Tag Archives: Jesus

Have Mercy on Me!

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Print by Lucas and Joannes van Doetecum on Harvard Art Museums
The tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13–14, NKJV)

As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, many people gathered around Him, asking Him questions and listening to His teaching. Chapter 18 narrates some of Jesus’ encounters as He journeyed toward the Cross. The chapter opens with two parables about the kind of persistent, humble faith that God desires of us. These parables are followed by Jesus’ encounter with the little children, whose persistent, humble faith He instructs us to emulate.

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The Days of the Son of Man

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Painting by James Tissot on Brooklyn Museum
Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. (Luke 17:22–24; NKJV)

As Jesus continued toward Jerusalem, He traveled through Samaria and Galilee (Luke 17:11). This would be his last pass through these regions on His way to the Cross. The warnings about giving offense (vv. 1–4) and about faithful service (vv. 5–10) bring the major section about true service in the Kingdom of God, beginning in Luke 15, to a close. Luke’s narrative now focuses on the coming of God’s Kingdom and the Son of Man.

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This My Son Was Dead

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Painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo on National Gallery of Art
But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:22–24)

In Luke chapter 15, Jesus has departed from the Pharisee’s house and continued His journey toward Jerusalem. In chapter 14, Luke concluded the major section on what it means to truly follow Jesus. Now, the focus is on the what true service in the Kingdom of God looks like.

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If Anyone Comes to Me

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Engraving by Émile Rouargue on Welcome Collection
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:25–27; NKJV)

In Luke chapter 14, Jesus brings His teaching about following Him full circle. Most of the chapter takes place in the house of a ruler of the Pharisees on the Sabbath. Jesus makes clear that following Him means forsaking the things of the world and wholeheartedly committing to the plans and purposes of God in our lives.

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The Narrow Gate

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Drawing by Georgin François on Wikimedia Commons
And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:22–24; NKJV)

In Luke chapter 13, Jesus continues teaching about what following Him looks like in daily life, focusing on the connection between Kingdom membership and following Him. Jesus makes clear that not everyone who thinks they are a Christian will inherit eternity with Him.

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Do Not Worry

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Etching by Jan Luyken on WikiCommons
Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? (Luke 12:22–26, NKJV)

Much of Jesus’ teaching toward the end of His earthly ministry stressed the same themes He taught earlier in His ministry. We saw this with the question of prayer in Luke 11. We see this again with the issue of worry in Luke 12:22–26. In these verses, Jesus reminds us that His followers do not make worldly provisions and riches our highest priority—our minds and hearts are focused on the plans and purposes of God.

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Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking

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Illustration by Gustave Doré on WikiCommons
So I say to 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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9–13; NKJV)

As Jesus continued his journey to Calvary, he retreated in prayer. When He had finished, one of His disciples asked him to teach them to pray, just as John the Baptist had done for his disciples. Jesus made a habit of retreating from the crowds to pray (e.g., 6:12; 9:18, 28).1 He was a man of prayer, and His disciples desired to emulate His prayer life.

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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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