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Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 14, 2023

Luke 11:1-10; Matthew 6:5-15

Jesus teaches on prayer

“P.R.A.Y.”

Each day I do my best to begin my day with prayer time. Generally, I get up in the morning before my wife, Kathy. Next, I dress and head to the kitchen, where I set up a pot of coffee. I then either sit on our sofa or go to my home office.

At this point, I use my cell phone to begin my prayer time. First, I read the daily devotion from Bible.com, as well as another, a subject-driven devotional of my choosing. Then, I pray. I pray about everything and anything weighing on my heart, as well as for needs and wants.

When I took my ministry classes in the 1990s, one of my professors taught the class an excellent formula for personal prayer. I encourage you to try it; it helps you organize your thoughts and guides you through prayer.

“Try the P.R.A.Y. approach of praying. When you pray, begin by Praising God for all He has done for you, including sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross.

After praising God, Repent. Ask Him to forgive you for all of your sins in thought, word, and deed. (Don’t be afraid to be specific, He already knows everything you’ve done anyway.)

Now it’s time to Ask. That’s right, ask God for anything, health, love, wealth, help on a test, even problems with a bully, anything at all. He’ll answer the requests you make that He feels are best for you and fit into His plan for you.

Finally, Yield to God. Yield means to be flexible. It’s time to ask God some questions. “God, what do you want me to do with my life,” or “God, how can I serve you better,” and of course, “Lord, help me to stay on the path you have set before me.”

I encourage you to use the P.R.A.Y. approach to start your day.

In today’s reading, Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer.

***************************The Point***************************

In today’s reading from Luke, Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer, as well as being persistent in our prayers.

‘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.”

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything. I tell you, though, he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence/ persistence, he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:1-10

Just as Jesus had completed some time in prayer, one of His disciples approached Him. He asked Jesus to teach them to pray like John (The Baptist) taught his followers.

This is an interesting question put to Jesus. He had already sent out the 12 and then the 72 as evangelists, yet now they come and ask Him to teach them to pray. Perhaps this teaching moment is not chronological and was introduced earlier. Nevertheless, here it is. This version of the Lord’s prayer is a bit shorter than the one Matthew writes about in his Gospel.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

 Give us today our daily bread.

 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

 And lead us not into temptation. (6:13 The Greek for temptation can also mean testing.)

But deliver us from the evil one.6:13 Or from evil; (some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.) Amen.’

 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:5-15

After Jesus’ disciple inquires about prayer, He shares with him what we have come to know as, The Lord’s Prayer. It outlines how to pray, not what to pray for every time you do. (Take some time to read both versions (from Luke and Matthew) to understand Jesus’ prayer parameters.)

Jesus goes on to give an example of how to pray with a parable about a man who needed bread to feed a visitor at a late hour. This is not a story of kindness; instead, it is a story of persistence. When we pray, Jesus wants us to pray incessantly. This is why Jesus says in verses 9-10,

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.”

Persistence in prayer pays off. Jesus wants us to come to Him continually. He may not answer our prayer the first time, nor the second or even the third. But Jesus will answer our prayers in His time and in His way. He will take care of our needs and sometimes even our wants.

Our asking, seeking, and knocking never fall on deaf ears. Jesus hears our requests and will respond when the time is right. But remember, everything happens in God’s time, not ours.

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 13, 2023

Luke 10:25-37

The Good Samaritan

“Street Eats”

Those of you who have followed my devotions over the years have probably seen me mention “Street Eats.”

Street Eats was a program I began with my students and the congregation in 2012. Here’s how it worked.

Throughout the year, my youth group would ask for financial donations for our Street Eats project. The money raised would go to purchase items that would be put in gallon-size zip lock bags. The bags were then displayed in the Narthex of the church. In addition, congregational members were asked to grab a bag or two and keep it in their car.

The bags included items such as: bottled water, canned meats, canned fruit, crackers, and assorted snacks. The idea was that congregation members would hand out the Street Eat bags to needy people they met on the road of life. Generally, they were handed out to homeless people who were appealing for help at intersections.

In the four years my students filled the Street Eats bags, over 3000 were distributed to needy people.

In today’s parable, Jesus tells the story of a Samaritan who also helped someone in need along the road.

************************The Point*********************

The parable of the Good Samaritan is not only a good story, but it is a great teaching tool. Let’s take a moment to read it now.

“On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this, and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

“In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer. and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.“

 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

Although the above passage tells us the story of The Good Samaritan, I would be amiss if I didn’t take a moment to speak to the beginning of this passage.

“On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied.” Luke 10:25-28

It is here, as a lead into the parable we find The Law, The Ten Commandments, summed up in one sentence.

Love God and love your neighbor.

Jesus uses this simple explanation of the commandments as a Segway to His parable. Then, Jesus uses this parable to answer the expert on the law’s question,

“So he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In today’s parable, the priest and the Levite (a temple assistant) saw the wounded man on the road, but they did not help him. It’s evident that the two of them did not consider the injured man a friend.

“Generally, among the Jews, a neighbor was defined as a fellow countryman, one of the same race.” (Peoples Bible Commentary, Victor H. Prange, Luke, Pp. 125)

Jesus turns the teacher of the law’s beliefs upside down with this story.

The priest and Levite walked right by the injured man. But the Samaritan not only helped the man on the spot but also ensured that he would be cared for days to come.

If their roles had been reversed, the teacher of the law probably would not have helped the injured man either. If you remember the definition of ‘neighbor’ above, the teacher of the law would not have included the Samaritan as such. But the Samaritan fulfills Jesus’s words and commands that we should love one another. So, the teacher of the law all but admits that the Samaritan would be his neighbor.

We live in a society that “preaches” things like “Me First” and “You’re the most important person in your life.” None of that is true. Put others first. Jesus put the needs of humanity ahead of His own and gave the ultimate sacrifice, His life, for our salvation. So perhaps, making others more important than ourselves, no matter their race, creed, or color, isn’t such a bad idea.

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 12, 2023

John 4:5-27

Jesus teaches the Samaritan Woman

“A drive through the desert”

In the summer of 1977, my wife took a trip to Disneyland in California. I had just left my job in Colorado, and we set out on a mini vacation. At the time, I was driving a 1974 Plymouth Duster. The car was metallic purple and had a small V8 engine without air conditioning.

Our trip took us to Flagstaff, Arizona, and along I-40 to California. When you drive through Arizona on I-40 west, you travel through the southern portion of the Mojave Desert. To this day, I have no idea how warm it was, but the heat was dry, and we drove with the windows down.

After a while, we came across a sign that said, “Last gas 96 miles.” I looked at my wife and said, “Well, we have a full tank of gas, so here goes.” I don’t recall the speed limit; it may have been 70 mph.

Along that 96-mile stretch, we encountered car after car broke down on the side of the road. Every one of them was a large car that probably had an air-conditioner. Finally, after over an hour of driving, we saw a sign, “Gas 10 miles.”

We didn’t really need gas, but boy, oh boy, were we thirsty and hungry. I don’t recall what the town was that we ended up at after our 96-mile desert trek. But it did have a Denny’s. So, we went in, and thankfully it was air-conditioned. The waitress came over and gave us menus and walked away.

Now, back in 1977, any restaurant I had ever been to never asked if you wanted water; it was brought to the table automatically. So, I finally called the waitress over and asked if we could have some water. She apologized and said customers had to ask for water because of their location. Water was a premium item at the edge of the desert, and no one wanted to waste it.

After our discussion, the waitress did bring us water. She may have refilled my glass five or six times. 😊

Today’s Bible story is about Jesus and the woman at the well. It seems Jesus’ human side was showing, and He was thirsty.

**********************The Point********************

The passage below states that Jesus was tired and thirsty. At Jacobs well, he encountered a Samaritan woman. He used this encounter as a teaching moment that led to the woman’s conversion.

“So, he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 

“Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews, do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our Father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

He told her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.”

“I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

John 4:5-26

Let’s take a moment to look at the friction between Jews and Samaritans by reviewing our text.

“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water,

Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews, do not associate with Samaritans.)”

“Going through Samaria for Jews was a little like walking into a neighborhood marked as gang territory in the United States today. It could lead to a hostile encounter (see verse 9). This condition existed from the time Assyria had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, took most of its people into captivity, and settled it with foreigners (722 B.C.). These people mingled with the Israelites, who were allowed to remain. As a result, the mixed people in Samaria continuously combined false religions with worship to the Lord and harassed the Jews.” (People’s Bible Commentary, John, by Gary P. Baumler.)

This explains the woman’s hesitancy to even speak to Jesus, let alone give Him some water to drink. Jesus knew everything about this Samaritan woman. He knew how many husbands she had and that she was now living with a man she was not married to.

Jesus went on to tell the woman that He was the living water He had spoken of in the passage. Then, Jesus came right out and said to her that He was the Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for.

The woman heard Jesus’s words and believed. Immediately she became an evangelist, telling all the townspeople about the man she had just encountered.

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.” John 4:28-30

They came, saw Jesus, talked with Him, and many in the town became believers.

Sometimes it’s easy; people hear about Jesus, listen to His words, and believe. Other times it’s not as easy. But it is our job as Christians to plant the seed of the Gospel with everyone we encounter and let the Holy Spirit work on their heart and bring them to Christ.

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 11, 2023

Luke 8:16-18

A Lamp on a stand

“This little light of mine.”

During my years in ministry, I sometimes led a Wednesday morning chapel service for the children in our school.

One of their favorite songs was “This little light of mine.”

Let’s take a few moments to read it or sing it aloud if you know the tune. 😊

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood

I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine all the time, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine all the time, let it shine.

Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

Harry Dixon Loes – 1920

“This Little Light of Mine is a simple yet powerful gospel Christmas song, which speaks to the importance of sharing our faith in others and letting our light shine in the darkness.” (Christmassongsandcarols.com) 

Interestingly enough, in today’s reading/parable, Jesus shares much the same lesson as the song does.

************************The Point*******************

Let’s take a few moments to read today’s lesson from Luke 8:16-18.

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have, will be taken from them.” Luke 8:16-18

When Jesus talks about lighting a lamp, He’s talking about God’s word. We should never hide His Word as followers and believers in Jesus Christ. God’s word is meant to be shared, not hidden from people.

As followers of Jesus, we are to let God’s word shine. That means we share it with everyone who will listen. We do this because God’s word gives people hope. We live in a dark world full of hate, wars, and evil. God’s word brings light to that dark world.

In our reading, Jesus said,

“Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have, will be taken from them.” Luke 8:18

When we listen to and believe what Jesus says and teaches us, we will gain even more understanding of His plan for salvation. But those of us who decline to listen to His Word lose even what we already have. When we don’t listen, we put greater and greater distance between the Savior of the World and us.

As for my family and me:

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine

Amen

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 10, 2023

Luke 8:4-15

The Parable of the Sower

“How green does your garden grow?”

I admit I am anything but the best gardener in the world. However, the one area I keep up with is the four ½ whiskey barrels I have in the front of the house. I water the plants, add fertilizer, pull weeds, and add new plants when needed.

To be honest, I do not overly maintain my lawn in the winter months. This is because the grass goes dormant (even though I live in Florida) and doesn’t grow at all for several months.

I would be amiss if I didn’t include my neighbor’s landscape masterpiece. He has very little lawn, and what he does have is there because the homeowner’s association told him he had to have “Some lawn” out front.

He putters in his garden at least six days a week. So, when I go for walks early in the morning, it’s like walking through an elegant and organized jungle landscape. He does a great job on the maintenance of his garden.

I would be amiss if I didn’t share my pride and joy. Yes, it’s a pine tree (I like to call it my year-long, live Christmas Tree). I planted it a few days after moving into our home in 2007. When I planted it, the pine was just under two feet tall. Now it is about 25”.

Today Jesus shares a parable about farming and gardening. But, of course, parables are generally not about what they seem to be.

*************************The Point***********************

In today’s reading from Luke, Jesus shares what is known as the Parable of the Sower. Let’s check it out.

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.“

“While a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this Parable: 

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still, other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 

He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others, I speak in parables, so that,

“‘though seeing, they may not see;

though hearing, they may not understand.’ (8:10 Isaiah 6:9)

 “This is the meaning of the Parable: The seed is the Word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the Word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the Word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature. But, the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the Word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

Luke 8:1-15

As chapter eight of Luke begins, we find Jesus traveling from town to town, along with the twelve, proclaiming the Good News. Also traveling with the group were several women who supported Jesus and His Apostles. They likely supported them by preparing meals and such. But they also helped support Jesus’ ministry financially.

Two of the women mentioned, Joanna and Mary Magdalene, are also part of the group of women who went to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body.

“The word parable was used in the Old Testament to describe any kind of saying that was not to be taken literally. It included similes, fables, stories, and riddles.” New Bible Commentary, 21^st Century Edition, Luke, Pp. 993.”

The Parable in the above reading is not really about a farmer. Instead, it is about spreading God’s Word. Jesus could have been referring to himself as the farmer at that time. Today, the farmer could be a Pastor, Priest, or any minister who shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I prepared this devotion, I thought of my former Pastor and myself when I was in full-time ministry.

In the Parable, Jesus categorizes those who hear His Word into four different groups.

The first group has the devil take the Word away before it can root. Perhaps these are people with very little or no church background. Because they have no religious foundation to build on, they are easily led astray into worldly endeavors.

Like some I have known, the second group accepts God’s Word. But, unfortunately, they are not rooted in the Faith. As soon as problems come along in their lives, they fall away. When what they should do, is turn to God for strength and perseverance.

The third group loses or, at times, loses sight of their Faith. These are people who allow worry to overwhelm them. These are also people that get bogged down by stuff. What’s stuff? Money and the many material distractions the world has to offer.

Finally, some hear God’s Word and do something with it. These people are the fertile field Jesus talks about. They are the folks who read, listen to and understand the Gospel. They will spread the Good news and show God’s love for others by helping, loving, sharing, and caring for them.

Several paragraphs ago, I said this.

“As I prepared this devotion, I thought of my former Pastor and myself when I was in full-time ministry.”

You see, everyone in ministry fails many times. God’s Word and even caring actions are often shown to others. But like the first three areas, the farmer’s seeds were scattered, and these people fell away from Faith and God for various reasons.

So why do Pastors, preachers, laypeople, and retired youth ministers like me keep at it? We know at times, the things we say and do in Jesus’ name will fall on deaf ears, or people will fall away from the Faith after a time.

This is a fact. It happened to Jesus, and it happens today to the spreaders of Christ’s Gospel.

Yet, Pastors, ministers, and lay people keep spreading the Good News, preaching on Sunday, and having youth nights. Why? Because we know a certain amount of people will listen. A certain amount of people will have Faith and become Christ’s followers.

Here’s one of my favorite verses regarding the above subject. These are Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 3:6:

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

When we share the Gospel with others, that’s all we can do; share the Gospel. As a called church worker, I can’t make anyone believe or come to Faith. It is God’s Holy Spirit who makes the seeds we plant grow. Some will not listen or are seduced by the world. But those who hear will learn and believe, and then they will share The Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 9, 2023

Luke 7:36-50

Jesus anointed by a sinful woman

“Hospitality”

During my years as a church youth director, my wife Kathy and I hosted many parties. One of our mainstays each year was a Superbowl Party. Every year and each group enjoyed the party in their own way. As you can see above, we always had plenty of snacks and soda.

There were always plenty of alternatives for the students if they didn’t want to watch the game.

Some of them actually watched the game. (Oh, and we always keep our Christmas decorations up till March or April). We’ve always considered ourselves good hosts, always taking care of the needs of our guests before our own.

In today’s story, we find Jesus reclining and eating at the home of a Pharisee. But, all is not as it seems. His host, Simon, is not what he appears to be.

******************The Point****************

As I mentioned above, Jesus has been invited to have dinner at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. Considering all the negative things Jesus has to say about the Pharisees throughout the Gospels, this might appear to be an olive branch offering of peace. But, it is anything but that.

“When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 

“Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Jesus said to the woman,  “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 7:36-50

In today’s story, Jesus had been invited to the home of a Pharisee to dine. This was probably not a dinner for two. There would have been additional people present. The story makes no mention that Jesus’ 12 Apostles were with Him. As they had already become His close followers and were named in chapter 6, I like to believe this was a large social gathering and that they were there too.

Also, at large gatherings where food was being served, it was not uncommon for the less fortunate who had not been invited to attend (possibly sneak in). This fact gives us a better understanding of why the sinful woman may have been at the Pharisees’ home.

At the beginning of the reading, it appears the Pharisee may have been good intentioned by inviting Jesus to his home to dine. Unfortunately, that is unlikely because of Jesus’ past and future encounters with Pharisees. It is more likely that He was invited so that the host would hopefully find fault in His teaching and could then criticize Him.

Also, the reading tells us that the Pharisee did not give Jesus the common courtesies that were the norm for the day when He arrived. For example, neither the Pharisee nor one of his servants washed Jesus’ feet as He entered the house. This was a tradition as the city streets were dirty, dusty, and had animal waste.

In addition, kissing a visitor to your home as they entered was a tradition. This was not done.

After hearing the Pharisees’ thoughts, Jesus shares the parable of the two in debt to a money lender. Jesus’ point was that the woman who came into the dining area and washed His feet with her hair and anointed his feet and head with perfume was like the man who owed the most money.

Jesus put the Pharisee in his place when He compared the woman (some theologians believe it was Mary Magdalene) to him. She washed Jesus’ feet, but the Pharisee did not. The woman kissed his feet, but the Pharisee did not kiss Jesus. She anointed Jesus’ feet with oil, and the Pharisee did none of these things for His guest.

The woman in the story probably had already realized the error of her ways, whatever her sins may have been. She had already accepted the Gospel message of forgiveness. For her, it was essential to come to Jesus and show her love for Him in the ways she did.

Finally, Jesus says, “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

The second part of the above statement was aimed at the Pharisee.

Then just to put an exclamation point on all that He had said so far, Jesus looked at the woman and said,

“Your sins are forgiven.”

Then Jesus gives this woman a final blessing.

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

One can only imagine what a devasting blow this entire scene was for the Pharisee who had invited Jesus to His home. Of course, he had an ulterior motive to mock and belittle Jesus in from of his friends and Jesus’ followers. But, in a very unique way, Jesus turned the tables. In my mind, I see Jesus and His friends leaving with the Pharisee speechless about what had just occurred, perhaps with his mouth open and jaw dropped in amazement😊.

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 8, 2023

Luke 6:46-49

The Wise and Foolish Builder

If I haven’t mentioned this before, I live in Florida. Our home is located about 4-5 miles from the beach. Before I go any further, let me set one thing straight. I dislike going to the beach. I’m not fond of the sand; ocean water makes me itch. And when we drive home, we always transport a large amount of the beach sand into my car, our shoes, and shorts.

Over the years, I have taken my youth groups to the beach. Why? Because kids love the beach. Occasionally, I observed children and adults building sandcastles during our trips to the beach. However, the sandcastle on the beach above is not one I’ve seen personally. I can only imagine how many hours it took to build this structure.

Looking closely at the above photo, you’ll see the ocean in the background. The sandcastle is made from wet sand. The sandcastle is built on a foundation of sand, which is another way of saying, it has no foundation at all. So, what happens when the tide comes in? That’s right, the castle will wash away. The tide will wash away all those hours put into building the castle.

****************The Point**************

In today’s reading, Jesus shares a parable of two men who built homes. One was built on a rock foundation, the other with no foundation. Let’s check out what happened to the two houses.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it because it was well-built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

When I was young (age 5-12), my mom subscribed to Highlights for Children magazine for me. The magazine was published bimonthly at could be ordered for different age brackets. The magazine had many sections, including coloring pages, jokes, stories, and puzzles.

My favorite section was one of two cartoon boys named Goofus and Galant. The section would always show the two boys in different scenes or the same with different results. For example, you might see Goofus in his bedroom, and the caption would read, “Goofus seldom picks up his room, even when his mom tells him to.” And, then, there would be a picture of Gallant in his clean and picked-up room. This caption might say, “Gallant always picks up and cleans his room because it’s the right thing to do.

When I read today’s Parable from the book of Luke, I immediately thought of Goofus and Galant. Galant would be the man who built his house on a firm foundation of rock, while Gallant would have built his house with no foundation.

So, keeping the two boys’ personalities in mind, let’s look back at the Parable again and what it means.

“The two builders are like two kinds of hearers; the one hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. The other only hears without putting the words into practice.” (People Bibles Commentary, Luke, Victor H. Prange, Pp.75.)

Jesus doesn’t want us to just listen to and read His words. Instead, He wants us to put the things He instructs us on into practice. Then when troubles come, we will be like the house built on a firm foundation. We can withstand the problems, negativity, and sorrow the world throws at us.

There are countless instructions from Jesus throughout the Gospels. However, we need to do more than read the Gospels; we need to live the Gospels. If you haven’t already, read Matthew, chapters 5-7. This is what we call, The Sermon on the mount. Jesus did not preach and teach this sermon just for us to hear. He gives it to us as a new lifestyle. Jesus teaches about money, love, prayer, murder, and worry. He wants us to live out this sermon, not just listen to or read it.

So here are two final questions for you. First, is your faith built on the Rock of Jesus Christ? Second, are you just listening and reading Christ’s words, or are you living them?

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 7, 2023

Luke 6:37-42

Judging Others

“What’s wrong with your eye?”

About 20 years ago, I had major surgery on my left eye. One morning I woke up and noticed that the vision in my left eye was like looking through a half-moon. I let it go for a day or two, but as it didn’t get any better, I called my eye doctor, who is also a surgeon.

When I told the nurse about the problem, she said, “I need you to come in right now.” So, I dropped what I was doing: preparing for day two of VBS.

When I arrived at the doctor’s office, the nurse had me enter the exam room immediately. The doctor came in, looked at my eye, did a few tests, and asked me, “When was the last time you ate?” I told him about three hours ago. He replied, “Good, because you’re having eye surgery in about three hours, you have a torn retina.”

I won’t go into the particulars of the surgery and recovery. However, the doctor told me if I had waited another day or two, there was a good chance I would have lost all sight in that eye.

In today’s reading, Jesus tells a short parable concerning the eye. In this case, someone has a plank in their eye, and that someone could be you or me.

**************************The Point************************

 In today’s reading, Jesus tells us not to judge others without a bit of self-reflection.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

He also told them this Parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Luke 6: 37-42

Do you remember the “Golden Rule?”

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31

In the above verse, Jesus is talking about loving your enemies. Today’s reading is breaking down this verse into particulars.

Don’t judge others, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn others, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. Get the picture?

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31

The last part of this reading discusses self-reflection. Jesus gives two examples in Parables.

Jesus said a blind person can’t lead a blind person. This statement is aimed at Jesus’ disciples. What does He mean? As a disciple, we can’t teach others unless we are knowledgeable and understand Jesus’ teachings. I would not try to write a devotion unless I’ve read the Bible and some Bible commentaries to know what I’m writing about.

 Some of Jesus’ disciples thought they were more knowledgeable than the teacher (Jesus). We know that’s not possible. All we can do is strive to be like Him.

I’ve always loved the visual I get in my mind of Jesus’s second Parable.

 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

I’ve had many a speck in my eye, and as I mentioned earlier, I’ve had eye surgery. But can you imagine having a plank (think of a 2×4 stuck in your eye)?

Jesus uses the perfect word, hypocrite. As a disciple/follower of Jesus, how can we call someone out on a sin they’ve committed (speck) when we don’t first address our own problem (sin–plank)? That would be and is hypocritical.

I guess you might call both of these parables eye-openers. (😊) Seriously, let’s never think we are better than others. We are all sinners, and we need to address our faults before calling others to task for their sins.

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 6, 2023

Luke 5:33-39

Jesus is questioned about fasting

“What did you give up for lent?”

I was brought up in the Catholic faith. I can remember two areas of fasting my family adhered to during the Lenten season. First of all, we did not eat meat on Fridays. This fasting included chicken. So, on Fridays during lent, we ate a lot of fish and things like lentil pasta for dinner.

The second type of fasting we did was give up something we enjoyed for the six weeks of Lent. I can’t recall what I used to give up, but for some, it was sweets; for others, it was bread of any kind or even alcohol consumption.

I no longer fast during lent. I will explain my reasons for not fasting later in this devotion.

In today’s reading, Jesus is questioned about fasting.

**********************The Point******************

The following discussion occurred between Jesus, observers, and disciples of John (The Baptist).

“They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”

Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days, they will fast.”

He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.'”

Jesus was being questioned by John’s disciples. Incredibly they referenced the Pharisees because they like John (The Baptist), and his followers fasted. But, those questioning Jesus said while they all fasted, Jesus’ disciples kept eating and drinking.

First of all, the Old Testament only required people to fast once a year. That was on the day of atonement (Yom Kippur). Yet, the Pharisees said it was required that you fast twice a week. Fasting means you abstain from eating and, at times, even drinking. Therefore, doing this twice a week could not be a healthy thing to do.

I gave up fasting many years ago. Due to several medical conditions I have, there are many foods I cannot eat and beverages I cannot drink. I’ve learned to accept it as eating the foods and beverages I shouldn’t exacerbate my intestinal issues. So, for me, fasting isn’t an option. However, if people choose to do so, that is their choice, and they should not be looked down on because they choose to.

One more point on fasting.

In Jesus’ time, “Religious people would choose to fast for various reasons: to concentrate on prayer and meditation, as a form of self-punishment for some sin committed, or to evidence a disdain for the body and its needs.” (People’s Bible Commentary, Luke, Victor H. Prange, Pp. 61)

Jesus says, “But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days, they will fast.”

Jesus is referencing Himself as the bridegroom. He says that His disciples will fast when the time is right. That time is after His death and when He ascends into heaven.

You’ll notice Jesus shares a parable of new wine in old wineskins. New wine is unfermented. So, as it ages and ferments, the wine causes the old skin to burst.

The parable that follows is common sense. You wouldn’t cut up a new piece of fabric to patch a hole in an old piece of cloth. But, of course, today, people find it fashionable to have holes in their pants, especially jeans, without patching them.

The point is the old does not meld well with the new.

“Jesus is a minister of the New Covenant. This (His) is a covenant of forgiveness. The new life in the Spirit breaks loose from the old mentality, which thrives on fault-finding and concentration on the meritorious observance of the law…. Make no mistake: Jesus is on the side of the new.” (Peoples Bible Commentary, Luke, Pp. 62)

Jesus’ teaching was so different from the teachings of the Pharisees of the day. He knew the two could never be mixed. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said,

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people”

Lenten Devotions

March 5, 2023

John 3:16-17

“For God So Loved The World”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” 

John 3:16-17

We’ve all heard it before, “For God so loved the world ….”

We read the passage, the pastor preaches on it, and we recite it in confirmation class. The question remains, though, do we understand it? Do you really get what Jesus is saying?

Let’s take a few minutes.

“For God so loved the World.”

What does that mean to you?

Think about the Old Testament for a minute. Humanity got as far as chapter 3 of Genesis, and we blew it. Sin, pointing fingers at each other (playing the blame game), being ashamed, it all started right there.

But God had a plan!

“That He gave His one and only Son!”

Put the two together,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.”

What does that say about God’s love for His creation?

God loved and loves the world He created even though creation had gone wrong and we ruined everything. Our sins didn’t stop God from loving us. He saw and already knew about the sins of Adam and Eve, Cain, Sarah, David, Judas, Paul, and even Hitler. God knew all of them, but that didn’t stop Him from loving us.

God’s love for us is called Agape love. It is not a feeling of love, nor is it a love based on how much we’re liked or worthy. Instead, it’s a love that acts in the interest of the object that is loved. God hates and hated sin. But, He loved and still loves the world. So, He dealt with sin in a pretty amazing way.

God did that by sending His Son Jesus as a perfect sacrifice. As a result, Jesus, who was without sin, did not succumb to temptation and loved the world, just like the Father did.

“That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. “

What does this mean? How do you receive eternal life?

We receive eternal life through faith. Faith in the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose again, overcoming death.

“For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. ” Ephesians 2:8-9

Finally, Jesus reinforces what He said in John 3:16.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:17

It’s a pretty straightforward statement. God sent His Son for a specific purpose, to save the world from their sins. Yes, Jesus taught, healed, and even raised people from the dead. To be sure, all of these things are important to our understanding of Jesus and the Father’s plan. But, ultimately, God sent His Son Jesus to die as a sacrifice for our sins.

(Sometimes, I can’t help myself, so here it is once again, B.G.T.F.)

B.G.T.F. By grace through faith. It seems almost too simple. All you have to do is believe, and have faith, that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, that He died for your sins, and that now the door to eternal life is open to us.

God sent Jesus to do one thing, to save us. So Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and He rose from the dead. Mission accomplished.