Category: Luke

To make yourselves an offering to others , as this is what Jesus did for us….

Luke 23:26-31
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[b]
31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Jesus tells us not to cry for Him, but to cry for ourselves. Cry for the dry and useless tree, not the green one. For our sins are the sins that were paid for, and if not accepted, we will become like the dry tree that bears no fruit.

Even as Jesus was on His way to be nailed through His hand and feet to a cross, He was loving and teaching. Correcting. Oh to be like You, Jesus there is no one beside you. Without you, we are dry and fruitless trees. Help us to be like you every day of our lives. This world does not make it easy, but you make it better. We love you. Thank you for your precious gift of salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.
DK

I was walking today with a weird feeling. It must be that I just kept thinking of what Jesus went through during these trials. Such a wonderful God, who took the form of man, and experienced our pain firsthand. Yet did not falter.

It pains me to read it. This is my second time through a full Gospel. Going through Matthew was not easy. Luke is longer, and certainly more detailed. I am sure that I am not to carry this burden, but I love Jesus so much…

Luke 23:8-25
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17] [a]

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

What fear. What pain they must have carried with them for so long. I have seen firsthand what pain can do to a person. It was once said that, “Hurt people, hurt people.” That statement fits this verse well.

It is in the pain of the lack of understanding that the Pharisees called for the death of Jesus. I am not letting them off the hook anymore than I am letting myself off the hook for my own trangressions. I have said this before, and now I know, I am no better than any man or woman. As a matter of fact, if we were grading on Earth’s terms, I’m beaten. Done for. Finished. Forgotten. Worthless. But in my saviors eyes…oh my, am I worthy.

In my Father’s eyes I am a winner when I fall for Him, I am a champion when I serve, I am His. Abba Father, you love me more than I can imagine. Your level of love and mercy and grace are unfathomable to me. I am but a child, learning how to speak with you. But you love me. You love me. You love me.

Thank you Jesus!
Amen
DK

Luke 23:1-7
1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Jesus was following His Father’s direction. He would have to perish for our sins. It seems at this time that everyone is just playing their part in it.

Lord Jesus, I know that what you did for me was painful. I know you loved me then and that you love me now. I know that you will love me forever. For me you gave your life, and the way I understand it that I owe you mine. Therfore, I am yours. I surrender my life to you, today, tomorrow, and forever. I will worship and honor you until the day I die. Then I will worship you forever. I love you. Thank you Jesus!

Amen.
DK

Spiritual Sovereignty and the Human Experience…

Luke 22:54-62
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus had told Peter that he would betray Him. I wonder if Peter knew the time was upon him. The time when he would denounce Jesus three times as the rooster crows. It must have hurt him.

Jesus forgave Peter, even as the words were being formed by his mind. For Jesus loved even His most bitter enemies, and He wept for them on His way to meet His destiny in Jerusalem. Jesus wept for His friend Lazarus before He brought him back from the dead. Jesus wept in the garden the night of His capture. Jesus cried out on the cross to His Father. Jesus wept for us.

As Peter agonized over his failure through denouncing knowing Jesus, I can imagine the pain. I would even say that I know it, because whether by word of mouth or by action, I am certain that I have denounced Him in my life as well. For those I repent. For those I am forgiven.

You see, Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He hung on the cross for me and He died for me. He died so that I would not have to carry the heavy yoke, for it could very easily break my back. Instead, He took the yoke from me and carried it to its death with Him. Then He turned to look at me and saw my heart, not my action, not my sin, not my failure. My heart.

When He rose again, he asked for Peter specifically. He knew Peter’s pain and anguish. As he knows ours. He knew Peter’s heart, as He knows ours. He forgave Peter, as He forgives us.

Now, forgive yourself and forgive others. Jesus Saves! Thank you Jesus Christ. Thank you!

Amen.
DK

Jesus Arrested

Luke 22:47-53
47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

God so loved the world, that He gave His only son for our salvation. Betrayed by a friend, Jesus is arrested. He tells them that they had seen Him many times before, but tonight they chose To arrest Him because darkness has overtaken them.

Jesus, at this very moment. A very real and scary moment for any man,  is allowing Himself to be arrested and eventually killed. All this for you and I.

Amen.
DK

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Luke 22:39-46
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c]

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Being in anguish, His prayer was strengthened! In anguish, our prayers are stronger. It is at the point of brokenness that we are at our most powerful.

There is a purity which overtakes us when we are in the process of a trial. Yes, they do hurt, but something more happens. Clarity of mind and purpose cloaks our every thought, and if you are faithful and believe, your trial will be turned to triumph. Have faith in God, and when you are in the midst of trial turn to Jesus and ask Him to take from you what has already been taken.

ASK…Ask, Seek, Knock. Jesus has told us that we must ask God for the things that we want and need. Continue to ask. Continue to seek Him. Continue to knock. He is not ignoring you, but rather He is strengthening you in the waiting.

Don’t stop. He is just on the other side. Persevere! Have Faith, for He is with you. Always!

Thank you Jesus! Amen.
DK

Jesus knew His time had come. He loved His disciples so much…

Luke 22:35-38
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

Prepare. Jesus was always ready for what was to come next. Jesus was fulfilling all prophecy so that we would be forgiven.

Amen.
DK

“That’s enough!” he replied.

Give it all to Jesus.

Luke 22:24-34
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

To serve. Simply to serve. That is the teaching of Jesus. If we don’t, then this world will grab us. We will have conformed. We will fall.

But Jesus says, if we serve we will be served when it matters. I know, I know, this world is beautiful, after all God made it. It presses us to go for more. So much that it overflows from our cups. Then we throw it away when we should be giving away.

Imagine a world that says that, “I would rather throw this away than to give it someone who needs it.” That is the American way, or so it seems. Perhaps it’s just the human condition. Whatever it is, I am not saying that is what you are doing.

Bott line…if you say Yes to something, you are saying No to something else. Say yes to Jesus, then watch this world change before your eyes.

Amen.
DK

The table is set…

Luke 22:14-23
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

The beauty of the last supper, and the realization that betrayal was at that same table, is incredible. Jesus loves us so much, that He sat and ate His last meal with the very man that would turn Him in. With those that would betray Him physically and emotionally He ate and loved. Jesus truly is our example for grace, humility, service, and mercy.

To live as Jesus lived! That should be our battle cry. Every day that we walk into hostility and trials, we should ask to handle the situation the way that our Savior Jesus Christ did.

In these verses, Jesus breaks bread and drinks wine with us. He let’s us know that He will not take it again until He comes again. And when He comes, we will feast with Him and celebrate the opportunity to worship and honor Him forever.

Lord, I receive your unmerited favor. I receive your gifts and promises, all 6000 of them. Abba Father, although we have betrayed you, and we have sinned, and have not lived pure and Holy lives the way that Jesus did, I know that I am forgiven. It is through this confession and repentance that change will occur. Lord, you have made it very clear to us that my debt is paid, that my sins have been forgiven forever, that I will be with you in Heaven forever. God help me to continue to press into you daily, to become more and more like Jesus. To live the way He lived, and to sacrifice and serve whomever you place in front of me. Father, allow my life to be a living prayer for all to see your love, so that You will be glorified.

Amen.
DK

There was no doubt in Jesus’ mind how this was going to happen…

Luke 22:7-13
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

His friends. His followers. His brothers, followed His direction and found just what Jesus told them that they would find. He directs them to where they would find what was needed to complete any task ahead of them, which in this case would be their last meal together.

Jesus has done the same for us. He has left us instructions in order to prepare for the feast to come with our Redeemer and Creator. He will welcome us with open arms on that faithful day. Until then, we must travel to strange places, to new territory, to never before known locale, even in our homes and work places, that will bring us closer to His plan for our lives. We must trust in Him.

Do not try to go ahead of the Holy Spirit and do it your way. Instead, pray and ask that God’s will be done in your life, with His perfect timing, through His perfect plan. When you do, that which you thought was impossible becomes not only possible, but magnified and revealing for so many. It is through the gifts of patience and a discerning mentality that you will begin to hear the Holy Spirit speak to you with instruction. This is done through reading the written word, speaking that written word, then living the word and becoming a living, breathing, walking prayer that will bless with even your shadow.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you for your instructions you have left us in the Holy Bible, and for your gift of the Holy Spirit that walks with us and lives in us. Oh Emmanuel, we love you and are humbly thankful for all the many riches that you have so gratefully bestowed upon us. We are only worthy because of your gift of salvation and redemption that is found in only you. We love you.

Amen!
DK