Has someone ever told you, “Your outfit is very becoming”? It’s more than just a pretty article of clothing; they’re complimenting how it looks on you. How often have you walked into the dressing room at your favorite clothing store with your arms full, praying for something, anything, that looks good on you? We all have seen clothes with a trendy look, and we want to try them or pretty prints or colors that catch our eye, but when we try them on and look in the mirror, they’re just not right. Oh, the disappointment! Sometimes, it seems nearly impossible…
“And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.” Luke 5:12-13 An outcast, separated from family and friends, the leper was quickly losing hope. The disease had taken over his entire body, there was nothing that anyone could do for him. Death seemed imminent. BUT then he heard people talking about a man called Jesus who was performing miracles. Could it be true? Was there hope for him to be made whole if He could find this man? And then it happened. He saw a group approaching and realized that the One leading was Jesus. In fear and trembling he ran and fell on his face before Jesus. He had faith that Jesus had the power to heal him but was not sure if Jesus would want to do so. Breaking through all social boundaries, Jesus reached out and touched the man, saying: “I will: be thou clean.” Immediately, the…
“And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Luke 8:35-38 It was just an ordinary day for Bartimaeus. Seated in his usual place along the busy road near Jericho, he clutched his garment close, made sure his beggar’s cup was in front of him, and waited patiently for the sound of footsteps. Hopefully, today the people passing by would be generous in their giving. Recently he had heard of the Teacher from Galilee who was healing people, but there was little chance that He would ever pass by on this road. Most of the Jews avoided Jericho. Then it happened. Hearing the sound of a great many people passing by, he asked someone near what was going on. When they told him that Jesus was passing by, he cried out with a loud voice, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and had…
“And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Luke 8:48 Have you ever been in a conversation with a friend and somebody else came up and started talking to them and they walked away from you, seemingly forgetting you entirely? How did you feel? Jairus had a little daughter who was dying. He had heard of Jesus and His miracles and finding Him in a crowd, he fell at His feet and requested that He come to his home and heal his little girl. As Jesus changed His direction…
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-20 As we read the Gospels, we realize that not everyone that Jesus encountered in His ministry made the right choices. Today we will look at the story recorded in Luke 18:18-25. This young man somehow felt that Jesus had something he longed to have for himself. He knelt at Jesus’ feet, acknowledging Him as being good, and asked the question: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus reminded him that none was good except God, and quoted some of the commandments, which the young man affirmed he had always kept. Jesus realized that even though he kept the letter of the law, he lacked the love that fulfilled the law. Jesus suggested that because of this, he should give up his possessions and wealth and follow Him. He was not willing to do this and walked away full of sorrow. He…
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 This Scripture needs no explanation. It is the reason that Jesus came to earth, took upon Himself the form of man, and eventually gave His life to fulfill this purpose. His ministry on earth only lasted for three and a half years but influenced everyone He met during that time. This month I have been reading Luke’s Gospel which records the stories of people that He ministered to. It is interesting to note the different methods He used in His ministry. Sometimes He spoke to crowds and healed all the sick who came to Him. This week I would like to look at individuals with whom He came in contact, knowing what their special needs were and meeting them on their level. In this chapter in Luke, we read the story of Zaccheus. Many people lived in Jericho, but Jesus did not stop there, just passed through. However, one man was determined to see this teacher that he had heard about. The crowd with Jesus was large and being a short man he was unable to get close, so he found a…