Luke 19:28-48

“The Lord has need of it” (v34). One of the themes we see in Luke’s writing is his awareness of the difference between what we could  describe as “givers and takers”. We see it in parables and even salvation narratives. Here, Jesus is preparing to go into Jerusalem to fulfill prophecy and die for the sins of the world. But a prophecy joined to that was that He would ride into Jerusalem on "the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). It did not seem like much, but “the Lord had need

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Luke 19:1-27

Two wealthy men sought Jesus; both encountered him (Lk 18:18-24; Lk 19:1-10), a rich young ruler and a high-ranking tax collector. The ruler was not immoral, but loved his money more than Jesus. Zaccheus, working in a system that promoted dishonesty, graft and thievery, responded to Jesus’ inviting himself to stay at his home. When he heard the gossip, “This man has gone to be a guest at the home of a sinner,” he immediately stopped and said to Jesus, “Half of my possessi

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Psalm 44

This psalm begins with a recounting of God’s past faithfulness, “We have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us the work you did in their days, the days of old” (v1). The writer’s problem is Israel seems to be under judgement, and the writer knows no reason. It is written as a “Maskil,” a contemplative piece that often is introspective. 

Most of us have at some point asked “Why?” God gives us the privilege of asking “Why,” if we are ready to accept His answer when he

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1 Samuel 10

Few men or women have been put in leadership with less experience than Saul, yet his promotion was clearly endorsed by God. He was anointed with oil and carefully prepared by Samuel. A prophetic word, a  promise, was given and soon fulfilled of a powerful experience with the Holy Spirit. In addition, God gave Saul a new heart (10:1-9). Saul quickly adapted to his new position of power but never accepted its boundaries. 

Sometimes the test of success is more difficult than t

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1 Samuel 9

If God answers my prayer, does that mean he approves of the prayer?  Chapters 8-10 show that this is not necessarily true. The people cried to God for a king, but He had already said their desire for a king was a rejection of Him. Yet He answered their prayer and chose the best that He knew they would accept – tall, handsome, from a good family that had produced some mighty men (9:1). Initially, the new leadership seemed to be a great step forward, but as time passed, the

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1 Samuel 8

1 Samuel 8 addresses a time of political upheaval in Israel. Crises usually have a multiplicity of components. Samuel, who had been a wonderful prophet-leader, was growing old. His judgement, no doubt affected by family relationships, led to his making poor appointments of judges. His chosen judges brought out the worst in the people, and rather than asking for better judges, they demanded a king, a radical change in their form of government. They “wanted to be like other

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1 Samuel 6-7

Few narratives in scripture teach more clearly the danger of handling what is holy in a common way. Israel’s loss of the ark to a Philistine army was tragic but was a poor victory for the Philistines. The Philistines found that they were not dealing with a magic “trophy,” but with a mighty God. Their very existence depended on their getting it back to Israel (6:19,20).

In the NT, concrete things are not addressed as “holy.”  People are holy;  our actions and relations with

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Luke 18

“He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart”(v1).  This parable of an unjust judge and persistent petitioner is one of contrast, not comparison.  Jesus is not unjust.  We are assured that He will avenge His elect.  But then He adds this unusual addendum, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”  

One does not live too long for Christ before one learns there are no secret formulas that “get answers.”  Like t

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Luke 17

The events of Luke 17 occur as Christ was traveling to Jerusalem where he would be crucified.  He taught four timeless lessons :  (Luke 17:1-4) “Be forgiving”.  The lesson of Christ began with “Be on your guard” (v3).  More accurately, “Take heed to  yourselves.”  We only get forgiveness when we forgive. The second lesson (vs 5-10) “Be humble,” begins with “mustard-seed faith” and ends with obedience as a minimum requirement.  If our faith is no greater than a mustard seed

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Psalm 43

“Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation,” (v1).  Most of us can identify with the writer. Perhaps we have felt misunderstood, or worse, are up against a real ungodly enemy, i.e., unmerciful entity.  We know the writer has “been there.”  But he also gives us a path to deliverance.

“Send out your light and your truth, let them lead me” (v3).  The best weapon against evil is not more evil, but the entrance of light.  John 1:5 says, “The light shines i

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I Samuel 4-5

“Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies” (4:3). Defeated by the Philistines, the Israelites thought that bringing the ark into battle would help them win. Seeing the ark, the Israelite soldiers gave a “mighty shout”, and the Philistines were terrified. However, Israel lost the battle and the ark (ch 5). God’s power was not a magical tool to be used for human victory, when their

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I Samuel 3

“And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (v1). God’s people were in a time of spiritual apathy and lawlessness, but God was still at work. Wicked priests were leading people astray, yet through Hannah’s family, God was raising up the boy Samuel to be different. God would not abandon his good purposes for Israel. When “the Lord called Samuel”, the boy, thinking it was Eli, responded obediently, “Here I am!” (v4). And when Samuel later

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I Samuel 2:11-36

“Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord” (v12). In this era, the priests (Eli’s sons) who supposedly represented God were “worthless”. When families came to worship, the priests stole the best part of their sacrifices, instead of accepting their designated portions (v14). They also slept with the women who served at the tabernacle (v22). God reminded Eli that the priestly role was a privilege, not a right, and he was revoking it for Eli’s family

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I Samuel 1-I Samuel 2:10

“I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord ... my great anxiety and vexation” (1:15-16). Hannah’s family represented righteousness in a chaotic era in Israel, yet she was childless (1:3-5). Her husband loved her, but he had many children with another wife, who mistreated Hannah (1:4-10). Desperate, Hannah prayed for a child and promised to dedicate him to God. Years later, she brought Samuel to serve the Lord at Shiloh. Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving proclaimed God’

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Luke 16:14-31

“For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (v15). Jesus reveals the heart priorities of the religious leaders. The Law and the prophets, and now the gospel (v17), are the standard by which every heart (v15) is measured. With the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus shows how sin inverts our values. What God requires (compassion for the poor and hurting, like Lazarus at the gate, v20) was clear in the Old Testament, and now it is revealed in

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