15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. […]
Stephen Finishes His Speech
“You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.” When they heard these things, they were enraged in their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, filled by the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw God’s glory, with Jesus standing at the right hand of God, […]
How To Think About Betrayal
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the […]
Jesus Joyfully Accepts Our Offer, or Are We Accepting His?
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” Luke 19:6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. Luke 19:7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in […]
Don’t Judge, Search, Find, Repent, Rejoice, Repeat
Luke 15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:3 So he told them this parable: … Luke 15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and […]
Mercy that Doesn’t End, but Closes
Luke 13:22 ¶ He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. Luke 13:23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter […]
God’s at Work Growing, Not Dishing Out Judgment
Luke 13:1 ¶ There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Luke 13:2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? Luke 13:3 No, I […]
How that Whole “Do Not Judge” Business Works
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the […]
Who’s the Doctor and Who is it That is Sick?
Luke 5:27 ¶ After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, Luke 5:28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. Luke 5:29 ¶ And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of […]
Judgment, Generosity, and Walking Planks
Luke 6:37 ¶ “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; Luke 6:38 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 […]