(We are half way through reporting the “orderly account” of the gospel Luke. Thank you for following Dr. Luke’s narrative of the life of Christ, as he details the characteristics of our perfect savior.)
Post #11 – As Reported From The Book Of Luke
BREAKING — The Teacher was recently spotted conversing with a man who requested help dividing a family inheritance. It is noted Jesus shows more concern towards the selfish desire of accumulating wealth than the division of it, as represented by His response: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Jesus Disciples His Disciples.
Though large crowds follow the Teacher, Jesus continues discipling His disciples. He gives specific instructional updates on:
Preparing For His Coming: “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Division: “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.”
Yet persistent with His pattern of concern for all, Jesus shares the warning – Not Seeing God’s Kingdom Come, with the crowd: “Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”
Another significant point-of-topic; amid questions from among the crowd if there are sinners worse than others, Jesus imposed the reality of an absolute need for repentance.
Jesus Enlightens His Students.
Not known to withhold His compassion for others, Jesus healed a woman who was crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. A crucial bit of information in this story relates to the time and place this healing occurred – on the Sabbath in a local synagogue.
Indignant towards this miracle, the attending synagogue leader was overheard questioning the deed. The Lord reacted with the word hypocrites, citing donkeys are led from their stalls and given water on the Sabbath. So why would a daughter of Abraham not also be set free on the Sabbath?
Worth noting, the people watching this interaction were delighted with Jesus, while all His opponents were humiliated.
Jesus Is Creative With Words.
As Jesus continues to teach His flock, when asked about the Kingdom of God, Jesus compared it to a mustard seed and yeast. It is believed this comparison reflects the Kingdom starts out quiet, yet will grow like an enormous tree, or like yeast expands into dough.
It is unknown the exact number of towns and villages the Teacher has visited during His ongoing travels. What has been established is His final destination – Jerusalem. While in route, an unbiased onlooker asked the Savior how many will be saved.
In His own words Jesus replied, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”
Jesus went on to explain many will knock at God’s door but will face the truth of not being invited in:
The consensus is – unless we are true followers, not simply listeners, God does not know us.
Jesus Grieves.
On a side note, currently some Pharisees are trying to make Jesus go away from Jerusalem for their own selfish reasons.
Undeterred, Jesus responded with words of yearning: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’
Updated briefings of Jesus’ travels to Jerusalem will continue March 9. Stay informed!
Lift Him Up 