Category

LUKE 16 – SOME WARNINGS TO THE RICH Bible Background: Luke sees wealth as a ‘spiritual barometer’. How you got it, what you do with it, means everything. Jesus warns “You cannot serve God and wealth.” The Pharisees are accused (perhaps wrongly) of... Read More →

LUKE 15: LOST + FOUND = CELEBRATE! Bible Background: This is found only in Luke! Jesus tells 3 parables of the lost being found and celebrated. Note that he tells these in response to the Pharisees and scribes who are “grumbling that this man eats with tax collectors and... Read More →

LUKE 13 TIME TO REPENT Bible Background: We’ve skipped over chaps. 11-12, where Jesus teaches about persistence in prayer; tangles with the scribes and pharisees; casts out demons; points out the Rich Fool; and teaches how to not worry. Keep in mind, that his ‘face is... Read More →

LUKE 10:25-42 WHO ACTED AS A NEIGHBOR? Bible Background: Luke 10 is the chapter after Jesus ‘sets his face to go to Jerusalem’. This section is special to Luke (meaning that Matthew and Mark do not have this series of stories). Jesus has sent the 70 on their mission;... Read More →

LUKE 9:28-45 TRANSFIGURATION Bible Background: The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain is a mysterious and majestic event. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke this marks a turning point: from here on, Jesus will be on his way to the cross, and will not be deterred. It is not easy for... Read More →

WHO DOES S/HE THINK S/HE IS? LUKE 7:36f Bible Background: Luke has been showing us who Jesus is and what he can do. He is much more than a prophet! In this scene, by forgiving the sinful woman, he does something people believe only God can do. Matthew, Mark, and John tell a... Read More →

Luke 7:18-35 “Are You the One, Jesus?” Bible Background: Luke has been carefully showing us how Jesus IS the One sent by God; fulfilling the promises of the Messiah. Note that Jesus does not usually go around claiming “I am the One!” He lets people draw... Read More →

LUKE 7=JESUS HEALS AND RESTORES LIFE! Bible Background: Since last week’s controversy in the synagogue, Luke’s account tells of Jesus’ teaching the crowds (Sermon on the Plain), with special emphasis on “love your enemies”, “do not... Read More →

LUKE 6=CONTROVERSY! Bible Background: In Luke 5, the religious ‘experts’ (Pharisees=lay leaders who take their faith very much to heart; scribes=religious law experts) begin to criticize Jesus for pronouncing forgiveness (something only God can do?) and for... Read More →

Luke 5 = The First Disciples Bible Background: Since being driven out of Nazareth, Jesus has been teaching and healing around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has been to Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law. Now, he gets into a boat to teach the crowds, and reveals his... Read More →