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In Luke 6, we come across one topic which has caused so much trouble, particularly in Scotland, and it is that of the SABBATH. Jesus Christ and His disciples are relaxing - strolling – getting away from the clammouring crowds and the various demanding pressures of ministry. The disciples pick some ears of corn as they walk, rub them in their hands and eat the grain, only to be accused of harvesting! The laws of the religious leaders were tough and restrictive. They said that dragging a chair across the dry earthen floor was ploughing. Legalism is a terrible thing.

These…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 5:27, we read of Levi being called by Jesus Christ. Levi – now this is Matthew and he is at work collecting taxes. He is called by Jesus while doing his everyday work, and when he is not when expecting something special to happen. Remember – that at that time tax collectors were thieves - rogues - rascals - corrupt. They collected more than they ought and pocketed the excess. They were working for the roman occupying force and were disliked by the majority of the people. Yet, Jesus wanted Matthew. Did Jesus see He could make something out of Matthew - an able…  ( Click for more )

When we read this section beginning at Luke Chapter 5 and verses 17 we come to a highly interesting scenario. The religious leaders were spiritually sick and Jesus so wanted to heal them, but at this point He said and did nothing. In these passages, Jesus is healing people or on His way to heal, or He is coming from healing people, but He also loved to teach.

However, did anything sink in? Do you ever wonder about that? You teach and testify and share, as best you know how, and you come away wondering whether or not your words influenced the person or people in any way. That…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 5:12, we read that a man approaches Jesus, covered with leprosy, or full of leprosy. Think of the pain - isolation - ostracism - lumps - twisted distorted limbs - lack of physical feelings.He fell at Jesus feet - how undignified! He would have spent much of his life begging and having to cry out "Unclean" wherever he went. “If you are willing you can make me clean.” This is a genuine open fervent sincere request. This time Jesus did not overlook the prayer from this pained body. "You know my need. Heal my pain."

Jesus touched what was…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 5, we read of a crowd gathering to hear the Word of God. They are not there for healing, or personal blessings. This is something I have looked for and longed for over the years. They have come to meet with Jesus Christ and listen to the Word of God, and Jesus is almost being pushed into the water. There is an available boat which Jesus decides to use as a pulpit. Peter is so willing to put his possessions at Christ’s disposal and they push out a little from the Galilean shoreline.

It is good to offer to Jesus whatever He may require. Use it, Lord Jesus,…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 4:31, having been rejected in Nazareth, Jesus Christ has arrived in Capernaum, by the Lake of Galilee and on the Sabbath day Jesus is again teaching. Teach means ‘to point out’ or ‘indicate’. Those who heard him were amazed at his authority.

There is a note of reality here. His Message rang true. It wasn’t just words, but there was power behind the words which His hearers could not explain. Jesus imparted Life – and his teaching was meaningful and relevant. He gripped them and held their attention. His words must have been like earthquakes…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 4:17, Jesus Christ is present at worship in the synagogue at Nazareth. It was his custom and habit to be there with all the others. He is given the scroll to read the lesson. Jesus stands up to read – to contribute – to participate in a real, relevant and meaningful way, and he turns to Isaiah Chapter 61. Jesus knows his way around. After reading the passage he comments briefly. “This refers to ME!”

He has come to the bruised and battered and broken and sore - to those who are heavy and hurting - to release - to set free - to deliver. He has been…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 4:14, Jesus returns from this testing time in the wilderness. He emerges victorious, but the struggle had been real and the battle fierce. We should not be overly surprised when we are confronted with similar situations. This is why we need the Word of God – to teach us what to expect and to provide us with the weaponry necessary to overcome.

Here comes JESUS! He returns north to Nazareth and Galilee. As he taught, the news spread. The word soon got around.

As HIS CUSTOM WAS, on the SABBATH, Jesus Christ was at worship in the locally synagogue. We know the…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 4:5, having been ‘unsuccessful’ in his first effort at tempting Jesus Christ, he now takes Jesus to a high mountain, above Jericho, where you can see for miles. These are real places. We are reading of real incidents. Then we hear these tempting words: worship me: bow down before me: and all you see can be yours!

In other words: By-pass the cross. I will make it easier for you. Be quiet about what your Father said to you and you won’t need to go up that other mountain, Calvary. Soft pedal your message. Forget about your mission. Ignore that experience…  ( Click for more )

We move on to Luke Chapter 4. After being baptised in water, and filled with The Holy Spirit, all our problems are over! Is this so? NO! What frequently faces the disciple of Jesus Christ is TROUBLE.

Jesus left Nazareth for the Jordan and that essential experience and now he is led to the WILDERNESS.

Jesus is empowered, anointed and equipped. He has heard words of approval, confirmation and reassurance from his heavenly Father, but Jesus returns not to blessing and success, but tempting and testing.

After the confirming words Jesus is confronted with undermining words.…  ( Click for more )

In Luke 3:21 we read of Jesus walking onto the scene. Imagine what has been happening in contemporary terms. Coaches full of curious and interested men and women have been making their way down to the Jordan to hear this preacher John, and to respond to his call to repent and get their lives sorted out and be baptised that they are serious and for real. Crowds have been traveling to the River Jordan for weeks and some folks return to Nazareth and tell Jesus.

“Jesus, have you been down yet to the Jordan Valley yet, where this man John is attracting thousands? Jesus, tax…  ( Click for more )

As we study these three very specific groups who came to John in Luke Chapter 3, saying “sorry” is not enough. We have to amend our ways, and there is something here which everybody can do.

Verse 15. Some got it all very wrong. That is all right provided it is corrected.There were those who thought that this was the CHRIST. John answered with such modesty.

Verse 16. I can only do so much for you. I can only deal with the past. There is one coming who will not only deal with your past but He will also equip you for the future. We need both ministries. He who is…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 3, we have been giving serious consideration to the appearing of John and the content of his preaching. In verse 10, we read of the people wondering what they should do in the light of what John had been saying. What should we do then? People always want to do something. People react. They either repent or explode! Do not just believe – do something positive and practical. John told them what to do, not just what to believe.

John speaks about being responsible in society, and sharing with those in need. Here is a highly relevant message to those of us who…  ( Click for more )

John arrives at the Jordan River, preaching a radical word which he has received from the living God. Why the JORDAN? This is where the People of God first entered into the Promised Land. This is how we now come into the Promises of God and start afresh. John’s message to those who came out to hear was - never mind what you have had - never mind what you have been, and what you have received from ME - start again. John’s work was to get the road straight and smooth; to demolish the high obstacles, and fill in the holes which could trip you up. John was like a spiritual…  ( Click for more )

As we move on into Luke 3, remember we are studying the essential basicsin the Gospel record. Let us see where that will lead us. In verse 2, the Word of God came to John in the wilderness.

There is now a new Caesar on the throne of The Roman Empire. Again we are rooted in history. He proved to be a bad Emperor and the seeds of decay were sown.

There was political upheaval in ISRAEL, as the nation was divided into four. There was no one king, so they were quite accurate when they said, “We have no king but Caesar”. There was also a question as to who was the…  ( Click for more )

We move on to Luke 2:40, where we read that the child, Jesus, grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Here we see Jesus growing in every way. In Jesus, there is a perfect development and balanced growth, physically, emotionally, socially and of course, spiritually.

Sometimes we see young people develop in a few of these ways but Jesus shows us how we can grow and mature in various areas of our lives. Place some people, who think they are so able, capable and mature, in a Prayer Meeting, and they become surprisingly silent. The growing…  ( Click for more )

We are in Luke 2:25, we read of an old man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and godly - he was waiting to see the Messiah - and The Holy Spirit was upon him. Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the Temple to present Him to the Lord and to make the required sacrifice, and this man Simeon had been waiting for this very moment.

Simeon had had an inward revelation from GOD that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He was the only JEW who knew that the Messiah was coming soon. This had been revealed to him. One day the Holy Spirit nudged him and prompted…  ( Click for more )

We come to Luke 2:21-40. We have read of the circumstances surrounding JOHN when he was 8 days old. Let’s look at the amazing and wonderful things which happened and which were said, when Jesus was 8 days old.

When Jesus is 8 days old, it is time to circumcise Him, and name Him JESUS. Joseph and Mary take Him to The Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to The Lord.

These verses will appear quite unfamiliar to many. This scene is almost totally overlooked and ignored, yet this is just a week after the angels appeared to the shepherds. I am not aware of any hymns or carols…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 2 we read of a ruler issuing a decree. Everyone in the Roman Empire is to be registered.Caesar Augustus orders a census, and this involves all the heads of households - all the men folks - to go to their own cities.For Joseph that means an 80 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem.Some 700 years previously prophets had proclaimed that - but how can it be arranged?It is very difficult to arrange your own birth!God uses the most unlikely person to have Mary and Joseph where He needs them to be.

Mary went with Joseph.She did not…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 1 and at verse 74, the tongue of Zechariah has been loosed when his son is born and once he names him John, and begins to prophesy, we reach that phrase when he speaks about God rescuing us to enable us to SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR.

Here is freedom.So many people want freedom - so many people shout about freedom and march for freedom - and demonstrate for freedom.Here is freedom - to be saved from our enemies - and from the hand of those who hate us.But it is not just being saved from but also saved FOR - Service - Holiness - and Righteousness.These are the two faces…  ( Click for more )

Luke Chapter 1 verses 57 – 80, where we read of the birth of the baby who grew up to become known as John the Baptist.So much has been going on - we have looked at some of those events which happened over these weeks and months, as GOD was preparing the way for John and Jesus to walk onto the world’s stage.

Angels - appearing in the Temple - and to Mary at Nazareth - the reactions of the individuals involved - the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary - so much was going on.

Time has come for Elizabeth to give birth to John. It is a real family affair. The neighbours…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 1 verse 39, we read of Mary making her way to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth at Ein Karen, a village outside Jerusalem and around 70 miles south of Nazareth.Some 9 months later this same virgin, Mary, would make the 80 miles journey south with Joseph to Bethlehem.

Mary arrives at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth, and greets Elizabeth.Mary knows all about Elizabeth, but Elizabeth knows nothing about Mary.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she speaks with a loud voice saying,…  ( Click for more )

We were reading in Luke Chapter 1, of how the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple while he was going about his duties leading the people in prayer and worship, and because Zechariah did not fully believe what the angel had said, he was given a sign. He was struck dumb and would remain silent until what GOD had said would happen actually happened.Dr Luke then tells us that Elizabeth conceived.

Verse 26. Six months later, this same angel, Gabriel, appears to Mary and shares the news from GOD THE FATHER that this young virgin has been chosen to be the mother of the…  ( Click for more )

We are reading in Luke chapter 1, where the angel Gabriel has appeared and spoken to Zechariah the priest, in the Temple in Jerusalem, when he was on duty, and the people realise that something unusual has happened.When GOD is truly at work, people are aware of it.They might wonder what it is all about - some know - some continue to wonder - some come to know and see - and some never do.

v 24Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth conceived and hid herself.Occasionally, GOD does hide what He is doing - for a season.He does not reveal everything at once, and He does not reveal everything…  ( Click for more )