Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+010

 

Luke 10 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” ²⁷ And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸ And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

²⁹ But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ³⁰ Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. ³² So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.³⁵ And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’³⁶ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” ³⁷ He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. The legal expert asked a good question. Just who is it we are to love as ourselves? To answer, Jesus told of a man who was beaten and robbed. Two fellow Jews, a priest and a Levite, saw him lying there, and left him. The Samaritan, on the other hand, “when he saw him, he had compassion”. He helped him, and even paid for his care while he recovered.
2. If you were walking by when this story happened, which one would your reaction most likely be, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan? Why?
3. Who has been a Good Samaritan in your life? What was the situation?  How did that person help you?  What impact this has on you?
4. Listen to Jesus’ calling to you, “go and do likewise.” To whom do you need to be a Good Samaritan this week?  Write down his/her name and needs.  Pray for this person.  Plan a practical way to offer needed help.  Decide on the date and write down specific things you will do for him/her.  Make plan to accomplish it.

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for teaching me how to love through today’s scriptures. I know that to love my neighbor as myself is not an empty phrase, but Your command to me, which I want to practice in my daily life. My Lord, I sometimes feel that I lack the ability to love people, especially the ability to love people when I have to pay a cost, and I understand that this is because my life is not fully mature. Please continue to walk with me, accompany me to grow, and make me more and more capable of loving people. I also especially thank You for placing “Good Samaritans” in my life to inspire me, help me, and make me feel Your love in them. Please let me be such a person too, to pass on Your love to those around me who need help. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Lifesong – youtu.be/jLroNUqADz4

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+009

 

Luke 9 English Standard Version (ESV)

A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus

⁵¹ When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. ⁵² And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. ⁵³ But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” ⁵⁵ But he turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶ And they went on to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

⁵⁷ As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” ⁵⁹ To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” ⁶² Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. Jesus expects His followers to be totally faithful without any conditions or restrictions. He wants them to accept the cross as well as the crown, judgement as well as mercy, and to relinquish all and focus entirely on Jesus.
2. Jesus’ response to the first person, who wanted to follow Him, is: “Count your cost before following me.” According to the Jewish customs, the second person probably meant that “I’ll wait until my father dies before I come to follow you.” Jesus advised him to grasp the opportunity to respond to the moving of the Holy Spirit.  The third person probably wanted to settle his family affairs and if time allows, then he’ll come to follow Jesus.
3. The farmer has to look straight ahead in order to plow straight furrows for planting seeds. Jesus says that if we want to become a member of God’s kingdom, we need to focus our attention on God, and not allow the world to distract our focus elsewhere.
4. Jesus is calling you and every believer to come and follow Him today, what excuses would you use to delay Jesus’ calling? Does Jesus delight in your excuses?  What are the things that are holding you back?  Are you willing to allow Jesus to take away these things from you?

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to be Your disciple. Thank You for Your wonderful work in my life in the past, giving me the faith to follow You and learn Your character. Lord Jesus, I know that being Your disciple has a cost, but I am often unwilling to pay the cost. Just like the two people mentioned in the scriptures today, I often find various excuses to refuse Your call. Please give me more courage and faith, let me focus on You, follow You wholeheartedly, be Your faithful disciple, bear Your yoke, learn Your likeness, be meek and humble in heart, and have Your glorious image. Please continue to guide me, cultivate me, so that I will not be attracted and entangled by the world, become Your soldier, and be a good witness for You. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Here I Am – youtu.be/mpVtUgRtvgM

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+008

 

Luke 8 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’s Daughter

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. ⁴¹ And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, ⁴² for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. ⁴³ And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. ⁴⁵ And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” ⁴⁷ And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

⁴⁹ While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” ⁵⁰ But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” ⁵¹ And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. ⁵² And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” ⁵³ And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” ⁵⁵ And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. ⁵⁶ And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Often we thought that when we are in desperate need of something from God – in a crisis caused by cancer, bankruptcy, chronic depression, inescapable grief, or loss of faith – we must come boldly and confidently into God’s presence if we expect Him to answer our prayer. Yet this woman came in fear and trembling, having no idea what might happen, but thinking, “If I can just touch the edge of his cloak, who knows?”
2. Sometimes all we can do is to struggle toward God from behind and stretch out with what little we have left to touch the edge of Him, hoping He will not be angry with us or ignore us, hoping something will happen even though we are almost beyond belief.
3. Have you ever been too frightened to come to God with a problem? Why?  How would this story help you as you face desperate situations?
4. Talk to God about the problem you are facing. Bring all your fear, uncertainty, lack of faith, or eagerness, hope and thanksgiving to God.  Talk to God and wait for Him to speak.

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, I often feel so far away from You. Living in this world, I have to take on various responsibilities and face various pressures. I always have fear and anxiety in my heart. I long to see Your face, but I feel that I am not pleasing to You and lack the faith to bring problems to You. Lord, thank You for teaching me through today’s story that no matter what my circumstances may be, as long as I look to You with weak faith, You will reach out and save. You are the loving Savior and the Lord of life who conquers death and can raise people from the dead! May the Lord increase my faith, so that whether it is smooth or rough, I will no longer rely on my own strength, but seek help from You, follow Your footsteps, and obey Your will. Amen!

 

HYMN:

What a Friend we have in Jesus – youtu.be/YTpUQO0aryw

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+007

 

Luke 7 English Standard Version (ESV)

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

⁴¹ “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. This woman washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair. She kisses them and pours perfume over them.  The host, a Pharisee, considers that Jesus has “contaminated” Himself by touching or being touched by someone considered morally, spiritually or physically filthy.
2. But Jesus asked Simon “Do you see this woman?” Jesus asked Simon if he truly sees her – not a sinner, but a person forgiven by God, and is weeping with gratitude and relief, a child of God who is loving as much as she can, who is saved by her faith and who is free to go in peace.
3. Jesus is asking you the same question, “Do you see ……?” Do you truly see people on the street, on the subway, in the mall, in the supermarket?  Do you see people as how Jesus sees them?  How would that make a difference?  How would seeing people as Jesus sees them change your attitude toward them?
4. Talk to Jesus about your “poor spiritual eyesight”, your reluctance, your stereotyping. Wait for the Holy Spirit to touch you and change your perspectives.

 
PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, please guide me, shape my life, change my perspective, and help me learn to see everyone I come into contact with from Your perspective. Although I am Your disciple, I am also a weak, proud, natural person. My flesh is constantly at war with the Holy Spirit, causing me to judge others according to my own will, so that I treat the people around me differently, some I like or dislike, and some I value or despise. Lord, I know how different You see them from me, that You love each of them, and that Your grace is greater in those whom the world despises. Please let me be more obedient to the will of the Holy Spirit, imitate Your self-denying love, and bring peace and joy to everyone I meet. Amen!

 
HYMN:

Christ Be All Around Me – youtu.be/cmge-ycIkoo

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+006

 

Luke 6 English Standard Version (ESV)

Love Your Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Jesus calls us to love our enemies, to bless, to pray for them, and turn the other cheek. This often frightens us, and we tend to ignore it. What Jesus is actually asking is for us to break the cycle of hostility and animosity.
2. God, after all, broke this pattern by one bold act of love, sending His son to suffer and die for our sins. As we respond to that love, accepting the salvation Christ brings, our whole attitude toward God has changed, and we now love and want to please Him.  It is not easy, but following Christ has never been easy.  Yet, it does make us free.
3. Name a person who has wronged you. Ask Jesus to give you His forgiveness for that person and take away the hatred and revengeful attitude in your heart.

 
PRAYER:

Lord, You teach us to love our enemies, but how hard it is to love our enemies. In my life, there have been people who have hurt me, and I still have resentment towards them in my heart. Lord please give me strength and let me learn to love them step by step. Let me start by not hating or revenge for them, and slowly learn to forgive them, sympathize with them, and endure them and love them. Lord, I know it is for my own good to do so. My own pain cannot be healed without forgiveness. Lord, You are the Prince of Peace, You sacrificed Yourself to bring reconciliation to the world, I am Your disciple, I would like to imitate You! No matter how difficult it is, I am willing to follow Your teachings, please walk with me, let me take the first step of forgiveness today. Amen!

 
HYMN:

Forgiveness – youtu.be/vbcocOfKM_U

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+005

 

Luke 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

¹ On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, ² and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³ Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. ⁴ And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. ⁷ They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” ¹¹ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

 

REFLECTION:

1. After a whole night’s labour, the fishermen didn’t want to listen to Jesus to try again. They were depressed and exhausted. How similar this is to our own lives.  We all have experienced failure which often left us feeling guilty, shameful and self-distrust.   Then, we wanted to quit, withdraw and to be away from people.
2. Jesus won’t ask us to do something entirely new. He’d send us back to what we’ve been doing all along, but this time with Jesus. God wants to be in command of our lives – our work lives, our family lives, our leisure lives.  It’s the same boat, same commands and same nets.  But now Jesus is with us – and that makes all the difference.
3. Is Jesus on your LIFE boat? Who’s in command of your journey?  What are you experiencing right now?  Be quiet before God and allow the Holy Spirit speak to your heart.  Respond and speak to God as you are touched by the Holy Spirit.

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, May You steer the boat of my life every moment, lest I get lost or even fall into a dangerous whirlpool. I too, like Peter and the others, depended on myself and labored, but got nothing. Now I know very well that all the pursuits of the world, although they can temporarily satisfy my desires, will eventually bring only a greater void in my heart. Lord Jesus, in this small boat of life, may I submit to You every moment, and not rob You of the sovereignty of the helm, lest I think I am smart and capsize the boat. Lord, I am willing to obey Your call to sail the boat to the depths of the water, so that I can experience Your power, receive more spiritual blessing, and lead more people to come to You. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Be the Centre – youtu.be/pw6rIwmkV6E

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+004

 

Luke 4 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

²⁰ And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” ²² And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” ²³ And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” ²⁴ And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. ²⁵ But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, ²⁶ and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. ²⁷ And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” ²⁸ When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. ²⁹ And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. ³⁰ But passing through their midst, he went away.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Jesus applied four Old Testament promises to His mission on earth (vv18-19). Which of them can you identify with the most?
• The poor (downtrodden, underprivileged) to receive hope and dignity
• The captives (physically, psychologically or politically imprisoned) to receive freedom from bondage
• The blind (physical disability often meaning spiritual darkness) to receive new sight to recognize God’s perspective and new life
• The oppressed (political and economic disadvantage) to receive release and new freedom from forces holding you down
2. Read the above list slowly. Recall your situations before and after receiving Christ.  Meditate on Jesus’ salvation for you.
3. Give God thanks for all the things He’s done in you.

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, You are the loving and powerful Lord of life! Thank You for making me understand how much I need You through today’s scriptures! I was once poor in spirit, who was saved by the power of Your gospel and received abundant life; I was also taken captive by the devil, caught in the quagmire of the world, unable to extricate myself, I was cleansed by your precious blood, and I could be called a holy child of God; I was spiritually blind, groping in the dark, unable to find a way out of life, but now I can walked with You in Your true light. Lord, thank You for all the wonderful deeds You have done in my life in the past, may You continue to lead me forward, and be filled with Your grace and love all my life. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Always – youtu.be/iOhm4Px_xdY

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+003

 

Luke 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, ² during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?”¹¹ And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” ¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” ¹³ And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” ¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,

 

REFLECTION:

1. John was not a smooth, comforting preacher. He was blunt and confrontational.  He preached the message of the coming wrath of God and “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”.  This wasn’t an easy message to take, but people kept coming to hear him and even wondering if John might be the Christ.
2. Likewise, when we hear messages such as John’s, our masks and pretenses are stripped away, and we are forced not only to face our need, but given hope in God’s word. And only when we face our own sinfulness, would we seek forgiveness, and find the new life in our Saviour Jesus.
3. Are you in the habit of “direction change” (repentance) in your daily life? What has the Holy Spirit been speaking to you lately on certain wrong “directions”?
4. Take a moment to think about it. Then pray for God’s forgiveness.  Pray also for the Holy Spirit to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”(Matt 6:13)

 

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for teaching me specifically to repent through today’s scriptures. Lord, the more I grow, the more I understand how hard it is to repent. The power of flesh and blood is so powerful, and the pride in my heart is so terrible that I often stumble, unwilling to repent before You, and even hide my face from You and flee from You. Lord, I also understand how deceitful the human heart is. I often only admit my small mistakes, but I am unwilling to admit and even repent of the big ones. Sometimes I was so stubborn in my heart that I couldn’t even see that I had many hidden sins. Lord, may You remove all my masks and hypocrisy, and let me see my filth and ugliness clearly, and be sad and contrite before You, and ask You to forgive me, lest I be cut off by You like a tree that does not bear good fruit. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Fresh Wind – youtu.be/SdDdMzt_w2U

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+002

 

Luke 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Presented at the Temple

²² And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” ²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹   that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ³⁵ (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Simeon (righteous and devout, v25) spent a long life of hopeful prayer and faithful witness. What he has been praying for all his life is now present in this infant.  He took the child in his arms and blessed him, and the parents.  And he was ready to die.
2. The prayers of Mary and Simeon are complementary to each other: the young Mary starting out in submission to God’s word (1:38); the old Simeon ending in submission to God’s word (2:29). Mary and Simeon submissively and believingly spoke the prayer: “according to your word.”
3. Read the two prayers by Mary and Simeon (1:46-55, 2:29-32). Focus on the words “according to your word” (1:38, 2:29). Listen to what God is speaking to you. How could you use this phrase “according to your word” in your response prayer today?

 
PRAYER:

Lord, May I, like Simeon, be blessed to experience Your amazing grace and see Your heavenly glory in my lifetime. Lord, I am often weak and lack of faith, my heart is full of rebellion and pride, and my eyes are drawn to the prosperity of this world. Please grant me the eyes of wisdom and the heart of obedience, so that I can see the emptiness of the world behind the bustling illusion, and understand the lies of the human heart when chasing fame and fortune. I ask You not only to make me understand rationally, but also to realize in my actual life experience that if I don’t rely on You, there is no other way out. Lord, please support me so that I can walk with You all my life and do according to Your word. When I am old, may I also see Your face like Simeon, pass away peacefully, and be with You in eternal joy. Amen!

 
HYMN:
A Christian’s Daily Prayer – youtu.be/vAaFfoQy6s0

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Luke+001

 

INTRODUCTION

The books of Luke and Acts are two volumes of a single work (see the Invitation to Acts for a more detailed introduction to Acts). Together they tell the story of how God first invited the people of Israel, and then all nations, to follow Jesus. In the first volume, the movement is toward Jerusalem, the center of Jewish national life. In the second, the movement is from Jerusalem to other nations, closing with Paul proclaiming the kingdom of God in Rome, the capital of the empire.

Luke addresses his history to most excellent Theophilus, most likely a Roman official. His volumes are stocked with details from sources Luke had available: letters, speeches, songs, travel accounts, trial transcripts and biographical anecdotes. Luke’s purpose is to show the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring his light to the world through Israel. The earliest Jesus-followers take up this calling by announcing Jesus’ victory over sin and death to all the nations.

The first volume, Luke’s telling of the story of Jesus, has three main sections:

• First, Jesus ministers in Galilee, the northern area of the land of Israel.
• Next, he takes a long journey to Jerusalem, during which he welcomes people into the way of God’s reign and challenges Israel’s current understanding of the kingdom.
• Third, Luke tells how Jesus gives his life in Jerusalem and then rises from the dead to be revealed as Israel’s King and the world’s true Lord.

 

www.bible.com/zh-TW/bible/111/LUK.INTRO1.NIV

 

Luke 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificent
⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵² he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

 

REFLECTION：

1. Mary praises and glorifies God, through her prayer-song, for He will accomplish what He has planned for the world through her. It describes that God lifts up the poor, comforts the oppressed, and cares for the despised. Mary’s prayer reminds us that we are participating in what God has been doing and is yet to do.
2. Prayer is our way of being attentive to God, who is present to us in the Holy Spirit. Our prayer is always the second sentence.  First God speaks; we respond by prayer.  Just like Mary in this prayer, God spoke first through the angel, Mary heard and received, believed and submitted to the Word that conceived Christ in her.
3. Have you ever had an experience of being an active participant in carrying out God’s plan? How has this experience impacted you?
4. Are you aware that you are present to God in prayer just as God is ever present to you? What will this awareness change you in your attitude and actions in everyday life?

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, may my heart magnify You every day. You are the Son of God who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty, You are also the Son of Man incarnate, and You are the King of Glory! You are my Redeemer, and You are also my Lord of life. From eternity to eternity, You rule over all things in heaven and earth. You will exalt the humble, and the last before the first, enriching the needy, and making the cowardly brave. You also bless the pure in heart, comfort the mourning, heal the blind, and deliver the captive! Lord, please grant me more faith and wisdom, so that I can firmly believe in Your authority, experience Your power. Please also grant me more humility, obedience, and courage, willing to follow Your teachings, and imitate Your self-denial, take up the cross and follow You every day. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Mary’s song – youtu.be/McNw8klCLnA