“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls” (Luke 11:17 ESV). Jesus responded to those who accused him of casting out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, with the irrefutable logic that a divided kingdom or house falls. His response showed that not only was their accusation false, it
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42 ESV). Martha was working hard in the kitchen while her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of Jesus listening. Martha was hurt, feeling that
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Luke 10:23-24 ESV). Jesus told His disciples that they were blessed because they were privileged
‘And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”’ (Luke 9:58 ESV). Luke listed three people that expressed a desire to follow Jesus, yet all three turned aside when they considered the cost. The Lord challenged the material
“And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31 ESV). Jesus took His inner circle of disciples, Peter, James and John, up on a mountain to pray. As usual, they fell asleep, but they
“Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night” (Deuteronomy 16:1 ESV). The month of Abib was the month that the Lord had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was therefore to
‘But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat’ (Luke 8:55 ESV). Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, fell down at the feet of Jesus begging him to come to his house.
‘And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”’ (Luke 8:25 ESV). A fierce storm blew down onto the Sea of Galilee threatening to sink the boat with Jesus and His disciples aboard. Even the professional fishermen like
“They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink” (Psalm 69:21 ESV). This psalm of David found its fulfillment in Christ’s suffering on the cross. Although the ESV translates the Hebrew as “poison,” the word may also be translated “gall” as it is in other versions. This
“For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me” (Psalm 69:9 ESV). David wrote this psalm describing his “zeal,” his passionate commitment, for God and for God’s house. The Lord affirmed David’s zeal describing him as “a man after his own heart” (1 Sam.