“It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” Luke 1:3-4 Luke was not one of the twelve apostles who accompanied Jesus during the years of His ministry on earth. He had not witnessed the miracles that Jesus had performed but had carefully researched them. No doubt he had spent time with Jesus’ close followers, listening to their accounts. As a physician, he would have been very attentive to details.…
“And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.” Luke 7:11-12 Broken-hearted, discouraged, and forlorn, the young widow walked beside the bier of her only son. Although she was surrounded by others from the city, she felt all alone. Why had God allowed her son to die? How could she go on alone? Tears flowed freely as a dark lonely future loomed before her. As the procession passed through the city gates, they met a crowd of people. Suddenly the leader of the group stopped, looked at the widow, and spoke two words to her: “Weep not.” Then He did something strange, He came close and touched the bier, saying: “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” Who was this stranger who would be brave enough to touch a dead person, and command them to arise? Can you imagine the joy she felt when…
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 to find something flattering to my particular body shape or that fits like it was made especially for me. Another meaning of the word “becoming” is changing into another form or to begin to be. My question for you today is, “What are you becoming?” II Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) states, “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This verse always makes me think of the metamorphosis a humble caterpillar undergoes to become a beautiful butterfly. What a drastic change! Who could ever imagine that the one has any relation to the…
“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…
“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 and headed to Jairus’ home, suddenly He stopped and asked a strange question, “Who touched me?” His attention shifted for the moment from Jairus and his need to someone else. It must have taken a lot of courage and determination for this woman to push her way through the crowd and hesitantly reach out to touch just the hem of his garment. Someone must have told her of Jesus and the miracles that He had been performing. She had been going to doctors for twelve years and had not received any help, but she believed that if she could just…