Luke 22 - Esther

"The most important among you should be like the youngest. The one who rules should be like the one who serves." -Luke 22:26

Luke 21 and 22 - Jason

Luke 21 is about the prophecies of Jesus concerning the end times and the destruction of Jerusalem, which was fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of the temple by the Romans. Verse 36 is a good one to remember: stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Luke 22 is an intense chapter about the betrayal and arrest and questioning of Jesus. Before he was betrayed he enjoyed the last Passover meal with his disciples, and he distributed wine and bread to them saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Jesus made a new covenant with his people through his death and resurrection, and the new covenant is better than the old because we can all have a close relationship with God through Jesus Christ the Son. And he poured out the Holy Spirit on all flesh.

Luke 22 - Nathanael

Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles Lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  

Luke 22:25‭-‬26

Jesus calls us to servant leadership. This is very countercultural. In society the leader is always served by others and others give up their lives in service of the master. But Jesus did the opposite Ann's calls us to do likewise. 

He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.  It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'  ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."  

Luke 22:36-37

An interesting passage. Some may take it to be Jesus advocating swords or in modern times guns. While I don't believe Jesus was opposed to them, I think something else is in view here: namely that while at one point they were popular and had favor with those around them, soon was coming a time when they would be called sinners and be outcasts who are hunted down. In God's kingdom, his people God through times of favor and times of disfavor with those around them. 

 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Luke 22:46 NIV

This is a key to avoiding temptation: get up and pray! 

http://bible.com/111/luk.22.25-46.NIV

Luke 15 - Esther

"There is joy in heaven over one sinner who turns away from sin." -Luke 15:10

Luke 21 - Esther

"I will give you words of wisdom." -Luke 21:15

"Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away." -Luke 21:33

Luke 21 - Nathanael

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 

Luke 21:14‭-‬15

Two interesting points here: 1) a secret to proper behavior in difficult times is to make up your mind beforehand how you will behave 2) Jesus's instructions about this are unexpected and challenging: don't worry about how to defend yourself. I've found this top be quite helpful in various ways. Generally I have determined not to defend myself but key God take care of that - especially when it comes to my reputation. I have found it best to simply trust and obey God and let him defend my reputation. This allows me not to worry and I have found that God takes care of me! 

  "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
Luke 21:34 NIV

In these days, it us easy for our hearts to be weighed down with anxieties and for us to be distracted by the pleasures and comforts of this world and its entertainments. 

Lord Jesus, keep us from the love of the world! And help us to trust completely in you! 

http://bible.com/111/luk.21.14-34.NIV

Luke 18, 19, and 20 - Esther

"He wanted to show them that they should always pray and not give up." -Luke 18:1

Luke 19 and 20 - Jason

I liked how Zacchaeus, after he was saved by Jesus, chose to give away half of his possessions and restore anything that he had defrauded from others up to four times! Even if it is costly, it is important to make restitution wherever possible for the things that we have done wrong. I need God's help to see if there is anything that I can give back to people.

Jesus gives such wise answers to the scribes and Pharisees who question him at the temple in Jerusalem. He is so wise as to not fall into their traps or incite a rebellion against the Roman authorities there. I don't want to question Jesus the way that the religious leaders asked questions to try to trap him. But I do ask Jesus for help and wisdom, and I may ask questions about things that are confusing me from the Scripture. God is not afraid of our questions, and he will answer gently and with great wisdom.

Luke 19 - Nathanael

They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you. 

Luke 19:44

This is one of those many times that Jesus makes the claim of being God.

Luke 18 - Jason

I like the part in verse 38 when the blind man begins to cry out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" This is a verse that has stuck out to me and it is a great response to Jesus. The Lord wants us to cry out to him for help, and sometimes we are in situations where we feel our need more and we cry out for help. We need the Lord to have mercy and us, and I want to belong to Him. I want to have my spiritual eyes opened to see what God is doing around me and what I can do to join Him.

Luke 17 - Jason

I was curious about what is meant in verses 28-32. What is the relationship between Sodom and Lot and the world and us in the last days? Is it saying that we will leave the earth first and the Lord will destroy it with fire? Why would we turn back as Lot's wife turned to look on the destruction of the city? Should we be totally free from cares in this world so that we do not look back when it is being destroyed? This passage is a bit confusing to me.

Luke 17 - Esther

"Anyone who tries to keep his life will lose it. Anyone who loses his life will keep it." -Luke 17:33

Luke 16 - Esther

"You try to make yourselves look good in the eyes of other people. But God knows your hearts. What is worth a great deal among people is hated by God." - Luke 16:15

Luke 16 - Jason

The story about the rich man and Lazarus is truly amazing because Jesus gave the people a picture of what happens when we die. I think this is particularly interesting because there is evidence in the Scripture that after Jesus rose from the dead, He brought people from paradise into Heaven with Him. But Jesus shows that there are two places where the souls of people go before the resurrection of the dead: paradise (Abraham's bosom) or Hades with torment. It is unclear why Lazarus went to paradise besides the fact that he was in suffering during his life--he must have had faith in God like Abraham. The rich man however was uncaring and wealthy. Apparently he did not have faith in God. Jesus said that we will not believe even if someone came back from the dead. But we have the law and the prophets and what God has revealed to us, we need to pay attention to that. And most of all, we need to pay attention to Jesus who is the source of our faith and relationship with God.

Luke 16 - Nathanael

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.    

Luke 16:9

This parable of the shrewd manager is always intriguing and challenging. This verse is the bottom line of it: use worldly wealth to gain friends - friends that we can introduce to the kingdom if God. 

This means that we have to live generously and give money to others and not just hoard it for ourselves. 

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."   

Luke 16:13

Money does become a god very easily. If we love and hold on tightly to money, it becomes our god in place of the true God. 

 "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
Luke 16:‬31 NIV

We/ I often think like the rich man. We want God to perform some miracle to make people believe. But the truth is that people won't believe in God just because of a miracle. God had already given sufficient evidence in scripture and history. If someone doesn't believe from those, the miracle won't convince them. 

http://bible.com/111/luk.16.9-31.NIV

Luke 15 - Jason

I love reading Luke 15 because there are three parables side by side that show the amazing love of God for sinner and wayward children. The shepherd looking for the sheep is interesting, because the sheep goes off in perhaps a silly manner, but the shepherd is concerned for the lost sheep and looks for it even leaving the 99 behind to find the lost one. I love how God is merciful and does so much to pursue me when I need his help. Thank you Lord God for all the amazing ways that you love me, and help me to love others in the way that you do.

Luke 15 - Nathanael

Two parts of the parable of the lady son really stand out to me: 1) the father's love 2) the 2nd son's response. 

So he got up and went to his father.   "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  

Luke 15:20

The love of the father is dramatically shown here. First, the father sees the son from a long way off. He doesn't hide, run away, get angry or tap his foot, but he is filled with compassion. Then he RUNS to his son. That would be undignified and is a public display that all around could see. He then throws his arms around his son and kisses him. This is a very dramatic description of love!

  "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'    " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
Luke 15:28‭-‬31 NIV

The son's response is unfortunately very much the way that we often respond to others when they get helped or blessed in a way that we would like to be ourselves. 

First there is the comparison. Then comes anger, jealousy and resentment towards the other brother.  This of course leads to anger towards the father. 

Two things to help keep free from these bad attitudes: 

1) don't compare. Focus on the good things God has done for you, the promises of God for you, and the work that God has called you to do. 

2) recognize that all God has is yours! God has made us his children and given us his kingdom. We often have a slave mentality that God is a harsh task master. But in reality, God is a loving father who has given us everything! 

http://bible.com/111/luk.15.20-31.NIV

Luke 14 - Jason

Jesus said that there is a cost to follow him. I think that the cost does not seem as high when compared with the joy of knowing God and belonging to Him. What does Jesus mean in the parable, that the "man began to build but was not able to finish?" (verse 30). I want to be prepared to run the race that God has for me for my entire life and not give up in the middle. Or if it gets harder to turn back and try to go my own way. I do not want this to happen. Thank you God for your incomparable riches and power! Even if I never see all that you have to offer, I want to know you and belong to you more than anything else.

Luke 14 - Esther

"Anyone who doesn't carry his cross and follow me can't be my disciple." -Luke 14:27

Luke 13 - Jason

This passage when Jesus speaks about people who died in unusual circumstances reminds me of my need to repent and not feel too secure each day in myself. I need God's help and I need his mercy. I do not know when or how my life will end and I will meet the Lord. Jesus is also merciful to heal people at any time and he is not concerned with whether people want him to do it on the Sabbath or not. Jesus taught them that we need to do good on the Sabbath, not just do nothing. Jesus said in verse 24, "strive to enter through the narrow door." It is not necessarily easy to enter the kingdom of God, although anyone can do it if they trust in the Lord and believe in Jesus to save them as they repent.

Luke 13 - Esther

"What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a garden. It grew and became a tree. The birds sat in its branches." -Luke 13:18-19

Luke 13 - Nathanael

Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."   

Luke 13:4‭-‬5

It is easy for us to think that people who died in some tragedy were evil or did something to deserve the bad occurrence. But Jesus says "no", they are no more evil than others around them. 

The fact is that we are all evil and deserve no more than death. But God I  his love and mercy is calling us to repent and live! 

Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'   "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
Luke 13:25 NIV

This parable reminds us that there is urgency to God's call. There may not be another day to repent or another day for us to share the good news. 

http://bible.com/111/luk.13.4-25.NIV

Luke 12 - Esther

"Put God's kingdom first. Then those other things will also be given to you."  -Luke 12:31

Luke 12 - Jason

I was touched by the parable of rich fool starting in verse 13. Jesus said that the man was wealthy on earth but he was not rich towards the Lord, and when he died he was not prepared to meet God. Am I prepared? Or am I thinking and worrying too much about what I have and what I am doing on earth? I want to remember Jesus words in the next section about not being anxious about anything, but trusting in God and seeking his kingdom first. Jesus promises that the things that I need will be taken care of when I put him first and seek his plans and ways first.

Luke 12 - Nathanael

Luke 12 has some challenging statements for believers today. 

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.   

Luke 12:48

Jesus here says that more will be required of us as believers, that we will be held to a higher standard than non - believers. 

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.  From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.  They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Luke 12:51‭-‬53 NIV

Thus passage is quite challenging as well because it strikes at the heart of family. We often feel that family is the most important thing, but really in God's eyes it isn't. He even says that he will turn family members against one another. This clearly happens when one decides to follow God and others resist. The pull to be reconciled with family often causes believers to compromise their beliefs. It also often causes Christians to water down the offense of the gospel when reaching out to non -believers.
http://bible.com/111/luk.12.48-53.NIV

Luke 11 - Nathanael

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"   

Luke 11:13

I love this verse! God is a living father to us who gives "much more" than even the best and most loving father on earth!

But some of them said, "By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.  

Luke 11:15-16

Here Jesus is facing some opposition. People are calling him evil and challenging him to prove himself. 

As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 

Luke 11:29

Jesus however refuses to give into a negative challenge. He demonstrates his love and power to those who believe not to those who challenge him. 

 One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."

Luke 11:45 NIV

Jesus has some quite harsh words for the religious people who think that they are righteous. He doesn't back down but points out clearly their hypocrisy. 

http://bible.com/111/luk.11.13-45.NIV

Luke 10 and 11 - Esther

"Ask, it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you." -Luke 11:9

I pray that everyone is keep praying about guidance and plans to the Lord.

Luke 11 - Jason

The religious people were pressing Jesus to give them a sign from heaven that he is the Messiah. Really, Jesus had already been giving a lot of signs that he is the Messiah, and his birth and family line and the timing, and many miracles and things that he said and did were confirming that he is the promised savior of the world. Why did people not believe and then ask for a sign to justify their unbelief? Jesus said that they would see the sign of Jonah--because he would die and be buried for a short time--not even a full three days, and then he rose again from the dead in power! Even though they saw this sign, not all of them believed in him. Lord God, please deepen my faith and trust in you, and please help me to never demand a sign to see more of who you are or make demands a prerequisite for my surrender to you.

Luke 10 - Jason

I like the part where Jesus said, "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Jesus has a way of refocusing us on the big picture. We should be thankful that the Lord loves us and takes care of us everyday, and that our names are written in heaven if we walk with Him, trusting in the Lord Jesus. God I want to follow you more and more, and I want to rejoice that I belong to you, more than anything else in this world.

Luke 10 - Nathanael

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 

Luke 10:1

Jesus sent out front teams. A good ministry practice when going into new areas. 

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."   At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
Luke 10:20‭-‬21 NIV

What matters more than signs and wonders is eternal life! 

http://bible.com/111/luk.10.1-21.NIV

Luke 7, 8 and 9 - Jason

I was able to catch back up with reading today. Jesus said, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me For he who is least among you all is the one who is great." I wonder what he meant by that sometimes as I read. I understand being competitive and wanting to be the best at whatever we do, but Jesus said that we should be the least in order to be the greatest. What does it mean to be the least? Is it like the child who trusts in God completely and does not try to do things in his own strength? Is it taking care of others and counting them as more important than oneself? I want to learn more about what this means.

Luke 9 - Nathanael

Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?  Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Luke 9:23‭-‬26 NIV

This is quite a serious call to follow. Jesus calls us to follow him, not as an add-on to our lives, but to be the very core of our lives. That we should forsake all others and give up all, even our lives. 

This is not just a one time decision, but one that is made daily. 

The call is serious and complete but it holds the very key to find life!

http://bible.com/111/luk.9.23-26.NIV

Luke 9 - Esther

"If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me, he will save it. What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses or gives up his very self?" - Luke 9:24-25

Luke 8 - Esther

I loved when Jesus said "Dear woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." - Luke 8:48

And "Don't be afraid. Just believe. She will be healed." - Luke 8:50

Luke 8 - Nathanael

But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."  

Luke 8:46

It is interesting that Jesus could feel and know when the power to heal had gone out from him. 

 But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!"  Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.
Luke 8:54‭-‬55 NIV

Jesus performs some amazing miracles! He raised several people from the dead, calmed storms, walked on waters. The great news is that he still had this power and works miracles today. Sometimes in literal raising from the dead and many times in raising out of spiritual death. Sometimes with literal storms and often with the storms that rage in our hearts, souls and minds! 

Thank you Jesus for your love and great power! 

http://bible.com/111/luk.8.46-55.NIV

Luke 5 and 6 - Jason

I thought the question about fasting was interesting. Jesus said, "Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?" This signals that there is something special happening while Jesus is there. He also talks about the new wine and a new garment--which seems to be a symbol of the new covenant that God is making with his people through Jesus Christ. Some of the religious people were trying to get the followers of Christ to follow some old traditions and hold to the Old Testament laws, but Jesus was doing something new while at the same time fulfilling the old covenant with Moses and Israel. I want to understand more about the new covenant with Jesus and what are the things that God says he will do, and what are the things that the Lord calls me to do as part of the covenant.

Luke 7 - Esther

Perfume was costly at the this time that was made from spices and oil. It was quite emotional when a sinful woman pours perfume on Jesus. Perfume was only used at special times. 

Luke 7 - Nathanael

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."   

Luke 7:13

Here is an example where no one asked for help, but Jesus felt compassion and "his heart went out to her."

he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"  

Luke 7:19

This would be a hard situation for John. He probably thought "if you are the messiah, why am i still here in prison? "

God's plans don't always align with ours. 

Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on you and my faith in you even when i don't understand what you are doing! 

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."
Luke 7:‬47 NIV

The Pharisee needed forgiveness in a great amount as well but he didn't recognize his need. 

Jesus, keep me humble and enable me to always see my great need for you! 

http://bible.com/111/luk.7.13-47.NIV

Luke 5 and 6 - Esther

"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you... Pray for those who treat you badly." -Luke 6:27-28

It is not easy to forgive someone who hurt us. We have to keep praying those who hurt us love those enemies.

Luke 5 - Nathanael

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 5:31‭-‬32 NIV
This passage is quite significant. Jesus came to help those who recognize their need. For truly we are all sick and all need God's help. But some view themselves as OK, with no particular need. It is easy for us to fall into that trap! 

Lord Jesus, keep me humble and with a clear recognition of my need for you! 

Thank you that you came to heal and save sinners like me! 

Luke 4 - Esther

It is quite amazing how Jesus fasted for 40 days. Heavenly Father helped him with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 4 - Jason

I'm not sure how Jesus was tempted with the different things that the Devil was trying to get him to do, but I understand that when he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. The Devil tried to get him to eat something before the fasting was ended. Jesus uses Scripture to refute the temptations of the Devil. He said "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." I want to live each day by the word that comes from God's mouth. I want to hear his words and be led by him on a daily basis.

Luke 4 - Nathanael

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 

Luke 4:38

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

Luke 4:40 NIV

What strikes me is that Jesus healed and helped those who were asking for help.

Sometimes others were asking on behalf of someone else but there was  almost always a request. 

There were a few times that Jesus initiated a conversation, such as the woman ay the well, but again there was still a request. 

This is a good pattern for us. We should be looking for those persons who are asking. And our spiritual eyes and ears should be open to see those whom God is wanting us to initiate with. 

Then we need to go forward in the name of Jesus and bring God's help to those who are asking! 

http://bible.com/111/luk.4.38-40.NIV

Luke 3 - Esther

It is grateful to see John preached the good news to people. It is quite impressive to see John's great leadership with wisdom when he talks and preaches to people at the time.

Luke 3 - Jason

I love to read about John the Baptist and how he boldly preached the word of God in the wilderness. It is a miracle that people went out to see him and be baptized by him. Because if I heard about a wild man wearing a coarse garment and eating locusts in the desert and people were going out to him to be baptized, I would probably be skeptical too. But God was with John and blessed all of his ministry to prepare the people for Christ. I thought it was interesting that it said "all the people were baptized" which sounds like this was a huge movement in Judah even though it seems like they did not normally do water baptisms in their tradition. I want to be effective and used by God in the way that he wants to use me. I am blessed by the way that he used John to be a forerunner of Christ, and John was humble even though he was mighty in the Lord. John said, "the strap of his sandals I am not worthy to untie" when he spoke of the Messiah coming.

Luke 2 - Esther

It is amazing to see Jesus when he was young. He was filled with full of Holy Spirit from the Lord when he became wiser and stronger.

Luke 2 - Jason

All the circumstances of Jesus' birth and the prophecies about him from Simeon and Anna were signs signalling that the Messiah had been born. I don't know if Jesus' parents knew what was in store for him, but they probably had huge expectations! I am interested in what God's plans for my life are--and I have been wondering about this for many years. I don't know if there were any prophecies about me since I was born, but I know that God has good works for me to do that he prepared in advance for me to do. I want to keep praying and asking God what I should do, and I trust in His plans, and that He will lead me in them.

Luke 1 - Jason

I read Luke 1. I was interested in all the details about the announcement of Jesus' birth and the announcement of John the Baptist's birth and the way their parents responded. Both pregnancies were miracles--similar to the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. But Jesus was unique in that his mother was a virgin when she gave birth to him. She still married Joseph and had many other children, but Jesus was her first, and she became pregnant with Jesus even before she was married, which must have been scandalous. But Elizabeth was happy to greet Mary and did not shun her, for she knew what the Lord was doing through her at least at some level. They seem to be very aware at this point that God was bring the Messiah into the world, and John would be his forerunner which was also foretold in prophecy. I want to be aware of the prophecy being fulfilled around me, and thank the Lord for his ways and his plans. Thank you God for everything that you are doing in creation and bringing us back to yourself. You are calling us to repent and be changed by You into Your people.

Luke 1 - Nathanael

With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke 1:3‭-‬4 NIV

Luke includes a lot of details not in the other gospels. He said that he "carefully investigated everything". He must have gone and asked Mary and perhaps Zechariah and/or Elizabeth to get all these details of the birth of John. 

http://bible.com/111/luk.1.3-4.NIV

Luke 1 - Esther

I like verse 13 when angel said to Zechariah said, "... Your prayer has been heard.." After long time of praying, I'm so happy to see God answered his prayer. It encourages me to keep praying.

It is quite interesting to see the different responses for Zechariah and Mary from angel.

From verse 18 where Zechariah answered, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is old too."

And from verse 34 where Mary answered, "How can this happen?"

Zechariah was a bit lack of faith where he got punished. It gives me a lesson to be careful on answering questions to my family, friends, and other people. And also, I have been praying to Heavenly Father to fill me with full of Holy Spirit.

Mark 16 - Esther

I love this chapter of Mark. It's so thrilling to read Jesus rose from the dead and the disciples preached everywhere. It is hard to share Gospels with people but I pray that we all should encourage each other to share about Gospels and Jesus.

Mark 15 - Esther

This chapter is quite emotional.

The verse that always move my heart is from verse 34. "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"

Mark 15 - Nathanael

Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Mark 15:32 NIV

This accusation/ temptation is very similar to the one Satan used in the wilderness: prove who you are by doing these miracles. Jesus never gave in to a "prove it" type challenge. 

Here he suffers and endures not only physical pain but emotional as well. 
http://bible.com/111/mrk.15.32.NIV

Mark 14 - Esther

It is quite interesting that Jesus has been saying this statement a lot.

"What I'm about to tell you is true." This statement has been giving me more alert and attention that Jesus is going to say something important.

Mark 14 - Jason

Even as it was getting close to the time that Jesus would be betrayed and murdered and then rise from the dead, Jesus knew what was going to happen and how it was going to happen. He told his disciples what would happen, but they either did not understand or did not believe that it would happen that way. Jesus had been proven true with all his other prophecies. Why would they doubt him now? I thought it was interesting that Jesus told Peter, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." How did Jesus know that Peter would do that? How did Peter not know that he would do that? I think it is not easy for us to know our own weaknesses in advance, but Jesus knows our weaknesses and he sympathizes with us. Peter wept bitterly after he had denied knowing the Lord to save himself, but then he felt terrible because he felt separated from God. Maybe he thought he would never get a chance to apologize to Christ in person. I want to always be ready to repent of my sin, and not think that I am too strong to fall. I want to do what I can to flee from evil and not go toward temptation, but I need to also be quick to recognize and take responsibility for my failures, and ask God for help and forgiveness.

Mark 14 - Nathanael

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."   

Mark 14:34

When I read this it reminded me of times that I was worried about an upcoming situation and how my stomach would be churning, my heart pounding and a sweat breaking out. Jesus had those same feelings except that he knew that he was going to be tortured and die and be separated from God for the first time in his existence. He was in great anguish! 

Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.  

Mark 14:54

Peter had just promised Jesus that he would follow him even to death, so he is following along at a distance even though the other disciples fled. 

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice  you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Mark 14:72 NIV

Peter thought he could be strong but here came face to face with his fears and weakness. It is certainly something I have experienced in following Christ. It is shameful but thankfully we have a loving Savior who forgives and restores us and is strong on our behalf in the face of our weakness! 

http://bible.com/111/mrk.14.34-72.NIV

Mark 13 - Esther

"Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away." -Mark 13:31

I like this verse a lot. I feel extremely blessed in these days to read His Words everyday.

Mark 13 - Nathanael

What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "
Mark 13:37 NIV

Jesus's warnings about the end time are similar in Mark and Matthew. The key thing that he wants us to knows and do is to live our lives in such a way that we are ready for his return at any moment. 

http://bible.com/111/mrk.13.37.NIV

Mark 12 - Esther

One of the verses that I always like to remember is the most important commandment.

"Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind and with all your strength. And here is the second one. 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' There is no commandment more important than these." -Mark 12:30-31

Mark 11 - Nathanael

Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.  

Mark 12:12

Sometimes the people grasped Jesus's parables clearly as in this case. 

Should we pay or shouldn't we?" But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it."  They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?"  "Caesar's," they replied.  Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."  And they were amazed at him.
Mark 12:15‭-‬17 NIV

Jesus is am amazing teacher, certainly the greatest teacher and debater of all time!

He spoke clearly and concisely and undid even their best traps.

It is interesting about the parallel here between the coin and us that he draws. The coin has the image of Caesar, so give that back to Caesar. He doesn't directly say what we should give to God, but the clear parallel is that we were made in God's image, so we should give ourselves to God! 

http://bible.com/111/mrk.12.12-17.NIV

Mark 11 - Jason

As Jesus explained the result of the cursed fig tree I expected him to say something about any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and burned. But instead he emphasized that if we act and speak in faith in accordance with the will of God then we can be confident that we have what we ask for! I want to have this faith and trust in the Lord for the big things in life. That way I can live in dependence upon God and not have to worry about anything, and not worry that my actions or words will be useless because I am acting in faith. Lord, please help me to grow in faith and faithfulness and stay close to you each day!

Mark 11 - Esther

The verse that we all should remember.

"So I tell you, when you pray for something, believe that you have already received it. Then it will be yours." -Mark 11:24

Mark 11 - Nathanael

"Truly  I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."  

Mark 11:23‭-‬25

This is both a powerful and easily misunderstood passage. 

On the misunderstood side, this can be turned into a "name it and claim it - believe it and possess it" type of doctrine. That would put us in the place of God or treat God as some cosmic genie. The belief here is the faith that comes from God. It is directed by him, not us. 

On the other hand, I think wee can become too timid I our prayer. There are times God is leading us and we can be afraid to follow. So we don't take gold of the faith and the amazing power of God's word as described here. 

Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Mark 11:29 NIV

Jesus was a master question asker. I want to grow in this area! 

http://bible.com/111/mrk.11.23-29.NIV

Mark 10 - Esther

One of the verses stood out from today's reading.

"With man, that is impossible. But not with God. All things are possible with God." - Mark 10:27

Mark 9 and 10 - Jason

I thought it was interesting when Jesus returned and spoke with the man whose son had a demonic spirit oppressing him. It seems like the spirit was causing the boy to have seizures and fall into fire or water to kill him. The boy's father was asking Jesus' disciples to pray for his son, but he was not sure if they could help him. He asked Jesus for help too, but he was not sure if Jesus could help either. The Lord said, "If you can? Anything is possible for one who believes!" The man replied "I believe; help my unbelief." I also feel like its hard to believe that God will do something. Maybe if I haven't seen a particular healing before, I might doubt that he can do it, or I might doubt that it can happen through prayer and belief in God. I don't want to doubt, so I also need to pray, "Lord I believe; please help and take away my unbelief." Thank you God for your love and mercy!

Mark 10 - Nathanael

There are so many interesting and important things in each chapter it is hard to narrow things down to talk about them! God's word is alive and powerful!

 

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."   

Mark 10:9

Good is the author of marriage and the one who is actively involved to bring a man and woman together and make them one. 

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  

Mark 10:15

Jesus both loved and related to children and he holds them up as a model for believers:  without pretence, dependant and humble to name a few characteristics. 

 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.  

Mark 10:18 

An important verse for the situation and also for our lives and times. We, like this man, often think of ourselves as good. We think that we are basically close and ready to inherit heaven. We tend to falsely maximize our goodness and at the same time decrease God's goodness and his complete "otherness" - we think of him as being like us. 

The truth is that we are not gious but evil and are wholly in need of a savior! 

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."   

Mark 10:27

The great news for us is that God can change any hard heart to know and follow him - no matter how impossible that may seem! 

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:43‭-‬45 NIV

Jesus and the kingdom of God turn our normal way of doing things upside down! To be great means too serve others not be served! 

Thank you Jesus for loving and serving us! 

http://bible.com/111/mrk.10.9-45.NIV

Mark 9 - Esther

Two verses that stood out from chapter 9.

"This is my Son, and I love him. Listen to him!" - Mark 9:7

"Suppose someone gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to me. That one will certainly not go without a reward." - Mark 9:41

Mark 9 - Nathanael

Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)  Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" 

Mark 9:5‭-‬7

As it says, Peter didn't know what to say. He made the mistake of equating Jesus with Moses and Elijah. But God quickly made clear that Jesus is all together different - he is God's son. He is the one to listen to! 

 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Mark 9:24 NIV

I love this statement! It expresses honesty, humility and faith ay the same time. It is one that is a prayer for me! 

http://bible.com/111/mrk.9.5-24.NIV

Mark 7 and 8 - Jason

I thought it was interesting how Jesus fed the five thousand with such a small amount of food and this was a huge miracle! God can do so much more than we ask or think! The disciples did not recognize what all had happened because their hearts were hard. I think sometimes my heart gets hard after working a long time and I want to rest. I need to remember to stop and look and pray ans see what all the Lord is doing.

And in Chapter 8 Jesus did the same miracle again feeding the four thousand men with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. He multiplied the food and there were so many leftovers! Still the disciples were worried when they got in the boat and had no food. Jesus had to reassure them that he was not upset about not having food, and they needed to trust him to provide. I also choose to trust God with all my needs and worries. Please help me Lord not let the burden of work overwhelm me or stress me out! 

Mark 8 - Esther

When Peter said that Jesus is the Christ, it amazed me.

Peter believed that He is the Son of Man with the Holy Spirit. It was interesting to see that Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone about him.