Why Does John the Baptist Lose Faith in Jesus?
John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus to ask, "Are you the one that is to come, or should we expect someone else?" In other words they ask,
Are you really the Messiah, or should we keep waiting?
This seems strange--didn't John baptize Jesus? Doesn't he know?
The reason for John's doubt is because Herod has put him in prison. (See Luke 3:19-20 and 9:7-9). If Jesus is the Messiah, shouldn't the bad guys be losing?
John's doubts come from the same place ours come from: suffering and difficulty. Suffering and difficulty cause us to question whether Jesus really has things under control.
What's causing you to doubt today?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Who Will Jesus Save?
The centurion's interactions with Jesus give us a model for saving faith:
- He humbly approaches Jesus, not presuming the he is entitled to anything but believing that Jesus is able to save his servant;
- He asks Jesus to do something he cannot do for himself.
That's what saving faith is: believing that the Lord is able to save, understanding that we can't save ourselves, knowing that we don't deserve mercy, but humbly asking for it anyway.
Jesus will not turn anyone away who humbly asks for mercy.
If you have asked the Lord to save you, be assured: the Lord will never turn his back on you.
If you haven't asked him, why haven't you?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
The Connection Between Forgiving and Forgiven
Jesus tells his disciples that there is a connection between giving and receiving forgiveness.
"Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Luke 6:37b
What if giving forgiveness is accessed through the same door through which we receive forgiveness? What if the handle that you use to open the door to forgive another is the one that opens the door so you can be forgiven? What if there is no way to open the door to forgiveness apart from opening the door for the purpose of forgiving?
What if Jesus is giving us a stone cold fact about the universe?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
The Sermon on the Level
Jesus was an itinerant preacher, and said similar things on many different occasions. On one occasion he gave a long sermon "on a mountainside," which Matthew records as the Sermon on the Mount. On another occasion, he gave a shorter sermon "on a level place," which Luke records as the so-called Sermon on the Plain. The two sermons are similar, but there are noticeable differences, including the series of "woes" that only Luke includes:
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets."Luke 6:24-26
I think the key to understanding what Jesus is getting at here is to think of the blessings and the woes in the Sermon on the Plain as commentary on what Jesus will later tell his disciples:
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Luke 9:23-25
In other words, if what you have keeps you from following Jesus and receiving eternal life, it would be better to have nothing; if you have nothing, but you are Jesus's disciple, then it means you have everything that matters.
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
24/6 Is a Better Way to Live
Jesus makes an important point about the Sabbath: it is a gift from God to humanity. It is meant to be a blessing. The 24/6 lifestyle is a radical way to live, and a better way. But it is difficult to achieve!
How do you need to start preparing now so you can have a day off this weekend?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Why There Were Tax Collectors in Capernaum
When Levi becomes a disciple of Jesus, he invites Jesus over for dinner, along with a large group of Levi's fellow tax collectors. Capernaum (on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee) was right on the border between two administrative regions, and so it was a natural place to collect taxes and customs. In the photo above (taken on our trip to Israel earlier this year), you can see from the excavations that Capernaum was a thriving village at the time of Jesus. Maybe Levi lived in one of those houses?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Is This the House Where Jesus Healed the Paralytic?
In Capernaum today, you can see the foundations of houses that archeologists have uncovered, foundations that date from the time of Jesus. Is one of these houses the place where the friends of the paralyzed man broke through the roof to lower their friend down to be healed by Jesus? Check out the video:
[I know some folks have been having trouble with my videos, so I hope the fix below helps. Sorry this post is later than normal.]
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Jesus's View Every Morning
Here's a brief video showing what Jesus saw from his window in Capernaum every morning:
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
What I Saw in Capernaum
Jesus was raised in Nazareth, but moved to Capernaum as an adult, and Capernaum is where he performed many miracles. You can still see the foundation of the Capernaum synagogue today! Check out the video below:
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
They Tried to Throw Jesus Off This Cliff
Until I went to Israel earlier this year, I had very little feel for the the topography and geography of the Holy Land, which is funny, because now that I have eyes to notice, I see topographical and geographical details everywhere in the Bible. (Which, by the way, is a strong argument in favor of the trustworthiness of scripture--you couldn't make all these little details up.)
Today's account in Luke contains a great example of the kind of topographical detail I previously overlooked. I was astounded when I was standing on the cliff that overlooks Nazareth and realized that this is where Luke tells is that the townspeople of Nazareth tried to kill Jesus.
Here are some pictures:
-
That's the modern city of Nazareth behind me. -
-
-
The modern city of Nazareth. -
Mount Carmel is in the distance.
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
What Temptation Is
Each of the devil's temptations is about receiving something legitimate but in an illegitimate way.
- Jesus is hungry--food is a legitimate need;
- Jesus is Lord--having the authority and splendor of the world's kingdoms is his right;
- Jesus is Messiah--it is right that all the people in Jerusalem see his power.
The problem is that each of those legitimate ends can only come through suffering, and this is the temptation that the devil puts before Jesus: have what you need or what is rightfully yours, but have it without suffering for it.
Remember, though, that it's Cross before Crown.
What temptations are you facing today?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Joseph Was and Wasn't Jesus's Father
Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus; as Luke has already told us, Mary miraculously conceived. So, why does Luke give us Joseph's genealogy? Because he was born into Joseph's family, and raised as Joseph's son.
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Stone Children
John the Baptist really lets the Jews who have come out to be baptized by him in the River Jordan have it:
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax 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 3:7-9
Apparently, there were Jews who thought that just because they were descended from Abraham (i.e., ethnically Jewish), then they could live however they want: their status as the covenant people wouldn't be in question.
John's point is that it's not enough to self-righteously claim your spiritual status: you have to actually live like it by "producing fruit" that comes from repentance (v.8).
Not that this is a relevant message for us, right?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Boy Jesus
The account Luke gives us of 12 year-old Jesus in the Temple is the only account we have of Jesus as a boy. Slow down and read it again--it is such a human story. Can't you just see Mary and Joseph's growing panic and exasperation when they realize they've left their eldest son behind in Jerusalem?
(By the way, it seems likely that Mary was one of Luke's eyewitness sources. Look at the times Luke tells us that Mary "treasured all these things in her heart." Each of the strange occurrences of Jesus's childhood was remembered by Mary and pondered over years afterward.)
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Because They Were Poor
Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple as a newborn and made a sacrifice of 2 birds. Why is this significant? Because as explained in Leviticus 12:6-8, if you can afford it, the appropriate sacrifice after the birth of a firstborn child is a lamb. But, if you can't afford a lamb, then 2 doves or pigeons is acceptable.
What does it mean that when the Savior came, he came to a poor family?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Christmas Shepherds
Apparently, shepherding was not a reputable occupation at the time of Jesus: shepherds were considered shifty, filthy, and not respectable. Guess who were the first people to be told of the birth of Jesus? Shepherds.
When Jesus shows up, the nobodies are included.
To whom do you need to reach out today?
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
John Wild
Just like Elijah in the Old Testament, John the Baptist lives in the wilderness until he begins his ministry (Luke 1:80). Why is that detail important? Because Luke is showing us that the Gospel is the continuation of Israel's story--God made promises to Abraham, and he is fulfilling them through Jesus.
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
How Does the Old Testament Connect With the New?
Mary understands that the baby she bears is God's fulfilled promise to Israel. Reflecting on her pregnancy, she sings:
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”Luke 1:54-55
How does the Old Testament connect with the New? Through Jesus. Jesus is the answer to all of God's promises to Israel, and so the New Testament is part 2 of Israel's story, in which God moves to bless the entire world, both Jew and Gentile.
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
"Okay, I'll Do It"
Contrast Mary's reaction to the angel Gabriel with Zechariah's reaction:
When the angel comes to Zechariah, Zechariah is hesitant to trust God's word;
When the angel comes to Mary, Mary says--in effect--"Okay, I'll do it."
Sometimes it's just that simple.
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.
Luke's Gospel Begins
For the next several months, we'll be reading Luke's Gospel together. Some quick points:
- After reading Matthew and then Mark, I've noticed how different Luke's style is. Compared with Mark's vivid immediacy, e.g., Luke seems much smoother and more elegant.
- Luke tells us in his prologue (Luke 1:1-4) that he has studied other sources (other Gospels?) and deliberately arranged his account in a way that will help us readers have confidence that Jesus is the Lord. Note that Luke doesn't say that he was in some kind of trance when he was writing; rather, God used Luke's free will and hard work to give us this Gospel.
- Zechariah disbelieves the angel's promise that he will have a son (John the Baptist) in his old age. Note that Zechariah's disbelief doesn't keep God's word from happening; Zechariah's disbelief keeps Zechariah from having the joy and peace the come from trusting God at his word.
Over and over, scripture tells us not to be afraid. Don't let your worries rob you today of the joy and peace that God's word brings.
Today’s Scripture:
***Sign Up to Receive My Weekday Updates***
Subscribe here to receive a weekday update as we read through the Gospel of Luke.
In addition to my weekday blogging on the Gospels, I also write occasionally about other topics. Subscribe here to be notified when I publish a new post.
P.S. All Subscribers Will Get My Free Whitepaper!
If you sign up for my Andrew Forrest newsletter, I’ll send you a white paper I’ve written called “The Simple Technique Anyone Can Immediately Use to Become a Better Communicator”.