Luke 6:39

I somehow missed this earlier, so it will be out of sequence. 

Luke 6:39 says, And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? Jesus taught with another parable, asking if the blind could lead the blind could lead the blind without them both falling in the ditch.  Until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are spiritually blind and cannot lead anyone spiritually without both of us falling.  Verse forty adds, The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.  We as Christians can never be better than our Master, Jesus Christ.  Just as He suffered and died for us, we must be willing to suffer and even die that others might come to know Him as their Savior and Lord.  Only by faith in Christ can we be made perfect in the sight of God.  Verse forty-one asks, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Jesus asked the people then and us today why we are so much able to see small faults in others but cannot see big faults in our own life.  Verse forty-one adds, Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.  Jesus said offering to pull the mote, or small speck, out of someone else's eye while not recognizing the beam, or large piece of wood in our own makes us hypocrites.  We too often are concerned with the sins of others while ignoring our own sins which may be greater.  Verse forty-three states, For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  We as followers of Christ are to be like the good tree, bringing forth good fruit spiritually.  Those who have not put their faith in Jesus Christ cannot bring forth good fruit spiritually.  Verse forty-four adds, For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.  Just as trees are known for the fruit that they produce, so should Christians be.  We should not produce bad fruit, but good fruit, and we should all be producing spiritual fruit if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse forty-five declares, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.  If we are to bring forth an abundance of good into the world,  it must come from our heart, which must be controlled by the Holy Spirit once we become a follower of Christ.  We cannot make our heart good by our own ability, but God must create in us a new heart when we become a Christian.  Verse forty-six adds, And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  This question still applies today.  If we are to truly call Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, we must do what He calls us to do.  Anytime we fail to do so, He is not really the Lord of our life.  Verse forty-seven states, Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  Jesus said that He would show anyone who came to Him what that person was like.  He still continues to show us today.  Verse forty-eight adds, He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.  Jesus said that those that put their faith in Him are like a person building a house building it on a firm foundation.   When it is built on a firm foundation a house can stand against the storms.  Jesus is our foundation as Christians, and we must build everything on that foundation if it is to stand.  Verse forty-nine continues, But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.  If we do not build our life on the foundation of Jesus Christ, no matter how strong and beautiful it may look, when the storms of life come, it will fall, and the fall will be great.  Things not built on the foundation of Jesus Christ will be utterly destroyed when God's judgment comes.

Luke 7:18

Luke 7:18 says, And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.  The disciples of John began to tell him what Jesus was doing.  Verse nineteen adds, And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?  John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He was the Messiah, or if they should look for another.  Today, when we hear about Jesus, we need to come to Him ourself, and then we must decide if He is Who He says He is or not.  Verse twenty continues, When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?  John's disciples, when they reached Jesus, asked them what John had told them to ask Him.  They should have been concerned about whether Jesus was the Messiah themselves and not just to answer John's questions.  No matter why we come to Jesus, we must decide for ourself Who He is.  Verse twenty-one states, And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.  While John's disciples were there, Jesus  healed many people of their infirmities, plagues, and evil spirits and restored the sight of many blind people.  This is what He is still doing today spiritually when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-two adds, Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.  Jesus told the disciples to return to John and tell him what they had seen Jesus do.  We can tell people what Jesus did in Biblical days, but I believe more importantly we need to tell them what He has done in our life today.   He has healed us of spiritual sickness, restored our sight spiritually, and raised us from death by forgiving our sins if we accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  For many, He has done some of these things physically as well, and we need to give Him the credit and tell the people around us what He has done.  Verse twenty-three continues, And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.  Just as Jesus told John's disciples then, we are blessed if we are not offended by Jesus.  We cannot be followers of Christ if we are offended or afraid to tell the world that we are.  Verse twenty-four says, And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?  After John's disciples left, Jesus asked those around Him about John.  He asked if they went into the wilderness to see him because he was a weak and wavering person.  Verse twenty-five adds, But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.  Jesus continued to ask if when they went to see John if they were looking for someone who was finely dressed.  It seems that at times today we are more drawn to preachers because of how they are dressed than because of the message they preach,  and some even waver on the truth of the gospel. Verse twenty-six continues, But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.  Jesus said they went to the wilderness to hear John because he was a prophet, and Jesus said John was much more than just a prophet.  Verse twenty-seven declares, This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  Jesus said that John was the one who was sent by God to tell the people to prepare for the coming Messiah. It is our responsibility today to tell everyone that we must prepare for the return of Jesus, the Messiah.  Verse twenty-eight adds, For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.  Jesus said that there was no greater prophet in the world than John the Baptist, but that even the least in the kingdom of God was greater than John.  When John was preaching, Jesus had not completed His work of redemption, so John was still looking for the Messiah.  Until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we may do great things, but we are still less than the least in God's kingdom.  Verse twenty-nine states, And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.  All those who heard what Jesus said, who had been baptized by John, even the publicans, justified God.  No matter who brought us to Jesus today, we must put our faith in Him alone.  Jesus had not yet revealed Himself as the Messiah.  This was not fully revealed until His death, burial and resurrection, but He has been revealed to us today as the only Savior, and we must put our faith in Him alone.  Verse thirty adds But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.  The scribes and Pharisees took council against John, because they refused to believe that he was the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  It was a sad commentary that the religious leaders did not recognize the fulfillment of the scripture before their very eyes.  It is not enough to know what the Bible says if we don't accept it as God's word and allow it to become real for our life by accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

Luke 7:11

Luke 7:11 says, And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.  The day after Jesus healed the centurion's son, He went to a city called Nain, and many people followed Him.  We need to follow Jesus where He leads us today, even if we now just follow spiritually and not physically.  Verse twelve adds, Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.  When Jesus came into the city, a dead man was being carried out.  The man had been the only son of his widowed mother, who would have been dependent on him to provide for her.  We could think that it turned out fortunate that Jesus was there that day, but I believe He was there because His heavenly Father sent Him there.  When we are in need today, and that need is met, we as Christians cannot think that it was anything less that God providing for our need.  Verse thirteen continues, And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.  When Jesus saw the mother in her sorrow, He had compassion on her and told her not to weep.  We need to realize that Jesus has compassion on everyone today, especially those who are suffering from a great loss, and He still calls them to hear Him and weep no more.  Of course, for this to happen, we must accept Jesus for Who He is, the spiritual Redeemer of all who accept Him as their Savior and Lord.  Verse fourteen declares, And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.  Jesus went and touched the funeral bier, and those that carried stopped.  Then, Jesus said, 'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise,'  Jesus didn't even touch the young man physically, just as He doesn't have to touch us physically today to accomplish His will in our life.  Verse fifteen adds, And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.  The young man who was dead sat up and began to speak and was delivered to his mother.  When we who were spiritually dead are resurrected to everlasting spiritual life through faith in Jesus Christ, we need to begin speaking to others about what has happened, beginning with our family.  Verse sixteen states, And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.  The people there were in fear, believing that Jesus was a great prophet sent by God.  They still did not recognize Who Jesus really was.  Until we recognize Jesus Christ for Who He really is, we may be afraid when we see Him bring about something miraculous.  Verse seventeen adds, And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.  Jesus's fame spread throughout all Judea and the region around it, though it is said that it was a rumor and not the truth.  Until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, everything we hear about Him will be no more than a rumor. 

Luke 7:1'

Luke 7:1 says, Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.  After Jesus had finished teaching these people, he went into Capernaum.  Once we have finished gathering to teach or to learn about God today, we need to move on out into the community to share the gospel of Christ with them.  Verse two adds, And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.  The servant of a centurion, a military leader, who was dear to him was so sick he was about to die.  Even though he was a man of power, he still cared about at least one of his servants.  We may be people of power today, but we need to sincerely care for those around us, even those who may be serving us in some capacity.  Verse three states, And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.  The centurion heard about Jesus and sent the elders of the Jews to beseech Jesus to come and heal his servant.  The Jewish elders were under the centurion"s authority, but what he asked them to do was not against God's law.  We need to obey those in power in the world today, as long as what they ask us to do is not against God's law.  Verse four adds, And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:  The Jewish elders told Jesus that the centurion was worthy of Jesus doing what he was asking Jesus to do.  Though none of us is worthy of salvation by our position in the world, we are all worthy of salvation because of the mercy of God.  Verse five continues, For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.  These Jewish elders then told Jesus that the centurion loved the nation of Israel and had even had a synagogue built for them.  We should not judge people as being worthy of God's mercy because of what they have done for us materially, but if they are kind and merciful to us when they don't have to be, it may make us more inclined to reach out to God for them.  Still, it really shouldn't.  Verses six says, Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:  Jesus went with them, and while He was near the house, He met the friends of the centurion, who told Jesus that the centurion said for Jesus not to trouble Himself and that he was unworthy for Jesus to enter his house.  Though a man of some power, he did not demand that Jesus come to him.  No matter how powerful we may be in the eyes of the world, we can never command Jesus to do anything, and we are all unworthy of His salvation that He offers us freely.  Verse seven adds,  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.  The centurion then said that he did not feel that he was worthy to come to Jesus, and no one is.  Still, the centurion had faith that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word. We need that same faith today.  Verse eight continues, For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  The centurion said that he was a man set under the authority of Rome, and whatever he told those under him to do, they did.  He recognized that Jesus had this same power under the authority of God, His heavenly Father.  Verse nine declares, When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  Jesus marvelled at what the man said, and then said He had not found so great a faith in the people of Israel, God's chosen people.  As followers of Christ, this is the kind of faith that we need in Jesus Christ today.  Verse ten adds, And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.  The ones who were sent to Jesus returned to the house and found the servant whole, or well.  We no longer have Jesus physically present with us, nor do we need Him to be.  We have the Holy Spirit with us at all times as Christians, and we simply need put our faith in Him at all times.

Luke 6;27

Luke 6:27 says, But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,  Jesus said that to those who heard Him, that they were to love their enemies and do good to those who hate them.  This applies to us today as followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.  We are to bless those who curse us and to do good to those who despitefully use us.  Yet, we too often treat them as badly as they treat us.  Verse twenty-nine continues,  And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.  Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek if someone hits us on the one cheek, but we usually say this is not to be taken literally, and the same is believed about given even more to those who take something from us.  Still, Jesus presented this not as a moral concept, but as a truth to be followed when living our life every day.  Verse thirty states, Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.  Jesus expects us to help those who ask for help, without being concerned with whether they ever repay us or not.  Verse thirty-one adds, And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.  Jesus tells us that we are to treat others as we want to be treated. This applies to all others, and not just to people that we like.  Verse thirty-two declares, For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.  Jesus asked if we love only those who love us, how does that make us any better than the lost people of the world.  Sinners in this case would be those who had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and started to live under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Verse thirty-three adds, And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.  Jesus adds that if we only do good to those who do good to us, then we are no better than the sinners of the world.  As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard.  Verse thirty-four continues,  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  Jesus tells us that if we only lend to those that we hope to receive something more back from, again we are no better than the rest of the people of the world who are not Christians.  Verse thirty-five concludes, But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  Jesus sums this up by saying that as followers of Christ we are to be like our heavenly Father.  If we are, our reward in heaven will be great.  God is kind to the unthankful and to the evil people of the world, reaching out to them with His unmerited grace, just as He did to us while we were yet sinners.  Verse thirty-six says, Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  Jesus said just as our heavenly Father is merciful, we as Christians are to be merciful.  Verse thirty-seven adds, Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:  We are not to judge or condemn other people so that we will not be judged and condemned by God, and we are to forgive others because God forgave us when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-eight continues, Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  I believe this is another way of saying that we cannot outgive God.  If we give to others in need, God will more than provide for our needs.  If God gives to us when we give to others, then the opposite must be true, and that is that He withholds His blessings from us when we refuse to help others when we can.  Of course, I believe the Holy Spirit will guide us in all situations if we let Him.

Luke 6:20

Luke 6:20 says, And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.  Jesus began to preach to His disciples, not just the twelve, but all who were following Him, and that includes us today if we are followers of Christ.  Jesus first said the poor were blessed,  though we may not always feel that way if we are.  Verse twenty-one adds, Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.  Jesus tells us that we are blessed if we hunger now, or in this lifetime, because we will one day be filled.  He also said we are blessed if we weep, because there is coming a day when we will no longer weep in sorrow but laugh in joy.  Jesus did not promise us that everything was going to be wonderful in this lifetime.  Verse twenty-two continues, Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.  Jesus also tells us that we are blessed if we are hated and reproached by the people of the world for His name’s sake, even if they go so far as to cast us out of their midst.  Verse twenty-three concludes, Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.  Jesus said thar we are to rejoice if these things happen to us for His name’s sake, because we will have great joy in heaven because we have put our faith in Him.  I believe that too often people expect to be materially blessed in this lifetime because they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, but the opposite seems to be more of what is actually promised.  Verse twenty-four states, But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.  Jesus then pronounced woe on the rich, saying that they had received their consolation.  I don't believe that this means that all rich people are condemned, but that those who put their riches above a relationship with and obedience to Jesus Christ are.  Verse twenty-five adds, Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.  Again, I believe this is a warning to those who put their own desires above the needs of others.  If we are only concerned with being filled ourselves as we laugh and enjoy life and are not concerned about the less fortunate around us, we are not following God's teachings, and until we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we never will be truly concerned about those around us.  Verse twenty-six continues, Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.  Jesus tells us that we should feel woe, or sadness, if all people speak well of us, because they did the same thing with the false prophets.  If we are truly following Jesus Christ, then we are going to be at war with the world.  

Luke 6:12

Luke 6:12 says, And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.  Jesus went into the mountains to pray during this time, and He continued to pray to God all night.  This should tell us something about what our prayer life should be like.  We need to make sure that we are ready to put in whatever time is necessary to seek God's will.  Verse thirteen adds, And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;  The next morning, Jesus called all His disciples to Him, and chose twelve whom He called apostles.  As Christians, we are all disciples of Christ, but we do not all have the same calling.  Verse fourteen states, Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,  This verse and the next two name the apostles, those twelve who were closest to Jesus.   Verse fifteen adds, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,  Verse sixteen continues, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.  There were several brothers,  including one named Judas, and also another Judas, Iscariot, who would betray Jesus.  Not everyone who claims to be the closest to Jesus really is.  Some, like Judas Iscariot are simply claiming to follow Jesus to see how they can benefit in earthly ways and not to advance God's kingdom.  Verse seventeen says, And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;  After praying all night and calling the apostles, Jesus came down the mountain with them to be met by a great multitude.  It would be wonderful if we had great multitudes waiting to hear God's word today, and maybe if we spent more time in sincere prayer to God we would.  Verse eighteen adds, And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.  Jesus healed the sick and those vexed with unclean spirits.  Still, this was not His real purpose in coming, and many of these people were there to see Jesus for the wrong reasons.  We need to come to Jesus for forgiveness of our sins and spiritual healing, whether we are ever healed of physical problems or not. Verse nineteen continues,  And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.  Everyone wanted to touch Jesus, because they were healed by His touch.  We today are healed spiritually by the spiritual touch of Jesus, and this is the only way to spiritual healing.