Luke 20:20

Luke 20:20 says, And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.  The scribes and Pharisees sent spies to watch Jesus, listening for anything that He might say that they could take to the governor to accuse Him of.  The religious leaders would rather turn to the governmental authorities who held them in captivity than to submit to the authority of Jesus.  These were the leaders of God's chosen people.  We need to pray that we as people who call ourselves followers of Christ never become the same way today.  Verse twenty-one adds, And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:  These spies, who were really only looking for something to charge Jesus with to the authorities, asked Him about His teaching that a person should only follow the way of God, which they flatter Him by saying He taught correctly.  They seemed to think that they were the ones who decided whether what Jesus taught was right or not.  We need to make sure that we don't reach the point where we think that what we believe determines whether it is what God says is true or not.  Verse twenty-two continues, Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?  These spies then asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.  It seems that people have always thought that the best way to discredit someone is by questioning monetary beliefs, especially those that relate to the government and taxes.  Verse twenty-three states, But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?  Jesus knew what they were trying to do, and asked why they tempted God.  We will never fool God with false motives.  Verse twenty-four adds, Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s.  Jesus told them to show Him a penny and asked whose image was on it, and they said Caesar’s.  We as Christians have never been told by God to attempt to avoid paying taxes.  Verse twenty-five continues, And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.  Jesus said that they were to give to Caesar the things that were his, and to God the things that were God's.   Sometimes, those who profess to be Christians don't want to do either, but want to keep everything for their own personal use.  This is not what God's word teaches us.  Verse twenty-six concludes, And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.  These spies could not find a reason to accuse Jesus, especially before all those who were following Him, and they marvelled at His answer and held their peace.  They did not accept His answer as the authority on the subject, but simply marvelled at His answer because it kept them from being able to accuse Jesus of anything before Caesar.  People today may marvel at the word of God, not because they believe it, but simply because they can find no reason to discredit it.

Luke 20:9

Luke 20;9 says, Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.  Jesus once more taught the people with a parable, this time about a man who planted a vineyard and let it out to a husbandmen before going to a far country for a long time.  God is the One Who planted the vineyard, His laws, and the nation of Isreal were the ones He entrusted it to. Verse ten adds, And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.  At the time of the harvest, the owner sent a servant to receive the fruit of the vineyard that was due him, and they beat the servant and sent him way empty handed.  God sent His prophets to the people of Isreal throughout history to call them to an accounting, and they were often beaten and sent away empty of any acknowledgment of the peoples debt to God.  Verse eleven continues, And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.  The owner then sent another servant, and the people treated him even worse than the first.  Verse twelve concludes, And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.  The owner was patient with them, and sent a third servant, who was then wounded and cast out.  As already stated, God sent many prophets to the people of Israel, and they were often abused by the people of Israel, who were supposed to be God's people.  Verse thirteen states, Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.  The owner of the vineyard then decided to send his beloved Son, whom he said the people would reverence when they saw him.  Jesus, the beloved Son of God had been sent to the people of Israel at that time, and the heavenly Father felt that they would certainly accept and honor Him.  Verse fourteen adds, But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.  Instead, when the husbandmen saw the son, they decided to kill Him and keep all the inheritance themselves.  The people of Isreal, especially the religious leaders, did not want to giveup their authority.   Verse fifteen adds, So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?  Jesus said the husbandmen casr the son out and killed him.  This is what people do when they reject Jesus Christ today.  Jesus then asked them what the owner would do to the husbandmen.  Everyone needs to ask what God will do to them if they do not accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse sixteen continues, He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.  Jesus told those around Him, the people of Israel, that if the husbandmen killed the owners son that he would destroy them and give the vineyard to others.  They replied God forbid, which would indicate that they knew that Jesus was referring to them.  After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God did send His message of salvation to the Gentiles, and that us.  Verse seventeen declares, And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Jesus asked what it meant when God's word said that the cornerstone would be rejected.  This is the question that we must ultimately ask ourself.  What does it mean if we reject the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord.  Verse eighteen adds, Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.  If we fall on the cornerstone, we will be broken of all our self pride, but if we reject Jesus, the cornerstone will destroy us.  Verse nineteen continues, And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.  The chief priests and scribes attempted to seize Jesus, because they realized He was talking about them.  Those who will not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are still attempting to destroy Him today. 

Luke 20:1

Luke 20:1 says, And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,  Once again when Jesus was preaching and teaching in the temple, the scribes and chief priests with the elders and they confronted Him.  These would have been most of the religious leaders.  Verse two adds, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?  These religious leaders wanted to know whose authority Jesus was teaching under, since they had not authorized Him to do so.  There may be religious leaders today who question someone who is preaching and teaching about Jesus who gives them the authority, but they should just listen and make sure that what they are preaching and teaching is the truth of God.  We can become so caught up in religious authority that we begin to leave God out of who is authorized to preach and teach if we aren't careful.  Verse three states, And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:  Jesus said He would ask them one thing and they could answer Him.  Though we are not Jesus, if we are doing what He has called us to do, I believe He will give us the answer.  Verse four adds, The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?  Since John the Baptist had been followed by many, Jesus asked these religious leaders by whose authority he had baptized people, by the authority of heaven or by the authority of men.  Our authority to teach and preach, even if endorsed by religious institutions, must come from God.  Verse five says, And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?  These religious leaders where in a quandary.  They attempted to figure out the answer that would be the best to support their authority on their own without asking God about it.  If we find ourselves in such a situation as Christians, or even as Christian leaders, our first step should be to pray about it.  These religious leaders said that if they said that John the Baptist's authority was from God, then they would have to answer the question of why they didn't believe him.  Verse six adds, But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.  These religious leaders then said if they said that John the Baptist's only baptized by the authority of man and not God that they would be stoned, because too many people believed that John the Baptist was a prophet.  Religious leaders might not be stoned today, or even removed from their position, if they attempt to stop someone who is preaching and teaching without their authorization. but they will still have to answer to God as to why they did so.  Verse seven continues, And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.  These religious leaders, those who were supposed to be closest to God and be His representatives said they could not say under whose authority John the Baptist baptized.  It would be sad indeed if religious leaders today can not say whether someone is acting under the authority of God when they preach and teach the gospel, and even worse if they attempt to stop them simply because they did not authorize them to do so.  Verse eight declares, And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.  Jesus said if they couldn't say Whose authority John the Baptist acted under, then He wouldn't answer their question about Whose authority He was preaching and teaching under.  If they could not recognize and acknowledge that John the Baptist was acting under the authority of God, would they recognize and acknowledge that Jesus was.  If we are acting under God's calling and authority today as we preach and teach, we really don't have to have the authority of anyone to do so, even religious institutions. 

Luke 19:39

Luke 19:39 says, And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  When the disciples and those around Jesus began praising God, some of the Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him to rebuke His disciples.  The Pharisees, some of the most religious of the people of Israel, were always attempting to discredit Jesus and His disciples.  Some professed Christians today do the same thing, putting rituals  and self-righteousness above a real relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse forty adds, And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.  Jesus told the Pharisees that if His disciples held their peace that the stones would immediately cry out to witness for Him.  We need to realize that God does not need us to get His word out, but He allows us to be a part of sharing the gospel.  Verse forty-one states, And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,  When Jesus got near Jerusalem, He looked at and wept over it.  He was not weeping because of what awaited Him there, but was weeping for the spiritual state of the people of God's Holy City.  I believe He is probably weeping for the religious state of America today, since we call ourselves a Christian nation, but don't live as though we are.  Verse forty-two adds, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.  Jesus said that if they knew even in that day the things that brought them peace, and that was faith in and obedience to the heavenly Father and the coming Messiah, that they would have been at peace, but that those things were hidden from them.  These things, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to bring us salvation are not hidden to us today, but too many people still refuse to see them.  Verse forty-three declares, For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,  Jesus said the day was coming when the people of Jerusalem would be utterly defeated, and if we do not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord  there is coming a day when we will be forever destroyed spiritually.  Verse forty-four adds, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.  Jesus said Jerusalem would be laid even with the ground, and that they did not know the time that this would happen.  When Judgment Day comes, everything in this world will be laid bare, and we cannot know when this will happen, so we need to be dedicated to living by faith in Jesus Christ every day.  Verse forty-five says, And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;  Jesus went to the temple and began to cleanse it of all the things that were being done for material reasons and not for spiritual.  He might have to cleanse some churches of some of the things that go on today while people proclaim that they are being done to worship Him.  Verse forty-six adds, Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.  Jesus said God's word called the Temple a house of prayer, but they had turned it into a den of thieves.  I believe we need to still make sure that God's house is a place of prayer and worshipping Him and that we do not allow it to become something less.  Verse forty-seven states, And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,  After cleansing the Temple, Jesus taught there daily.  As God's people today, we need to daily teach others about God.  The chief priests and scribes were not happy with what Jesus had done and sought a way to destroy Him.  Many, many people today are still attempting to destroy Jesus, even some who profess to be His followers.  Verse forty-eight adds, And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.  The scribes and chief priests didn't know what to do, because the people were listening to Jesus attentively.  As long as we listen attentively to Jesus and follow Him by faith, the people of the world will always be at a loss as to how to destroy our relationship with Him.

Luke 19:28

Luke 19:28 says, And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.  After the parable about the rich man and his servants, Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem.  As followers of Christ, we must continue on toward our heavenly home.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,  Verse thirty adds, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.  When Jesus got near Bethphage, he called two of His disciples to Him, and told them to go into the city, where they would find a colt who had never been ridden tied.  We are not told which two disciples, but it really doesn't matter, as they all should have been there to serve Jesus in whatever way He chose, just as we as followers of Christ should be today.  Verse thirty-one continues, And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.  Jesus told the two disciples if anyone asked them why they were taking the colt, to tell them the Lord has need of him.  I don't believe Jesus was sending them to steal the colt, but just to borrow it for a little while, and He is not going to send us to do anything illegal today.  Verse thirty-two states, And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.  The two disciples who were sent went on their way and found things as Jesus said they would be.  When God sends us on a mission, things will be as He says they will be, but we will never know if we don't go.  Verse thirty-three adds, And as they were loosing the colt, The owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?   Verse thirty-four continues, And they said, The Lord hath need of him. The owners of the colt did come to the disciples and ask them why they were untying the colt, just as Jesus had said they might.  Jesus will never send us into a situation where He does not know the problems we may encounter.  The disciples told them what Jesus had told them to say, and that was that the Lord had need of Him.  We have God's promise that He will always give us the words to say when we are obediently serving Him.  The owners then had to have given them permission to take the colt, otherwise they would not have been allowed to leave with it.  I don't believe that Jesus will send us to take something from someone without their permission, but if He sends to borrow something from someone, He will also have led them to allow us to.  Verse thirty-four says, And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.  When these two disciples returned with the colt, they put their garments on it and then set Jesus on it.  Like them, we must be willing to give up the things that may bring us comfort in order to serve Jesus.  Verse thirty-six adds, And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. As Jesus went on His way, those around Him placed their clothes along the route that He was traveling.  At this point, they were still willing to acknowledge Jesus as a king, but not really as the King, the Messiah, as would soon be shown.  It is not enough to get caught up in a crowd mentality and profess to follow Jesus without really accepting Him for Who He is.  Verse thirty-seven declares, And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  As Jesus came down from the Mount of Olives, multitudes of disciples began to rejoice and praise God for the mighty works they had seen.  They were following Jesus more for the miracles that He had done than because of Who He was and what He had come to do.  Sometimes today people will profess to follow Jesus when they see some miracle happen, but they really will not have put their faith in Him.  Verse thirty-eight adds, Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.  They were acknowledging with words Who Jesus was, but they were still looking for an earthly king who would reestablish the people of Isreal as a mighty nation.  We cannot serve  Jesus for material reasons only and truly be His servant. 

Luke 19:16:

Luke 19:16 says, Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. The first servant came to his master and told him that he had earned ten pounds from the one.  Nothing that he gained was really his, but still belonged to his master.  Whatever we gain for God as servants of God is still God's.  Verse seventeen adds, And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.  The servant was rewarded by being given authority over ten cities, but he still didn't own them.  Everything that we have authority over as Christians really belongs to God.  Verse eighteen states, And the second cme, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.  The second servant came and told his master that he had earned five pounds from the one.  He did not do as well as the first servant, but he had used the pound wisely.   We will not all produce as much fruit for God because we don't all have the same talents, but we must produce fruit to the best of our ability.  Verse nineteen adds, And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.  This servant was also rewarded for his success, being given authority over five cities.  God will never give us authority over more than we can handle.  Verse twenty says, And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:  Verse twenty-one adds, For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.  The third servant came to his master with the original pound, which he said he kept hidden because he was afraid to lose it.  He also attempted to put the responsibility of his not gaining anything for his master on his master.  If we do nothing for God out of fear of failure, it is not His responsibility.  Verse twenty-two adds, And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:  The Master told the servant that he would judge him out of the words of his own mouth.  The servant knew the nature of his master, but did not act in accordance with it.  As followers of Christ, we know the nature of God, and we should act in accordance with it.  Verse twenty-three continues, Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?  The master asked the servant why he didn't at least turn the pound over to the bank so it would have at least have earned something.  Hiding the things that God has blessed us with is the worst thing we can do.  Verse twenty-four declares, And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.  The master told them to take the pound from the servant and give it to the servant who had been given the ten pounds.  There was no authority over another city though.  If we seem to be accomplishing nothing for God today because of fear of failure, we might want to ask who has our pound.  God's work is going to be accomplished with or without us, but it would be easier for this to happen if we used what God has blessed us with to accomplish His will in the world.  Verse twenty-five adds, (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)  The other servants pointed out to the master than the servant already had ten pounds.  We don't need to be concerned about how much other Christians have, especially if they have gained it by serving God faithfully.  Verse twenty-six declares, For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. Jesus said that those who had produced fruit for God would be rewarded with more, and to those who haven't, even what they started with would be taken away.  If we do not use what God has blessed us with for the advancement of His kingdom and for His honor and glory, we should not be surprised when we have Him take it away.  Verse twenty-seven adds, But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.  Jesus then said that His enemies, those who did not acknowledge His authority over them, would be slain before Him.  It is better to be a servant and be a part of His kingdom, even if we are unprofitable, because salvation is not gained or kept by our works, but by faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

Luke 19:11

Luke 19:11 says, And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.  At this time, Jesus spoke another parable, because the people believed that the kingdom of God would appear immediately.  Some Christians today believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will happen very soon, but this is not something that should be a priority for Christians.  We simply need to be witnessing, worshipping, and working for Jesus Christ.  Verse twelve adds, He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.  A rich man was going into a far country to receive a kingdom and return.  After His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus was going into heaven, a far country, to receive His kingdom, which would include those who put their faith in Him, and one day He is going to return.  Verse thirteen continues, And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.  The nobleman gave his ten servants one pound each and instructed them to use it wisely while he was gone.  As servants of Christ, He has given each of us certain abilities, and we are to use them wisely until He returns again or we depart this world by death.  Verse fourteen states, But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.  His citizens hated him and said they would not have him reign over them, just as many people today hate Jesus Christ, although He has never wanted anything but what is best for them.  Verse fifteen adds, And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.  The nobleman called his servants to whom he had given money to him, so he could know what they had done with his money that he had entrusted them with.  One day, we will give an accounting to God for what we have done with the things that He entrusted us.  Still, it is better to be a servant of God who has done very little for Him than to not be a servant at all. As followers of Christ, servants of God, we will always His servants.

Luke 19:1

Luke 19:1 says, And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Jerico.  We, as followers of Christ, are on our way to heaven, but we will pass through many places on our way and we must be sharing the gospel while we are going.  Verse two adds, And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  There was a rich publcan named Zacchaeus there in Jerico.  He was most likely a Jew and was the chief publican, which meant he had others serving under him.  No matter how powerful, or even how corrupt people may be today, Jesus will still receive them if they come to Him by faith.   Verse three states, And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus, but since he was short and the crowd was large, he couldn't see Him.  There may be obstacles between Jesus and us today, but hopefully it will not be those who are followers of Christ.  Verse four adds, And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus, so He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up in a sycomore tree that Jesus would be passing by.  We should not let any obstacle stand between Jesus and us.  Verse five declares, And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.  There may have been a crowd, but Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was and where he was.  Jesus will never overlook anyone who seeks Him, no matter how many people may be around that person.  Jesus told Zacharias to hurry down from the sycamore tree, because Jesus was going to abide at his house.  When we come to Jesus, we need to do so quickly,  and when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us.  Verse six adds, And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  Zacchaeus made haste to come down and then he received Jesus joyfully.  Wherever are when we meet Jesus, we need to leave everything behind and joyfully receive Him.  Verse seven says, And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  Those around Jesus murmured about Jesus going to be with a sinner.  This is who Jesus came for, and we are all sinners.  As Christians, we certainly do not need complain when sinners come to Jesus.  Verse eight adds, And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.   There was a change in Zacchaeus.  He promised to give half of his riches to the poor and to return to any he had taken anything from falsely fourfold.   When we come to Jesus and put our faith in Him, we must be changed from the sinner that we have were.  If we have dealt with people dishonesty before, we should do all that we can to make things right, and money can no loger be our motivator.  Verse nine states, And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  Jesus told Zacchaeus that salvation had come to his house that day because he had accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord.  As soon as we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, salvation comes to us immediately.  Verse ten adds, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus said He came to seek and save those who were lost, and this never has nor ever will change.  

Luke 18:31

Luke 18:31 says, Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.  Jesus took the twelve disciples aside, and told them they were going to Jerusalem, where the prophesies about the Son of Man, the Messiah, would be fulfilled.  If we are listening to God and have put our faith in Jesus Christ, we should be ready for whatever happens in life.  Verse thirty-two adds, For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:  Jesus told the twelve disciples the fate that awaited Him there.  He was to be delivered to the Gentiles, by whom He would be treated very badly.  There are still people today who are mocking and trying to discredit Jesus.  Verse thirty-three  continues, And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.  Jesus said after mocking Him and spitting on Him, they would then scourge, or whip Him, put Him to death, but that was not the end.  On the third day, He would rise again.  As followers of Christ, even if we are put to death for our faith, that is not the end.  We will rise again in victory through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty-four concludes, And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.  The disciples failed to understand what Jesus was saying, just as many people fail to understand the gospel today.  Verse thirty-five states, And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:  When Jesus got near Jericho, there was a blind man beside of the road begging.  Until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we are spiritually blind beggars beside the road to salvation.  Verse thirty-six adds, And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.  The blind beggar heard a lot going on and asked what it meant.  Until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we may hear a lot going on around us concerning Him, but we cannot understand what it means.  Verse thirty-seven continues, And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.  The people told the blind beggar that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.  Hopefully, people will be curious enough when God is at work today to ask what is going on, and as Christians it is our responsibility to share the Gospel with them even if they don't ask.  Verse thirty-eight declares, And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.  The blind beggar called out to Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the Son of David, the Messiah, and asked Jesus to have mercy on him. We must cry out to Jesus to have mercy on us when we come to Him as spiritually blind beggars.  Verse thirty-nine states, And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.  Those who were going before Jesus told the blind beggar to be quiet, but he cried out to Jesus even louder.  There are still people today who would keep us from coming to Jesus for His merciful salvation, but if they attempt to, we need to cry out even louder that He would have mercy on us.  Verse forty adds, And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,  Jesus asked those around Him to bring the blind beggar to Him.  It is still our responsibility today to try and bring those who are spiritually blind to Jesus.  Verse forty-one continues, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.  Jesus asked the blind beggar what he wanted, and he said for his sight to be restored.  When we first come to Jesus, if He asks us what we want, we need to say that our spiritual sight will be restored when we put our faith in Him.  Verse forty-two states, And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.  Just as Jesus told the blind beggar, if we come to Him for salvation by faith in Him, we will have our spiritual sight restored, then we must continually look to Him for guidance.  Verse forty-three adds, And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.  The blind beggar immediately had his sight restored, just as we immediately have our spiritual sight restored when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  The man and those around Him followed Jesus and gave praise God.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we need to continually follow Him and give praise to the heavenly Father, and hopefully those around us will do so as well.

Luke 18:18

Luke 18:18 says, And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  A man who was a ruler asked Jesus, calling Him Good Master, what he had to do to inherit eternal life.  People still ask this question today, and yet they often don't go to Jesus for the answer.  He is still the only One Who can answer that question.  Verse nineteen adds, And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.  Jesus asked the ruler why he called Jesus good, and said that there was none good but God.  I believe that this was Jesus way of asking the ruler if he recognized Who Jesus really was.  We still must acknowledge Who Jesus is in order to be saved and come to Him by faith acknowledging Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty continues, Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.  Jesus asked the ruler if he knew the commandments of God, listing those that had to do with a person's relationship with other people.  We must know and follow God's laws today, but even if we do, that will not bring us salvation.  Verse twenty-one states, And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.  The ruler said he had kept these from his youth up.  I believe that he was probably somewhat proud of that fact.  Still, he could not gain everlasting life by his own goodness to others, and neither can we.  Verse twenty-two adds, Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  Jesus told this ruler that he lacked one thing, and that he was to go sell everything he owned, give it to the poor, and come and follow Jesus.  That meant giving up his position as a ruler as well.   We must be willing to give up everything we have and come follow Jesus if we are to have everlasting life, beginning with our self pride.  Verse twenty-three says, And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.  When the ruler heard this, he was very sorrowful, because he was very rich.  Whether we are rich or poor in the eyes of thecworld, we must be willing to give everything to God, but some people still are unwilling to do so, because they believe it will cost them too much of their material goods.   Verse twenty-four adds, And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!   When Jesus saw that this ruler was sorrowful, He said that it would be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, because they too often valued their riches above their relationship with God.  Verse twenty-five continues, For it is easier for a their camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  This would be extremely difficult, but if they put their faith in Jesus above all their riches, it would be very easy to enter into God's kingdom.  Too many people are unwilling to give up the riches of this world to follow Jesus though.  Verse twenty-six states, And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?  The people that heard Jesus say this asked if the rich and powerful, who were often looked up to, could not be saved, then who could.  Jesus had already given them the answer, and that was that it was those who gave up everything in this world and followed Him.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.  Jesus said that things which were impossible with man were possible with God.  This discussion was about inheriting everlasting life.  It is impossible for anyone to gain everlasting life by their own ability, but it is possible by putting their faith in God and the salvation that He made available through Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-eight says, Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.  Peter said that the disciples had left all and followed Jesus, and so must we.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,  Verse thirty continues, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.  Jesus said that anyone who gave up everything and put Him first would be manifoldly blessed in this life and would have life everlasting in the world to come.   I believe the manifold blessing is not an abundance of material wealth, but is an everlasting relationship with God. 

Luke 18:9

Luke 18:9 says, And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  Jesus next spoke in a another parable, this one about a self-righteous man who despised others, because he felt morally superior to them.  There are still some people today who profess to be Christians who feel the same way.  Verse ten adds, Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  Jesus said a Pharisee and a publican went up to the temple to pray.  This would be a good thing to do, just as going to the church to pray is a good thing today.  Verse eleven states, The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  Verse twelve adds, I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  Jesus said the Pharisee the Pharisee prayed with himself, telling how he was better than other men.  He was filled with self-righteousness and was speaking to himself instead of to God.  We need to make sure that we avoid having that same self-righteous attitude today when we pray.  Verse thirteen says, And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  Jesus said that the publican when he prayed addressed his prayer to God in humility and wouldn't even look up as he professed his sins as asked for God to have mercy on him.  We need to never forget that when we pray to God that we are still sinners in need of His mercy.  We should never pray simply to express our moral superiority to others.   Verse fourteen continues, I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  Jesus said the publican, and not the Pharisee, went down to his house justified before God.  He also warned us about exalting ourselves instead of exalting God.  Verse fifteen states, And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  People brought infants to Jesus, and the disciples rebuked them.  There is no better place for us to bring our infants than to Jesus, and this includes when we gather together to worship Him.  Verse sixteen adds, But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Jesus called the disciples to Himself and told them not to prevent the little children from coming to Him, for of such was the kingdom of God.  We must come to God with a childlike faith, especially when we come to Jesus for salvation.  Verse seventeen continues, Verily I say unto ye, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.  As just stated, Jesus said unless we come to Him with a childlike faith we will not enter into the kingdom of God.  We must come to Jesus acknowledging our own weakness and inability to help ourselves find salvation on our own.

Luke 18:1

Luke 18:1 says, And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;  Jesus once more taught with a parable, this time to teach that as His followers we should always pray and not faint.  Verse two adds, Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:  The parable was about a judge who didn't fear God or have any regard for people.  There seem to be some of these type judges today, especially those who do not believe in God.  Verse three continues, And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.  A widow in the city where the judge presided came to him and asked him to avenge her against her adversary.  We are not told what made the person her adversary.  With the judge being as he was, it really wouldn't have mattered most likely.  We may come to God with grievances that the world knows nothing about.  Verse four states, And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;  At first, the judge wouldn't take any action on the widow's request, acknowledging that there was no one he feared, not even God.  Verse five adds, Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.  The judge then decided to avenge the widow so that she would not continue to come to him and weary him.  We still are not told if the widow had a valid complaint or not, but only that she was persistent in bringing it to the judge.  The parable was about persistence, but if we are coming to God with requests, it needs to be something that is valid and in keeping with His word and will.  God will never grant us anything that is not in accordance with His word and will, no matter how persistently we may ask.  Verse six declares, And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.  Jesus told them to hear what the unjust judge said about persistence being rewarded. Verse seven adds, And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?  Jesus asked if God would not avenge His elect, even if it did not happen immediately.  Verse eight adds, I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?  Jesus said that God would speedily avenge His people, but also asked when He returns in judgment if He would find any faithful people.  We may think that there are very few people faithful to God today, and even if that is true, God because of His long suffering is continuing to give people a chance to come to Him.  I don't believe that this parable means that if we ask God for something we want that is not in His will long enough that He will give it to us, but that we are to come to Him persistently in prayer in accordance with His will and by the leadershipof the HolySpirit, and to know that He will always hear us.  

Luke 17:30

Luke 17:30 says, Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  Jesus said that just as life went on as normal before God sent His judgment on people in the past, the same would be true when the Son of Man was revealed and the people who did not believe in Him would try to destroy those who did.  Verse thirty-one adds, In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.  Jesus said that people were not to be concerned about their possessions in that day.  Those who put their faith in Christ when He was revealed would be separated from those who didn't.   Verse thirty-two states, Remember Lot’s wife.  The disciples were reminded of Lot’s wife, who looked back in disobedience to God's warning and was turned into a pillow of salt.  Even as we await the return of Jesus Christ, we do not need to be looking back on the things of this world feeling like we have lost something by following Him.  Verse thirty-three adds, Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.  This to me says that if we are still trying to save our life by our own ability that we will lose it, but if we have lost our life to our own abilities by faith in Jesus Christ that we will save it by that faith.  Verse thirty-four states, I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.  Jesus said that two men would be sleeping, and one would be taken and the other left.  This does not mean that fifty percent of the people are saved though, only that God will claim those that are His and the others will be left behind.  Verse thirty-five adds, Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Once more one would be taken and the other left.  Verse thirty-six continues, Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Once again, there wasxa division between the two, just as there will be a division between believers and non-believers when Christ returns.   Verse thirty-seven states, And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.  The disciples asked where twhis would happen, and Jesus said where the body is that there would be a gathering of eagles.  Wherever those who believe in Jesus Christ are gathered, there He will be also.  It is not just one particular location, such as Israel then, but around the world where people are gathered together by faith in Jesus that this will happen.  

Luke 17:20

Luke 17:20 says, And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  The Pharisees demanded that Jesus tell them when the kingdom of God would come.  People have been trying to figure that out ever since Jesus's death, burial and resurrection.  Jesus answered that the kingdom of God didn't come by looking, and we can be certain that is still true.   Verse twenty-one adds, Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.  Jesus said that they should not say that the kingdom of God was here or there, but that the kingdom of God was within.  Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit lives within us, and we are already a part of the kingdom of God.  Verse twenty-two states, And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.  Jesus told the disciples to not always expect the success they had when He was with them physically.  We may start with great success as Christians, but there will be days when we can see nothing but problems and failures.  Even then, we are not to give up, because the Holy Spirit is still with us.  Verse twenty-three adds, And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.  Jesus warned the disciples that some would say He was in a certain place and others at another.  He then warned them to not listen to them.  We need to be careful that we are not following someone today that claims to have a special insight into Jesus and what He wants of His followers.  Verse twenty-four continues, For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.  Jesus said that just as the lightning lights up the sky, so will the Son of Man when His day comes.  We don't need to be concerned about Christ's return.  No one will be able to miss it when it happens.  Verse twenty-five says, But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.  Jesus then said that before the world could see the day of the Lord, He must first suffer many things and be rejected by that generation. He has been rejected by some of the people of every generation since.  Verse twenty-six adds, And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  Jesus said that just as in the days of Noah when people ignored his warnings, so would it be in the days of the Son of Man.  He was rejected by most when He was on the earth and has been rejected by many of every generation since then.  Some Christians say that today it is like the days of Noah, but so has every generation since Jesus's crucifixion been.  Verse twenty-seven continues, They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  Jesus said that life went on as normal in the days of Noah until Noah went into the ark and the flood came and then it was too late.  Until Jesus returns, life will go on as normal, and then it will be too late for those who have not accepted Him as Savior and Lord, just as it was too late when the doors of the ark were sealed and the flood came.  Verse twenty-eight states, Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;  Jesus then compared the coming of the Son of Man in victory to the days of Lot, when life went on as normal in spite of all the sin that existed around them and that they participated in.  Verse twenty-nine adds, But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Jesus reminded those around Him about what happened to the people of Sodom when Lot left Sodom.  Fire and brimstone rained down from heaven on them.  This is the fate that awaits everyone when Jesus Christ returns in victory if they have not accepted Him as their personal Savior and Lord.

Luke 17:11

Luke  17:11 says, And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  While on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Samaria and Galilee.  Jews mostly would not travel through Samaria, but Jesus did not allow this fact to stop Him from doing so.  We cannot allow who people are to keep us from reaching out to them with the gospel.  Verse twelve adds, And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:  On His way, Jesus saw ten lepers standing far-off, which they were required by law to do.  Verse thirteen continues, And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.  Though they were prohibited by law from getting close to Him, they cried out to Jesus, calling Him Master and asking Him to have mercy on them.  This is what we must do in order to be saved.  Verse fourteen states, And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.  Jesus did not go to them and physically touch them.  He did not even tell them that they were healed.  He simply told them to go and show themselves to the priest, who could acknowledge that they were cured of leprosy.  As they went, they were healed.  If we want the blessings of God today, we must first come to Him by faith in Jesus Christ, and then go where and when He sends us.  Verse fifteen adds, And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,  After they were healed, one of the ten turned back and with a loud voice glorified God.  Ten were healed,  but only one came back praising God.  After we receive salvation from God  and anytime that He does something for us after that, we need to loudly praise Him.  Verse sixteen concludes, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.  The man who returned fell at the feet of Jesus and gave Him thanks, and he was a Samaritan.  The Samaritans were people that the Jews didn't want to have anything to do with, but this didn't matter to Jesus.  We don't know if the other nine were Samaritans or Jews, since they never returned to thank Jesus.  We should never allow how the world may feel about certain people to keep us from reaching out to them with the gospel of Christ.  We also should never neglect giving God the praise when He does something miraculous for us.  Verse ten asks, And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?  Jesus asked if there were not ten who were cleansed and where the other nine were.  After we claim to be saved, Jesus should never have to ask where we are spiritually.  Verse eighteen adds, There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  From this statement, the indication would be that the other nine were Jews, since Jesus said that the only one to return was a stranger.  We can never take God for granted because of who we are or where we were born.   Until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord we will always be a stranger to God, even if He has done something good for us.  Verse nineteen continues, And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.  Just as Jesus told the leper, once we have been made whole by putting our faith in Him, we are to go on our way, giving Him the praise and witnessing for Him.

Luke 17:1

Luke 17:1 says, Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!  Jesus said that offenses were coming against the disciples, but He also said woe unto those who committed them.  As followers of Christ, we need to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and if we do, we will not be guilty of doing this.  Verse two adds, It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  Jesus said a person would be better off drowned than offending one of God's people, those who had put their faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  As we look at the world today, there are a lot of people who would be better off drowned in God's eyes, but that doesn't mean that we are to drown them.  We are still to reach out with the love of God even if they offend us, or even try to harm us.  Verse three states, Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  Jesus tells us if our brother trespasses against us, we are to rebuke him for what he did, and if he repents, we are to forgive him.  We are not to just ignore the situation, but we are to deal with it looking for restoration to our brothers and sisters if they do something wrong to us.  Verse four adds, And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.  Jesus basically said if those who trespass against us do so over and over, then repent and ask forgiveness, we are to forgive them.  Yet, too often we are of a three strikes and you are out mentality.  After forgiving someone twice, especially in the same-day, we too often say that we no longer believe they are sorry and we are no longer willing to forgive them.  Verse five says, And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith.  We may sometimes ask the same thing of God.  Verse six adds, And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey.  Jesus said it was not really a matter of increasing their faith, but of exercising it no matter if you feel that your faith is very small.  If we are not willing to act when we feel that our faith is small, we will probably always feel that it is too small to act.  Verse seven asks, But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?  Jesus asked which of them if they had a servant who had been out working in the field all day would start to serve that servant when he came in.  We are servants of Christ as Christians, and we should never expect Him to be our servant instead.  Verse eight adds, And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?  Jesus said the lord of that servant would expect him to serve his meal first instead, then the servant could eat and drink.  The fact that the servant had been doing what he had supposed to do all day did not change his status when he came in from the fields.  He was still there to meet the needs of His lord.  No matter how hard we may be working for God, we cannot expect to change our status as His servants, but we can also expect our needs to be met.  Verse nine continues, Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.  Jesus asked if the disciples thought that the lord of the servant would thank him for simply doing his duty.  We cannot expect God to reward us or even praise us for doing what He has called us to do, but too often Christians seem to expect to be praised and rewarded for simply doing what God has called them to do.  Verse ten concludes, So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.  Jesus said that instead of expecting a reward, that when we do what is required of us by God that we should still feel like we are unprofitable servants.  We are to do all for the glory of God, and there does not come a time when we sit back and expect God to wait on us.

Luke 16:19

Luke 16:19 says, There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  Jesus said was a rich man who was finely clothed and who ate fine food and had more than enough of it.  There are people, even Christians today who have more than they really need, and yet they use it all for themselves,  Verse twenty adds, And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  Jesus then contrasted the rich man with Lazarus, a beggar full of sores laying at the gate.  There are plenty of people today who are in need, but too often they are either ignored or looked down on.  Verse twenty-one continues, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  Lazarus ate from the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table while dogs licked his sores.  The dogs may have had more compassion on Lazarus than the rich man did, because at least they acknowledged him and may have brought him some relief.  Today, people in need are too often ignored.   Verse twenty-two states, And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  One may have been rich and the other a beggar,  but both faced the same ultimate end.  They died, and Lazarus was carried by the angels to heaven while the rich man was buried.  One thing we can be certain of is that we will all die if Jesus Christ does not return first.  Verse twenty-three adds, And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  Though the last verse said the rich man was buried, his soul, like all souls, lived on, but he was in hell.  These are our two choices.  The rich man looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus in heaven.  He may not have acknowledged Lazarus before, but he did now.  Their status had reversed.  One day, everyone will be judged by their relationship to Jesus Christ and not by their earthly riches.  Verse twenty-four continues, And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  The rich man now called Abraham father, and asked that Lazarus be permitted to just dip his finger in water and touch it to his tongue.  This is the torment that awaits those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Of course, I don't believe that Abraham was the one who had the power to grant the rich man’s wish, even had he wanted to.  We must make our prayers to God alone.  Verse twenty-five declares, But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  Abraham called on the rich man to remember how different Lazarus and he had been in this lifetime.  Those who reject Jesus Christ will have a lifetime to remember how they had allowed the riches of this world to be more important than a relationship with Him.  Verse twenty-six adds, And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  Abraham said there was no way to pass from heaven to hell or from hell to heaven.  Once we die, our everlasting fate is sealed.  Verse twenty-seven says, Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:  The rich man then asked that Lazarus be allowed to go to his father's house and witness there.  If a person realizes in hell the need to accept Jesus Christ to avoid being there, they cannot help others avoid that fate.  Verse twenty-eight adds, For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  The rich man had five brothers who evidently lived as he had, concerned only with themselves and the riches of this world.  Those in hell may suddenly have concern for their families being able to avoid ending up there themselves, but it will be too late to do anything about it.  Verse twenty-nine states, Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  Abraham told the rich man that his brothers would have to listen to Moses and the prophets, who proclaimed God's law and the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Himself.  Verse thirty adds, And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  The rich man said that if someone who had been dead went to his brothers, they would listen.  Verse thirty-one continues, And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.  Abraham said if they would not hear Moses and the prophets that they would not hear One Who had risen from the dead, which Jesus would do.  We can only come to God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ, but we should also live by what God's word teaches us.  There is really only one question that matters in life, and that is whether we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. 

Luke 16:9

Luke 16:9 says, And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.  I believe that this means that we are to use the things of this world wisely and to help others so that God may be glorified.  This will be noted in our everlasting habitation. Verse ten adds, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.  God expects us to be faithful in the smallest things, and if we are, this will lead us to be faithful when we are blessed with much, and the opposite is also true.  Verse eleven continues, If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?  Jesus asked the people then and we today if we cannot be faithful to God with the unrighteous things of this world, how can we expect God to trust us with His true riches.  We may sometimes believe that once we pay our tithes that everything else is ours to use however we see fit, but we are still to use it all for God's glory and to advance His kingdom.  Verse twelve states, And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?  Jesus said if we cannot be faithful with what belongs to another, then who would give us something of our own to be trusted with.  God expects us to be honest in our dealings with others so that He will know that He can trust us to use the things that He blesses us with wisely.  I believe this applies even to the work that we do for others.  We are to work diligently for them, and not look for reasons why we shouldn't.  Verse thirteen adds, No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  Jesus tells us that we as followers of Christ cannot serve two masters.  We cannot serve mammon or the things of this world and serve God at the same time.  If the riches of this world are more important to us than God is, then they and not God become our master.  Verse fourteen declares, And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.  When the Pharisees, who coveted the things of the world heard Jesus, they derided Him.  Some people today profess that as Christians we can covet the things of this world and God will bless us with them, but I don't believe that is what the Bible teaches us.  Verse fifteen adds, And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.  Jesus told the Pharisee that He knew what was in their hearts, and that they would try to justify themselves before men by seeking things that were highly esteemed among men, even though they were an abomination in God.  We cannot attempt to use earthly riches themself as a sign of God's blessings on us.  Verse sixteen continues, The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  Jesus said that the law and prophets had been th guiding forces of the people of Isreal, God's chosen people, until John the Baptist came, and then he pointed them to Jesus, who would be the fulfillment of all that the law and prophets had pointed to.  We live in God's kingdom and should tell the world about it once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse seventeen says, And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.  Jesus also said that it would be easier for the heavens and the earth to pass away then for the smallest part of God's law to pass away.  Though we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone, we still need to obey God's law.  Verse eighteen adds, Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.  Jesus then gave the example of a man divorcing his wife, I believe without Biblical grounds, and marrying another being guilty of adultery.  Even if by the grace of God and our faith in Jesus Christ we can be forgiven for this, it is still wrong under God's law and we should not do it.

Luke 16:1

Luke 16:1 says, And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.  Jesus told His disciples about a rich man who had accused his steward of wasting his goods.  When we are entrusted with things from God, we need to use them wisely so that He will never accuse us of wasting them, but one day we will be held accountable.  Verse two adds, And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.  The man told the steward that he was to give an accounting, and that he would no longer be a steward.  If we fail to use the things of God wisely, He may no longer entrust us with anything to use.  Verse three states, Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.  The steward said he didn't know what he would do, because he couldn't dig and was ashamed to beg.  Matthew Henry says it was more that he was unwilling to dig and he wasn't humble enough to beg, even though he had a greater reason foe shame because he had been cheating his master.  If we have been being blessed by God and He quits blessing us because we have been squandering what He blessed us with, what would we do, especially if self pride and an unwillingness to work got in the way.  Verse four adds, I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.  The steward had a plan to indebt those who he had been a steward over to him.  Though this might be good for the steward, he was further cheating his master.  I don't believe this is our best plan.  We should humble ourselves before God, accept responsibility, and ask for His forgiveness.  Verse five continues, So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?  His plan included all those who were debtor's to his master.  We are all debtor's to God, and no one else can really reduce that debt, except Jesus Christ.  Verse six says, And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.  The first man said a hundred measures of oil when askedwhat he owed, and the steward told him to write down fifty instead.  The man had to be willing to go along with the steward's plan.  What we need to realize is that we cannot get away with cheating God, so we should never go along with a plan that would cause us to try to do so.  Verse seven adds, Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.  The next man said he owed the master a hundred measures of wheat, and he was told to put down eighty.  They were both still cheating their master.  Verse eight continues, And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.  The master commended his former steward for being wise in working for a way to provide for himself.  He then said that the people of this world in their generation, or life, are wiser in the eyes of the world than are the children of light.  We may find that those who do not put their faith in God but use their own cunning and understanding to attain the riches of this world are more successful in this lifetime than those who follow Jesus Christ.  This will only last for this lifetime though.

Luke 15:21

Luke 15:21 says, And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  When the father got to the son, the son confessed his sin. When the heavenly Father comes to us today, either calling us to salvation or calling us back to Him after we have strayed away, all we can do is confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. Verse twenty-two adds, But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  The son felt unworthy, but his father put great value on Him, just as our heavenly Father puts great value on us, even though we are unworty.  Verse twenty-three continues, And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:  After telling his servants to get his son dressed properly, the father then told them to get things ready for a celebration, and we are told that the angels celebrate in heaven when a sinner comes to the heavenly Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-four concludes, For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.  The father said his son who had been dead to him was alive again, and he had been lost but now was found.  That describes us perfectly today until we come to God by faith, or until we return to Him if we have strayed away.  Verse twenty-five states, Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.  When the elder son, who had not left to go his own way, came home from the field where he had been working, he heard music and dancing.  If we have been faithfully working for God and return home to hear a celebration going on, we might be curious why we didn't know what the celebration was about.  Verse twenty-six adds, And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.  He called the servants to ask what was going on, but a better course of action would have been to go to his father and ask.  That is also our best course of action with our heavenly Father if we have questions about anything.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.  The servant told him that his brother had come home and his father had prepared a feast in celebration.  This should have been good news to the older brother, just as it should be good news to us today when a sinner comes home to God.  Verse twenty-eight says, And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.  Instead of being happy for his brothers safe return, he was angry.  Sometimes, it seems that Christians are more upset than being in the mood to celebrate when a sinner comes home, especialif they somehow feel that the one being that the celebration is for is unworthy.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:  The elder son did go to his father to complain, saying he had been mistreated.  If we are basing salvation on our worthiness instead of on God's abounding grace, we may feel the same way, but salvation and even restoration to God is not based on our works or worthiness.  Verse thirty continues, But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.  The older son then gave the reason he felt that the younger son did not deserve a celebration held in his honor.  Sometimes, we can almost feel the same way, more deserving of salvation and forgiveness than someone we feel is a greater sinner.  Verse thirty-one states, And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.  The father told his oldest son that he had always been with him, and all that he had was the older son's.  As long as we remain true to God, all that He has is ours when we need it.  Someone else coming to salvation does not decrease what God has blessed us with.  Verse thirty-two adds, It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.  The father said the celebration was warranted, because the son and brother who had been dead and lost to them had come home.  We really aren't told how the older brother responded, but we can only hope that he began to celebrate with them, and this is what we should do anytime someone who is separated from God for whatever reason comes home to Him.

Luke 15:11

Luke 15:11 says, And he said, A certain man had two sons: Jesus started with one in a hundred, then one in ten, and now it was one in two.  Verse twelve adds, And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  The younger of the two sons went to his father and demanded his inheritance, which he really wasn't entitled to it until his father died.  Sometimes, people go to God making demands, but we are really not entitled to anything that God doesn't want to give us.  Verse thirteen continues,  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  If God does bless us materially, we need to make sure we aren't like the young man and move away from Him and waste it all on riotous living.  Verse fourteen states, And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. After the younger son wasted all his money, there was a famine in the land.  If we are away from our heavenly Father, we can expect a spiritual famine.  Verse fifteen adds, And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  The young man was reduced to hiring himself out to feed swine, which would have been very very demeaning for a man who had once considered himself wealthy.  Verse sixteen continues, And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.  The young man was hungry enough to eat the husks that the swine at, and anyone who may have claimed to be his friend when he had money was no longer there to help him.  When we move a long way from God, we are totally on our own.  There is no one, friend or former friend, who can help us even if they would.  Verse seventeen says, And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  The young man finally came to his senses and realized that he would be better off as a servant in his father's house than he was where he currently was.  If we come to our senses, we will realize that we are better off as servants of God than we are as the richest person in the world, much less as the poorest.  Verse eighteen adds, I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  The young man decided to put pride aside and return to his father's house.  If we are a Christian and have strayed away from God, hopefully we will came back to Him.  If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and become a child of God, the hopefully you will come to your senses and come to Him.  Verse nineteen continues, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  The young man felt that he was no longer worthy to be called a son and would request to just be a servant in his fatherr's house.  We likewise are not worthy to be children of God, but He gives us that right.  Still, we are better off simply as servants of God than being the most powerful person in the world without Him.  Verse twenty declares, And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  When the young man returned to his father, his father saw him a long way off, had compassion on him, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.  He freely and gladly welcomed his son back, and God will always have compassion on us and welcome us back if we have strayed away.  Of course, He also has compassion on us to welcome us to come to Him the first time by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. 

Luke 15:1

Luke 15:1 says. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.  The publicans and sinners began to draw near to Jesus to hear Him, and we are all sinners when we first come to Jesus.  Verse two adds, And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  The scribes and Pharisees began to murmur that Jesus received and ate with sinners.  Sometimes, Christians today can be guilty of murmuring amongst themselves if someone that they feel to be too much of a sinner comes to church to hear about Jesus.  Verse three states, And he spake this parable unto them, saying,  Jesus did not address the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees directly, but told them a parable instead.  Even if God does not address our murmuring about others directly,  His word already tells us what He expects of us.  Verse four adds, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  The parable asked which of them who had a hundred sheep and lost one would not leave the ninety-nine who were safe and go and look for the lost one.  At some point, we have all been that lost sheep.  Verse five continues, And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  Jesus then said that when the man found the lost sheep, he would pick it up on his shoulder and return it to the fold.  He wouldn't just locate it and leave it to get back on its own, and we cannot find salvation on our own, but must allow our faith in Jesus to get us safely home to His fold.  Verse six concludes, And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.  Jesus said when the man returned with his lost sheep, he would call his friends and neighbors together to rejoice with him because he had found it.  He was not rejoicing over the ninety-nine that were safe, but over the one that was lost and had been found.  That does not mean that the ninety-nine were unimportant, but they were already safe.  We need to rejoice more over a sinner who comes to Jesus for salvation than we do over those who are already followers of Christ.  Verse seven declares, I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.  Jesus said that there would be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who is saved than over ninety-nine who are already saved, and as just stated, it should be the same for Christians here in this old sinful world.  Verse eight adds, Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?  Jesus then told the parable of the woman losing one of ten pieces of silver and asking if she would not do all that she could to find it.  Jesus will do all that He can to find the one who is lost.  Verse nine continues, And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.  As with the lost sheep, the woman would call her friends and neighbours together to celebrate with her when she found the lost coin.  The sheep was one of a hundred and the coun was one of ten, but the rejoicing was the same.   Verse ten concludes, Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.  Once more, Jesus tells us that there is joy in the presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner that is saved.  We as followers of Christ need to rejoice anytime a sinner is saved.

Luke 14:25

Luke 14:25 says, And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,  Verse twenty-six adds, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  I don't believe that Jesus meant that they or we are to literally hate our family, but that we are to put our love for Him above them.  We cannot let anyone or anything be more important than Jesus and successfully follow Him.  Verse twenty-seven continues,, And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  Jesus said we are to bear our cross and come after Him if we are to be His disciple.  The cross is something we willingly take up and not something we cannot avoid if we so choose.  Verse twenty-eight asks, For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Jesus asked them a question about building a tower without first considering the cost of building it.  We should not consider following Jesus Christ with considering what it may cost us in this world, but people too often ask what they will gain materially from following Him.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,   Jesus said that a man starting to build a tower without considering the cost and getting the foundation laid and running out of money would be laughed at, and so will those who profess to follow Jesus who never consider the cost and quit following Him when they decide it cost more than they are willing to give.  Verses thirty continues, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.  Jesus said people would laugh at the man saying he could not finish what he had started.  If we count the cost of following Jesus, we should never find ourselves unable to continue building on the foundation of that faith.  Verse thirty-one asks, Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Jesus then asked about a king going to war without considering whether he could beat a larger army.  We will always be up against a larger group who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation, and we need to be aware of that.  Still, we cannot allow this to stop us from following Him.  Verse thirty-two adds, Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  Jesus said we should not attempt to make peace with the world because we are outnumbered as Christians.  We will always be outnumbered and at war with the world, but we must continue to fight against the sin in this world through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty-three declares, So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.  If we are to be a disciple of Christ, we must forsake everything that comes between Him and us.  Verse thirty-four adds, Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? Verse thirty-five continues, It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  Like salt that has lost its savor is worthless, so are those who profess to be Christians but have allowed the things of this world to keep them from following Jesus Christ at all costs.  We must always put Him first in our life, no matter what it may cost us in this world.