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.

Day 85: Luke 7:11-35

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’.” - Luke 7:13 ESV

Many people in our world today say death is natural, part of a cycle that has existed from the beginning. Yet if this is true, then why is it that we feel so awful when someone close to us dies?

As Christians, we believe that humans weren't initially created to experience death. Adam and Eve were placed in an ideal environment where they could endlessly flourish in God's presence and their own creativity. Then they were deceived into thinking that being human was not enough. They desired to be gods themselves, to assume more knowledge and control. It ended with their expulsion from the garden and their eventual deaths.

In our reading for today, Jesus encounters a heartbroken widow. She had lost her husband, and now she had lost her only son. Our Savior didn't just dismiss her and proceed into the city. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke for her.

Do you realize today that Jesus also cares about your life as well? Maybe you need Jesus to say the same to you today: "Do not weep."

When dealing with death and the promise of resurrection, it is always helpful to read what Paul wrote: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 ESV

As followers of Jesus, we can rest assured that Jesus meets us in our sorrow, sits with us, and whispers that the best is yet to come.

Day 84: Luke 6:39-49, 7:1-10

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” - Luke 6:45 ESV

"I didn't mean what I said" is an often-overused statement. What we really are trying to communicate in those moments is "I've been trying to hide how I really feel for so long, and I couldn't keep it in any longer!"

Jesus was not just a miraculous philanthropist. Every single word that came out of His mouth was (and is still) the bedrock truth. All that was in His heart flowed flawlessly from His mouth.

We, on the other hand, go to great lengths to justify our words and actions. We want to take the sting out of it. We would be better off in times of failure to ask God to drive all darkness and evil from the depths of who we are (our hearts). When we become Christians, a transaction is made, Jesus' blood for our sin. For the rest of our lives, God desires for us to enter the process of sanctification. This is the activity of God making us more and more like Jesus as we draw again and again from His deep waters of grace.

Have you said something you've regretted this week? Done something that you tried to explain away? Don't do this. Admit how bad it was, ask for forgiveness from others and God. Let God do the transforming work He's always wanted to do in your life.

Solomon wrote: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” - Proverbs 4:23, 24

Leon Morris also said it well: "There is always a reason for the things we say. Our words reveal what is in our heart."

Day 83: Luke 6:12-38

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” - Luke 6:37-38 ESV

At some point in our lives, if it hasn't happened already, we are going to come face to face with evil. At that moment, we will have every justification to harm those who have harmed us. We will be like David and the two opportunities he had to kill King Saul (see 1 Samuel 24:4). Not only will we have the opportunity for vengeance, but we will have others around us encouraging us to do so. "This is your chance!" they will claim.

Jesus claims, in our reading today, that taking your justified shot isn't the best way to live. He teaches that we should "leap for joy" when we are mistreated and that we should return blessing for evil -- forgiveness and kindness for hatred.

Why would Jesus ask us to do something like this? Doesn't He care about justice? Our Savior does care about setting things right. This is why He died on the cross; to set all things right.

I think Jesus is concerned about what hatred and striking out will do to us. At first glance, it seems like vengeance will fix everything. Yet Jesus knows what it will do to us, potentially turning us into our accusers.

This doesn't mean we placate evil or don't let our abusers face natural consequences for their actions, but it does mean that violence and retaliation will not repair what is broken inside of us.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21 NIV

"Of all the commands of Jesus, this is the most extraordinary, the most contrary to the inclination of the world, the hardest to justify logically. The only way it becomes reasonable is to use God as our starting point, His love and mercy and unselfishness as our compass." - Foster, L. (1986). Luke: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (pp. 114–115)

Day 82: Luke 5:29-39, 6:1-11

“And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’” - Luke‬ ‭5:31-32‬ ‭ESV

‬‬The Hebrew Bible is pretty straightforward when it comes to God’s stance on every human being’s condition. The Jews sang the following song regularly: “They have all turned aside.” (see Psalm 14:3, Romans 3:9-18) If this is the case, what was Jesus trying to communicate in our reading for today? Were there really some who had it all figured out and didn’t need to change?

The following quote is helpful: “Jesus does not think, of course, that any are righteous, but he knows well that those who think themselves righteous will accept little of what he has to offer.” - Mark C. Black

There is real danger in spiritual elitism. When we start down the dreadful path of comparing our lives to others, it becomes pretty easy to convince ourselves that our lives “aren’t that bad.”

A lack of awareness of our sinful state is one of the scariest places where we can venture.

This is why Jesus had an immediate effect on the notorious people of His day. They knew they needed to change. They were ready and waiting for Him.

Today, take some time to realize your need for Jesus to save you from yourself. Also, pay attention to those on whom God has already been working. The Holy Spirit has been preparing them to hear the message of the Gospel from you.

Day 81: Luke 5:12-28

“And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’” - Luke 5:20 ESV

What good is your faith for the benefit of someone else? We can't believe on behalf of someone else, can we? No, we can't, but there is so much that we can do for another who hasn't yet trusted Jesus.

Think about our reading for today. These men would not let a crowd keep them from getting their friend to Jesus. Not only were they creative, but it would have taken great strength to get this paralyzed man on top of the house and then to be lowered down.

To Jesus, their faith was visible. Faith will always find its expression in what we can see (check out James 2:18). Faith is personal, but it isn't private.

These men put their friend in the best possible place for Jesus to change his life. This has the potential to change the way we pray for others. Below are some ways that might help us today as we seek to help those we love to experience the powerful healing of Jesus:

1) Get creative: No one will be reached the same way. We have to look for custom-fit, creative ways to reach those who need a life change.

2) Expect it not to be easy: Evangelism is a marathon and not a sprint. Lock in long-term. Show them you aren't going anywhere.

3) Exemplify faith: Don't be a fraud. Authentically follow Jesus yourself. Show them what it looks like to follow Jesus every day.

Jesus can see your faith. So can others. God can use your faith to make an eternal difference.

"Apparently nothing was said, but the action was a mute appeal. It showed their faith and that is important (for other examples of faith availing for others cf. 7:9f.; 1 Cor. 7:14)." - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 137)

Day 80: Luke 4:31-44, 5:1-11

“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'” - Luke‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When Jesus decides to do something incredible in our lives, we at first think there has been some kind of mistake. Why would God decide that we are worthy enough to use? We know what we have thought and done. We also know that He is well acquainted with those mistakes.

Instead of affirming our uselessness, Jesus steps in and calls us into the work He is doing. We are not only chosen to receive God’s grace (via the salvation of our souls) but we are also called to be agents of this worldwide rescue plan.

I love what Jesus does in verse 10. He confronts Peter’s fear and invites him into something beyond fishing for fish. People would now be the catch of the day.

Could you lead many to Jesus as Peter did? If you feel inadequate or unworthy, it seems that you are finding yourself in excellent company with all those who were called by God in the Bible.

Let’s get to fishing.

John Calvin's comments on this verse are a fantastic way to close: "Hence we see, that it is natural to all men to tremble at the presence of God. And this is of advantage to us, in order to humble any foolish confidence or pride that may be in us, provided it is immediately followed by soothing consolation. And so Christ relieves the mind of Peter by a mild and friendly reply, saying to him, Fear not. Thus, Christ sinks his own people in the grave, that he may afterwards raise them to life."

Day 79: Luke 4:1-30

“And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” - Luke 4:13 ESV

Have you sat down to think about when it is that temptations, for you, are the heaviest and hardest to resist? The Devil had come at Jesus with these three temptations when he was both isolated and physically drained of nourishment (Luke implies there were other tests during the forty days as well).

Many of us wonder if dodging the punches of temptation will ever end.

Leon Morris reminds us as he writes, "Throughout these temptations no special resource is open to Jesus. He met temptation in the same way as we must, by using Scripture, and he won the victory," and, "There is no freedom from temptation in this life. There was not for Jesus and there is not for us." - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 122)

So, we can be assured that, in this life, we can expect the Devil (and our own evil desires, see James 1:13) to try and bait us into ruining our lives of faithfulness to Jesus and those we love. In this instance with Jesus, the Devil even used a well-known Hebrew song (Psalm 91:11-12) to try and deceive him.

When are you at your weakest to resist? When are you at your strongest? When we are isolated and unhealthy (physically or emotionally), it is clear that we will be at our weakest. Yet, when we are surrounded by faithful Jesus-followers, taking time to make healthy decisions, and memorizing Scripture, we will be at our strongest.

What Scriptures are you memorizing right now to equip yourself in this fight? Let me share one with you that has been extremely helpful to me over the past two years (as an example):

“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” - Romans 13:13-14 NLT