Day 112: Luke 21:1-28

"For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” - Luke 21:4 ESV

Have you ever wondered what kind of generosity impresses God? I think when we are younger, it is something we dismiss as irrelevant. We say things like, "I only make 72 dollars a week. Can my $7.20 really make a difference to the church?"

Jesus shows us that it isn't about the amount we can drop into a plate or donate online.

Psalm 24:1 sings that the "earth is the Lord's, and all it contains." So, when we give, we aren't handing God something that He doesn't already own. This woman wasn't giving to please, pacify, or manipulate God; she gave as an act of surrendering worship.

The challenge for us today isn't to take a look at the number we're giving but to take a long look at our hearts instead as we give. The percentage usually tells the story. Have you decided what percentage you believe God wants you to give?

The Apostle Paul saw this as vital to the act of generosity: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Dare I say that some of the happiest people I know are the most generous. Money doesn't control them. They would much rather worship the One who owns it all.

"The mite (λεπτόν) was the smallest current coin. Two of these little pieces were the smallest legal offerings which could be dropped into the 'trumpet.' But this sum, as the Heart-reader, who knew all things, tells us (ver. 4), was every particle of money she had in the world; and it was this splendid generosity on the part of the poor solitary widow which won the Lord’s praise, which has touched the hearts of so many generations since, which has stirred up in so many hearts an admiration of an act so strangely beautiful, but well-nigh inimitable."
- Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St Luke (Vol. 2, pp. 182–183)

Day 111: Luke 20:27-47

“Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” - Luke 20:38 ESV

No matter who you are, there is so much mystery and conversation around what we will experience after we die. Some believe, like the Sadducees, that this life is all there is. Once you take your final breath here, you cease to exist. Even in typing those words, I felt a wave of depression come over me. If that were true, the extent of our hope would be an upcoming vacation or ordering a large coke from Mcdonald's.

Jesus taught that there was life after death. In fact, He believed that Moses taught the same thing (Exodus 3:1-4:17).

Following Jesus isn't just something to make us feel better about this life until we one day die. Being a disciple of Jesus means that we will, no matter how negative the circumstances, always have so much to look forward to.

Here is an even greater angle on that truth: We have no adjectives to adequately describe or help us fully comprehend what is waiting for us one day in heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9).

It won't be the activities or the temperature or the coffee that will overwhelm us in heaven. What will make us so content and joyful will be the constant, tangible presence of God (Revelation 21:3).

I know today just started, but will you join me in begging Jesus (along with the Apostle John) to come quickly (Revelation 22:20)?

The following quote is long, but does a great job describing our passage for today:

"Jesus went further. As we have said, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection or the body. They declared they could not believe in it because there was no information about it, still less any proof of it, in the books of the law which Moses was held to have written. So far no Rabbi had been able to meet them on that ground; but Jesus did. He pointed out that Moses himself had heard God say, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’ (Exodus 3:1–6), and that it was impossible that God should be the God of the dead. Therefore Abraham and Isaac and Jacob must be still alive. Therefore there was such a thing as the resurrection of the body. No wonder the scribes declared it to be a good answer, for Jesus had met the Sadducees on their own ground and defeated them."
- Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Luke (pp. 297–298)

Day 110: Luke 20:1-26

“But he looked directly at them and said, ‘What then is this that is written: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?' Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”' - Luke 20:17-18 ESV

There is hardly a human to be found that deals well with rejection. Even if we are told that the decision isn't personal, it always feels that way. If someone doesn't want to have anything to do with us, it stings.

Yet again, Jesus quotes a hit Jewish worship song to get their attention. This would be a song they were very familiar with. The parable that Jesus told before he quotes this Psalm shows us that He knows these religious leaders aren't just going to continue in their verbal dispute. This thing is going to turn violent. They are setting their eyes on killing the "beloved son" (see verse 13).

Jesus ends this teaching with a quote from Isaiah 8:14-15. When the people of this world reject the Son of God, they are actually refusing God's protective power in a time of judgment.

This still holds fast for today. Jesus is the only way for us to be saved. Rejecting Him will be the greatest mistake anyone will ever make.

"Jesus, we invite you to be the Lord of our lives. With you in charge, we know that this life will be lived to its potential until you return to set all things right."

"Jesus is saying that, though people might reject him, he is accepted by God whose acceptance is what counts. Even though the Jews make the same kind of mistake as the builders and reject him, God’s purposes will be fulfilled."
- Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, p. 304)

Day 109: Luke 19:28-48

“He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”' - Luke 19:40 ESV

Jesus is entering Jerusalem on this Palm Sunday as the last week of His incarnate (in flesh) life. His final path to the cross was marked with the Messianic affirmation of this crowd. This group of palm-waving people were singing a common Jewish song: Psalm 118:26.

The Pharisees, once again, were not enjoying this eruption of confirming praise. They call him "rabbi" and at the same time give him a direct command. They wanted the crowd to keep it down. Yet…

"In a striking saying Jesus affirms that the shouting is inevitable." - Leon Morris

Praise was going to break forth one way or another. The rock choir wasn't out of the question.

We do the same thing today when we sing. Our songs should join the chorus of creation that is constantly affirming the identity of Jesus and His love for all of humanity. Our vocal cords vibrate, and the foundations of hell shake. When Jesus is acknowledged as the Master He is, all things are set in their proper place.

Thank you, Jesus, for starting this journey toward the cross. Our gratitude is all we have, and we will offer it every day.

SIDE NOTE: I've often wondered if this Triumphal Entry gave Jesus the focus He needed as He marched toward the cross on Friday. The cries of "Hosanna!" (save us we pray) had to be still ringing in His ears.

Day 108: Luke 19:1-27

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."' - Luke 19:9-10 ESV

"This scene probably took place the evening of the Lord’s arrival at Zacchæus’s house at Jericho, after the evening meal, when the room and court of the house were filled with guests and curious spectators."
- Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St Luke (Vol. 2, p. 136)

I don't have a whole lot of experience being a short man or a notorious extorting mob boss. Still, I do remember being a middle schooler that was invited to practice with the varsity basketball team. It wasn't fun.

Zaccheus was the most hated man in his city. He was not only a star employee of the Roman empire, but he was also taking extra for himself, which resulted in him being a man of the coin (wealthy). Archaeologists have uncovered skeletons in Palestine that date back to the first century (the time of Jesus). The average height of a male was around 5'1". This would put our man Zaccheus somewhere around 4'4" or smaller.

If teams were being chosen for kickball, this man would have been the last to be picked in Jericho.

Jesus was the best (and still is) at looking past appearances and seeing people for who they both could be and really are desiring. He knew Zaccheus was ready to make a change.

Who have you been noticing what seems ready for a change? Maybe it's time you invite them over for a meal (perhaps inviting yourself over is too intense) and tell them about the One who saved your soul and wants to do the same for them.

Day 107: Luke 18:18-43

“And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” - Luke 18:43 ESV

This blind man was truly privileged. He had the Son of God look him in the face and ask what he wanted for Him to do. This is kind of odd since the blind beggar had been non-stop asking Jesus to have mercy on him. I believe this shows us how important it is for us to verbalize to God the change we want to take place in our lives.

Is that a part of your daily prayer time?

For me, it is easy to complain to God rather than beg him for transformation (as we covered yesterday).

What is equally impressive about this (formerly) blind beggar is his reaction after the restoration of his sight:

1) He followed Jesus, which altered his day-to-day life.

2) He glorified God, taking no credit for what happened.

3) His testimony affected others. His healing and his praise were contagious.

All of this started with his consistent cry for mercy. May God allow us to have the same kind of experience today.

"The blind man’s persistence (he shouted all the more) gets Jesus’ attention and demonstrates his faith. Jesus refuses to ignore those whom society is normally content to disregard."
- Black, M. C. (1995). Luke (Lk 18:39–43)

Day 106: Luke 18:1-17

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"' - Luke 18:13 ESV

As far as we can look back into the Christian history of organized worship, we see that Jesus-followers have always sung "Kyrie, eléison" to begin times of praise. It is Greek for "Lord, have mercy."

The Pharisees had fallen into the harmful habit of treating others as less-than and themselves as elite.

The story Jesus tells illustrates the Tax Collector's willingness to express his complete dependence upon God for pardon for what he had done. He realized his deep need for redemption. Jesus will not forgive those who refuse to see themselves as God sees them.

We come, having our sin revealed and eager for supernatural transformation.

We declare, "Lord, have mercy."

Jesus declares, "Child, your sins are forgiven."

We respond a thousand times, "Thank you."

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" - 1 John 3:1 NIV

"The principle behind it all is that he who exalts himself will be humbled. No-one has anything of which he can boast before God. By contrast, he who humbles himself will be exalted (cf. 14:11). The penitent sinner who humbly looks for God’s mercy will find it."
- Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, pp. 282–283)

Day 105: Luke 17:11-37

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it." - Luke 17:33 ESV

Much to our surprise, Jesus uses two of the most terrifying scenes from the Old Testament to illustrate how we are to be ready for His eventual return.

Scene one: The Flood. Many believe there were thousands (some believe millions) of people living on the earth during the days of Noah. They were going about business as usual, stimulating their economy, when the flood came and wiped them out.

Scene two: Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was deemed a righteous man and was allowed to be spared in the midst of a very barbaric culture. His wife (and daughters) were apparently drawn into the lifestyles of those they were living among. She became an element on the periodic table.

Why would Jesus want us to etch these scenes into our minds when it comes to His Second Coming?

The people in Noah’s and Lot's times were completely unaware of the danger that was about to come upon them. Yet it was very real. We need to know that Jesus is coming to redeem the righteous and judge the wicked. We have to be living lives that are ready for His return.

One day at a time.

"Remember Lot's wife."

"That means for us that God will bring Jesus Christ again in his good time. We cannot know that time; we dare not speculate about it. We must live so that whenever he comes, at morning, at midday or at evening, he will find us ready."
- Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Luke (p. 262)

Day 104: Luke 16:19-31, 17:1-10

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you."' - Luke 17:5-6 ESV

Apparently, our universities' business schools were not the first to speak of things like scale or gains. When the disciples hear of Jesus' command to forgive others unconditionally and with constancy, they are overwhelmed. Deep in their gut, they felt the insufficiency of their faith.

What Jesus was trying to get them to realize is that the issue was not found in the size of their faith.

When it comes to measurement and power, Jesus is the ultimate. He is both our creator and our sustainer (see Hebrews 1:3). Our minds can't even begin to comprehend just how far God's capability reaches.

When we place any amount of faith (trust) in Him, there is no limit to what can happen next.

We would do well not to worry about the amount of our faith, but instead to concern ourselves with the consistent placement of it in Jesus to do what we cannot.

"Genuine faith can accomplish what experience, reason, and probability would deny, if it is exercised within God’s will." - D.G. Miller

Day 103: Luke 16:1-18

“And he said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."' - Luke 16:15 ESV

One of my favorite John Wooden quotes goes like this: "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

When Jesus uses the word abomination, He isn't playing around. It means something that is detestable or repulsive to God. It is a word that was used in the Old Testament (LXX) to describe idols or cultic objects.

The Pharisees were not unlike how we can be at times. We can get caught in a trap of trying to justify our actions, especially when it comes to money. The Pharisees' love of money caused them to use whatever means necessary to obtain more and more. They had not just been unfaithful in a little. Their misuse of the Law of Moses was their indictment.

What does God see when He looks at your heart? Does He see a deep desire to help others, or does He see an all-consuming want for more?

Becoming popular with crowds is overdone and overrated.

Being justified in the sight of God can only come as a result of our trust in the blood of Jesus Christ.

"The Pharisees thought that because they had power, wealth and authority in the community, they could use their success to justify their sinful lifestyle. People were willing to be blinded to the evils of the Pharisees, but Jesus reminded them that God knows the heart. He reminds them that we live in a topsy-turvy world, where those things that are highly esteemed among men, are detestable in the sight of God. Power and success, if achieved at the expense of human beings, by the exploitation of the weak and poor, are despicable to God."
- Sproul, R. C. (1999). A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke (pp. 313–314)