In the temple they had an offering box that people would come by and place their offering in it. Jesus was watching people come by, observing what was going on. A poor widow comes along and places two small coins into the box. Here is what Jesus says of her,Luke 21:3-4 (NLT2)
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” I was in a church the other day and the offering plate was passed. I could not help observing what some of these wealthy people were placing in the plate, one dollar, three dollars, five dollars. That was it. Too, too many just tip God not give what they should. How is your giving?
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Jesus has already enter Jerusalem, setting the stage for his upcoming crucifixion. Now He engages in many conversations and teaching moments. The last part of chapter 20 he says this," Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greeting as they walk in the marketplaces."( Luke 20:46). Jesus clearly warned us of the super star status of some of the preachers today. These guys are millionaires. They ride around in their expensive cars. They write books that are hollow and senseless and yet people flock to them like they are some kind of superstars. Jesus said," Because of this, they will be severely punished."
This chapter contains the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. Jesus found Zac up in a tree and he told him, "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today." What if Jesus showed up at your house today or what if he showed up at Christmas time, what would He find? In fact, would He even be welcome in your home. Is He welcomed in your home everyday? Zac welcomed Jesus and in fact Jesus said of Zac," salvation has come to this home today." Will you allow Christ Jesus into your home at Christmas. You know it is His birthday!
From Luke 18 we find Jesus making this incredible statement: : But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?" Warren Wiersbes says this :""The question in Luke 18:8 ties in with what Jesus taught in Luke 17:22-37: "Shall He find [that kind of] faith on the earth?" The end times will not be days of great faith. Eight people were saved in Noah's day, and only four out of Sodom (and one of them perished on the way). Passages like 1 Timothy 4 and 2 Timothy 3 paint a dark picture of the last days."
We find too , too many already falling away. I can name one after another who has done so. I pray that you will stay faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus never soft peddle anything. Here he makes this statement: Luke 17:1-3 (NLT2) "One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive."
Have you ever caused another to sin. Probably so! Sometimes in the way we act we cause others to think that behavior is acceptable but in the eyes of God it is not. Therefore, by our actions we cause one to sin, especially a new believer. Jesus said if you do that, you really deserve to die. Be careful how you talk and act. |
What we Learned on Sunday? Insights, ideas and InspirationWritten by Pastor Chris Hudson Archives
April 2024
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