Reading: Luke 8:1-18

Jesus said on at least one occasion that we are, first of all, to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

In this chapter, though, we have this recorded:

“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him” (1).

I wonder what He showed and preached.

What are the glad tidings of God’s kingdom?

I think of things like these: forgiveness, purpose, cleanness, wholeness, satisfaction, peace, sacrifice, fellowship with God.

And joy.

That goes along so naturally with the gladness of these tidings.

Sometimes it seems like I don’t get my share of joy and gladness.

That’s my own fault.

Because I’ve carelessly allowed my heart to turn from focusing on and ardently looking for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Because I’ve ceased to be a panting hart.

from Luke 8:16

A little bit more from Luke 8: Having Heard the Word

Reading: Luke 7:36-50

Pharisees — so many of them religious pretenders and spiritual frauds. Pharisees — so many of them adversaries to godliness and truth. Pharisee — now used interchangeably with hypocrite.

So many of these men actively worked against Jesus. And hated Him. And plotted His death.

Were any of them beyond redemption?

If not, what would my attitude toward them have been? (Or for a worse question yet, would I have been one of them?)

Perhaps this one was not in the “so many of them” category:

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat” (36).

Why should that verse have stood out to me this morning?

What message is Jesus trying to get through to me?

For what is He preparing me?

from Luke 7:40

A little bit more from Luke 7: Which Will Love Most?