Luke 11:45-54

Jesus fulfilled the law and in so doing allows us the freedom to understand, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the reasoning behind the law.The person He sets free is free from the burden of sin! Out of our love for His salvation we want to fulfill His command to love God above all and everyone as much as we do ourself.

Jesus applied His woes to lawyers as well as to the Pharisees. In everyday Greek, the term translated burdens refers to a ship’s cargo. The idea is that a heavy strain was being imposed on the people and yet, in the end, this burden did not bring them closer to God. Here Jesus rebuked the tradition that had grown up around the Law of Moses. The meaning of this phrase is debated. Was Jesus accusing the scribes of hypocrisy in not practicing what they taught and in making distinctions that freed them from obligations, as they did with oaths? Or was Jesus simply accusing the scribes of not offering aid and compassion to those who tried to follow their rules? The second interpretation is more likely, since the Pharisees were known for adhering to the Law. NKJ Bible.

Luke 11:45–54 (NKJV)

⁴⁵ Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.”

⁴⁶ And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. ⁴⁷ Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. ⁴⁸ In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹ Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ ⁵⁰ that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

⁵² “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

⁵³ And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, ⁵⁴ lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.

Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)

⁴ For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Luke 22:19-20

Jesus gave His life in exchange for ours. His Body, His Blood, the only way to salvation. 

Anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

This new Covenant fulfilled the old and allowed mere humans to enter into relationship with their God. This relationship was not  attainable before Christ in us. He is the hope of glory. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we will be raised at the last day and live eternally with God.

Jesus instructs His followers to commemorate His crucifixion and all the saving actions He accomplishes in His death. The early church continued this tradition. Jesus states that His imminent death enacts the new covenant centered on forgiveness. Faithlife Bible.

The bread of the Lord’s Supper represents the body of Jesus, offered on behalf of His disciples. The wine of the Lord’s Supper depicts the giving of life, a sacrifice of blood, which inaugurates the new covenant for those who respond to Jesus’ offer of salvation. This is the strongest substitutionary image in the Gospel of Luke: Jesus died on the Cross in our place and for our sins. NKJ BIble.

Luke 22:19–20 (NKJV)

¹⁹ And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

²⁰ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

Matthew 26:26 (NKJV)

²⁶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

Mark 14:22 (NKJV)

²² And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

1 Corinthians 10:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:23 (NKJV)

²³ For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;

1 Corinthians 11:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Nahum 1:13-14

God protects those who place their total trust in Him! 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit He will break the bonds that hold you down and you will be free….truly free.

A yoke usually consisted of a single crossbar with leather or rope nooses placed around the animals’ necks. The yoke symbolizes submission to foreign oppression. Yahweh will break Assyria’s power and end its dominance of Judah. Faithlife Bible.

Here is an oracle of deliverance from God to His people. The present sense of safety and power that the enemy felt would not last; the past judgments of God on His nation would not continue. The Lord promised to break off the yoke that the enemy had placed on His people. NKJ Bible. 

Nahum 1:12–13 (NKJV)

¹² Thus says the Lord:

“Though they are safe, and likewise many,

Yet in this manner they will be cut down

When he passes through.

Though I have afflicted you,

I will afflict you no more;

¹³ For now I will break off his yoke from you,

And burst your bonds apart.”

Isaiah 10:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ So the Light of Israel will be for a fire,

And his Holy One for a flame;

It will burn and devour

His thorns and his briers in one day.

Titus

Our good works are the natural outward expression of the deep love we have for God and the salvation provided in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is in us to direct us in the way we should go.

Out of the love, mercy and kindness He has shown us we love others.

As Titus struggles to help the church on the island of Crete, his experienced mentor, Paul, writes to give him advice. Paul had left Titus in Crete to appoint church leaders and to oppose false teachers. In this letter, Paul shows the connection between right belief and right action, emphasizing that God’s graciousness should prompt us to be godly people.

Titus

“Point man,” “pinch hitter,” “clutch player,” “go-getter.” These terms describe a person who can be counted on, someone who knows what to do and how to do it and who works tirelessly to get it done. Titus was that kind of person.

He had to be. Much of his work, like the apostle Paul’s, was dangerous, unpopular, difficult, and tiring. It involved traveling, introducing strangers to new ideas, constantly making new friends, consistently battling new enemies, and even deflecting threats on one’s life. The number of people who could share such a load was small, but the early church desperately needed them. Not just anyone could start and maintain a new church in a hostile world. Yet Titus rose to the challenge.

The believers in Crete lacked leadership and were suffering as a result. False teachers were taking advantage of the absence of sound doctrine. Judging from Paul’s exhortations, the harmony and morals of the young congregation were disrupted. Paul relied on Titus to help them establish their leadership and make up their other deficits. Their struggles are repeated in every age, and this letter is as relevant today as it was to Titus.

Paul may have planted a church on the island of Crete during a missionary trip after his first imprisonment in Rome, which ended about a.d. 62. When Paul departed from Crete, he left Titus behind to “set in order the things that [were] lacking” in the church.

Titus is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament as one of Paul’s most trusted assistants. He was a Greek and was converted by Paul. He assisted the apostle on some of his missionary journeys and went with him to the Jerusalem council. Paul mentioned Titus several times in 2 Corinthians. Titus carried the letter to Corinth. While at Corinth, Titus was entrusted with collecting funds from the Corinthian church. Later Titus went to Dalmatia at Paul’s request. Early church tradition says that Titus returned to Crete and spent the remainder of his life there.

Although Titus contains only 46 verses, it covers a wide range of topics. It is a key New Testament book for church organization, with its guidelines for elders, pastors, and other believers. Furthermore, it contains one of the clearest statements about God’s grace in all of the New Testament. It explicates the significance of Christ’s first and second coming. The book contributes to our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation and the Christian life. But it is known most for its practical instruction about the roles of men, women, and servants and its instruction for dealing with false teaching. A church needs organization, sound doctrine, and good teaching to survive. In this letter, Paul gives Titus a succinct overview on how to lead a church.

Whereas the letters to Timothy emphasize sound doctrine, the letter to Titus emphasizes good works. There were influential people in the church who were motivated by personal interest and selfish gain. In his letter, Paul exposes the ways this was affecting the doctrine and practice of the church and urges Titus to champion purity, service, and kindness toward others. Paul reminds Titus that salvation is not based on our own “works of righteousness” but rather is the result of God’s work of kindness and love toward us. NKJ Bible.

Luke 8:43-48

FAITH…faith touches God and moves mountains. 

Just believe! Believe fully, with your whole mind, body and spirit, in His power to do everything! And then rest in His salvation. 

It is finished…shout it to the world!

Luke, a physician himself, notes that no doctors were able to heal her. An ongoing discharge and perpetual impurity would have made the woman an outcast. The woman might have feared that Jesus would be angry, since she did not ask permission—especially if touching Jesus made Him ceremonially unclean. Alternatively, her trembling may simply indicate an appropriate level of awe and reverence at the display of Jesus’ healing power. Faithlife Bible.

This condition not only would have been embarrassing, it would have made the woman unclean. It took great courage for her to seek out Jesus. Note that her action was not criticized, but commended. NKJ Bible.

Luke 8:43–48 (NKJV)

⁴³ Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, ⁴⁴ came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

⁴⁵ And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”

When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” ⁴⁷ Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

⁴⁸ And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Matthew 9:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.

Mark 5:30 (NKJV)

³⁰ And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

Mark 6:56 (NKJV)

⁵⁶ Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Luke 5:13 (NKJV)

¹³ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him.

Mark 3:22-30

Calling evil good and good evil? Wrong. Dead wrong. 

God will never share His glory with anyone or anything! The Holy Spirit was given to us through the death and salvation of Jesus. He is the power of God residing in us to teach us His ways. All truth and goodness reside in Him. You are either for Him or against Him there is no other choice. Satan will try to divide us in order to destroy us. We must remain strong and stand up for what is right but do it in such a way that God’s love directs our path. We love because He first loved us. He wants everyone to have the choice of spending eternity with Him. Ignorance is not bliss!

The Potter has total control over the clay.

This is the first time someone has come from beyond Galilee’s borders to challenge Jesus. These Jewish leaders understood Beelzebul to be the ruler of the demons. Jesus confronts the religious leaders with the possibility that, by opposing Him, they might be aligning themselves with evil powers. The defining mark of a disciple of God’s kingdom is allegiance to Jesus and His teaching. Likewise, Jesus cannot be possessed by Beelzebul, as that would mean that the ruler of demons has risen up against himself by vanquishing demons. Blasphemes against the Holy Spirit refers to insistently and unapologetically misrepresenting the workings of the Holy Spirit as demonic. Faithlife Bible.

The scribes, or teachers of the Jewish law, were more harsh and direct in their assessment of Jesus. They accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebub (literally “Lord of the Flies), another name for Satan. This false charge demonstrates a hardness of heart and is akin to blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ reply in parables was actually a threefold message that contrasted unity and disunity. Nothing—including Satan’s kingdom—can stand if it is divided. Whoever defeats Satan must be stronger than he. Jesus implies that He Himself has come to enter the house of the strong man, Satan, to seize his goods.

While the prophets cited the authority of the Lord, Christ’s words rest on His own authority. While Jesus does not say that anyone in the crowd has actually committed the sin He describes, He nonetheless stresses the hopelessness of such a condition. Anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit places himself or herself outside the redeeming grace of God. It is apparently not a single act of defiant behavior, but a continued state of opposition entered into willfully. The tense of they said indicates a continued action, not a onetime event. The words and works of Christ were spoken and performed by the power of the Holy Spirit. To attribute them to Satan is to call the work of heaven a work of hell. For such perverse belief there is no remedy. NKJ Bible.

Mark 3:22–30 (NKJV)

²² And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”

²³ So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶ And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. ²⁷ No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

²⁸ “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; ²⁹ but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”—³⁰ because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Matthew 9:34 (NKJV)

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

John 7:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

John 8:48 (NKJV)

⁴⁸ Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

John 8:52 (NKJV)

⁵² Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’

All good and perfect gifts come from God. Give Him the praise and thanks that He deserves.

We cannot fathom the love God has for His creation, and what He can accomplish through those who return His love. We enter into relationship through Jesus Christ.

It has nothing to do with us or our goodness…nothing! It has everything to do with His! He alone is to be glorified.

This oracle first calls for repentance. It then addresses the downfall of the king and highlights how Judah’s idolatry has led to destruction. With a focus on both repentance and exile, this oracle may reflect a time after the exile of the king in 597 bc but before the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 bc.. Faithlife Bible.

Proud here refers to self-exaltation and contempt for the spoken or revealed word of God.

To give glory to God is to exalt and worship Him. This verse warns of the consequences of failing to glorify God. Four Hebrew synonyms for darkness are found in this verse, deepening the impression of divine displeasure meted out against God’s people. In the rugged mountains that dominate the landscape of Judah, where walking in the dark is hazardous, no hope or light would be discerned. Jeremiah had been told not to pray for the rebellious and unresponsive people of Judah, but here he expresses in secret his deep lament for the Lord’s flock, who had been carried away into exile.

Pride Precedes Captivity

Jeremiah 13:15–17 (NKJV)

¹⁵ Hear and give ear:

Do not be proud,

For the Lord has spoken.

¹⁶ Give glory to the Lord your God

Before He causes darkness,

And before your feet stumble

On the dark mountains,

And while you are looking for light,

He turns it into the shadow of death

And makes it dense darkness.

¹⁷ But if you will not hear it,

My soul will weep in secret for your pride;

My eyes will weep bitterly

And run down with tears,

Because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.

Joshua 7:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ Now Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

Psalm 96:7 (NKJV)

⁷ Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

Give to the Lord glory and strength.

Psalm 119:136 (NKJV)

¹³⁶ Rivers of water run down from my eyes,

Because men do not keep Your law.

Ezekiel 8:17-18

God will not always restrain His judgement. 

There will come a day of reckoning for the idols that we serve…greed, power and control. 

Our only hope is the covering of the Blood of the Lamb slain for our sins.

The location for the sun worship was in the inner court between the porch and the altar. These 25 men must have been Levites if temple regulations were being followed; otherwise, the area was forbidden. Whether priests or not, they were turned in the wrong direction—their backs were to God’s temple and they were worshiping the sun.

The expression “put the branch to their nose” is not mentioned elsewhere. In the context it appears to be (1) a ritualistic gesture used in idol worship, or (2) an action indicative of the extensive violence which was occurring in Judah as a result of idolatry. NKJ Bible.

Ezekiel 8:17–18 (NKJV)

¹⁷ And He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose. ¹⁸ Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.”

Proverbs 1:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

Isaiah 1:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵ When you spread out your hands,

I will hide My eyes from you;

Even though you make many prayers,

I will not hear.

Your hands are full of blood.

Ezekiel 5:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ ‘Therefore, as I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity.

Zechariah 4:3-10

When Jesus returns, mans' greed, control and power, will be done away with. All mankind, through Christ Jesus, can have relationship with the Triune Godhead and through Him the playing field is leveled. Jesus came with shouts of grace, grace to the people of earth.

Jesus is the plumb line, where heaven and earth meet. His blood shed for mankind levels the playing  field.

God is an equal opportunity employer of good. For now we are to be about our Father’s work building up the House of God, the Body of Christ.

Zerubbabel was a  descendant of King David, as well as the governor of Judah who oversaw the rebuilding of the temple. Divine power—not human power—will enable them to overcome the opposition to rebuilding the temple. Throughout the old testament, God’s Spirit gives divine empowerment to the individuals God selects. The mountain symbolizes all the challenges that the community will face as they attempt to complete the work that God commanded. The vision serves to reassure them that Yahweh is on their side and will help them overcome the obstacles. Yahweh’s Spirit—not human might—was responsible for completing the temple project. The Hebrew term used here seems to refer to a string with a weight attached to the end. Ancients used tools like plumb lines to determine whether a wall was straight. Faithlife Bible.

The rebuilding of the temple, which had at last begun in earnest, would be accomplished not by human strength or resources, but by the power of God’s Spirit. The setting of the capstone would mark the completion of the project. The words Grace, grace to it may be understood as a prayer for God’s favor, or as a cry of admiration over the grace and beauty of the newly built temple. The promise concerning Zerubbabel is significant; the task that he began he would also complete. The fact that these eyes will rejoice at the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand suggests the delight of God over the rebuilding of the temple.

There is nothing wrong with a small work. Little can indeed be much if God is in it. NKJ Bible.

Zechariah 4:3–10 (NKJV)

³ Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” ⁴ So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”

⁵ Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?”

And I said, “No, my lord.”

⁶ So he answered and said to me:

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’

Says the Lord of hosts.

⁷ ‘Who are you, O great mountain?

Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!

And he shall bring forth the capstone

With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

⁸ Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel

Have laid the foundation of this temple;

His hands shall also finish it.

Then you will know

That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.

¹⁰ For who has despised the day of small things?

For these seven rejoice to see

The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

They are the eyes of the Lord,

Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)

⁹ For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

John 20:26-29

Just B.E.L.I.E.V.E. 

Man tries his best to make it difficult and attainable by his own works, his goodness, but the simplicity of the gospel saves. Everyone who believes in JESUS and his righteousness will not perish but have everlasting life. 

Thomas affirms what Jesus has been alluding to throughout the Gospel: Jesus is more than a teacher and a master—He is God. On the basis of the book’s testimony, John calls for people to believe in Jesus—the world’s King and Savior, as well as God’s Son—and receive the eternal life that comes through His death and resurrection. Faithlife Bible.

In awestruck wonder, Thomas not only believed that Christ was risen from the dead, but he also saw that the Resurrection proved His deity. Those who have not seen includes all who have believed in Christ since His ascension to the Father. NKJ Bible.

John 20:26–29 (NKJV)

²⁶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

²⁸ And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Mark 16:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Luke 1:45 (NKJV)

⁴⁵ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Psalm 22:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ For dogs have surrounded Me;

The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.

They pierced My hands and My feet;

Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Mark 2:17

Help me Father to see in others what you see. A sinner to be saved by grace.

Help me to love others the way that You do. You loved the world enough to give us Jesus.

Help me to be a doer and not just a hearer of Your Word. By our good works showing Your love to the world.

Help me to remember that there is no one righteous but You. NO. NOT. ONE.

With this statement, Jesus is neither affirming nor denying that the Pharisees are righteous. He is simply pointing out that the call to repentance and offering of forgiveness are for those who need it—sinners. Faithlife Bible.

In this instance Jesus was speaking tongue-in-cheek when He used the word righteous. None are righteous, though some, such as the Pharisees, fancied themselves as such. Instead, Christ came to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condone the activities of sinners, but required repentance—a change of mind that recognizes the need of a Savior and recognizes Jesus Christ as the only Savior. NKJ Bible.

Mark 2:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, He said to them,  “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)

¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Luke 5:31 (NKJV)

³¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.