Luke 16 “Life After Death”

“So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (vv.22-23)

This parable of “Lazarus and the Rich Man” is a shockingly clear picture of life after death in Old Testament times. Before the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection those who died beliving in God were comforted, while those who did not believe in God were tormented.  After His resurrection all believers are, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “absent from the body and . . . present with the Lord.” Jesus wanted those listening to His parable to understand the serious consequences of living life apart from God.

The rich man and the poor man (Lazarus) lived very different lives on earth, and even when they died, they no doubt received very different types of burials. But neither man was able to escape death, because that great equalizer is no respecter of persons. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, young or old, black or white, American, European, Asian, or African—death comes to all. It will happen to you and it will happen to me.

However, for those who have trusted in and surrendered to Jesus Christ, there is a wonder-filled promise of being instantly present with the Lord after our death. The only questions are, in what do you place your trust? And, would you bet your eternal life on it? 

The Truth:  When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Then He will say to those on His left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. . . .  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

Luke 15 "Rejoicing In Heaven"

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (vv.8-10)

Here in chapter 15, Jesus is demonstrating to the Pharisees (through three different parables) that it was not only right for Him to seek the lost, but their restoration pleased God. Seeking the lost, and restoring them to God was not only a major theme throughout the book of Luke, but of His (Jesus) ministry as well. What a contrast to the Pharisees' attitude of completely avoiding sinners, and caring little to nothing about their spiritual resotation.

In the parable here in our text of "finding a lost coin," the women when the coin was finally found, was naturally happy. In the same way, God is happy when sinners repent, in contrast to the religious leaders who complained when the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him. 

We don’t often think of God as rejoicing, but this passage tells us that, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Elsewhere in scripture we read, "As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:5). The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

May our hearts be aligned with our Lord’s in compassion and love for those who need Jesus. May we see that, “the harvest is truly plentiful” and never grow weary of sharing the good news, so that angles in heaven may rejoice.

The Truth: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Luke 14 "Take A Back Seat"

'When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.” (vv.8-9)

Here in chapter 14 Jesus is teaching on Pride and Humility. While at the home of the Pharisee, Jesus noticed how people strategically placed themselves so as to be in the best places; that is, the places of most honor. In Jesus’ day, the seating arrangement at a dinner showed a definite order of prestige or honor. The most honored person sat in a particular seat, the next most honored person in another place, and so on down the line. 

So He told a parable concering a wedding feast, (which was the most important social occasion in Jewish life at that time) saying, "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place." Why? Because if one takes the most honored place for himself, he may be asked to be removed if the host would rather have someone else sit there. Jesus reminded them of the shame that often comes with self-exaltation. When we allow others (especially God) to promote and lift us up, then we don’t have the same danger of being exposed as someone who exalted himself.

How then should we proceed? "When you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (vv.10-11) 

Jesus wasn’t merely teaching good manners, but a lifestyle that in lowliness of mind esteems others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

The Truth: "For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another." (Psalm 75:6-7)

Luke 13 “The Mustard Seed”

“What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.” (vv.18-19)

This simile,"As small as a grain of mustard seed" was well known in the Jewish world and a proverb among the people in those days. It was a common sight to see a mustard plant (raised from one of these minute grains) grow to the height of a fruit tree, putting forth branches on which birds build their nests.

It was with sorrowful irony that Jesus compared the kingdom of God in those days to this small grain. But, at that time, it was composed of Jesus and his few wavering followers. It seemed impossible that this little movement could ever stir the world, or could ever become a society of mighty dimensions.

However, it grew outwardly into a great tree in which we now see; the spread of the Gospel world wide and the growth of grace in the hearts of millions of believers everywhere. Yet the fulness of the gentiles has yet to come to harvest. Therefore, the tree continues to grow.

Jesus and His twelve disciples, over two thousand years ago,  planted the seed of the kingdom of God and despite great opposition to its truth down throughout the ages, the seed continues to grow today.

Luke 12 “Do Not Worry”

“Then He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.” (v.22)

This was a pretty radical statement to make in light of the time period in which it was spoken. Jesus was speaking to a people who were use to farming and fishing for their daily food. And when it came to clothing, they had to shear the sheep, spin the wool into thread, weave the thread into cloth, and then finally sew it together. Having clothes to wear wasn’t as simple as going to the local department store. So it was perhaps more significant to them (than it is to us) when Jesus said, “Do not worry” about what you’ll eat or wear.

Contentment is not the result of acquiring more, but of being thankful for what we already have. Authentic, genuine contentment, springs from a thankful heart. It is a choice we make, a choice to be thankful. Godly contentment is ours for the “thanking.” It happens when we lift up our voice to Father God, who is the Giver of all that is good, thanking Him for the blessings in our lives. Then instead of desiring more, our contentment grows.

Therefore do not worry be content, praise God for what you have, share your bounty with others, and watch Him bless your way.

The Truth: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

Luke 11 “Your Eye”

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.” (v.34)

What we choose to look at matters, but equally important is how we choose to look, or more specifically, the attitude of our heart behind the look. Although sin is often expressed through our actions, it is also rooted in attitude and thoughts of the heart. 

Because sin begins in the heart, a lustful look offends God as much as the actons that will eventually follow. Many people today hold the attitude that, “I can look, but I can not touch.” Not so. What we look at enters our minds, penetrates our soul, and creates a desire for more. This can also effect how we look at others. 

The prophet Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer.17:9). The answer to that question is God. And the only way out from the dark pit of pornography lies in His forgiveness through Christ. He and He alone can trun your eyes from the darkness of sin, into the marvelous light of Christ. 

Living in these bodies of flesh, we will always struggle with their desires. But, with God’s help, we can learn to discipline them, by keeping our eyes, our thoughts, and our minds, on what is good and acceptable in His sight.

The Truth: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17)

Luke 10 “The Good Samaritan”

“But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (v.33-34)

The story of “The Good Samaritan” always blesses me whenever I read it. A Samaritan, a vowed enemy of the Jew, felt compelled to care for his fellow man and see to his provision until healed. 

We’ve all probably been on both sides of this story at one time or another, and in both situations we end up feeling blessed because of the love expressed. However, have you ever been the passer by? The one who kept going and did not stop to help? 

This passage also convicts me because I have passed by those in need; sometimes because I’m in a hurry, “Someone else will help them”, or I see them on a cell phone so, “Help is coming”, or “I’m not going to give that person any money, he’ll just spend it on booze.” 

While we can’t help everyone in every situation of need, I believe we can to be a good neighbor to those God puts directly into our path. It may come in the form of a hug or a shoulder, a ride or a car, a room or a home. You cannot touch your neighbor’s heart with anything less than your own. Therefore, as Jesus said to the young lawyer at the end of this story, “Go and do likewise.” Be that good Samaritan.

The Truth: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Luke 9 “Do Not Be Ashamed”

“Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (v.26)

What does it mean to be ashamed of Christ? It means denial, a fear of being identified with Jesus and His Word, fearing what others might think, say or do - ultimately, a refusal to accept Him as Lord.

The warning here is clear and not just limited to the unbelievers of Christ’s day, it extends to us as well. Clearly those who deny Jesus and His holy Word, Jesus will deny them before His Father in heaven and they will not escape the wrath that is to come upon His return.

Therefore, make your stand for Christ today while there is still time and be like Paul who said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation, to the Jew first and also the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

The Truth

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)