejoicing!  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

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!  We’re all behind you, and we’ll fight to make it happen so we can be on Easy Street!  That’s not His mission: being an earthly king for a few years for people’s comfort.  His mission is spiritual and eternal, so He surveys the crowds and decides to thin their numbers to a more faithful following as He works His way to Jerusalem and His goal.

Luke 14:25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters– yes, even their own life– such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Hate their family?  Hate their own life?  Carry a…what?  Maybe that’s not what He said.  Some of them began grumbling about what that meant and didn’t like those ideas at all!

Jesus was satisfied.  It had its desired effect.

Think about it: 

• Why is Jesus’ actual Kingship superior to any the people could have imagined? 
• Not everyone has excuses for not following, but many have priorities that differ from following Christ with a whole heart.  What priorities does Jesus outline? 
• All three synoptic Gospels contain this passage about discipleship.  What special significance is there in Jesus’ bringing up a cross?  
• How does that relate to discipleship and priorities? Read Matthew 16:21-27 for insight.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your faithfulness all the way to the Cross.  Thank You for modeling for us what it means to love and serve others!  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for guiding our priorities to more closely align with Christ’s as we continue to follow Him.  Thank You, Father, for giving us strength when carrying our cross brings sufferings that we cannot handle apart from You.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for taking our yoke upon Yourself and giving us blessed rest.  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

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.  The Jews had been invited long ago.  The Father said, “I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live” (Isaiah. 65:9).  This was the invitation issued, but the Jews of this day would reject Him, just as Scripture foretold.

Jesus looked directly at the man who had blurted out “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God” (Luke 14:15).  His heart discerned something amiss. While those who will eat at the feast would be among the blessed, just because the invitation had been issued didn’t mean it would be or had been accepted by each one individually.  Some will rely upon their national identity, educational level, observance of the Law, or heredity for the invitation, not appreciating that it comes with a required, personal RSVP.  It’s not a group project, but an individual invitation. 

Sad to say, some people rely upon identity markers of this group or that, or performance metrics.  People rely on all kinds of externals.  Worse, some will always find an excuse to reject the very thing they need.  It was time to clarify things.

Luke 14:16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'”

Jesus looked at the man who’d counted on being at the feast in the Kingdom of God by virtue of his heritage.  The man and those near him simply looked at each other, blindly failing to grasp that what they felt was a given instead required a response and not just an excuse for why they had better things to do.

Think about it: 

• What types of externals do we substitute for faith? 
• In the end, what distinguishes an excuse from a statement like “I don’t want to” or “I don’t feel like it” or “Go away and leave me alone”? 
• Read Romans 11 and ask why it was to the Gentiles’ benefit that those invited would reject the invitation initially? 
• In the parable, who would the Gentiles be like?

Thank You, Father, that in Your wisdom, there was a plan for the Gentiles to be grafted into Your Kingdom!  We praise You for Your wisdom and grace!  Thank You for encouragement from Your Word that says “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.   For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (John 3:16-17).  Thank You, Jesus, that You died for Gentiles as well as Jews and we can all take our seats at the great banquet in heaven—not because of what we’ve done but by faith in what You did!  We praise You and thank You!  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

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 people took note of how smart he is. 

Funny, isn’t it, that such a prominent man would have someone suffering with abnormal swelling fellowshipping at a meal, especially on the Sabbath?  Except that Jesus was also invited. 

Jesus was gaining so many disciples!  In fact, His was a name on everyone’s lips around town.  The Pharisees were jealous and wanted that kind of attention and respect.  They wanted to be around Him … to bring Him down by catching Jesus in some sort of wrongdoing whether in word or deed.

Jesus did it again!  He healed on the Sabbath again!  This was the fourth time Jesus did something wrong on the Sabbath! (Luke 6:1-5; 6:6-11; 13:10-17)  He even asked the Pharisees whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath before He did it!  Maybe He’s not the hot shot all the people think He is!  He not only eats with sinners and tax collectors, He heals sick people on the Sabbath!  What a lowlife, what a fraud, thought the Pharisee, puffing himself up in his righteousness by comparison to this Jesus fellow who has bad connections and associates with sinners.

Jesus tilted His head slightly, as if listening from above and considered the thoughts of this Pharisee who was more concerned about how he stacked up vertically in power, prestige, and prominence than how he related to his fellow man on a horizontal plane.  Where was the neighborly love?

Luke 14:7 When Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, He told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

This Pharisee had invited Jesus and someone who needed healing but had done it for reasons of testing and entrapping.  There was no love there for either man.  A man’s heart is shown in how he treats those who can do nothing for him.  The Pharisee’s heart was far less righteous than he’d arrogantly self-assessed.  He wasn’t likely to learn that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Think about it:

• What people view as the best seats can be found in the sky box or the 50-yardline, box seats at the baseball game, the front row of the concert, or the donor’s circle where one can be seated among celebrity and the wealthy.  Why do people like these types of seats?  Whose favor do they display and to whom? 
• What does it mean to you that Jesus outlined Kingdom rules beginning with the Beatitudes and is continuing to show how Kingdom rules are different, often polar opposites to earthly rules? 
• Why would Jesus be driving that home, particularly on the topic of humility?  What is a common thing God hates more than others (see Proverbs 6:16-19)?

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the way You humbled Yourself, all the way to the Cross.  To show us how it’s done.  To show us what You value.  To show us what Kingdom principles exist and the way those rules of the road can make our lives on earth more fruitful.  We ask, Lord, that You would give us wisdom to live as wise people, making the most of every opportunity and to grow in character to help those who can never repay us as a reminder of how we can never repay the debt we’ve owed.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for opening our eyes and teaching us deep things. Thank You, Father, for giving us grace in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

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 else. Herod wants to kill you.” 

Sometimes, Jesus thought, people have no idea how close they are to the mark.  Just a little off because it’s not Herod.  To Herod, I’ll be a curiosity.  It’ll be the Pharisees and the high priest who want Me dead.  Crucified, in fact.  Jesus knew His mission and what lay ahead.  Nothing, not even this discouragement and diversion by Pharisees would keep Him from reaching His goal.

Luke 13:32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day– for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

The Pharisees looked at each other.  “Prophet?  Die outside Jerusalem?  We are trying to keep Jesus outside of Jerusalem.  Go away and don’t come back,” they thought.  “Death is a bit extreme.  We just want Him out of here, away from the people, no more healings especially on the Sabbath, no more driving out demons to get attention from the crowds, no more teachings about hypocrisy, making us look bad, and all that.  Just who does this guy think He is?”

Jesus looked at them with that “knowing look” for which He was becoming famous.  They resented Him and He knew it.  It made Him sad to know they’d reject Him over and again before He’d be crucified.  He’d prefer repentance to continued rejection, but then again, His mission relied upon rejection. 

Luke 13:34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ “

Think about it:

• The Pharisees obviously thought that the prospect of death would be enough to scare Jesus away.  Why was that ironic? 
• When Jesus said on the third day I will reach My goal, did He mean it was 3 days into the future or was today, tomorrow and the third day more figurative? 
• How do you think the Pharisees felt about Jerusalem being desolate and Jesus’ talk about their killing prophets and stoning those sent? 
• How do you think they reacted when Jesus said “I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'” with such authority? 

Lord Jesus, thank You for persevering and faithfully completing the mission Your Father sent You to do.  Thank You for loving us that much!  We praise You, Lord, for Your goodness and mercy, Your grace and love, and for never leaving us nor forsaking us.  We repent of the ample reasons we’ve given You to abandon us and confess with gratitude our need for Your healing touch, Your forgiveness, and Your presence in our lives.  Teach us to abide in You and seek You while You may be found.  Amen.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2019 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this great look at the Easter story to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals remain popular,

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
•  A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.