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.