October 20, 2014
Luke 10-12
Back in chapter 9, Jesus had sent out the 12 Disciples on a short-term mission trip, which is described in Matthew and Mark as well. But only Luke tells us of the mission of the 72 disciples here in chapter 10. 72 disciples; did this number include women? Samaritans? Perhaps, for only Luke preserves for us the parable of the Good Samaritan in the same chapter.
In Luke 11, Jesus teaches on prayer. We see a version of Jesus’ model prayer, followed by Jesus famous teaching: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (11:9) Then God the Son encourages his disciples to ask the God the Father for the greatest of all gifts: God the Holy Spirit (11:13). That’s right; just ask! This chapter concludes with Luke’s version of Jesus’ harsh words against the Pharisees in the form of “six woes.”
Luke 12 has a special place in my heart. The night my brother David was asked Christ to come into his heart, my dad had asked me to find something to read for our family in the Bible. I had been studying Luke 12 that day, so I turned to it and read it aloud to Mom, Dad and David. It’s a very long chapter, but they listened intently to the many warnings Jesus gives us concerning the Second Coming:
“Whoever disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God,” (12:9) Jesus warns.
When tribulation comes and you are brought before rules, don’t worry about what you will say, Jesus promises, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (12:12)
Don’t cling to things, Jesus says, for you do not know the time of your death (12:20).
In fact, don’t worry about stuff, at all (12:22f).
Be ready for the Master’s return, for “the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (12:40)
When Jesus does return, he will bring not peace, but division (12:51).
Be able to interpret the times, Jesus says (12:56)
After I finished reading Luke 12, we stood in a circle and prayed. Dave, for the first time, invited Christ into his life, and our family was never the same!
Your fellow traveler through the Gospels,
Pastor Gary
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