Day 95: Luke 11:14-36

"But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." - Luke 11:20 ESV

Throughout these four biographies of Jesus' life and ministry, He has plenty of encounters with demonic activity. It is wild to think that something that Jesus dealt with repeatedly is a subject we rarely talk about today. It could be that our very naturalistic culture has intimidated us from being open about the fact that there is so much that we can't see.

There is still, today, a war waging for our souls. Jesus has actually tipped us off as to what the Devil's method is in John 10:10, and it is to steal, kill, and destroy. We don't have to look very far into our families, our nation, or our closest relationships to see that our enemy is very successful at what he does.

Yet, we can be encouraged because of the One that we follow. Jesus can tie up that strong man and throttle his counterfeit kingdom. His power is unlimited.

One of Jesus' biographers would later write the following: "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4 ESV

Know who your enemy is. Know who you are. Know how dominant your Savior is. Get a better perspective on what is really going on all around you.

The following quote from Leon Morris is a bit long but too good not to share:

"It is by the finger of God (cf. Exod. 8:19) that Jesus performs his exorcisms and he invites his enemies to contemplate the consequence. Incidentally, it is rather curious that Luke reads ‘finger of God’ where Matthew has ‘the Spirit of God,’ for Luke generally emphasizes the Spirit. Both ways of putting it emphasize that Jesus’ power over the demons comes from God and no-one else. And if this is so, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. The presence of the kingdom is to be seen, not in good advice or pious practices, but in the power that expels the forces of evil. Now!" - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 216)

Day 94: Luke 10:38-42, 11:1-13

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." - Luke 11:9-10 ESV

If God were to describe your prayer life to one of the members of His heavenly counsel (angels), what do you think He would say?

Would He describe how fantastic of a servant we are (like Martha) but that we let our inner troubles and anxiety keep us from sitting at His feet regularly?

Would God describe us as worshipers who are constantly ready for Jesus to return to set all things right?

Would He explain how great we are at living out of His hand every day instead of constantly worrying about the future?

Would He point out how we are quick to forgive someone who hurts us because we know we've been forgiven a great debt we can never repay?

Would He cite examples of how we (on a regular basis) fervently pray until our temptations subside?

Would God describe our persistence in prayer as something that can be categorized by some as borderline obsessive and annoying? Would He say that we are the kind of intercessors that don't scare easily?

May we keep on asking. May we keep on seeking. May we keep on knocking.

God is waiting eagerly to give us gifts that will never fade.

"Though he gives all things freely to us, yet, in order to exercise our faith, he commands us to pray, that he may grant to our requests those blessings which flow from his undeserved goodness." - John Calvin

Day 93: Luke 10:13-37

"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” - Luke 10:20 ESV

Oh, the blessings of seeing God move as a result of something we have done! The adrenaline rush is fantastic. The 72 that Jesus had sent out were bursting with joy as they returned from what Jesus empowered them to do. Even Jesus joins in on the celebration by confirming that He saw Satan fall like lightning! Not only that, but Jesus also promises that there will be more to come in their war against their ancient enemy and the powers of darkness.

At this point in our culture, we would expect Jesus to say, "Drinks on me! Go out and celebrate. Soak this in! Enjoy what God has done in and through you on behalf of others." Yet this isn't what Jesus does. Instead, He ratchets them back down from any temptation of self-glorification.

Our future is not bright because of anything we have done. Our future is bright because of where we belong.

When we make an eternal difference in someone's life, we are simply ensuring that their names, too, will be written in heaven. The rejoicing, at that point, will be unending.

"In this deep legitimate joy men and women of all callings, who try to follow the Master, in every age, may share." - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. Luke (Vol. 1, p. 273)

Day 92: Luke 9:51-62, 10:1-12

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”' - Luke 9:62

When we first read our passage for today, it is a little startling. Is Jesus really this insensitive when it comes to following Him? The three examples of those interested in following Jesus seem to have legitimate reasons to pause before going all-in:

1) Shelter

2) Burying a parent

3) Saying goodbye to family

I don't think any of us would say these three are anything less than essential for a devout Jesus-follower to still desire.

First, Jesus had a habit of going big with His language to prove a point (hyperbole), which He may have been doing here as well. Second, this goes to show that Jesus is serious about discipleship. If we are claiming to want to be a Christian, our commitment to Jesus should rise above every other provision and relationship.

Though this may at first make us out to be irresponsible, it will actually allow us to become less materialistic and to love our families in a way that we never dreamed possible.

Despite seeming like we've lost everything, Jesus gives us the life God had always intended for us to have.

"Jesus points out that the kingdom has no room for those who look back when they are called to go forward." - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 199)

Day 91: Luke 9:28-50

“John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”' - Luke 9:49-50 ESV

Being competitive is something that was deeply ingrained in me as a kid playing sports. This rival mentality has seemed to bleed into almost every area of my life, especially with those who do something similar to what I am. It also didn't help that my small hometown had four churches on four consecutive blocks.

Is it necessary for us to talk up our own church or ministry at the expense of another?

Apparently, Jesus didn't think so. Sure, some are teaching false doctrine that contradicts the Bible, but many of us are doing this work side by side.

The disciples were engaged in too much small-minded thinking. Jesus' plan was expansive, something that would eventually reach the nations.

We will need each and every devout Christian in our communities (and across the world) to accomplish the mission Jesus laid out for us in Mark 16:15-16. May we link arms with one another and start reaching our true potential as the body of Christ!

By the way, when we start having this kind of mentality, it seems that Jesus blesses our own churches and ministries with a healthy and secure kind of growth. Something to consider!

"In terms of the external ministry of the church, those who are not pitting themselves in direct and overt opposition to the ministry of Christ’s church, by virtue of the fact that they are not an obstacle, are indirectly a help. Here is a man who is involved in exorcism and in doing it he is promoting the ministry of Jesus. Whatever else the man understood, he understood that if there was any power to relieve people from demonic oppression it was associated with the power of Jesus Christ. The man was not undermining the ministry of Jesus. He was not against him; in fact, he was for him." - Sproul, R. C. (1999). A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke (p. 208)

Day 90: Luke 9:7-27

"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" - Luke 9:25 ESV

Jesus just clearly disclosed his impending death and resurrection to the disciples. He was also clear that they would need to be willing to suffer the same fate. Their definition of a gain and a loss wasn't in line with how Jesus thought about the terms.

Jesus knew that the only way for this world could be saved was through His sacrifice on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. The disciples (and all of Israel) were thinking too small. They believed that salvation would only come through a divinely ordained conquest of their political oppressors (Rome). Jesus was aiming for the salvation of all nations.

What would you be willing to sacrifice for guaranteed gains in this life? Would you be willing to ignore your family for a season? Would you be willing to tell a small lie to make an advancement in school or at work? Would you be willing to use someone as a prop to get where you want to be?

Jesus is trying to tell us that the gains of this world aren't really gaining at all. They can actually lead to eternal losses.

I pray that we wouldn't settle for the fading glory of this world. Instead, may we seek to join Jesus in taking up our crosses and following Him.

"One marvels how Jesus could make such uncompromising demands for first place in everyone’s life and yet maintain the image of the ideal in humility and service. His deity shows through when He, in an unassuming and natural way, commands complete commitment and at the same time tells of His willingness to give His life in sacrifice for others." - Foster, L. (1986). Luke: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 151)

Day 89: Luke 8:40-56, 9:1-6

"And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” - Luke 9:5 ESV

This was the initial transition of Jesus' 12 going from just being disciples (followers) toward the idea of being apostles (those who are sent). It is significant to note that Jesus equips them with the intangible (authority and power) but doesn't give them what is tangible (lunch money).

What if a place is resistant to them? Jesus commands them to shake the dust from their feet and move on. Leon Morris, in his commentary on Luke, wrote the following: “There was a rabbinic idea that the dust of Gentile lands carried defilement, and strict Jews are said to have removed it from their shoes whenever they returned to Palestine from abroad. The disciples’ shaking of the dust from their feet was a testimony against them.”

The people to whom Jesus was sending his disciples were all Jewish. So why does he say this "shake the dust" statement to them? Well, if the Jews rejected them, then they were no different than any other pagan nation. They were proving they were not the people of God.

We have problems with shaking the dust off of our feet. If someone rejects us or doesn't like us because of our faith in Jesus, it is hard not to take it personally. We must remember that if we are easily offended when rejected, we won't be focused enough to talk to the next person who is ready and open to the Good News about Jesus.

Shake the dust. Lift up your eyes (John 4:35): "Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." - Jesus

Day 88: Luke 8:22-39

“He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?’” - Luke 8:25 ESV

We've all encountered difficult situations where we knew time was limited. No one I know enjoys making quick decisions in times of crisis, but sometimes it is necessary. The disciples were in a panic, thinking that this was how they were going to go out. Death by drowning. That is enough to make anyone cringe. Their fear had led them to a place of distrust.

What has happened recently in your life that has caused a great amount of fear to well up in your soul? How are you currently dealing with that fear?

Our immediate reflex is usually to strategize our way out of the storm. But there will come a time when strategy and willpower will not be enough. The problem will be insurmountable. This is exactly why trusting Jesus with the mundane, everyday tasks that we tackle is so important. When we entrust to Him the small things, we will be ready to trust him with the impossible.

"Perhaps Luke is wanting his readers to understand that they need not fear what this life has to offer; Jesus can handle all the storms." - Black, M. C. (1995). Luke (Lk 8:24b–25)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” - Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Day 87: Luke 8:4-21

“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” - Luke 8:14 ESV

It seems that the biggest reason most people do not share their faith in Jesus is due to a fear of not doing it right. Below are three ways this fear seems to manifest inside of us:

An unanswerable question >> I may be asked a question I won't be able to answer.

My hypocritical life >> My life isn't near where I want it to be. How can I be sharing with others if I haven't fully experienced it myself?

Coming across too strong >> I don't want to burn any bridges. What if they dislike what I say and end up disliking me?

Still, one thing that stood out to me today in reading the sower's parable was how much is outside the control of the sower. The soils' responses had more to do with their current condition than with the technique used by the sower. This means that we can share the message of Jesus' love and forgiveness before we think we are ready.

There will always be questions we can't fully answer. Our lives will never become flawless so that we can feel completely worthy. We will even risk relational loss by calling people to a new life. Even so, Jesus has promised to be with us, and He will be all we'll need to share His message with others.

Leon Morris writes that "Jesus sees his mission as a way of speaking and acting which will give men the greatest opportunity to respond to the word of God." This should be our mission as well. We are to give others the opportunity to turn and be saved.

Jesus' final words before his ascension are our marching orders: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Day 86: Luke 7:36-50, 8:1-3

“and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.” - Luke 8:2-3

As we read through Luke's gospel, we see that he goes out of his way to highlight many of the women who were integral parts of the story of Jesus. So far, we've met Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, the sinful woman of 7:37, and now these women. He'll also go on to mention more in 23:49, 24:1, and Acts 1:14.

He wants us to know that the women, during Jesus' life as a man, were not an optional piece of the story that could have been taken out. They were essential to the work He was doing.

From our 21st-century experience, we may not fully appreciate Jesus' inclusion of women unless we understand women's social status during the 1st century. The Jewish rabbis of Jesus' day thought so little of women that they refused to teach them at all. Here we see that Jesus not only taught them but also allowed them to follow Him on this tour and also permitted them to fund the Kingdom work.

As Christians, we believe that God made us both male and female (see Matthew 19:4), and we think this difference is supposed to make us even better. God intended for men and women to be different and to work side by side in what He is doing on earth, each bringing their unique traits to the table.

We need strong and intelligent women in the church, doing the work God has asked them to do as well. At least this is what Jesus practiced, and we would do well to emulate our Savior.