Luke 15:1-32
There is rejoicing in the presence of the angles of God over one sinner who repents.
There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and I’d found. So they began to celebrate.
My son, the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
In marked contrast to the serious tone of chapter14 come these three stories about God’s Joy in finding the lost. Like the shepherd, like the woman,,,,,, like the father of the ‘prodigal son’, God never stops caring. He goes out for his way to welcome them back, and every one who is ‘found and returns is a cause for celebration.
The Pharisees and scribes who find fault with Jesus for welcoming ‘bad’ people are like the elder son in the story. Unlike God, they show neither love nor pity for those who fail to meet their standard.
Why?
God like people repents and turn to God. It is more important then Pharisees show neither love nor pity for those who fail to meet their standard.
You are always with me and everything I have is yours. Older son have everything of his father, so he has much more than younger son, but younger son came back is joyful thing. His life be saved. Life is more important than property. Older ones is absent one of the celebrate banquet.
How?
Rejoice with the Lord for a new life is saved, repeated for his sins. rejoice!
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple
Luke 14:15-35
God’s banquet, only those who are willing come may get a taste of God’s banquet.
If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple.
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil not for the manure pike; it is thrown out.
Jesus’ story if the ‘great banquet’ is triggered by one of the dinner guests. In order to eat bread in God’s kingdom it is necessary only to say yes when the invitation comes. But those who rate other things more important will exclude themselves, with no second chance.
Great crowds are following Jesus, unaware of what it will mean to be his true followers Loyalty to Jesus must outweigh all other, quite proper, claims. (He is not saying ‘hate your family!’ But ‘love me more’. No one can follow him unless they are prepared for all that this means. They need to reckon up. Can they afford to follow? One the other hand can they afford to refuse?
Why?
To be follower of Jesus have to pay effort, take his own cross to follow Him. Love Jesus more than his family and others. It doesn’t mean hate his family, but love God more than any other.
God’s banquet is invited to everyone, no matter who you are, if you will you may be the guest of God.
Do I really see the great banquet of God in heaven. Please let me be a good follower.
How?
Dear Lord
! Please open my eyes to see the greatness of kingdom of God and carry my cross to follow you!
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Real generosity does not look for return
Luke 14:1-14
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the cripples, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
V1-6, on this way to dinner, confronted by human need, Jesus heals a man swollen with ‘dropsy’, even though it is the sabbath.
His question, ‘Is it lawful? And ‘Wouldn’t you...’ leave his critics speechless.
V7-11: guests were carefully seated according to rank and status, but everyone wants a seat at the top table, Jesus commends a genuinely humble spirit, not false modesty.
Real generosity does not look for return.
Why?
Jesus is the Lord of Sabbath, Jesus let us free from the law with love and mercy.
Be humble so will be exalted.
Have mercy to others do not look for return. God will repay us in heaven.
So focus on the treasure on heaven and mission of the Lord.
How?
Be humble and give others do not look for return.
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the cripples, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
V1-6, on this way to dinner, confronted by human need, Jesus heals a man swollen with ‘dropsy’, even though it is the sabbath.
His question, ‘Is it lawful? And ‘Wouldn’t you...’ leave his critics speechless.
V7-11: guests were carefully seated according to rank and status, but everyone wants a seat at the top table, Jesus commends a genuinely humble spirit, not false modesty.
Real generosity does not look for return.
Why?
Jesus is the Lord of Sabbath, Jesus let us free from the law with love and mercy.
Be humble so will be exalted.
Have mercy to others do not look for return. God will repay us in heaven.
So focus on the treasure on heaven and mission of the Lord.
How?
Be humble and give others do not look for return.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last
Luke 13:22-35
Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!
People will come from east and westand north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Jesus does not answer the question directly. Don't ask 'how many'. Just make sure you seek entrance to God's kingdom. Many will try, yet fail. And there will be surprises. Time is limited.
V 31-35: Jesus is not bothered by Herod's threats. He knows what lies ahead, and grieves at the fate of the city what will destroy him.
Why?
Don't ask how many may enter the kingdom of God, but do your best to enter the gate of salvation. kingdom.
Drank and ate with Jesus don't means the followers of Jesus, but come in the name of the Lord, repent our own sins and let Jesus as our Lord in my life.
Do not hesitate to enter to the gate of kingdom of God. The time is limited.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, no one can know Jesus is the son of God, except through the Holy Spirit.
Those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last. Those who were followed Jesus may stop struggling the goal of mission of the Lord, the the last one who struggling pursue the goal of the Lord so he may enter the kingdom of the Lord in heaven.
How?
How about situation of my life? Do I stop at previous situation? Don't hesitate to make every effort to get the goal of Jesus gives me.
Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!
People will come from east and westand north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Jesus does not answer the question directly. Don't ask 'how many'. Just make sure you seek entrance to God's kingdom. Many will try, yet fail. And there will be surprises. Time is limited.
V 31-35: Jesus is not bothered by Herod's threats. He knows what lies ahead, and grieves at the fate of the city what will destroy him.
Why?
Don't ask how many may enter the kingdom of God, but do your best to enter the gate of salvation. kingdom.
Drank and ate with Jesus don't means the followers of Jesus, but come in the name of the Lord, repent our own sins and let Jesus as our Lord in my life.
Do not hesitate to enter to the gate of kingdom of God. The time is limited.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, no one can know Jesus is the son of God, except through the Holy Spirit.
Those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last. Those who were followed Jesus may stop struggling the goal of mission of the Lord, the the last one who struggling pursue the goal of the Lord so he may enter the kingdom of the Lord in heaven.
How?
How about situation of my life? Do I stop at previous situation? Don't hesitate to make every effort to get the goal of Jesus gives me.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
But unless you repent, you too will all perish
Luke 13:1-21
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.
You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?
What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, It is like yeast. It grew and became a tree.
Why?
Everyone will be death for we all are sinner, but someone met some disaster or tragedy, unless we repent, all of us perish.
Sabbath day is for setting freedom to those who bounded person.
Kingdom of God like seed of mustard and yeast, will grew bigger, at beginning looks very small. So do not frustrate at gospel at beginning period.
How?
Repent always, be humble for all of us are sinner.
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.
You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?
What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, It is like yeast. It grew and became a tree.
Why?
Everyone will be death for we all are sinner, but someone met some disaster or tragedy, unless we repent, all of us perish.
Sabbath day is for setting freedom to those who bounded person.
Kingdom of God like seed of mustard and yeast, will grew bigger, at beginning looks very small. So do not frustrate at gospel at beginning period.
How?
Repent always, be humble for all of us are sinner.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Be ready for action for freedom is coming
Luke 12:35-59
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
Be ready for action; for freedom of movement at work the long tunic(外衣) was drawn up through a belt.
The good news of the gospel will run through the earth like fire. But first Jesus must plumb the depths of suffering.
Why?
Be ready for action for freedom is coming, salvation is coming, Son of Man will come soon. Do my responsibility from God.
God's mercy has given to me much so I have to do more to others, love others for God's loves me.
Gospel bring peace to people, but before it comes true, there are many fire and fight rose up. And gospel will run through the earth like fire, no one can quench it.
Jesus has shown many miracles but men are not understand who he is and interpret what it's means. They will lost the chance to get the salvation.
Jesus was distressed for his mission has not be done, and many people didn't know what their situation was.
How?
Am I ready for the coming of God? Be ready like a good servant in house of the Lord.
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
Be ready for action; for freedom of movement at work the long tunic(外衣) was drawn up through a belt.
The good news of the gospel will run through the earth like fire. But first Jesus must plumb the depths of suffering.
Why?
Be ready for action for freedom is coming, salvation is coming, Son of Man will come soon. Do my responsibility from God.
God's mercy has given to me much so I have to do more to others, love others for God's loves me.
Gospel bring peace to people, but before it comes true, there are many fire and fight rose up. And gospel will run through the earth like fire, no one can quench it.
Jesus has shown many miracles but men are not understand who he is and interpret what it's means. They will lost the chance to get the salvation.
Jesus was distressed for his mission has not be done, and many people didn't know what their situation was.
How?
Am I ready for the coming of God? Be ready like a good servant in house of the Lord.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees **
Luke 12:1-34
Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
Whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.
Do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.
You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
A warning to the disciples about the danger of saying one thing and doing another leads into general teaching about the coming judgment, and how it should affect life here and now. It is essential to be prepared, to get priorities right. Much of this section is parallel in Matthew.
Jesus intention is not to frighten but to reassure. But there is a right fear of God that holds people steady against other fears.
Only Luke records the story of the rich but foolish man bent on amassing money and all that it can buy, instead of being 'rich towards God.'
Why?
the yeast of the Pharisees:The Pharisees were devoted to their study of the Mosaic law, and Antipas was anything but devout (see Mark 6:14–29). Christ may be referring to Herod and the Pharisees’ contentment with Roman rule. Herod enjoyed political power because of Rome, and though many Jews wanted Rome overthrown, the Pharisees were basically fine with the Romans as long as Caesar allowed them to study the law in peace.
However, contentment with Roman governance does not fully capture what Jesus means by leaven. Unbelief in Christ is the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, unbelief motivated in part by fear of Roman reprisal against the Jews if Jesus were acclaimed as Messiah. But their unbelief was ultimately due to their hard hearts.
The yeast of the Pharisees is narrow-minded religious exclusives, it is sectarianism. It is the attitude that says only those who believe and behave like us are saved, everyone else is damned or at least of no consequence. (Of course it’s not only religious people who have those sorts of attitudes; the secular equivalent would be extreme tribalism or nationalism.) The yeast of the Pharisees makes people more concerned about who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’ that just trying to get on and do the will of God. It makes people continually define themselves over against others: it makes them assume for instance that the main thing about being Catholic is not being Protestant.
Do not worry about our life, God will support us when we are seeking His kingdom.
My treasure should be in heaven, when I am focus on the world will lost my faith and grace of the Lord.
How?
Don't worry I have not enough money or lack anything for the Lord is my God will support what I need. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
我們認清了法利賽人的真面目，就不希奇他們這樣與耶穌為敵了。他們信復活。他們信有天使和靈。他們的信仰是純正的信仰，但他們的信仰與他們的人生絲毫不發生關係。他們有純正的信仰，然而他們沒有純正的人生。他們遵守人的遺傳，廢棄神的誡命。他們以輕為重。以重為輕；奉獻十分之一物產，然而不行公義、憐憫、信實。他們在人面前裝得很好看，很虔誠，然而他們裏面充滿了一切的不義，他們的信仰是頭腦裏面的，不是心靈中的。雖然在表面上他們與撒都該人完全不同，然而實際上他們卻是與撒都該人一樣的不敬虔，一樣的活在罪惡之中，一樣的屬於黑暗的權勢。因此當主耶穌講到復活的道理和天使與靈的事，就惹起撒都該人的訕笑譏議，及至他講到生活中的教訓並竭力斥責罪惡的時候，就招來法利賽人的攻擊逼迫了。法利賽人與撒都該人講到信仰的問題的時候便分道揚鑣，及至起來反對耶穌的時候又攜手合作。仔細說起來，他們實在是一丘之貉，並沒有什麼很大的分別。
Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
Whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.
Do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.
You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
A warning to the disciples about the danger of saying one thing and doing another leads into general teaching about the coming judgment, and how it should affect life here and now. It is essential to be prepared, to get priorities right. Much of this section is parallel in Matthew.
Jesus intention is not to frighten but to reassure. But there is a right fear of God that holds people steady against other fears.
Only Luke records the story of the rich but foolish man bent on amassing money and all that it can buy, instead of being 'rich towards God.'
Why?
the yeast of the Pharisees:The Pharisees were devoted to their study of the Mosaic law, and Antipas was anything but devout (see Mark 6:14–29). Christ may be referring to Herod and the Pharisees’ contentment with Roman rule. Herod enjoyed political power because of Rome, and though many Jews wanted Rome overthrown, the Pharisees were basically fine with the Romans as long as Caesar allowed them to study the law in peace.
However, contentment with Roman governance does not fully capture what Jesus means by leaven. Unbelief in Christ is the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, unbelief motivated in part by fear of Roman reprisal against the Jews if Jesus were acclaimed as Messiah. But their unbelief was ultimately due to their hard hearts.
The yeast of the Pharisees is narrow-minded religious exclusives, it is sectarianism. It is the attitude that says only those who believe and behave like us are saved, everyone else is damned or at least of no consequence. (Of course it’s not only religious people who have those sorts of attitudes; the secular equivalent would be extreme tribalism or nationalism.) The yeast of the Pharisees makes people more concerned about who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’ that just trying to get on and do the will of God. It makes people continually define themselves over against others: it makes them assume for instance that the main thing about being Catholic is not being Protestant.
Do not worry about our life, God will support us when we are seeking His kingdom.
My treasure should be in heaven, when I am focus on the world will lost my faith and grace of the Lord.
How?
Don't worry I have not enough money or lack anything for the Lord is my God will support what I need. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
我們認清了法利賽人的真面目，就不希奇他們這樣與耶穌為敵了。他們信復活。他們信有天使和靈。他們的信仰是純正的信仰，但他們的信仰與他們的人生絲毫不發生關係。他們有純正的信仰，然而他們沒有純正的人生。他們遵守人的遺傳，廢棄神的誡命。他們以輕為重。以重為輕；奉獻十分之一物產，然而不行公義、憐憫、信實。他們在人面前裝得很好看，很虔誠，然而他們裏面充滿了一切的不義，他們的信仰是頭腦裏面的，不是心靈中的。雖然在表面上他們與撒都該人完全不同，然而實際上他們卻是與撒都該人一樣的不敬虔，一樣的活在罪惡之中，一樣的屬於黑暗的權勢。因此當主耶穌講到復活的道理和天使與靈的事，就惹起撒都該人的訕笑譏議，及至他講到生活中的教訓並竭力斥責罪惡的時候，就招來法利賽人的攻擊逼迫了。法利賽人與撒都該人講到信仰的問題的時候便分道揚鑣，及至起來反對耶穌的時候又攜手合作。仔細說起來，他們實在是一丘之貉，並沒有什麼很大的分別。
我們僅僅是口裡承認主、心裡相信主，還遠遠達不到進天國、得永生的標準；惟獨遵行天父旨意，才能進天國，才是真正的信神。若我們光注重作工卻不實行主的話，就會憑己意作工偏離主的道，我們想進天國，就當尋求怎樣才能達到遵行天父的旨意，經歷主的話、實行主的話、活出主的話，這才是信神的真實涵義。可是，我們在所有宗教牧師的宣講中，很少聽到或看到他們按照主耶穌的話去領受、去追求、去帶領弟兄姊妹，而是用人都好接受的、合乎人觀念的保羅的話來作為信條，這很明顯地又是在「將人的吩咐當作道理教導人」「藉著遺傳，廢了神的誡命」。法利賽人的酵，偏離主道，就是這樣迷惑人。
如今的宗教界還進入了一種境地，牧師長老雖然特別注重講謙卑、愛心、忍耐，但是追求謙卑、愛心、忍耐的初衷卻帶著存心目的。就是說，如果人的謙卑、愛心、忍耐是為追求讓人看見、讓人欣賞、讓人崇拜、讓神賞識，以此來樹立自己的形象，穩固自己的地位，那這個謙卑、愛心、忍耐就不是在真正實行主的話、經歷主的話、遵行主的道。主耶穌說：「但你們不要受拉比的稱呼，因為只有一位是你們的夫子，你們都是弟兄。也不要稱呼地上的人為父，因為只有一位是你們的父，就是在天上的父。也不要受師尊的稱呼，因為只有一位是你們的師尊，就是基督。」（太23：8-10）從主耶穌的話中看到，今天值得讓我們敬拜、仰望的只有神，我們只是一個受造之物，沒有資格享受別人的崇拜與仰望，若是追求這些，就是超越了自己的身分與實質，並且也是與神爭奪地位的表現。可見，如果我們實行謙卑、愛心、忍耐不是為達到見證神的果效，反倒是求個人的威望、形象，那這些謙卑、愛心、忍耐豈不正是法利賽人的酵——假冒為善嗎？當年的猶太法利賽人每月按時獻上十分之一，嚴格守著律法上所規定的條例，可他們這樣做的目的並不是真為了敬拜耶和華、遵行神的道，而是在展示自己的虔誠與屬靈，以標示自己宗教領袖的地位身分。神頒布的律法，他們並不理睬，也不實行。對照如今的宗教界，是否也不乏這樣的現象呢？宗教領袖雖然口口聲聲講愛心奉獻、謙卑忍耐，好像在實行主的話，但他們卻受了人不該受的稱呼，站了人不該得的地位，如牧師與家人被稱師尊、師母，領袖階層論資排輩地站地位，都是司空見慣的事，儘管這明顯違背了主耶穌的教訓，但很多信徒都習以為常，可見，法利賽人的酵的確是迷惑力不小。
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