March 25, 2024
“After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum” (Luke 7:1 ESV). The fishing village of Capernaum was strategically located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The major highway carrying trade between Egypt and Damascus called the “Via Maris” (“Way of the Sea”) passed through
March 24, 2024 | Luke 23:32-46 |
Although Christ entered Jerusalem on a Sunday to adoring crowds waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:9), Christ exited Jerusalem on a Friday to an angry crowd shaking their fists and yelling, “Crucify him!” The crowds in Jerusalem were divided in their response to Jesus. They had different views of Jesus and took different sides. The message of Christ and His cross still divides people today. It still calls people to choose sides.
You and I weren’t in Jerusalem when Jesus made his triumphal entry on Palm Sunday 2,000 years ago. Nor were we there when He was hung on a cross between two criminals. We may not have been there, but the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross calls all of us to answer: “Which side of the cross are you on?”
In the gospel according to Luke, he recorded that Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one on the right side and one on the left side. They were both criminals facing death, both seeing and hearing how Jesus faced death. Yet they chose different views of the cross of Christ. They chose different sides. We are faced with the same choice. Which side of the cross will you choose?
March 24, 2024
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28 ESV). These are the words of Jesus from his Sermon on the Plain, describing the new way of living in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead of
March 22, 2024
“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:15-16 ESV). The more that crowds gathered around Jesus, the more often He would “withdraw” to pray. Jesus modeled an important
March 21, 2024
‘And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.’ (Luke 4:41 ESV). At Simon’s mother-in-law’s house in Capernaum, Jesus healed and cast out demons from a multitude of people who lined
March 20, 2024
“And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13 ESV). The devil departed from tempting Jesus after three failed attempts. It might be noted that these are the same three temptations to which Adam succumbed. Yet, Jesus overcame them all. The temptation of Adam and Eve
March 17, 2024
“And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38 ESV). In the gospel of Luke, an 84 year old widow named Anna came up to the Temple at the same time that Mary
March 15, 2024
“And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God” (Luke 1:64 ESV). In today’s New Testament reading from Luke, the Lord had made Zechariah mute for doubting the word of His angel Gabriel concerning the coming birth of his son, John, to his elderly wife, Elizabeth. He was mute
April 27, 2023
‘Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”’ (Luke 23:42 NLT). In the gospel of Luke, it is recorded that Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one on either side. In the crowd watching the crucifixion were certain Jewish leaders who sneered at Jesus saying, “He saved others; let Him save
April 25, 2023
“Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives” (Luke 22:39 NLT). On the night that Jesus would be betrayed, He went out “as usual” to the Mount of Olives to pray. On this unusual evening, Jesus followed His usual habit: He prayed on the