Day 36

Luke 8:22–25 (NIV)

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵ “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

If Jesus asked you, “Where is your faith?”, what would you say?

When is it hardest to trust in God and not in yourself?

Do you have to rethink what Jesus can do in your life?

Notes

Jewish belief was only God can control weather and waves Ps 107 :29

vs 22 the other side of the lake is where more of the Greeks (non- Jews lived)

vs 23 Sea of Galilee is famous for storms quickly developing. The mountainous region hides and funnels the storms to the area without warning. In Mark 4:38 Jesus sleeping in the stern on a cushion.

vs 24 Panicked disciples. Remember these guys are fisherman though probably not used to being out that far on the sea. They know when a boat is about to sink.

Master, Master- not necessarily meaning they see Jesus as God but it is a sign of ultimate respect. Repeating it shows the urgency of the situation.

The story while about Jesus' power that even the wind and waves obey Him is also about the fact that the disciples still don't get who Jesus is. Though this episode continues to bring that point closer to understanding. Think back to the questions that are raised about who Jesus is 5:21, 7:19, 7:39, 7:49. The question of who is Jesus grows

Where is your faith?- Jesus disappointed that after all they had seen Jesus do and the faith of others like the centurion 7:9, the paralytic and his friends 5:20, the sinful women at the banquet 7:50, the disciples still didn't get it.

Learning faith- How do we learn Faith? What does it mean to have faith?

Interesting that the disciples only turn to Jesus when they couldn't keep the boat afloat themselves. (don't we do the same) Then they panic forgetting or not knowing who it is they turn to (don't we do the same) The issue of faith wasn't about who they turned to (that was right) the issue was how they turned to him, "we're going to drown!" Shows they don't understand Jesus is in control even in the most desperate of situations. (Do I understand that?)

They get another lesson in faith by Jesus calming the storm. Brings fear and awe to the disciples- Why? because Jesus just went outside the boundaries they had set of what He could do! They had to rethink who Jesus is! (Do I need to rethink as well?)

Day 35

Day 35 (Week 7 Day 5)

Luke 8:16–21 (NIV)

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. ¹⁷ For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. ¹⁸ Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

¹⁹ Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. ²⁰ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

²¹ He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

How do we see Jesus’ grace and His call for us to follow him in this section?

Why does Jesus spend so much time on what we do with His words?

Is Jesus being mean to His family?

Thank God that Jesus makes it possible to be a part of His family!

Notes

To finish up this section about hearing and practicing Jesus' words Luke uses a parable and a story about Jesus' family

The parable takes an absurd thought to get point across. Do you light a lamp and hid it? It loses it purpose. Just like listening to Jesus' words and not using them.

To listen and apply Jesus’ words is best way. Just like taking the light and placing it on a stand so it can give light to the whole room. Jesus' words will give light to our lives.

vs 17, 18- Jesus' words will show who God is. It will become clear how Jesus will fulfill God's purpose (remember John the Baptist’s question in 7:19. John couldn't see it but Jesus is saying be patient If you listen and look you will see God revealed through me. Therefore make sure you listen!

Vs 18 - reminds me of vs 6:38 How you follow through with the practicing of what you hear will determine what you receive. (See 1 Cor 3:11-15) Where is God's grace in this? Jesus not denying the need for grace, in fact His words and actions will teach it. But He is saying your life should change because of grace. The idea of accepting Jesus is accepting Him as Savior and Lord. Jesus has been explaining what the Lord part means.

There are a lot of people walking around thinking they have heaven covered and don't

vs 19-21 Remarkable verses of proof of what he just said. It isn't that Jesus is denying his family, it is that He is adding to it. He is adding those who follow Him! That's me! The reward we have for listening and putting into practice what Jesus says is that we are part of his family That is His grace. We don't deserve it but he gives it. It would be grace if He just made us His servants, but Jesus goes far beyond that! Jesus puts it another way in John 15:11-17.

Day 34

Day 34 (Week 7 Day 4)

Luke 8:1–15 (NIV)

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

⁹ His disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰ He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

“ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. ¹⁴ The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the difference in the 4 places the seed falls? What are people who are these types like today? What soil type are you?

Look at the words Jesus uses in verse 15. What is the way to become the good soil?

Why does Jesus use parables?

Notes

in vs 1 Jesus was going to the people, now in verse vs 4 the people are coming to him. Not the first time crowd has come from all over 6:17. does show he is getting more popular

Hearing Jesus words - what does it mean to follow Jesus.

the story in 7:31-35 is about listening to God; not yourself, wise and foolish builders is about what you do with what you hear 6:46-49 Jesus spends a lot of time talking about hearing

The Soil Parable -

Note seed was often sown before the ground was plowed, and scattered as was the case here, not put in rows.

Seed is the word of God vs 11

on the path- not only is the word of God not listened to (taken away) it is trampled on (abused, made fun of ) still happens today.

Note vs 12 Satan takes it away- does that mean it is Satan's fault and not the hearers? No, the reason why Satan able to take it away is they choose not to hear it

On the Rock- it comes up (vs 6) it is listened to for a moment. But it gets no nutrition, not fed therefore can't grow. It withers for lack of feeding. People who say it sounds nice but do not go any further than that (see vs 10b)

Time of testing- think of testing Jesus went through in the desert. He withstood Satan, this type of person does not. Gives in. When people make fun of their faith they draw back. Nothing to draw on. reminds me of Psalm 1

In the thorns- actually grows, not just come up, but grows. Has potential. But the key is it is choked out by other priorities. God isn't put first. Their effort is put into wealth, fame, etc.. They don't become what God designed them to be.

Vs 14 May have the appearance of Christian i.e. go to church etc, but what they do is for their glory not God's and therefore they produce nothing that last (see 6:46, Matt 7:21 )

Good soil- Listens to God's word and applies it. (6:47-48)

Produces fruit for God. What we were designed to do.

vs 15- noble and good heart- think back to how Zechariah and Elizabeth 1:6, Simeon (2:25) and Anna(2:27b) were described in Birth of Jesus

Hear, Retain, Persevere, Produce - the Growth of a Christian in four words. Note there will be struggles but it is worth what is produced for God (not myself)

Vs 9 -10 Is Jesus trying to make it hard for people to hear Him? Comes from Isa 6:8-10 Just as Isaiah would tell the message of God and not be heard so to it would be for Jesus. The parables allow people to hear God's word but then it is up to them to seek to understand it. He uses common everyday illustrations but it is up to the people to interpret them.

Jesus could have come and said I am the Son of God. Believe in me. Done the miracles to prove it and that be that. But God wants us to decide for ourselves. He gives us the option to explore the message or not. To take what we want from it or to follow it completely. To have it be our center or not. Jesus is recognizing that most people will decide not to listen.

Day 33

Luke 8:1–3 (NIV)

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the good news of God’s Kingdom?

What would common people of Jesus’ day think the kingdom of God would be?

Why is it significant that women play such a role in Jesus’ ministry?

Helpful Information

Women sometimes served as patrons, or supporters, of religious teachers or associations in the ancient Mediterranean. (Men outnumbered them more than ten to one, however, because men had more of the economic resources.) But for these women to travel with the group would have been viewed as scandalous. Adult coeducation was unheard of, and that these women are learning Jesus’ teaching as closely as his male disciples would surely bother some outsiders as well. Upper-class families had more mobility, but commoners would still talk, as they did when other teachers (such as Greek philosophers) were accused of having women among their followers. Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

Notes

Again notice how Jesus is fulfilling his mission. Luke 4:18 , 43

Jesus seeks to get this word about the kingdom of God out. If I were to hear Kingdom of God mentioned in the Jewish situation what would that make you think

· Jesus is going to become King, or at least get us ready for a Jewish King (this would mean revolting against Rome)

· I have to choose whether to support this movement or not

· It must have God's backing, look at the miracles and healing he does

· Is this kingdom a different kind of kingdom, not of this world? How does "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" work with overthrowing Rome? Is God going to take care of Rome so we don't have to fight?

· Is Jesus a prophet getting us ready for this kingdom or is he the king (Christ) himself? Or is this a demon possessed man like the Pharisee say?

· Why don't Jesus and the Pharisees get along? Which one is right?

vs 2- women with him also see Matt 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41

· Mary from Magdala- Jesus had healed her of seven demons. She plays a prominent role in the gospels. she watched the crucifixion (mark 15:40) She was one of those who went to the tomb when he was buried (Matt 27:61) , she was one who went to tomb on Easter and saw resurrected Jesus (Luke 24:1-10, Matt 28:1-10)

· Joanna- wife of an official in Herod government, Also mentioned at the resurrection Luke 24: 10

· Susanna- only placed mentioned in Bible by name.

Clear these women financially supported as well as help with everyday tasks of the disciples. This would be unheard of to have women traveling around with men

Day 32

Day 32 (Week 7 Day 2)

Luke 7:36–50 (NIV)

³⁶ Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, ³⁸ and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

⁴⁰ Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

⁴¹ “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

⁴⁴ Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹ The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the difference in how the Pharisees and the woman treat Jesus?

Why does Jesus accept the words and actions of the woman and reject the attitude of the Pharisee?

Do you believe some people are a lost cause and cannot be reached by God?

What is great about this woman’s faith? What can you learn from it?

Notes

Story deals with how we see people vs how Jesus sees people

vs 36 Interesting that while Jesus is at odds with the Pharisees He stills goes to them. Shows he hasn't given up on reaching out to them. They must see their sin for Jesus to be able to forgive them. The motives of the Pharisees become a little more suspect. Why inviting Jesus to eat? They have done in the past and will continue to do so (Luke 11:37, Luke 14:1) At first they may have been trying to understand Him. as time goes on it evolves in trying to set Him up and find things to use against Him (See Luke 14:1) It is interesting that on these occasions when Jesus interacts with the Pharisees that He doesn't hesitate to call them out for their sin. It reminds me of working with someone trying to get them to see they are wrong. At first you try to get them to recognize it without you yourself pointing it out. Over time if they do not change you have to be more vocal about it. It seems like we see this approach with Jesus. He at first tries to get them to see their view is wrong Luke 5:22, then moves to telling them basically this is why you are going to hell in Luke 11:39- 44. The Pharisees refuse to see their sin even when blatantly pointed out to them. This particular story is somewhere in the middle of this process of having the Pharisee’s see their sin.

vs 37 - we do not know who the woman is, most believe that is probably is a prostitute or at least an adulteress. Clear the town knows her sin (vs 39)

Jesus reclined at the table eating. Not chairs rather a divan type sitting where you lie down on a large cushion with your head at the table and your feet away from the table.

Alabaster jar of perfume- could be any type of perfume oil. Probably intended to anoint his head (vs 46) but because of the circumstance of Jesus lying down and being overwhelmed by her sin she doesn't get to anoint his head.

vs 38 overcome by emotion she cries tears running on Jesus feet she uses her hair to wipe them (note women not suppose to let down their hair in public) and then uses the perfume to anoint them. Kisses feet- may seem strange to us but sign of deep reverence in that culture, paying honor to someone (see Luke 15:20, Acts 20:37

vs 39- prophet would know- Almost like the Pharisee is saying ah here's proof that Jesus isn't anything.

vs 40 -43- Jesus uses the thought to show two things to the Pharisee. First he does know what type a woman she is (hence someone to be listened to) Second, he uses her example to show the Pharisee the appropriate way to respond to Jesus (seeking forgiveness and mercy)

vs 44 DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN- of course the Pharisee sees this woman- Jesus not talking about the physical seeing I think talking about the spiritual seeing. Pharisee has already judged her and dismissed her. She is a lost case. (Do I do this with people?) Can't see that what she does shows she repents from her sin.

44-46 The 3 things Jesus mentions are not necessary to be done for someone coming into your house but would definitely be something you would do to one you respect and hold in high regard. They are ways of honoring someone. Sort of like getting out the fine china for us when someone special comes.

vs 47- Is the lessen Jesus tries to teach the Pharisee. WAKE UP SEE YOU NEED FORGIVENESS JUST LIKE THIS WOMAN

vs 48, 50- His first words to the woman- YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN- what weight must have been lifted from her! Note not her actions, not even her tears (though they show her faith) it is her faith that has saved her! Her faith that Jesus is the way to forgiveness. Her faith that she could be forgiven

big words that echo GO IN PEACE- think back to Luke 2:14

vs 49- While the woman knows what to do with Jesus, the others don't . How can he forgive?, who does he think he is? Similar to Luke 5:21.

The mention of faith in the story of centurion and this story. It is not from the expected places (the religious) where faith is found. It is in the unexpected people. Idea is all have a chance for faith in God! No matter who you are.

Day 31

Luke 7:24–35 (NIV)

²⁴ After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ²⁵ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written:

“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

²⁹ (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

³¹ “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’

³³ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ ³⁵ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What made John the Baptist special?

How do you know where to find wisdom?

Are you the type that complains like the Jews in 31-32, never satisfied with how God works in life?

Notes

vs 24-26 Jesus asks three rhetorical questions about John the Baptist. What do you go to see (what made you go out to the desert and see John?) Matt 3:1-11 for John's story

· Reed swaying in the wind- reeds bend back and forth, John never wavered (like a reed) based on what was the popular thing. He stood for God alone.

· Man dressed in fine clothes- Not John, wore camel skin, not about his money or background-

· Prophet- reason they went. To hear his words and repent and be baptized

vs 27 Jesus agrees with the reason and adds - more than a prophet because he had the privilege of introducing the coming one (see Mal 3:1)

vs 28-least in the kingdom of God is greater than he Question whether this refers to Jesus or to those who become disciples because of Jesus .

For it to be the Jesus view the problem is the words least in the kingdom of God

· could mean younger not least

· least could refer to his servanthood in sense of denying Himself more than anybody else ever would Luke 22:27

For disciples of Jesus to be who Jesus is talking about then Jesus implying the time of the prophets is ending and a new era is beginning (see Matt 13:17) The power of Holy Spirit in those after Jesus is gone will surpass what the prophets were able to do (John 14:12)

vs 29-30 Editorial comment by Luke- shows the contrast between the people's belief in Jesus and John and the Pharisees. Pharisees saw no need to repent

vs 31-35 - could be a common saying- idea is when the children gather those that have a flute play happy music but the others didn't want to dance, then when they played funeral music they didn't want to morn. Idea is they are never satisfied

Jesus applies the metaphor to him and John. John never took drink, ate locusts and honey, and he fasts. Jesus eats regular food doesn't make disciples fast, eats with sinners. The Pharisees are not happy with either John or Jesus. Calling John demon possessed and Jesus a glutton and drunkard.

vs 35 - Pharisees do not recognize God is in both men. It doesn't matter what they think God will be proven right in the end (see Acts 5:38-39)