Luke 14:12

Luke 14:12 says, Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.  Jesus told the Pharisee that invited Him to eat to not just invite family and friends or rich neighbors who could reciprocate when he invited someone to eat. .  This is what we often do, though, and if they don't invite us later, we no longer want to invite them.  Verse thirteen adds, But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: Jesus said to call those in need to eat.  This is especially true when we call people to God's table to share His blessings.  Though we should invite family and friends, it is just as important that we invite those who are in great need.  Verse fourteen continues, And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.  Jesus said if the Pharisee did so that he would be blessed at the resurrection, because he would be following God's guidance.  Verse fifteen states, And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.  One of those eating with them said blessed is he that eats the bread of the kingdom of God, and this is always true. Verse sixteen declares, Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:  Jesus began to tell a a parable about a rich man who prepared a great feast.  Verse seventeen adds, And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.  When the feast was ready, the man sent his servant to call those who had been invited.  God sent His Servant Jesus Christ to invite us all to feast at His table if we put our faith in Him.  Verse eighteen continues, And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.  One by one, those invited began to make excuses why they couldn't attend. Verse nineteen continues, And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.  The first two said they had business to attend to and asked to be excused.  Sometimes today people let material things keep them from coming to God's table.  Verse twenty concludes, And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.  A third man said he had married and could not come.  Family was coming between the man who had prepared the feast for him and the man who was invited.   We cannot allow family to keep us from coming to God and enjoying the feast of salvation that He has prepared for us.  Verse twenty-one says, So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.  When the servant returned and told the master what had happened, he was angry and told the servant to go out into the streets and bring those in need to the feast.  The people of Isreal were invited to feast at God's table by accepting the invitation to come from His Servant Jesus Christ, and they found excuses not to come, so the invitation went to the Gentiles.  Verse twenty-two adds, And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.  After the servant did as the master instructed him to do, he said there was still room at the table, and no matter how many people come to feast at God's table, there will always be room for more.  Verse twenty-three states, And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.  The master told the servant to go out into the highways and hedges and compel the people to come.  Though we cannot compel people to come to salvation and then feast at God's table, it is our responsibility to go out into the highways and hedges and invite them.  Verse twenty-four adds, For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.  The master said those who were invited and rejected the invitation would never eat at his table.  If we reject God's invitation to come to His table through putting our faith in His servant Jesus Christ, we will never feast at His table. 

Luke 14:1

Luke 14:1 says, And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.  Jesus did not avoid the Pharisees, but He even went to the home of one of the chief Pharisees to eat with him one Sabbath.  No one can ever say that Jesus rejected them because of who they were.  Verse two adds, And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.  There was a sick man there before Jesus at the house.  Verse three continues, And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?  Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath day.  I believe Jesus wanted to see if they would put legalism ahead of mercy to others.  We need to make sure that we don't become so religiously legalistic that we fail to treat others with mercy and compassion.  Verse four states, And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;  The lawyers and Pharisees did not answer Jesus, so He healed the man and let him go.  We will never be able to deny the truth of God, so we are better off not trying to, even if we might disagree with His truth.  Verse five adds,nd answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?  Jesus asked them another question.  Which of them, if he had an ass or ox fall in a pit on the Sabbath would not pull it out.  This would still be work, and sometimes we are more willing to break religious rules if it affects us materially than we are if it affects someone else.  Verse six says, And they could not answer him again to these things.  Once again, the lawyers and Pharisees, the ones who best knew God's laws and the ones that had been added to them, would not answer Jesus.  We may believe that we know the laws of God better than anyone else, but if we don't have mercy and compassion toward others, we cannot truly follow the leadership of Christ.  Rules and regulations will never save anyone.  Verse seven adds, And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,  Jesus once more taught those there with a parable.  Verse eight continues, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;  Jesus said if they were invited to a wedding to not look for the highest place to sit, because someone more important might come along.  The lawyers and Pharisees liked to be in the position of greatest authority in the religious community, and there are still people today who seek the same thing.  Jesus warned us against this.  Verse nine says, And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.  Jesus said that if they sought the highest place and another more important person came along that the one who called them there might tell them to give up their place, and they would move down with shame.  One greater than the lawyers and Pharisees was there, and they would have to move down from their assumed position of authority.  We must humble ourselves before God and can never come to Him holding on to assumed positions of moral superiority over others.  Verse ten adds, But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. Jesus told them when they came, to seek the lowest room of the house, and when the one who invited them came, he might call them up to a better place.  When we come to Jesus, we come to the lowest room so to speak, and then it is up to Him to call us to our place of service.  We can never just assume a higher place on our own.  Verse eleven continues, For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  The lawyers and Pharisees exalted themselves, and Jesus said they would be put to shame, and that those who humbled themselves before God would be exalted one day.  We should never attempt to serve God for self exaltation.  We will always be no more im than any other sinner saved by grace.

Luke 13:23

Luke 13:23 says, Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,  Someone asked Jesus if there were but a few who would be saved.  He answered them.  Verse twenty-four adds, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.  Jesus answered by telling the man to strive to enter by the strait gate, which many would strive to do but would be unable to do.  Faith in Jesus Christ is rhe only way to enter the strait gate.  Verse twenty-five continues, When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:  The Master, the heavenly Father, will at some time close the door to salvation, which may be at death, and when He does knocking will no longer do us any good.  That is why it is so important that we answer when Jesus calls us.  Verse twenty-six states, Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.  Jesus said people would begin to tell the heavenly Father all that they had done in His presence, but we are not saved by our works.  We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Verse twenty-seven adds, But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.  Jesus said that those who expected to gain entrance into the house of the heavenly Father by virtue of their works or their own goodness, and not through the strait gate of Jesus Christ, would be told to depart, because the heavenly Father never knew them.  Works will never get us into heaven.  Verse twenty-eight  continues, There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.  Jesus said those who did not gain entrance into heaven because they failed to put their faith in Him would see God's people in heaven, causing them to weep and gnash their teeth because they could not gain entrance.  We certainly do not want to be a part of those on the outside looking in.  Verse twenty-nine concludes, And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.  Jesus said people from all over the wsorld, not just the people of Israel, would be saved if they put their faith in Him, and that is still true.  Verse thirty concludes, And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.  Jesus told them that those who would be first would be last, and visa-versa.  Verse thirty-one says, The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.  Some of the Pharisees came to Jesus telling Him to get out of the area, because Herod was planning to kill Him.  They were not concerned with the safety of Jesus, but just wanted to scare Him into going away.  No matter how much we may try, we can never keep Jesus from offering salvation to anyone who will accept Him as their Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-two adds, And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.  Jesus told them to go tell Herod what He had been doing, and also on the third day He would be perfected.  Jesus wasn't trying to escape His mission, but was heading steadfastly for its completion.  Verse thirty-three continues, Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.  Jesus said He must continue onward, because Jerusalem was where He would fulfill His mission of salvation.  Verse thirty-four states, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!  Jesus said that in Jerusalem the prophets had been killed, but He would still gather the people of Jerusalem, and all of God's people, to Him if they would accept Him, but they would not.  Jesus has made salvation available to all who will accept Him, but still many will not do so.  Verse thirty-five adds, Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.  Jesus said that His house would be desolate until people came to Him by faith.  There is no way to heaven except by faith in Jesus Christ as ones personal Savior and Lord. 

Luke 13:10

Luke 13:10 says, And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.  Jesus was often found teaching in a synagogue, or place to worship, on the Sabbath, and I believe we need to be gathered in the church on Sundays today to learn more about God and to fellowship with other Christians.  Verse eleven adds, And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.  There was  woman there who had an infirmity for eighteen years that caused her to be unable to stand up straight, but she was there to hear Jesus.  We shouldn't allow physical conditions to come between Jesus and us.  Verse twelve continues, And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.  When Jesus saw the woman, He called her to Him and told her that she was healed of her infirmity.  Jesus calls us to Him when we are still sinners and tells us if we put our faith in Him that we will be healed spiritually, which is so much greater than any physical healing can ever be.  Verse thirteen concludes, And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.  When the woman came to Jesus, He laid His hands on her and she was immediately healed, just as we will be immediately healed of our sinful condition once we come to Jesus by faith.  Like the woman, we need to give God the glory for all the good things He does for us.  Verse fourteen states, And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.  The ruler of the synagogue was angry because Jesus healed the woman on the Sabbath and didn't wait until another day to do so, because in his legalistic thinking this was work.  We need to be careful that we don't get just as legalistic today, where we are more concerned with rules and regulations than we are with actually doing good things for others under God'sauthority.  Verse fifteen adds, The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?  Jesus called the leader of the synagogue a hypocrite, asking if each of those there did not loose his ox or ass from the stall on the Sabbath so it could get water.  This would also constitute work.  We may at times criticize others for doing something that is no worse than what we do, or something that is maybe even better than what we do.  Verse sixteen continues, And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?  Jesus asked the synagogue ruler if the woman, a descendant of Abraham, should not likewise be loosened, or freed, from her infirmity after eighteen years of being bound by it.  We should always rejoice and never complain when something good happens in church today.  Verse seventeen says, And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.  After Jesus said this, all His adversaries were ashamed and the people rejoiced.  If we begin to question the work of God in the world today, and He points out our error, we should be ashamed.  Verse eighteen asks, Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?  Jesus then asked those there what the kingdom of God was like.  We sometimes spend time as followers of Christ wondering about what Heaven, God's everlasting kingdom, will be like. Verse nineteen adds, It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.  Jesus said that the kingdom of God was like a mustard seed, which was small when planted but grew very large.  God's kingdom starts with the seed of the gospel, and when we accept it, it should grow into something very big.   Verse twenty asks, And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?  Jesus again asked them what the kingdom of God was like.  Verse twenty-one adds, It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Jesus then compared the kingdom of heaven to a little leaven which can have an effect on a whole lot of meal.  The gospel should affect many people when it is shared by faith.  Verse twenty-two concludes, And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  Jesus continued to move around the country, teaching as He was headed for Jerusalem, His ultimate destination.  As long as we are here on this earth, we need to continue as followers of Christ to teach the world about Him as we head toward our heavenly home.

Luke 13:1

Luke 13:1 says, There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  Some of those around Him told Jesus that Pilate had been killing Galilaeans as a sacrifice to false god's.  There has always been discrimination against God's people, even to the point that many have been killed.  Verse two adds, And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  Jesus asked those who told Him and the others around Him if they thought those Galilaeans who had been slain were bigger sinners than other Galilaeans.  We too often want to think that Christians who are suffering must be guilty of some sin, and one that is greater than ours.  Verse three continues, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Jesus told them that no, they weren't more guilty. Jesus then told those there that unless they repented of their sins they would perish spiritually.  We don't need to attempt to judge others, but we simply need to repent of our sins.  Verse four states, Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  Jesus then askedcthem if they thought the eighteen people who had died when the tower in Saloam fell on them, which would have been a natural disaster, were more guilty of sin than others were.  We sometimes want to declare a natural disaster as God's punishment of sin, but when God destroys something to punish someone, I believe He will always let us know.  Verse five adds, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Jesus once again said that wasn't true and called for the people to repent unless they wanted to perish.  We still must make that choice today.  Verse six says, He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  Jesus once again used a parable to teach, this time about an unproductive fig tree.  A man had planted it, but it had no fruit when he came to check on it. We are called on to plant the gospel, but we cannot make it bear fruit.  Of course, once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are called on to bear fruit for Him, and He will be the one to determine whether we are productive or not.  Verse seven adds, Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  The man told the keeper of the vineyard that after three years the tree still hadn't borne fruit, so cut it down.  It was just taking up space that could be better used.  If we are not bearing fruit for God, then we are just taking up space that could be better used.  Verse eight continues, And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  The keeper of the vineyard said give it one more year, fertilize it, and see if it bore fruit.  We should be glad that God gives us more than one chance to be productive, and that the Holy Spirit will provide us with all that we need to do so.  Verse nine concludes, And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  The keeper of the vineyard said that after a year the fig tree produced fruit, that would be good, and if not it would be cut down.  God is not going to wait forever for us to bear fruit for His kingdom, but when we do it will be very good.

Like 12:49

Luke 12:49 says, I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?  Matthew Henry says this is understood by some to be the persecution the followers of Christ by the carnal Jews, which Jesus did not commission, but that He allowed to continue.  We may go through the fire of persecution, but it is not because God causes it.  Verse fifty adds, But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!  Jesus said He had a baptism to be baptized with, His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, and He could not accomplish His mission until this happened.  We must also die to self and suffer the persecution of the world when necessary if we are to accomplish our purpose as Christians.  Verse forty-one continues, Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:  Jesus said He did not come to bring peace to the world, but division between His followers and the rest of the world.  Though we should be at peace with God as followers of Christ, we will never really be at peace with the world.  Verse fifty-two states, For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  Jesus said that households would be divided because of those within either believing in Him or not, so we shouldn't be surprised when this happens.   Verse fifty-three adds, The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  This is simply an expansion on how families will be divided because of Jesus.  Though we want all our family to be saved, it often does not happen, but that doesn't mean that we give up on praying for them.  Verse fifty-four says, And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.  Jesus then began to teach once again using everyday terms or knowledge.  When people saw a cloud in the west, they knew rain was coming.  They could read the signs, and they and we should be able to read the signs that God is at work in the world.  Verse fifty-five adds, And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.  Again, the heat following a south wind was just an ability to understand the signs of nature.  Verse fifty-six declares, Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?  Jesus called them hypocrites, because they could read the signs of nature, but not the signs that the Messiah, Jesus Himself, had come to them.  We don't have a weatherman to show us that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that He will return, but we can only come to that knowledge by faith.  Verse fifty-seven continues, Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?  Jesus asked those around Him, who were supposed to be God's people, why they couldn't judge what is right.  We need to pray that God does not ask us as followers of Christ today the same question.  Verse fifty-eight says, When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.  Jesus then warned against going to the magistrate for deliverance if the person himself was guilty of some offense.  We are all guilty of sin and we cannot be set free from the penalty by God's law. Verse fifty-nine adds, I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.  Just as those who were put in prison because of a debt would not be set free until it was all paid, we can never be set free from the penalty of sin by our own ability.  We will be forever imprisoned by it if we do not accept salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Luke 12:37

Luke 12:37 says, Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.  Jesus said that we will be blessed if He finds us watching for His return.  We should live every day as if it is the day that Jesus will return, but we should be busy doing what He has called us to do at the same time.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.  Whatever time of the day Jesus may return, we as Christians should be alert and ready for His return.  Verse thirty-nine continues, And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.  Jesus compared His return to a man not allowing a thief to break into his house if he knew when the thief was coming.  Therefore, to prevent a break in, since he didn't know for sure when a thief might come, the man had to always be alert for it to happen.  We cannot know when Jesus Christ is going to return, so we must live prepared for it to happen at any moment.  Verse forty concludes, Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.  It seems that many Christians are convinced that the return of Christ will be at any moment, but He tells us He will return when He is least expected.  We are not to spend our time trying to pinpoint the time of Christ's return, but are simply to be working and ready at all times.  Verse forty-eight states, Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?  Peter wanted to know if the parable was only for the disciples, or for everyone.  The word of Jesus Christ will always apply to all who put their faith in Him, and never just to a select few.  Verse forty-two adds, And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  Jesus answered Peter with a question of His own.  The parable applied to all Christians was the answer to the question. Verse forty-three continues, Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Not just a few, but all servants who were doing their duty would be blessed when the master returned, and so shall it be with followers of Christ when the Master, Jesus Christ Himself, returns.  Verse forty-four continues, Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.  Jesus said that those who are found faithful would be rewarded for their faithfulness. Verse forty-five says, But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;  Verse forty-six adds, The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  Jesus warned those who had professed to be faithful servants but who failed to continue to be faithful when the Master's return was delayed that they would be counted with the unbelievers.  This does not mean that they lost their salvation, but that they never had it to start with.  Verse forty-seven continues, And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  Verse forty-eight concludes, But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  Those who knowingly commit sins after they become Christians will be held to a higher standard than those who unknowingly commit them.  One day, even though we are forgiven of our sins, we will answer for our actions as followers of Christ.  The more that God blesses us with as His followers, the more accountable we will be for how we have used it.