Visiting his childhood church, the actor Richard Burton offered to perform something for the congregation. His pastor asked him to recite Psalm 23. Burton agreed on the condition that his pastor would do the same. The actor gave an impressive recitation that left the congregation spellbound. The room erupted in applause when he finished. When the room quieted, the old pastor rose to recite the same psalm. When he finished, there was not a dry eye in the room. Burton said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I reached your eyes and ears, but my old pastor has reached your hearts. The difference...

 Luke 13 begins with breaking news reported to Jesus. Some Galileans traveled to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. Under orders of Pilate, Roman soldiers stormed the temple and massacred the worshipers. After this atrocity in the holy place, the blood of the worshipers and the blood of their sacrifices flowed in a common stream.  Without comment on the personal tragedy, political violence, or legal implications of Pilate’s blasphemous act, Jesus responded to the theological assumptions of those who reported this news. Verses 2-3 read: “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Jesus played reporter in verse 4: “Or the eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them.” A tower in...

Pyrrhus of Epirus fought the Roman Empire. He won the Battle of Heraclea in 280 B.C. and the Battle of Asculum in 279 B.C. but at a great cost. His close commanders were killed. His fighting forces were depleted. Military reinforcements were unavailable. Political allies proved useless. The Romans lost more soldiers than Pyrrhus. But the more they lost, the more soldiers poured out of Rome, determined to fight and win. When Pyrrhus received the news of victory in Asculum, he replied, “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.” “A Pyrrhic...

Gabriel told the virgin Mary she was pregnant. How could this be possible? Joseph would discover his betrothed carried a baby that was not his. How could this be explained? Mary’s baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would be called the Son of God. How could this be true? Luke 1:37 explains: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:38 is Mary’s response: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Mary then visited relatives who had also received angelic news of a supernatural birth. Aged Zechariah and barren Elizabeth would have a son named John. At Mary’s greeting, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. It was prenatal praise.  In Luke 1:42-45, Elizabeth cried with a loud voice: “Blessed are you among...

The Lord’s Prayer teaches the heavenly Father can be trusted with all of our needs – past, present, and future. We can pray about present needs: “Give us this day our daily bread.” We can pray about past sins: “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” We can pray about future trials: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The Model Prayer also teaches us to pray about what we need the most. We need divine provision: “Give us this day our daily bread.” We need divine pardon: “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” We need divine protection: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver...

Luke 1:39-45 is preceded by the angelic announcements of two miraculous births:  Luke 1:5-25 is Gabriel’s announcement of the birth of John to his father, Zechariah. Luk 1:26-38 is Gabriel’s announcement of the birth of Jesus to his mother, Mary.  Our text is followed by the Magnificat in verses 46-55. It is the first of a series of songs that declare the meaning and magnitude of Christ’s birth. Our text bridges the divine revelation and the human response to the Incarnation. Here the glorious meets the ordinary. Gabriel foretold that Mary would give birth to a son. It would be a miraculous birth in that Mary was a virgin. Mary’s baby, conceived by the Holy Spirit, would be called holy – the Son of God. How did Mary respond to this...

A wealthy merchant took a journey, carrying with him his most valuable jewels. Another traveler befriended him along the way. He made it seem like a chance encounter. But he planned to rob the merchant of his precious stones. Each night, they stopped at an inn to rest. The merchant insisted that his new friend wash up first. As he did, the merchant hid his jewels under the would-be thief’s pillow. As the merchanted washed up, the thief would rummage through his belongings unsuccessfully. As this reoccurred for several nights, the thief gave up. As they parted ways, the merchant...

The Lord’s Prayer begins with God’s glory. The second half focuses on our needs. These personal petitions begin our bodies: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The remaining petitions address our souls: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”Even though our bodies are addressed first, the priority is our souls.  The first concern of the soul is stated in Matthew 6:12: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven debtors.” The first word of this petition is the conjunction “and,” which connects verse 12 to verse 11: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Forgiveness...

The first three petitions of The Lord's Prayer focus on God’s glory: Your name. Your kingdom. Your will. The remaining petitions focus on our needs: Our daily bread. Our debts. Lead us not. Deliver us. This transition does not suggest competing or conflicting priorities in prayer. It is not that we address God’s priorities and then address our priorities. In all of these petitions, God occupies the place of priority. When we pray about God’s name, kingdom, and will, we express devotion to God. When we pray for bread, forgiveness, leadership, and deliverance, we express dependence upon God. When our...

The Lord’s Prayer begins with an invocation: “Our Father in heaven.” Then Jesus teaches seven petitions to the heavenly Father. The first three petitions are God-centered: “Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The remaining petitions address our personal needs. In a real sense, the first three petitions are synonymous. They are three different ways of asking for the same thing. God’s name is hallowed when God’s kingdom comes. God’s kingdom comes when God’s will is done. This third petition is transitional. God’s name, kingdom, and will are heavenly...

If this was your last night, how would you spend it? That dark scenario is the occasion of the text. It was late Thursday night. The evening was spent in the Upper Room, observing the Passover. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and broke the news about what would soon occur.  One of them would betray him.  Another one would deny him.  All of them would desert him.  The disciples could not process these unbelievable predictions. They would not have long to try. The predicted events were imminent. Within hours, what Jesus said to and about them would come to pass. Under these circumstances, Jesus led the disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He would not leave a free man. Judas led...

In Ruthless Trust, Brennan Manning wrote: “Let’s say I interviewed ten people, asking each the same question – “Do you trust God?” And each answered, “Yes, I trust God,” but nine of the ten actually did not trust him. How would I find out which one of the ragamuffins was telling the truth? I would videotape each of the ten lives for a month and then, after watching the videos, pass judgment using this criterion: the person with an abiding spirit of gratitude is the one who trusts God.”  Manning concludes: “The foremost quality of a trusting disciple is gratefulness.” That’s a big claim! The double miracle in Luke 17:11-19 backs...