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In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus teaches a parable about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. In this parable Jesus confronts the Pharisees' love of money. While the rich man and Lazarus seem to be extreme opposites in life, what they do share in common is they both die. Jesus shocks his listeners with surprising outcomes for these characters after their death. The rich man is in torment and anguish while Lazarus enjoys the peace and comfort of God's presence. The point of this parable is that the rich man experiences eternal torment because he delighted more in luxuries for himself than in love for others. In other words, to claim an eternal future in God's kingdom means you must embrace the values of God's kingdom today. Have you?

In Luke 16:1-18, Jesus teaches a parable about the values of his kingdom in regard to wealth. Jesus surprises us by commending the dishonest manager. Jesus isn't commending his dishonesty; rather, he commends his shrewdness. He's saying that the people of this world exercise shrewdness and forward thinking about their money. Citizens of God’s kingdom should do so even more. This parable  reminds us that God is the owner; we are not. This means that if we are not generous towards others, it isn't merely an issue of being miserly. It's robbery. Thankfully, we have the perfect manager in Jesus. He gave more than his wealth to make us into his friends. He gave his life. The gospel provides the motivation and inspiration for Christ's people to use money in accord with the values of God's kingdom.

In Luke 12:35-59 Jesus tells his followers to be ready for the return of their master by faithfully serving others. Those who he finds ready are given a promise of joy. Joy will be theirs because when he comes he will dress himself to serve them! Jesus also explains that when he comes he will bring God's perfect justice. God's justice might seem severe, but it is also wonderful. It is wonderful because the new heavens and earth he brings with him will have no evil, no decay, no death, and no injustice. He will accomplish this by plunging himself into God's justice, paying the debt for all who come to him in faith. Jesus finishes this section by urging his listeners not to delay in making a decision to embrace him as God's Messiah. Have you?

In Luke 8:22-39 Jesus shows he is Lord over the storm and Lord over demonic evil. Jesus must be more than a mere teacher if seasoned sailors turn to him for help in the storm. His simple command calms the storm and invites their faith. When Jesus meets a man possessed by "Legion," although he is outnumbered, he is certainly not outmatched. Jesus has all the power. The demons obey his command and the man is delivered. The man is completely changed and given a new mission — tell everyone all that Jesus (who is God) had done for him. How have you experienced the saving power of Jesus in your life?

In Luke 7:18-35 we are surprised to hear John the Baptist wrestle with doubt about who Jesus is. This teaches us something about doubt. If the prophet John can doubt, anyone can wrestle with doubt. John's question, "Are you the One?" offers insight into our deepest needs and longings. And Jesus's response further reveals his true identity while also exposing how we are often offended by his true identity as "the One." Is Jesus "the One" in your life?

What would make Jesus say, "Wow"? In Luke 7:1-17 we are told Jesus marveled at someone's faith. A centurion had a terminally sick servant. Some Jewish elders begged Jesus to come and heal the servant because the centurion had done good things for Israel. In other words, they believe he is worthy (vs. 4). But the centurion disagrees. He tells Jesus not to come because he isn't worthy (vs. 6). Who is right? What does this story teach us about the nature of true faith? 

In Luke 6:20 Jesus begins to teach how radically different the values and priorities of his kingdom are compared to this world's kingdom. The Kingdom of God is an alternate community where radical, generous, self-sacrificing love is extended, even to our enemies. This kind of love is vastly different from the "love" so commonly demonstrated in this world's kingdom. How is this kind of radical love possible? Because of Jesus. Jesus became poor so you might be rich in him. He experienced thirst and was forsaken on the cross so you could be brought near to God. God's kingdom is marked as a community of people who treat others the way Jesus has treated them - with self-sacrificing love and mercy. 

In Luke 5:12-26, we read two accounts where Jesus cleanses a leper and heals a paralyzed man. Luke provides this historical record to show who Jesus is. When Jesus cleanses the leper, he touches him. Surprisingly, instead of Jesus becoming contaminated (an outcome Old Testament code taught) the leper is cleansed and healed in an instant. And when Jesus sees the faith of the paralyzed man when he is lowered through the roof, Jesus tells him his sins are forgiven. Who can make the unclean clean? Who can forgive sins? The answer is Jesus — who is God with us!

In Luke 3 we learn how the prophet John prepares the way for God's Messiah. John's ministry is embedded in world history (vss. 1-3) and biblical promise (vss. 4-6). He calls people to repentance with water baptism being a sign of that repentance. He also gives a stern warning (vss. 7-9, 17). John is not after cheap success with a bunch of false converts whose hearts have not repented and truly turned to God. And then we found some surprising encouragement and good news in the genealogy that concludes Luke 3.

In Romans 3:27-4:8 justification by faith is contrasted against boasting. The problem is that everyone wants to boast in themselves or to receive praise and accolades from others to have courage and confidence for the battlefield of life. This internal thirst for affirmation isn't necessarily bad. What's bad are all of the godless ways we go about trying to satisfy this internal thirst. If justification by faith excludes human boasting, then what can we boast in? The answer is Jesus. Self-centered boasting or the praise of others can't be compared to the roaring approval of God given to all who are united to God through faith in Jesus.

The single story line of the Bible moves from creation to the fall, from the devastation caused by sin to the rescue and the redemption accomplished by Jesus, and it finishes with the complete restoration of all things at the end. This amazing story begins in Genesis 1:1 with, "In the beginning, God..." In John 1 we see hints of the creation account picked up where we learn, "In the beginning, God is love." These two truths have profound implications for understanding who we are and how we fit into the story of the world.

In John 7 Jesus cries out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Many years before Jesus shouted this invitation, in Exodus 17 we read how Israel was thirsty in the wilderness. God promised his presence would go before them and rest on a rock. He told Moses to take his staff and strike that rock. Moses did this, water gushed from the rock, and the people were saved.  Jesus invites us to come to him and drink because he is the rock of living water (1 Cor. 10:4). He took the stroke of our punishment that we deserve for our rebellion against God. On the cross his blood flowed so we might be saved. "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”

It's often easier for us to believe God's sovereignty when things go well in our life. But, when things go bad, when there is lying and mistrust, and betrayal and death, then our confidence in God's invisible purposes starts to get shaky. In Acts 1:15-26 we learn the ugly and tragic story of Judas's betrayal and death was actually part of God's invincible purposes in accomplishing salvation. The Scripture had to be fulfilled and God can be trusted to provide everything we need to be witnesses of Jesus.