Scripture: Luke 17:11-13 On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!” Thought for the Day: This is one of my favorite stories in the Gospels. I love the many ways a person can interpret
Scripture: Luke 17:1-2 Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Thought for the Day: Notice how Jesus describes the stumbling itself. He
Scripture: Luke 16:20-25 At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come and lick his sores. “The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead,
Scripture: Luke 16:1-4 Jesus also said to the disciples, “A certain rich man heard that his household manager was wasting his estate. He called the manager in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.’ “The household manager said to himself, What will I do now that my master
Scripture: Luke 15:1-2 All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Thought for the Day: I don’t think Christianity today can really be accused of what Jesus was accused of doing. We are spending so much time bickering and debating who are today’s tax collectors and
Scripture: Luke 14:34-35 [Jesus said,] “Salt is good. But if salt loses its flavor, how will it become salty again? It has no value, neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. People throw it away. Whoever has ears to hear should pay attention.” Thought for the Day: I might have ears to hear, but I do not understand. That’s definitely the way I used to feel
Prayer for the Week: As we journey closer to Holy Week – the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus – we are mindful of his words: Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. You are gracious, God, while also placing high expectations of those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus. Your love knows no boundaries, and there is nothing we
Scripture: Luke 14:1-3 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to share a meal in the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, they were watching him closely. A man suffering from an abnormal swelling of the body was there. Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Does the Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?” Thought for the Day: Did anyone else have a mother or grandmother
Scripture: Luke 13:34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. Thought for the Day: Why are we so offended when someone challenges us or calls us out? The prophets were an indispensable voice throughout Israel’s history.
Scripture: Luke 13:29-30 People will come from east and west, north and south, and sit down to eat in God’s kingdom. Look! Those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last. Thought for the Day: I referenced in yesterday’s devotional this second sentence, but alongside the previous sentence, it is even more powerful. When scripture speaks of people coming from the east