Written in Heaven

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Painting by James Tissot on WikiCommons
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17–22; NKJV)

As Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, He sent messengers throughout Israel to prepare the cities that he would pass through to receive Him (Luke 9:51–52). For these cities, this would be their last opportunity to hear the Good News of salvation from Jesus Himself before His crucifixion and death.

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Betrayed into the Hands of Men

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Engraving by Boetius Adams Bolswert at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:43–44; NKJV)

Luke chapter 9 is a major turning point in Luke’s Gospel. It is situated in the central portion of Luke’s narrative, which focuses on the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Jesus, after disclosing core truths of the Kingdom and demonstrating His Kingdom authority (ch. 8), delegates His message and authority to the Twelve and reveals to them His identity as the Christ (9:1–36). He then begins teaching them about true discipleship, including His mission to serve the world by securing salvation through His death (9:37–62).

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Fall Down Before Him

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Painting by Paolo Veronese on PubHist
Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:47–48; NKJV)

In the second half of Luke chapter 8, Luke records three life-changing encounters with Jesus. Recall that Jesus had been ministering to the crowds and teaching His disciples on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. That evening, Jesus and His disciples sailed eastward across the sea. It was during that overnight voyage when Jesus rebuked the storm and the disciples marveled at the authority and power displayed by the Lord.

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The Central Claim of Christianity

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Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash
Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19–21; NKJV)

When you hear the word “Christianity,” what comes to mind? Common responses include believing in God, being a good person, praying, going to church, and giving to the poor. Sometimes Christianity is associated with being born in America or identifying with a certain race. But none of these are the central claim of Christianity.

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Where Is Your Faith?

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Painting by Simon de Vos on Wikimedia Commons
But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:23–25; NKJV)

As Jesus continued His earthly ministry, He preached throughout all regions of Israel. A large part of His ministry was in the northern part of Israel called Galilee, especially near the Sea of Galilee, which was also known by other names, including the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1) and the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1).1

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You Are Forgiven

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Painting by Jan van Orley on Wikimedia Commons
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:47–49; NKJV)

Jesus began His earthly ministry by teaching with authority and performing miracles. And people had questions. Jesus did not rise through the ranks of one of the major Jewish sects. Who is He? Is he a prophet of God? A messenger from Satan? God’s promised Messiah?

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He Had Compassion on Her

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Painting by Jan Verhas on Wikimedia Commons
He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” (Luke 7:13–16; NKJV)

Compassion is a very popular idea today. In the 21st century West, compassion, often understood as “being nice,” is a cardinal virtue. Western culture goes so far as to argue that a compassionate God must accept us, even our sin, without consequence, while also arguing that, since pain and suffering exist, the compassionate God of Christianity cannot exist.

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Founded on the Rock

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Painting by Cosimo Rosselli on Wikimedia Commons
Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. (Luke 6:47–48; NKJV)

What idea is at the center of the Christian faith? What is that primary thought that distinguishes Christianity from all other worldviews? What single concept is so essential that, to take it away, would make someone’s worldview not Christian? The central truth of Christianity, which every other truth builds on, is not a “what,” but a “who”—the man, Jesus Christ.

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Lord of the Sabbath

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Painting by James Tissot at the Brooklyn Museum
But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. (Luke 6:8–10; NKJV)

Keeping the Sabbath holy was one of the central tenets of the Mosaic Law. It was the fourth commandment that God gave Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exod 20:8–11). The commandment explains that the seventh day of every week is to be a day of rest from work for everyone in Israel—all people, including children, servants, foreigners in Israel, and even work animals (v. 10).

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