Luke 18

Luke 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

The blind man, who was healed, made that the multitued praised God. Through his testimony he made the people know God better. His life became a testimony for the power and love of Jesus!!!

Matthew5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew5:15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Matthew5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

There are two places/stages in which we have to shine:

1. First we have to give light to all who are in the house (verse 15)
2. Then we have to shine before men (verse 16)

So we first have to shine in our house before we can shine in the world. First we have to strengthen the faith of our brothers and sisters in church and then we can go out into the world to make disciples.

The blind man in this story also shines. He proclaims the wonder of God and makes it known to everyone. This is what he does to make others praise God.
May we also be able to live a life worthy to give testimony for God so that others may praise God through it.

Luke Chapter 14

12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 "And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

To give is more blessed than to receive (act 20:35). God is able to make all grace abound toward us, that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work. This is also the main focus of God’s law "You shall love your neighbor as yourself".

To give is not expected to be repaid. The man does charitable deeds before men, be seen by them, the man has his reward from men. We should support the weak to gain a treasure in the heaven that does not fail, to gain the praise of God.

1Ti 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
1Ti 6:19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

FYI

As you probably already found out, we have a few new members that have joined us after having spied on us ; ). We are very happy to have additions to our spiritual fellowship. We also very much hope to learn from our new members very soon. Perhaps you have been a bit shy, or are just confused by our inconsistency in the chapters we are sharing, and have not shared your reflections with us. We want to reassure you that you can feel free to share anything in your daily readings for the time being, no matter which book and chapter it is. And you probably already figured out that we are no professional writers. We are just here to learn from each other through God's Word. Therefore, feel free to share in your own words, but please only English or German :).

We are in a bit of a frenzy right now trying to get everyone back to the same page (literally). Yes yes, shame on us. In the process of sharing, we have discovered that everyone shares at different paces. Our goal for this blog is two-fold, 1) Cultivate a daily Bible reading habit 2) Spiritual fellowship and mutual edification through the Word of God.

In order to keep this spiritual fellowship longterm, we will be changing our reading progress. The goal is to learn from each other in our sharings, but at the same time continue a daily Bible reading habit. We believe to get the most out of our reflection sharing, it helps if everyone shares on the same chapter at around the same time. That way, the chapter is still fresh in our mind and we know the context of what the writer is sharing about.

Just a bit of a backgroud to how we ended up at where we are today:). Originally, this started from a Religious Education class. There happened to be 7 members at the time and each is supposed to share 1 chapter a week when it is turn for their chapter. For all other chapters, just simply quote 1 verse. However, since we were reading the same book throughout the week, everyone started to share on every chaper and not just their chapter. Really thank God for everyone's zeal in sharing the Word of God. Everyone still wanted to share on every chapter read, but that became difficult when life becomes busier at times. Therefore, people started to share on the following chapter when they had the time. New members started to join in. That's how we ended up sharing different books at different times.

So as not to overburden anyone, some of us have proposed a 2 Book solution. We will choose 2 books to focus on. One book (The Reading Book) we will read on our own for self edification to cultivate our daily bible reading habit. Readers are encouraged to share the reflections if they so desire during their readings. Then we will choose a 2nd book (The Reflection Book) which we will use as our main book in writing reflections. We will have weekly sharing from the Reflection Book. For 6 days out of a week, we will read from The Reading Book. For the remaining day out of the week, we will read from The Reflection Book and share reflections. You can choose to do your reflections on any day out of the week, as long as it is within that 1 week period. That way, everyone can be kept on the same page for that week. I'm sure no one will object if you also choose to share from the Reading Book during the week. This way, no one will feel burdened in having to share 1 chapter everyday. But hopefully, the inspiration will come within that 1 week period :). If anyone has any other suggestions or revisions to this plan, please comment. Of course comment also if there are any objections :).

One of our new members is confused and noticed that we are everywhere right now, Mark, Luke, Samuel, etc...The story behind that is, we started from Matthew and onward. right now, we are supposed to be on John already, but we are still behind. Some are trying to make up Mark, others are still finishing Luke. Samuel is just a random sharing while waiting. So the plan is this, let everyone who's started on Luke finish Luke, then we will start with the 2 Book plan. During the waiting period, feel free to share anything from your daily readings :). Sound ok?

And Welcome to the fellowship :)

Mark 16

"1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. "

This a good passage to discuss which day the Sabbath is or isn't. There were disputes in regards to the different calendars to decide which Sunday to be legally set as Easter (Ostern), however, there has never been a dispute over whether Easter falls on a Sunday. As we all know, there is no dispute among Christians that Easter is Sunday, which is the day that Jesus resurrected. In these verese, we can see that the day that Jesus arose was the first day of the week. Putting these 2 together with a little mathimatical concept, if a=b and b=c then a=c, then first day of the week=Sunday. Now then, this passage mentioned that the Sabbath was past, and it was the first day of the week. It is then very logical to say that Sabbath is not on the day that Jesus resurrected, therefore, Sabbath is not the first day of the week. If Sunday is the first day of the week, then the day before that is logically Saturday.

Luke Chapter 13

12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity."13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Jesus is the person who can grasp and use every opportunity properly to preach Gospel.
When he was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath, there must be many people over there. When Jesus saw that woman who had a spirit of infirmity and called her to him, the crowd must watch them and wait for what will be happened. When the infirmity of this woman was healed, she immediately glorified God. The crowd there must be very surprised. And the woman had this kind of spiritual wisdom, she knew this miracle belongs to God, not to man. Some others might even not glorify God after being cured (Luk ch.17).

Besides, while the ruler of the synagogue railed against him that he healed on Sabbath, he used this chance to teach the crowd what is the main purpose that men should do on the Sabbath. The God we worship is teaching us to love, not obeying the rules like Pharisees.

Through Jesus’ miracle and speech all the crowd not only witness the mighty deed but also realize that God is the living and true God. I believe that the crowd have known more about God and rejoiced for Him afterwards.

Mat 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

God is pleased well, if we glorify His Name. Do we have this kind of wisdom like Jesus grasped any Chance to preach the Gospel, let others glorify him? And can we like this woman glorify God after receiving his mercy?

Luke Chapter 12

The verses I would like to share are exactly as Doro’s and Tiana’s and like to find out the answers of both questions. Of course, it’s welcome to comment or any inspiration.

Part I:
10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

Jesus referred it was under the circumstance when Jesus came to the world in flesh and preached the Gospel, man treated him as a human being and did not know that he is the Son of Man yet. So before the salvation or the inspiration of Holy Spirit came to them, they did not know that Jesus is God, e.g. the scribes and Pharisees were always discussing with each other what they might do to Jesus and Paul was persecuting the men, who are on the way of Jesus. That’s why it could be forgiven if a man has not known him yet and blasphemes against the Son of Man, because he did not know who Jesus is. But the Holy Spirit is on a higher level which is the divine nature. I mean that men on that time might have known the Holy Spirit, which represents God or the Spirit of God. If who has known and even though blasphemes the Holy Spirit, he cannot be forgiven, because he insults God and is unwilling to believe God.

Mat 20:28 "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Luk 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." […].

Jesus is the Mediator, which is between God and men. He lied for us as a sinner without sin and is always praying for us, because he loves us in hope that we can return to him. Actually he is enduring us too, so he is forgiving us. We shall not forget the God we believe is not only merciful but also righteous and jealous. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship with spirit and truth. Do not lie to the Holy Spirit as Ananias and his wife, Sapphira (Act 5).

Part II:
41 Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?"

We could probably get the answer to this question, if we look at verses 47’ 48:
47 "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

I think that the point is not Jesus speaks to the twelve disciples or to all people, rather to those who have known and do the way of God.

2Pe 2:21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

Those who have known and do the way of righteousness must be watched more carefully and obey the will of God which associates with the parable in Matthew 25: 14-30.

Mat 25:29 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

Besides, those who did not know will deserve their own punishment too, but just only lighter than those who have known. Hence, the best to conclude is to be a faithful and wise steward servant in order to provide a treasure in the heaven, and be watched because we do not know the time when God coming. Our Lord must strengthen his people for their effort and prepare the beautiful eternity for them.

Mark 15

"9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. "

Pride is a dangerous and evil thing. It is very sad that almost everyone has some degree of it. Jesus had warned us clearly that He "Resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble". Pride is not good, but it becomes deadly when the pride is against God. You may be wondering why I mentioned pride when this verse is talking about envy. It's beccause envy can only exist if pride exists first. If one has no pride, then one will not be bothered if another person is better. Envy is caused when one's pride is hurt by someone else being better than themselves. It is caused by pride, because they are not able to recognize and applaud another person being better and more prominent than themselves. This could indeed be a difficult obstacle to overcome. May the Lord help us, because even He knows it is hard. Because He has given us warning messages in this regard time and again through Himself and his apostles (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, Phillipians 2:3, Mark 7:22,23, etc...).

From this story, we can see how pride can be deadly, both for the victim and the offender. Because of pride, they crucified Jesus. Even if Jesus wasn't God and was just an ordinary person, they still committed physical murder. Because Jesus is God, the offender killed themselves spiritually by not being able to accept their Saviour. Because Jesus is God, they ended up with a bad deal, a deal for their own spiritual death and eternal suffering, a deadlier death than Jesus' physical death.

What we can learn from this is to remind ourselves not to make a bad deal that ends in our spiritual death. Remember how we can make eternal deals that will last, even when they may appear to be bad deals in this transient life. Learn to look further into the future and not just in the present. Remember that the priests in their present moment seem to have won and diminished the one who overpowered them. But in actuality, they have lost the battle that mattered, the eternal one. May the Lord help us.

Mark 14

51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked."

Hmm....this verse stuck out and seem to appear in the middle of nowhere. It seems very odd and even irrelevant of the whole context. The only connection I can see right off the bat is the contrast it makes with the previous verse, "50 Then they all forsook Him and fled." The people who fled refers to Jesus' disciples, because in Matthew it recorded, "Then all the disciples deserted him and fled" (26:56). However, this particular young man was not mentioned in Matthew or other gospel books.

The connection then seems to be the contrast that there is still a person following Jesus after everyone else deserted Him. However, the latter part of the verse is harder to understand. Why on earth would a regular person on a regular day choose to be naked and just wear a linen cloth? Who were these other young men? Why did they lay hold of the man in linen? Why did the young man leave the linen cloth behind? Why did the young man flee naked? These are interesting questions and could be viewed from a few aspects, literal, symbolic, and spiritual.

I did a little research in regards to the significance of linen cloth in the Jewish tradition. It was worn as regular clothing. However, a more significant role that it plays is in the Jewish burial. There is a special procedure in the way the Jewish prepares bodies for burial. First the washing of the body (can be signified by the woman who anointed Jesus in v. 3), then the wrapping of the body in white linen cloth (which could be signified by this young man, Mark 15:45). Apparently, this young man was not a regular person, and that was not a regular day. If this were the significance of this unusually placed verse, the young man can signify the whole process of Jesus's last days on earth. The young man himself signifying the body of Jesus. The linen cloth thrown on his naked body signifying a body undergoing the ceremonial cutom for burial. Later on, however, he left the linen cloth and was naked, signifying resurrection; no longer a need for the linen cloth, because the body is no longer a body for burial, but a living body.

As far as the other young men were concerned, it would make sense if they were those who came with Judah to capture Jesus. It should not be Jesus' disciples, because they already fled. The young men then literally are the people capturing Jesus. When they saw the young man in linen cloth, they probably were just trying to take care of him to avoid being bothered in what they are doing, arresting Jesus. However, in the symbolic meaning, they can signify the threat the body of Jesus will have to undergo prior to resurrection (leaving behind of the linen cloth). At the end, the young man fled naked. This can signify that when everything is finished, Jesus will be free of threats, and no longer be dead but alive, because he has left behind the linen cloth used for burial.

On a different note, this young man was the only person who followed Jesus after His disciples fled. He wasn't afraid of this group of people who were carrying swords and clubs. Even with the visual danger and threat at hand, he pressed on to follow Jesus. What we can learn from him is a spirit in the persistence of our faith. That despite the danger that is apparently before us, we can still press on to follow Jesus, because Jesus is there. That nothing can deter us away from following Jesus, whatever danger or threat it may be. That even if all the other followers of Jesus, and strong followers at that, were to flee for their lives away from Jesus; we can ignore that and continue to follow Jesus. That we let no one influence us to becoming an impass in following Jesus, not even those who are supposed to be more faithful or spiritual. That we do as Jesus do, not do as what others do.

Luke 17

Luke 17:1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
Luke 17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

I find it interesting, how Jesus describes a man, who offend one of his sheep (Actually I like the German translation more than the English one. In German it does not say "offend" but it says "to lead to apostasy" or "to lead to the wrong way". So it is not only offending the sheep of Jesus, but it is leading them to spiritual death.). Jesus says that it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
What will God do to someone, who has lead the child of God astray?

1.Cor.3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Luke Chapter 11

24 When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

The unclean spirit has been leaving out of that man, the question is why he can return back again to which he had ever stayed?

Although that man has clean his old mind a/o heart, such as put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. But as our Christians we have to do further, which are putting off the unclean clothes and dressing on the new one. Let God dwell in you and let the Word of God in your entire mind to have a kind heart as the Lord’s. Don’t leave any tiny space for the evil to come in. We have to know that the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Therefore, we must be alert, renew the light of heart through praying and reading God’s word. Otherwise, it would be even worse than the first like verse 26.

Col 3:9 […], since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

2Co 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Eph 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Luke 16

Luke16:20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
Luke16:21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

As I visualized it I thought: "Oh, do we really have to suffer like that, in order to enter the kingdom of God??"
Lazarus did not only have those sores, but he was also very poor - so he had no medical supply. With his sores he laid (that must have hurt) at the gate of the rich man. "Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores".
As i imagined it I felt nauseated by it but I also had compassion with this man... Such a poor man lying on his own sores, which were licked by dogs (that makes it worse I think).
So: Do we really have to suffer like this, in order to be allowed to enter the kingdom of God?
If we turn to Acts, Paul says:

Acts14:22“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

And Jesus himself tells us:

Luke14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Luke14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

When I read these two verses, I sighed telling myself: "OK... there seems to be no other way to enter the kingdom of God..."
But as I continued reading the story and came to these verses:

Luke16:22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.

Luke16:24 “Then he [the rich man in hell] cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’

As I read these verses I realized, that the suffering of Lazarus was nothing compared to the comfort and glory he received afterwards. Then I thought: "Oh, this kind of pain on earth is worth to be suffered, in order to enter the kingdom of God."

Haha.. thanks to God, that I do not have to suffer like that. But as an encouragement:
Acts14:22“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
And compared to Lazarus, I think our tribulation is often lighter and not that painful:)

Luke Chapter 10

Luk 10:39-42 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Every time after reading the story about Martha and Mary, everyone will like to be Mary. Because she knew that hearing Word of God is the best part, which will not be taken away. This is absolutely correct. Honestly I think Mary is a fortunate woman, because she knows what the best is and can attend to Word of God. If between Martha and Mary to choose, I think most people would choose rather Mary then Martha. But it does not mean that all of us have to be Mary.

We should not forget, Martha who was the one to invite Jesus into their house, she opened the gate of gospel to their house and also because of her much serving so that Mary could sit at Jesus’ feet and hear his word. Wrong is that Martha she was worried and troubled while she was serving Jesus. How could a man who works for God have suffering? Although there are many works or maybe the ability or wisdom is not good enough to handle it, but if on right time she could pray for the strength and wisdom from above, and then this kind of serving will not drive her distracted, rather feel more joyful and thankful God because he works with us together. The wisdom in spiritual will not only increase, but also a living wisdom. And I believe the Lord will remember all the effort she paid and be written in heaven.

Another question, are the works really lots to do? Could they just not big deal or tiny things? It needs to pray for the help of God too. If really just for the tiny things could not hear God’s Word, it is definitely a pity! The most important is when we are troubled, we must turn to pray not to scold.

Eph 4:1 [...] beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Actually, we need this kind of people like Martha who willing to work in church, otherwise in such a huge family it will be in a mess. So in my opinion, being Martha is not because someone wants to be, rather someone has no choice to be. If everyone can do something for church or share the works with others even a small part, and then Martha would not always be Martha. She can also be Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet and seeking the truth of God.

Mark 13

"21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. "

It is scary when those that deceive us can also come from among us. That there will be deceivers from the elect ones of God. It is indeed true that the word spoken was true and came true. Years ago, there were a group of TJC member who left church in Taiwan because of some disagreements in the way things are done and formed their own group. They influenced many to follow them out. There was a sister from Houston whom I knew that left TJC and followed that group of deserters. I also know another sister who she tried to influence from Dallas, but thank God she was not moved.

During the end times, we have to be especially vigilant. Because "The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8). The only way to keep to the truth is to study what the truth is and ask God for the Holy Spirit to guide us in His true path. That no matter how weak the members are at church, how much we disagree with other at church, or how the members have wronged us; as long as the truth is kept in the church, God's church is still God's church. It is our task to encourage the members to return to the right track and to focus on what is more important, the truth.

Luke chapter 14

10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honoured in the presence of all your fellow guests. 

This parable came from the situation Jesus has observed. He taught us that the guests should not decide their position in hierarchy by themselves, but should give the right of dicision to the master. Only has the master the supremacy to judge whether someone deserves to sit at a certain place. In the feast of the end time, that will be the same. It is God who confirms our works and our values but not our own appreciation. So that in our daily life, we should also respect God's evalutation. Do not regard ourselves as hard workers or faithful disciples and suppose ourselves occpying on high ranking positions of salvation list, otherwise we are robbing the supremacy of God and also are losing our humbleness. That might make us fall behind, even fall down from our seat, like these verses said:

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.(Luke 14.11)

Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.(Luke 13.30)

Luke Chapter 9

5 "And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them."

Why do Jesus let his disciples not to argue with whom do not receive them?

Mat 10:40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

It is also the same that, whoever does not receive God’s men does not receive God. Not receiving God is the matter between God and that one who does not receive him. But we must remember that vengeance is not on us, and anger does not please God. The word is evil as a sharp sword when it goes out of one’s angry mouth. There will be in the end only that blaspheming against God and not glorifying God. That’s why Jesus wants his disciples just leave peacefully and God will remember all of this.

Rom 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

Jas 1:20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Finally the verses 51-56 in this chapter when Jesus and his disciples met the Samaritans who did not receive them, the disciples instead of forgot the word that Jesus told them and said the arrogant words. It could be an example to warn us to hold the Word of God in mind constantly.

Luke 15

Luke15:20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Every time I read this verse I am touched by the love of this father.
Actually we can say, that this son is really a spoilt, yes, a lost son:

1. He wanted his heritage before the father has died (!!!) [At this point I would already think: Oh, you spoilt son!!!]
   
2. He took the possessions, which he received from his father, to "waste his possessions with prodigal living"(Lk.15:13)[... he is not only a very spoilt man... but worst: spiritual dead!(Lk.15:30who has devoured your livelihood with harlots)]
3. After he has wasted all of his possession he has to feed the swine in order to survive (more or less) [Jesus was saying this parable to the Pharisees: For the Jewish swine are unclean animals... and he lived with the swine and ate what they ate (at least he wanted to)- from the Jewish perspective: he should be banished!!!]
4. As he recognizes and remembers that in his fathers home everything is much better, he returns to his home [...just like someone, who only turns to Jesus, when he suffers. As long as he is fine, he doesn't care about his faith and puts Jesus into a little box, where he can take him out again, when he is in trouble.]

If I imagine being the father... I don't know how I would react. But I surely wouldn't "[run] and [fall] on his neck and kissed him."
To fall on his neck and kiss him, who has just been living together with the swine...
I don't think that human being can have such love... such forgiveness...

Luke chapter 13

5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

6 Then he told this parable: A man had a fig-tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.

What attracted me here is the word "Then", which connected the former teaching of repentance and the later parable of unfruitful fig-tree. Jesus used unfruitfulness as a complement to explain the repentance. So that we can understand the relationship between yielding fruit and the repentance. Compared with the unfruitful fig-tree which is going to perish due to its unfruitfullness,  yielding fruit is just the manifestation of true repentance. 

Let's recall what John the Baptist has taught:

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3.8)

That's the point. Our repentance should not be represented in a psychological or an oral way, but rather in our behaviors. If we do not have matched behaviors, he said:

The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Luke 3.9)

It's the same parable with Jesus's. If we could not yield fruits of Holy Spirit, our repentance might be not that true, and we would be cut as well.

Another thinking is about the role of the guard of vineyard:

 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig-tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig round it and fertilise it. 

The guard interceded with the master for the surival of the fig-tree, with his promise of care and planting. It reminds us that the faith of our church members are really the responsibility of all of us. We all are both trees which must yielding fruits and the guards of God's vineyard who should take care of trees. We should always (but not till the moment of any tree's perishing) pray for each other and plant each other with our every effort.

Luke 14

Luke14:13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.
Luke14:14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

We do many things because of being repaid afterwards. For example we learn for school to get a good grade in that test, or we work in order to get our salary. Is it bad, that we get it repaid?? - No, surely not because if we wouldn't be repaid, how could we still survive in this world.
But we shouldn't forget to do things, which we will not be repaid on earth, but in heaven.
This is actually the most difficult task. Jesus asks us to labor for something, we get repaid, after we die.
That's just like a company, which tells you: "Work for us, and after you have died, we will give you 1.000.000.000.000€or$ (whereas I would prefer €)"... would we sign this contract??
No of course not, because we know, that after we have died, this money has no account or andvantage for us anymore.
But thats just how it is with our faith. Jesus asks us to sign his contract, in order to be rewarded after we have died. He will repay us for what we have done, after we have died.
In order to do so we need faith. Faith, that gives us this guarantee, that Jesus will surely repay, what we have done for him.
If we have this faith, I think we will see those things more valueable (see also Yi-Yuns post about Luke 12) which concern our life after death. Then we will not seek the success or the glory of this world anymore but we will seek for the heavenly treasure.
So let us seek to labor for God "for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

(In acutal fact that is also a great comfort for us: Whatever we do for God, will not be in vain, but Jesus will surely repay us at the resurrection of the just!!! Sometimes when we have done a lot of exhausting church work and no one notices or others even complain about the work we have done, we feel very discouraged. But we shouldn't forget: God sees, what we have done for him and he will (more important than just "seeing") remember, how we have laboured for him!!)

Mark 12

"41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,[j] which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

This is a very encouraging passage to those who feel like they do not have much. This can definitely be applied in more way than just monetarily. Here it is the 2 mites of the widow that touched the heart of Jesus. As we can see, it is percentage, not amount that Jesus looks at. It was the widows WHOLE livelihood.

We have learned in the parable of the talents, that everyone is given some amount of talent, no matter if it's 5000, 2000 or 1000. So no one can say that they have no talents, because that would be a complaint to God of His unfairness. Being the clay and not the potter, we cannot say why did the potter not paint rainbows or sunshine on our pot. We know what the consequence is for the one that received 1000 and did nothing with it. Therefore, as we are given talents, no matter the amount, it is the percentage that we offer to God that counts.

This can definitely be applied to doing work for God. Do we ever think we are unable? Or that we have very little talents? Or we cannot handle certain tasks? If we have ever thought this, it is time for us to take this passage as an encouragement for us to step out. That whatever amount talent that God gave us, we need only to invest that and give it back to Him. I feel in Heidelberg we are very blessed because the church is so small, there are many opportunities to do work for God. Sometimes it may feel like we are forced to do certain tasks that we feel uncomfortable doing, or feel that we are not good enough to do it, or too young for it; but because it's such a small church, we are unable to reject the work so easily. I think we are all very fortunate to be in such an enviornment where we have ample opportunity to serve God. And it is also comforting to see everyone trying their very best. The shy ones being put to translate, the inexperienced being scheduled to give a sermon, those who never cooked for so many volunteering for the task, etc...Keep up the good work! God will add to those who are willing to serve Him and increase their talents.

This is also a good environment for us to be trained for the future when the church grows. At that time, the church will need even more workers. The new believers would need to be strengthened in faith prior to their servitude. So who does that leave to do the work for the time being for even more people than now? The oldtimers :) Yes, us! So not only are we doing the work for God currently, we are also preparing for the time when we need to step up for more tasks when the church grows. Let's just imgine if God brings us 100 truthseekers this coming Sabbath, would we be ready and able to handle all of them? Perhaps even Beni will need to step up at that time. So let us prepare ourselves and encourage one another to grow in our service to our God and Father. And to offer our '2 mites' to God as the widow did. May the Lord help us.

Luke chapter 12

07 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

25 [...]how much more valuable you are than birds. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 

In this chpater, something interesting is that Jesus refered to birds twice. By comparing with the value of birds in two dimensions: spiritual and material, he taught peolpe to be unafrid by distingushing the TRUE treasures from those ones untrue. 

In verses 4-5, Jesus raised a comparison between the death of flesh and that of spirit. He indicated that the salvation of spirit is more valuable than the preservation of flesh. If we put sight on this higher hope, we will be able to face and bear sufferings in the present life, just like what Danniel and his three friends did. Therefore, on the spiritual level, God give weight to the life of each creation of him and neverever ignore anyone of them, even a cheap sporrow, or a sinner like you and me. The everlasing living life is hence the TRUE life.

On the other hand, in verses 22-32, Jesus talked about another dimension of life, which is about material surviving. Here, the value of materials is still not the worth of life. For God, there exists another richness more than wealth(21), and there also exists another life more than food(23). The reason why liles dressed more splendidly than Soloman did is that the former compeletly rely on God, without any personal calculation. It's the same to the birds. So that Jesus called us "little flock", to remind us to search for God's kindom rather than for the food of the world. That's also why he taught us pray in this way:

Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.(Luke 11.2-3)

Firstly God's kingdom, then our daily life. Actually, in French version, "our daily bread" is also translated as "our needs of tommorow". That is to say, God does not only prepare our needs for today, but also pre-prepare that for the future. Therefore, the TRUE value of life does not base on the food or on the wealth, but on the connection with God. As the case of lilies, the closer our relationship with Him, the more splendid our dresses will be.

The wisdom of discerning TRUE and UNTRUE value leads us to the way of salvation, with certainty and fearlessness. If we conclude the six woes of Pharisees in chapter 11, we can say that their main failure is the lack of this wisdom. They give weight to the material offers rather than the spiritual services, to the fame in the world rather than the richness in God's kingdom, and to preserving man-made doctrine rather than listening and reflecting God's calling. Therefore, Jesus interrogated them that how is that they couldn't discern this TRUE salvation before them, since they are able to interpret the appearance of the weather, and since they were that familir with God's words. That's why Jesus warned that Pharisees would be juged more seriously:

47 That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 

However, the fault of being blind to TRUE value might happen not only to Pharisees, but also to us. Sometimes we're getting lost in some myths and pay too much attention on some values not everlasting. For example, we might be like Mathe, chose the happiness or effort whose result could be taken away(Luke 10.42) rather than choose the persuit of intimacy with God. So, what is better, what is more important, and what is true, that is the question.

 

Luke 13

Lk13:2Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

Lk13:4 do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

Do we sometimes think, that we are better than other believers, who suffer?? Do we sometimes think: "Oh, so many bad things have happened to him - he must have sinned!"?? Or do we think, that because we are so strong in faith and that we are so holy, nothing happens to us??

Thats not the way we should think. We cannot say that if anyone suffers, he has sinned (e.g. the case Job). I think that in Germany or in Europe the church members don't think in this way anymore.
But I heard that in Taiwan some people still put suffering and sinning together.
Someone had a car accident. After he went to church and told them about this accident (it was not a very serious one... I think he was just a bit hurt) they immediately said to him: "Oh, what have you done! You have to repent for what you have done!" But the brother was thinking: "But I haven't done anything..."
I hope that we do not judge people by this. But what is very important for everything is to think about it critically (very important!!!).

Luke Chapter 8

15 "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

If the seed fell on good ground, where have water and sunshine to grow them, (means the word of God is given to those who having heard the word with noble and good heart and the heart is watering by Holy Spirit), it is obviously the seed to grow wealthily and to bear fruit (means the development of spiritual knowledge, which is the fruit of oneself, and leading people to be Christian, which is the fruit of God). Why here said Jesus particularly that bearing fruit with patience?

This parable let me think of another parable of weeds (Mat 13:24-30). Satan sows weeds too, and the weeds could probably be sowed on the good ground too. We knew that in this parable God allowed the weeds to grow together with the wheat until the harvest time. In this world where we live there is not only some righteous, but also some unrighteous. It is necessary to those who can hold the word of God steadily and live in such an environment with many attacks from the evil to have lots of patience to bear fruit.

We will not know when Jesus comes. It could be tomorrow, 1 year or maybe 100 years later. Keeping God’s Word and holding it until the day Jesus’ coming is also necessary to be patient. Do not give any chance to devil until that day not to let the good ground turn to the poor ground.

Psa 126:5, Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Psa 126:6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Following reply to Tiana’s sharing 09.12.08:
When Jesus revealed miracles, mostly he asked the witness not to spread the miracle around or he withdraw himself from there to a desolate place. Those are to hide, but expect for this miracle in Gerasene he instead told that man to spread what great things God has done to him, and he did.

Mar 5:20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

I think the country of the Gerasenes was not the country where the Jewish were gathering at that time, but rather a country of gentiles. Because the Jewish do not eat swine, but we see Marc 5:13 there were at least two thousand swine in that area. If my assumption were correct, then Jesus maybe liked to through him to let the gentiles there to hear the miracles of God and to know him.

Finally, I want to add some to the paragraph about when demons saw Jesus, just as Doro said “demons recognized Jesus as Son of the Most High God” and “begged Jesus not to command them to go out into the abyss”. The abyss can be connected with the bottomless pit in Rev 20:3, where God have bound Satan overthere. I find it interesting that demons are afraid of death. Is really that the death under Satan’s control? We do but know the only one, who is the all mighty and had ever overcome death, “Jesus”.

Luke chapter 11

16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

These people asked Jesus to show them a sign from heaven. However, all they have seen were already signs from heaven. They SAW the miracle, but were BLIND to God within or behind it. By contrast, the queen of South and the men of Nineveh did recognize "the one greater" beyond those whom they physically encounterd. That's why Jesus condemned them that:

35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 

Because:

34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.

So, what and how do we see? In other words, what do we often pay attention to? How do we think about things and words exsiting around us? That's why we should often check our spiritual light inside to make sure that we can see them through God's mind and to consider God's will. Here we can review a verse in chapter 7: "24 What did you go out into the desert to see?" Whenever we can't find God's way, we should ask ourselves: what am I waiting to see? A sign from heaven? Is it possible that I have seen signs from heaven but just am blind to God behind it? And that would be the definite moment to check our light inside and to pray for God to lighten our eyes, in order to really SEE his road.

Luke chapter 10

20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. 

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit,[...]

It's not often that Jesus's emotion was emphasized, especially his joy or happiness. By contrast, his negative emotions, such as anger, sorrow, compassion, etc. were expressed more often, which are often caused by the  hardness or weakness of men. Here, Jesus (finally) had joy. This joy was arisen by Holy Spirit and just followed his comment to disciples' joy. That is to say that, just as what he told disciples, the Lord in Heaven was rejoicing that his followers go and do what they have heard, and that the names of theirs were writtenn in Heaven. Our God is truely a God of compassion. Not only sorrowing for our sins, but also rejoicing at our goodness and our reward. Just as this verse moving me:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph3.17)

So that we should also make effort to please him, to make him happy, right?

Luke 12

Luke12:54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.
Luke12:55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.
Luke12:56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

In geography we recently covered the topic "weather". And I can tell you: what Jesus says about the weather is correct! (I think even without geography lessons you can know, whether Jesus says the truth or not).
What I want to say, is that general knowledge is very important for evangelism. The more we know, the more we can talk to other people. Perhaps even some knowledge about the weather can help us to talk with others about God.
Here Jesus uses his backround knowledge to display their ignorance of this time. They can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but they cannot discern this time. They can discern the geographic circumstances very well, but the time they cannot discern.
Perhaps the people understood Jesus' advice/warning because of his example.

What I just recently heard about was 為主耶穌讀書 (studying for Jesus). I don't want to focus on the exact meaning of this sentence (because actually you can think quite a lot about it).
However, I think that whatever we study, we can help God with our abilities. Even if we study chemistry or sociology (we might think, that studying them we cannot do anything for God) we can serve God with the skills we have (e.g. studying chemistry you can rebut or analyse the issue of the big bang or the origin of this world).

Mark 11

"23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."


Hopeful verse, but at the same time very testing of our faith. Only when our faith is strong enough will the verse apply. However, we also have to be careful what we ask for. I remember hearing a testimony of a deacon in Taiwan. I think this was a long time ago. He lived next to this family that raised chickens. Somehow, the neighbor's chickens got on his nerves and the neighbor wouldn't fix the problem. So one day, our deacon cursed the chicken saying, "I wish the chickens would just die." The next morning, the chickens really all died.

Luke 11

Luke11:23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

This verse made me think of another verse:

Luke9:50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

So the question is: Who is on Jesus' side, and who is against him?

1. Whoever is not against him, is on his side (Lk9:50) (whereas in this case it still has to be said, what it means to be against him)
2. Whoever is not with him, is against him (Lk11:23)

So if we combine these we can conclude:
Everyone who is not with Jesus (who is not on his side), is against him! It is impossible for us to be between the world and Jesus.

Rev3:15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
Rev3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

So in Luke 9:50 "against me" = "in the world or inbetween, but not on my side"

Mark 10

"17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. "


The humility of Jesus is something worth our learning from. Even though He is a manifestation of God, however, in the flesh He exalts the Father above. This shows us that, not even Jesus is to be considered good. There is only one who is good, and that is the God in spirit. Therefore, no one should be so proud as to boast of themselves, because even Jesus did not when He has every reason to boast. On the contrary, we should all boast of God and give credit and glory to him; because without him, we are nothing.