Walking with Jesus: Luke 24
Seeing and believing
Jesus said to them:” How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”
Read: Luke 24
Thought
Luke 24 is about seeing and believing. The women saw and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, but the men did not. The two people on the road to Emmaus did not recognise Jesus as they walked home, but then suddenly they saw Him face to face. The Eleven met Jesus in person in Jerusalem and thought He was a ghost!
It is likely that none of them had really understood that He was God in human form and that His death was to open the door to heaven for them. Their minds had become dull, but suddenly the light was switched on. Their closed minds were opened so they could understand the Scriptures about His Death and Resurrection. And Jesus wants to do the same for us.
Reflection
Song: Oh praise the name (anastasis)
Have our minds become dull or are they open to what God is doing today?
Do we honestly see Jesus as He really is – as our Saviour, Friend, Redeemer – but also God?”
Richard Spencer
Luke 23
Judging and healing
So Pilate asked Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews?” “Yes it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
Then Pilate announced to the chief Priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
Read: Luke 23
Thought
Today we are looking at the trials of Jesus before His crucifixion. The question we need to consider is who really is the judge?
Jesus is facing two formidable officials of the Roman apparatus who are both renowned for their cruelty. But both men recognise that Jesus is innocent. Pilate declares Him not guilty and Herod, after questioning Him, sends Him back dressed in a royal robe!
And it is the pagan Roman centurion, who witnesses Jesus’ death that declares that Him as a righteous man.
Yet it is the ordinary people and priests that declare Him guilty and demand His death. These are the very people who should have been protecting Him, not judging and condemning Him.
Jesus’ purity and innocence cries out in this passage and contrasts the holiness of God and the corruption of the human race.
It gives us a glimpse of the topsy-turvy world we live in – and how God comes to its very centre to heal it.
Reflection
Music: : O sacred Head Sore Wounded
How would we have reacted had we been in the crowd?
Would we have condemned Jesus or freed Him?
What healing does God need to bring to our lives today?
Richard Spencer
Luke 22
Its all in a look….
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Read: Luke 22
Thought
Just as Peter has denied Jesus for the third time, ‘the Lord turned and looked at Peter’. Luke says no more about this look, but I am reminded of Jesus’ look at the rich young ruler.
And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
Whatever else was in Jesus’s look – I am sure that Jesus ‘looking at him, loved him.’
Peter’s response to weep bitterly is perhaps not just regret at his betrayal but thinking that this was the last time Jesus would ever look at him.
But we, of course, know otherwise, and know that the Peter who failed Jesus, went on to become the leader of his church!
Reflection
Imagine Jesus looking at you and loving you, whatever you have done or not done.
What might Jesus be calling you to, as you follow him? Ask him to show you.
Music: : ‘Who am I?’ by Casting Crowns
Peter Francis
Luke 21
Generosity and Dependence
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’
Read: Luke 21
Thought
Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple. He often looked around and used things that he and his disciples could see as a metaphor or picture of what he really wanted his followers to learn about.
Here the rich were putting their gifts into the offering box and a poor widow put in two small copper coins. At first glance the rich appeared generous.
But Jesus, who could really see what was going on, knew that the widow was more generous, because she gave everything she had.
What would that have meant for her to give everything? In the days before the benefit system that we have it would have meant total dependence on God.
Reflection
Music: waymaker
Which character in the passage do you associate with more, the rich or the poor widow?
Pause and think about what it would mean for you to ‘give everything’ to God – to be totally dependent on Him for all you need.
Talk to God about any issues that come to mind – these may be financial concerns, but they may also be about trust in God and His provision for us.
Coral Francis
Luke 20
Honesty at all times
“Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said but marvelling at his answer they became silent.
Read: luke 20
Thought
Several times in this chapter Jesus’ opponents try to test or trick him. His authority was questioned; he was quizzed on the resurrection, and what we should expect after we die; and in verses 19-26 he is questioned about whether to pay taxes to Caesar.
Here his opponents use the fact that he is always honest to try to trip him up. As far as they are concerned, he is bound to say the wrong thing as they have asked a question which they think has only two incriminating answers – either he opposes Rome (and risks facing death) or supports an unpopular poll tax (and risks the wrath of the crowd).
Jesus realises that it is a trap and deftly avoids it leaving his opponents speechless, and no doubt the crowds amused. Nonetheless he answers honestly.
If we want to grow to be more like Christ, we should be trying to do what Jesus did.
Reflection
Music: waymaker
Am I always honest? Why not?
Do I answer questions differently depending on who is asking? Or do I tell people what they want to hear?
Ask God, by His Spirit, to prompt you when you are tempted to not tell the whole truth.
Coral Francis
Luke 19
Generosity cultivates Generosity
When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
Read: Luke 19
Thought
Zacchaeus was not just a tax collector, but a “chief” tax collector in Jericho. That meant he would receive commission from all of the other tax collectors and their over taxing of the people, before passing what was left on to the Romans. Jericho was on a trading route from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north, and so it provided good pickings for tax collectors. So it is unsurprising, we read that Zacchaeus “was wealthy.”
Zacchaeus climbed up a sycamore fig tree to see Jesus. Sycamore trees have a long trunk before you get to the first branch, implying the effort Zacchaeus needed to reach a position to be able to see Jesus.
Both Zacchaeus and Jesus were looking for one another. Incredibly, the name Zacchaeus in Hebrew means “pure,” rather than the “chief of sinners” (or tax collectors), which is how the people saw him.
But Jesus saw the potential for purity in Zaccheaus, plus his physical move to come and see his Saviour. By eating with Zaccheaus and his tax collector friends, Jesus was not condoning their behaviour (as the pharisees might see it) , but rather converting them with God’s love.
And Jesus’ generosity to Zacchaeus resulted in Zacchaeus’ generosity back to those whom he had “cheated.” Under Jewish law, a debtor was required to pay back the full amount plus one fifth on top, but Zacchaeus here offers to repay back “four times the amount.”
Reflection
Music: come thou fount of every blessing
What wonderful words for any one of us to hear, “Today, salvation has come to this house.” Those who have been forgiven much, love God much, because they realise just what Jesus has done for them, and Zacchaeus was one of those people.
God’s generosity should create generosity of heart and thankfulness in us.
How can we be generous to God and to others today with our time and resources? Ask Jesus to help us see opportunities for generosity.
Peter Gee
Luke 18
It’s a Marathon not a Sprint
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterwards he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.
Read: Luke 18
Thought
Luke 18 includes two wonderful parables about prayer. The first parable is about an “unjust” judge who neither fears God or people.
The judge does not want to give a widow justice, but she absolutely refuses to give up and keeps coming back to him, day after day, with no sign of stopping.
Eventually, not for justice’s sake, but in order to keep the woman quiet, and to stop her from coming back to him day after day, he grants her justice.
Jesus’ point is that God is a good judge, and not like this unjust judge, apart from one fact. Both judges give the widow justice, but for very different reasons. However, we won’t wear God out with our persistence.
In fact, He wants us to be persistent in prayer, however long it takes.
Reflection
Music: come thou fount of every blessing
I’m sure we have all felt like the persistent widow at times during our lives. We really want something but the answer seems to be nowhere in sight. Just think of Abraham. Prayer is spiritual warfare, and battles can take a long time to win. Prayer is often a marathon and not a sprint.
Are there things we have given up on? Or that seemed too big even to start?
Now is the time to start or restart our prayer. Ask Jesus for what is on our heart.
Peter Gee
Luke 17
The Attitude of Gratitude
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Read: Luke17
Thought
Ten lepers met Jesus on the border between Samaria and Galilee. The ritual purity laws demanded that they keep a distance from him so they cried out in loud voices, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
Only the priests could declare that someone was cleansed, and yet as they went, they were still lepers. So Jesus was testing their faith and challenging them to act as though they were already healed. Then, “as they went, they were cleansed.”
One of them, who was doubly impure – both a Samaritan and a leper – didn’t wait to get to the priests, who could announce him as pure in the eyes of the community.
Rather his heart was so transformed by what Jesus had done for him, that he was compelled to turn back and give thanks and praise to God.
Reflection
Music: come thou fount of every blessing
A couple I spoke to recently told me of how, every night before they go to sleep, they thank and praise God for everything that he has given them, and done for them, that day. I love this “attitude of gratitude” which we can all learn from.
Let’s start cultivating an attitude of gratitude today. What can we give thanks for over this last day? As you look back over the events of the last day, what stands out? Give Jesus your thanks and praise
Peter Gee
Luke 16
Who do we serve?
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Reading: Luke 16
Thought
Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem and has much to do en route. Through his teaching he is preparing his disciples for mission after his death.
There is much teaching about money in the gospels, and how to use it wisely. Who do we serve, God or money? The story about the shrewd manager is not about how you can get away with dishonesty, but about making the right choices not just for ourselves but with others in mind. The dishonest ‘unrighteous wealth’ (sometimes translated Mammon) in verse 9 hints at something acquired perhaps through exploitation. We might consider the places where we shop, what we buy. Are we encouraging the abuse of others for the sake of our bargain-priced clothes, cheap coffee and chocolate?
We are also warned here about our reckoning at the time when we have to give an account of ourselves to God. Will we have done the things we know will be important to our Creator? The way we live our lives is important. Do we so-called Children of Light use our worldly possessions wisely? The Manager doesn’t like the future ahead of him (manual labour or begging) so he does something about it.
As everything ultimately comes from God; we are just stewards. Our lifestyle choices are important. Jesus makes the Pharisees who overheard him seem like followers of a prosperity gospel (they were lovers of money, he said). In the gospels Jesus shows us how to live. If dishonest people like the shrewd manager can make important decisions about their future, how much more can those who follow Jesus.
Reflection
Music: God of the poor
Are there some changes we could make to the way we live presently, and help create God’s Kingdom on earth?
Are there decisions we need to make now, to change our future?
Prayer
God, our Father,
teach us how to live in your service.
Grant that by preferring your love to everything else,
we may walk in the way of your commandments.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pauline Setterfield
Luke 15
God’s heart for the lost
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Read: Luke 15
Thought
Luke likes the lost. Luke talks about the lost sheep and also uniquely about the lost coin and finally he builds up to the crescendo of the lost son.
It is abundantly clear that Jesus desperately seeks out the lost.
The whole point of the son’s backstory is to make him look as unforgivable as possible to a first century audience.
The story contains shock after shock. Firstly, that the father splits his inheritance, then he welcomes the son back and finally the attitude of the older brother which is a blatant criticism to Jesus’ unforgiving and unmerciful critics
Despite everything the younger son does, the father forgives him and never gives up on him
Reflection
Music for reflection: oceans (where feet may fail) acoustic
Have we given up on someone? Ask Jesus to help us have his forgiveness, compassion and desire for restoration.
Its abundantly clear that Jesus desperately seeks out the lost – do we? Ask Jesus for his heart for the lost.
Prayer
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Rev Peter Francis
Luke 14
Hate?
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.’
Read: Luke 14
Thought
The Jesus that tells us to love our enemies cannot be telling us to hate our nearest and dearest, so what is going on here?
The Hebrew word ‘to hate’, could also be translated as one who is not preferred, or put in a secondary place.
In coming to Jesus, he calls us to put God first, above all, even our own selves. All else is second place. Even our own lives.
If we were climbing the highest mountain or exploring the deepest ocean, we might not be surprised to be told we can’t bring everything with us and indeed that the adventure may cost us our very lives.
And this is what Jesus is saying – the adventure he calls us on is exciting and dangerous and could cost us even our lives.
Reflection
Music for reflection: oceans (where feet may fail) acoustic
Do we think following Jesus can be exciting and dangerous? If following Jesus feels like a stroll in the park, ask Jesus to show you the mountain. Ask Jesus to show you the water you can step out onto?
As we think about sharing our faith, this can feel like a mountain we are afraid to climb. Ask Jesus to help you step out in faith and reach out in prayer, actions and words.
Prayer
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Rev Peter Francis
Luke 13
Disasters and compassion
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Read: Luke 13
Thought
Pilate had pilgrims from Galilee slaughtered in the temple in Jerusalem in cold blood – these words to Jesus are probably meant as a warning as he heads from Galilee to Jerusalem, but Jesus is unperturbed.
And Jesus also addresses what people are thinking in their hearts about this act of cruelty and murder (as well as another natural disaster, when a building collapsed) – that these are not acts of judgement by God. These poor victims are not to blame.
Yet Jesus calls his judgemental and compassionless listeners to think about their own judgement! He calls them to repent. To turn away from sin and turn to him. To change the way they look at the world and see to come and experience his life in all in its fullness, here and now.
And as this chapter finishes we can see in contrast, Jesus’s compassion. How he longs to gather them like a hen gather its chicks, but they would not come.
Reflection
Music for reflection : Good Good Father
As we read of the natural disaster in this passage we are reminded of our current situation. Pray for the victims and the families of those who have suffered from Covid-19, especially any who have blamed themselves. Pray too for those pointing the finger of blame.
As we read about Jesus’ call to repent, this should encourage us to pray for those who we know have not turned to Jesus and experienced the life in all its fullness that he offers. Can we keep this good news to ourselves? Ask Jesus to come in power.
Prayer
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Rev Peter Francis
Luke 12
Don’t not be anxious… be?
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
And he (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on…for all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”
Read: Luke 12
Thought
In the culture Jesus was in, there were a lot of people on the breadline. People who were anxious about being able to feed and clothe their family. And we still have many people in our world today, in the same situation. On the other end of the spectrum, we have multi-billionaires worried about whether they will be able to upgrade their yacht or private Jet and keep up with their peers. Before we jeer too much, its all too easy for us to do the same with clothing, cars, money, holidays.
This week I heard someone commenting that the only other god Jesus talked about was money. While this might sound strange to call money a god, if possessions and wealth are what give purpose to our lives, what drives us and defines our values – then they are our god. And a god who is fed by sacrifices of anxiety – at the cost of our wellbeing and flourishing.
In contrast, Jesus calls us the life of the Kingdom – to trust in the God of abundance and goodness and generosity and in turn to reject anxiety in our lives and respond in trust with our own generosity to others.
Reflection
Music for reflection : Good Good Father
To what extent is money a rival god in our lives? Hand over your anxieties about money and possessions to Jesus and ask him to replace them with trust and generosity.
Where can you show generosity today? What are the opportunities for you to be generous, to others?
Prayer
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Rev Peter Francis
Luke 11
Father
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
Thought
The opening clause of Luke’s version of the Lord’s prayer is so simple and yet powerful: Father.
Not our father, in heaven. Not even our father. Just father.
It lacks the formality of Matthew’s version, but keeps the relationality and, if anything in its simplicity, magnifies it.
Whilst ‘Daddy’ might be pushing the informality as a translation, this is a prayer rooted in close family bonds.
And not just for Jesus. But in this prayer that he teaches his disciples, he teaches us to come to God as his children, whom he loves.
If the disciples want to know how Jesus prays, the answer is simple, he prays out of a relationship and one he draws us into.
Reflection
Music for reflection : Good Good Father
Psalm 18 v30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
Matthew 7 v11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Deuteronomy 31v6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Ask Jesus to help you know how much God loves you and wants you to come to him and pray to him as Father.
Ask Jesus to help you see how much you have a good, good Father.
Prayer
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Rev Peter Francis
Luke 10
Sitting at his feet
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “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.”
Reading: Luke 10
Thought
In a list of misunderstood passages, the story of Mary and Martha would have to rank highly. A lot is read into this passage (that isn’t there), and a lot is missed out that is! The words of Luke alone allow us to appreciate how radical this passage actually is. To sit ‘at the feet of’ in the first century meant to study or be an apprentice. For example, Paul ‘sat at the feet of Gamaliel’, one of the great Jewish teachers of his day. So what Luke is saying is that Mary was effectively training to be a disciple, to be like Jesus, and Jesus was teaching her! Its not surprising that Martha is struggling as a whole list of cultural taboos are blown apart in her own home. Yet again, Jesus has called someone, whom others would reject. Yet again, Jesus has seen what is in the heart.
Reflection
Music for reflection: ‘Who am I?’ by Casting Crowns
Don’t concern yourself with why you may have been rejected by others. Or why you may have disqualified yourself.
Listen to Jesus. What is he calling you to do, to be?
Prayer
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Now and forever, Amen.
Rev Peter Francis
Luke 9
….with Prayer
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.’ Then he said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’
Reading: Luke 9
Thought
I don’t know if you noticed that Mark has a habit of starting every (possibly a slight exaggeration) sentence in his Gospel, with ‘immediately’ giving us a fast paced roller ride through Jesus’ ministry, who continually ‘hits the ground running.’
Luke equally has the habit of starting every (OK, probably another slight exaggeration) event with prayer, giving us a Jesus who ‘hits the ground kneeling’ (a phrase I borrowed from the Archbishop of York designate, Bishop Steven Cottrell).
Or in my simpler words, a Jesus who does … everything with prayer.
I have a rule of life to do ‘everything with Prayer.’ This is perhaps slightly aspirational (this might be the biggest exaggeration of all, in this reflection), but ‘everything with prayer’ is a phrase that often pops into my head.
I try to pray with people if I can, or to pray for them. Perhaps I do worst in praying for myself – in everything I do.
But as I aim to be like Jesus, I aim to do … everything with prayer.
Reflection
Music for reflection : pray
(Note: The first 3 minutes are the song, followed by an interview with the song writer (who put together the recent Blessing song that had over 1 million hits on youtube) and who wrote the song for this Ascension to Pentecost time of prayer 3 years ago.
What might help you to do everything with prayer?
Ask Jesus to help you have a prayer life more like his.
Prayer
Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Now and forever, Amen.
Rev Peter Francis
Luke 8
An example….
Lord, as we open you word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
“ . . . The twelve were with him, as well as some women . . . Mary, called Magdalene, . . . Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna and many others who provided for them out of their resources”. (vv1-3)
Reading: Luke 8
Thought
Luke tells us about the important role women played in Jesus’s ministry. They took part in his work and travelled with him, provided for the need of Jesus as well as the other disciples “out of their own resources”. Jumping the gun these women continued throughout Jesus’s public ministry and at his crucifixion, when other disciples had fled some of the women went with him to Golgotha, also to the tomb where they were first witnesses of his resurrection. By his manner and teaching Jesus changed the status of women in the society of the day and gave women a new status, dignity and freedom.
Reflection
Music for reflection : Nothing but Grace
It is an inspiration and challenge for every woman to discover that nowhere in the gospels is any mention made of a woman being hostile to Jesus.
What an example of service this is as shown to us in scripture!
Prayer
May each one of us, as much as we can, support the making known of God’s word in whatever way possible, by prayer, by giving and by just being there.
Amen.
David Stoddart
Luke 7
Jesus responds to the needs of people around him.
Lord, as we open your word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen
‘Therefore I [Jesus] tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
Reading: Luke 7
Thought
Luke’s gospel portrays Jesus as the universal Saviour. It is the gospel of the grace of God, free, unmerited, unlimited love reaching down to the lowest and the least. As Jesus went about, his ministry was widespread and he was not afraid of controversy. In this chapter he heals the slave of a Roman centurion. (Romans were hated, though generally in the gospels and Acts centurions receive good press). Jesus reaches out in compassion to a widow by touching the bier of her dead son (in so doing becoming himself ceremonially unclean) and raises him to life. He allows a disreputable woman to minister to him, thus attracting the censure of Simon the Pharisee. But Jesus could see into her heart and knew of her love for him because he had forgiven her her sins, while Simon had not observed any of the common courtesies to his guest. Jesus carried out a broad-based healing ministry and made it clear to everyone that he could and would forgive sinners and invited all, including John the Baptist, to make up their minds about him – the Saviour of the lost.
Reflection
Music for reflection: Nothing but Grace
How do we respond to the needs of people around us?
Do we even know what those needs are?
Do we judge others too readily by their outward appearance?
Do we need to see signs and wonders before we trust in Jesus?
Prayer
Loving Lord, give us wisdom not to judge others by outward appearances only.
May we overflow with love for you for giving us new life in Christ and so
help us to be aware of the needs of others and act appropriately.
Amen.
David Stoddart
Luke 6
Decisions and disciples
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Reading: Luke 6
Thought
Jesus went up to pray – as was normal practice. Even going up a mountain, doesn’t seem too unusual as he would go and find time alone with his father. Even in the midst of other priorities, Jesus knew that it was important to spend time in prayer.
And here it is not the volume of tasks in front of Jesus, but the importance of one key task.
Jesus has to choose the twelve, who will be his closest followers. The twelve who will learn from him and learn how to do what he did – for that was the job of a disciple of a Rabbi in the first century. They would then make disciples of their own who will learn from them and do what they did. And in turn they would make disciples …. (and hopefully you get the point)
But these were not simply followers but apostles. The Greek word mean ones who are sent out. And the twelve were sent out in Jesus’s name when he was with them in body and then later in spirit. They were sent out to be bearers of the Good news, they were sent out to pray and bring God’s healing and restoration to people.
These were the ones who will be sent out to start the worldwide church. Some of them (we believe) went far afield, some went back to home territory to share the Good news.
Reflection
Music for reflection: I will follow (acoustic)
What important task or question are we facing that we need to bring before God in prayer?
What in particular do we need to be learning or doing, that Jesus did? Spend some time asking Jesus how we need to be following him in particular right now (is there something we need to start, stop or change for instance) and what do we need to be passing on and to whom?
Who are we being sent out to? Who at home, work, our communities, our friends is God putting on our hearts to pray that they may know the love and peace of Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord, may we press through every struggle,
endure every trial,
and overcome every hurdle,
through the power of the Holy Spirit
working in us and through us,
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Peter Francis
Luke 5
Healthy or Sick, Righteous or Sinner?
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Reading: Luke 5
Thought
When Jesus called the fishermen Simon (Peter), James and John at the Sea of Galilee to be his disciples, we read that, they “left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:11). Then, later, we read the same phrase as Levi (Matthew) the tax collector also “left everything and followed him.” This was the life changing impact that Jesus had upon all of these men.
Levi then held a great banquet at his house for Jesus and invited a crowd of other tax collectors. The Pharisees objected and asked the disciples, “Why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners?” The fact is that tax collectors were seen as collaborators with the Romans, and most of them over taxed the Israelites so that they could make their own profits and become wealthy. In the Pharisees’ eyes, tax collectors would be among the last people on earth that God would want to save.
Jesus then comes out with these incredible words, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Max Lucado sums up the gospel message in eight simple words – “He loves. He gave. We believe. We live.” It’s not about us; it’s all about God, and what he has done for us. There is nothing that we could ever do to earn our salvation. None of us are ‘righteous’ through our own human efforts. Our most righteous acts are like filthy rags to God. The jaw dropping truth of the gospel message is that when we believe in Jesus Christ, he gives us the gift of eternal life. He gave up everything for us so that we could live. The question for us then is this: do we realise that we are sick and need a doctor?
Reflection
Music for reflection: ‘Who am I?’ by Casting Crowns
God does not discriminate, but accepts anyone who repents and believes in him. The gospels see Jesus saving the ‘unclean’ and ‘unrighteous’ people of the time who came to him – the prostitutes, lepers, older people, the disabled, tax collectors, the demon possessed, and non-Jews (Gentiles). God gives believers a ‘new heart and a new spirit,’ and in Christ they are made ‘righteous.’ The Church has rightly been described as a ‘hospital,’ for the sick and broken, rather than an elite club for the self-righteous.
Do we recognise our human sin and sickness? Do we recognise our need for Christ’s ‘salvation,’ which also means healing and wholeness? Take time today to invite God’s Holy Spirit to come and fill you, heal you, and change you. And reflect on the promise that, ‘God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thank God that he is the Divine Physician.
Prayer:
Lord, may we press through every struggle,
endure every trial,
and overcome every hurdle,
through the power of the Holy Spirit
working in us and through us,
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Peter Gee
Luke 4
Lead us not into Temptation
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.
Reading: Luke 4
Thought
Three things really stand out as we start to read Luke chapter 4. Firstly, Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” and the Spirit’s power, after his baptism. Secondly, although his baptism marked the start of his three and a half year public ministry, Jesus had not done any miracles or acts of power at this point. Thirdly, Jesus “was led by the Spirit in the wilderness” (or desert) where he was tempted. The next forty days would define what kind of Messiah Jesus would be, and this is clear from the three temptations that he faced.
The first temptation was to turn a stone into bread, and for Jesus to use his miraculous powers for his own ends, to meet his physical hunger. Jesus could also have been only a social justice Messiah who used his powers to feed the world, but this would not have saved humanity, nor defeated evil, sin and death. The second temptation was offering to make Jesus a military king who would rule over the kingdoms of the world, which was the kind of Messiah that the Jews were hoping for, and one who would deliver them from the Romans. However, Jesus had come to save the world, not to conquer it by force, and he had no intention of worshipping Satan. The devil then used Scripture, quoting from Psalm 91:11-12, tempting Jesus to throw himself off the temple. But this would have been presuming upon God the Father’s power to step in, and intervene inappropriately in Jesus’ mission.
By resisting these temptations, Jesus was setting his face like flint towards the cross and confirming that he was going to be the servant Messiah who would drink the cup of suffering, and die for the sins of humanity.
Reflection
Music for reflection: You restore my soul
When spring comes, at the same time as I weed one part of my garden, I know that weeds will be growing up in the other parts. It’s like that in our lives, just when we think we have got one thing under control, we are suddenly confronted with a new challenge.
How can we learn from Jesus’ use of Scripture to combat our temptations? Today, call upon God’s Holy Spirit to renew your mind, and help you stand firm when the going gets tough. As long as we are living in this current age, we will all face temptations, and the devil will look for an ‘opportune time.’ But we can all find a prayer partner or spiritual mentor to confide in with our own struggles. And we can all pray daily “Lead us not into temptation.”
Prayer:
Lord, may we press through every struggle,
endure every trial,
and overcome every hurdle,
through the power of the Holy Spirit
working in us and through us,
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Peter Gee
Luke 3
The new Elijah and the Fruit of Repentance
Lord as we open your word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
John said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
Reading: Luke 3
Thought
There had been no true prophets in Israel since Malachi, some 400 years earlier. Suddenly John the Baptist bursts onto the scene in a flurry of activity. John was a holy man, who lived in the desert and was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (Luke 1:15). The Jews believed that the prophet Elijah would return just before the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3-5). Both the angel Gabriel and Jesus confirmed that John came in the spirit of Elijah and did fulfil this prophecy (Luke 1:17, Matthew 17:11-13). Elijah himself then later appeared in person at Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36).
Many of the Jews believed that they would be saved, simply because they were Abraham’s children. But John came to wake Israel up and challenge people to their very core. All people everywhere are called to “repent!” If you have ever watched a soldier on a parade square, when the officer calls out “about turn!” and the soldier turns his back on the way he was previously following and marches in the opposite direction – that is repentance, a complete change of direction.
The phrase of John’s that really stands out for me is this: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance!” (Luke 3:8). John is clear that words and good intentions are not enough, but practical actions, and changes in our lives, are what God is looking for. People with two sets of clothes should share with those who have none. People with food should share it with those who have none. People should be honest in their work, not take advantage of others, and be content with their pay. We need to remember too that repentance can be both a one-off event, and also a daily re-aligning with God.
Reflection
Music for reflection: You restore my soul
Can you imagine if we had a John the Baptist in our churches, what might the impact be? Would we all be shaken out of our complacency and seek holiness, righteousness, justice and God’s presence like never before? Reflect upon the importance of a prophetic voice within our community, like a rudder on a boat, to steer us back into the right direction and keep us there.
Perhaps you have always desired the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10)? Why not pray to God and ask him for this most precious gift?
Also, thank God that he is changing you daily by his Holy Spirit into the person whom he created you to be (2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 1:6).
Finally, is God speaking to us about any areas in our lives today, where we could practically share what we have with others, or live in a more just and equitable manner?
Prayer:
Lord, may we press through every struggle,
endure every trial,
and overcome every hurdle,
through the power of the Holy Spirit
working in us and through us,
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Peter Gee
Luke 2
Being attentive to the Holy Spirit
Lord as we open your word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; (vv 25-27)
Reading: Luke 2
Thought
Jesus has come into the world. The Word is made flesh. Mary’s baby is born in a lowly manger. How can this be the Son of God? Well, expect the unexpected when the Holy Spirit is at work. This child will be the saviour and has come to turn things on their head. This king is born amongst the people, not in a palace but in a lowly manger and the Spirit is at work from before Jesus is born, right through his life and beyond.
The great canticle which we know as the Nunc Dimittis, comes to us from the spirit-inspired lips of Simeon. The Holy Spirit has rested on him, equipped him with the gift of prophecy, and guided him to the temple where he recognises with delight the infant Jesus, the saviour who has come to bring comfort, to be a light for all nations. Israel’s glory will, as we know, not be that won in conventional battle, but in the battle over sin and death for all.
The Spirit will guide us when we see and recognise Christ, hold him and his teachings close to our hearts, grow in wisdom as he did, and follow his way of living. As the music for reflection prays, the Spirit causes the Word to come alive in us and breathes new life into us to tell the story afresh.
Reflection
Music for reflection: Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God
Ask Jesus to help you be more attentive to his spirit, to what he is doing and what he is calling you to do?
Where do you sense the Holy Spirit at work in your life?
Where do you sense the Holy Spirit at work around you?
Prayer
Holy Spirit from Creation’s birth
giving life to all that God has made,
show your power once again on earth,
cause your Church to hunger for your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
that in unity the face of Christ
will be clear for all the world to see.
Keith and Kristen Getty
Pauline Setterfield
Luke 1
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Lord as we open your word, open our hearts to hear what you have to say to us and to respond in obedience, faith and trust. Amen.
…even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (vv.15-17)
Reading: Luke 1
Thought
The beginning of Luke’s Gospel, or at least parts of it, are so familiar to us from the nativity story. But had you noticed that the Holy Spirit is already at work here amongst God’s chosen people, throughout this first chapter, as we discover that nothing is impossible with God?
Even before his birth, John is to be filled with the Holy Spirit to do God’s work in turning people to the Lord and preparing the way for the Messiah. In the same way our Creator God, who knows us from before we were even born, chooses, calls and equips us for his mission on earth.
God chooses Mary. The Holy Spirit comes upon her and the power of the most high overshadows her. Amazing things can happen when our lives are spirit-filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Those fruits of the spirit which we see in Mary’s response to God can transform our lives and, in turn, the lives of others.
When we say our ‘yes’ to God and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, we find we are strengthened to do all things, to turn human attitudes upside down as Mary sings in her Magnificat, and to bring light to those who sit in darkness, as Zechariah sings in his spirit –filled prophecy, the Benedictus.
Reflection
Music for reflection: Holy Overshadowing
Say ‘Yes’ to God today. Ask him to fill you with his Holy Spirit .
What are you struggling with today? Ask God to strengthen you to face that struggle.
Ask him to fill your life with overflowing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Prayer
Lord, may we press through every struggle,
endure every trial,
and overcome every hurdle,
through the power of the Holy Spirit
working in us and through us,
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Pauline Setterfield
Introduction
Dr Luke, physician and onetime travelling companion of the Apostle Paul, set out his account of the Good news to his friend Theophilus.
He tells us that he interviewed eyewitnesses and pulled together “an orderly account”, “having followed all things closely for some time past”.
So what did his investigations turn up?
What did the eyewitnesses reveal?
Join us each day, to find out.