Podcasts about jerusalem luke

16:18 O earth, do not cover my blood- The earth is sometimes called to witness men's sins (Deut. 30:15-20; Isa. 1:2; Micah 6:1-2) but here Job calls upon it to testify of His innocence. Job's longs for the earth not to cover his blood. The phrase cover his blood also appears in Gen. 37:26; Isa. 26:21. In Gen. 4:10 the voice of Abel's blood cried out from the ground. Blood represented life itself (Lev. 17:11), and it is precious. Even an animal's blood was to be covered with the ground (Lev. 17:13; Ezek. 24:7-8). Because life and blood were so precious, taking life demanded one's life be taken (Gen. 9:5-6; Num. 35:29-34). And let there be no resting place for my cry- The law of Moses made provision for an avenger of blood who executed the killer of his near kin (Num. 35:9-34). If the avenger failed to act, God was expected to act. Job begs that his cry find no resting place until he was avenged. 16:19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,- While Job's appearance served as a witness against him in vs. 8, he is confident of a witness in heaven (vs.19). The witness is more than just a man. He is in heaven.But who is this witness, this advocate? Some argue that the witness is God Himself.[1] In this context, the witness seems like a 3rd party who will plead his case before God (vs. 21). And my advocate is on high- The word translated advocate is only used here.  16:20 My friends are my scoffers;- There is question about the translation of key words. The word translated friends is used of Job's friends in 2:11; 32:3; 42:10.The NET translates this phrase “My intercessor is my friend.” This word translated intercessor can carry the idea of scoffer (Ps. 1:1; Prov.1:22; 3:34; 9:7, 8, 12; 13:1; 14:6) or it can speak of a translator or an interpreter (Gen. 42:23; II Chron. 32:31; Job 33:23; Isa. 43:27).[1] [1] Newsome, 460-461, does not believe these words variously translated are from the same Hebrew word but that they are different words. Clines, 371, agrees and has some good notes about the translation. Jesus and Job 16:15-2216:16, 20 Job's face is flushed with weeping. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), at the triumphal entry to the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), and at Gethsemane (Heb. 5:7). Jesus offered strong crying and tears to the One able to save Him.  16:17 Job was innocence and there was no violence in his hand. Jesus was completely innocent and there was no violence in His mouth on a much greater level than Job (Isa. 53:9; I Peter 2:22).  16:18 Job begs that the earth not cover his blood. While the blood of Abel cries out for vengeance, the blood of Jesus cries out for mercy (Gen. 4:10; Heb. 12:24). 16:21 Compare this to Job 9:32-33; 19:25; 33:23-24. Job is not prophesying of Jesus in the sense of stating what He will do. Job is expressing a longing, a desire for One who will do what Jesus accomplishes. Jesus actually goes far beyond what Job desired. Job's sins, however small, had made him God's enemy (Rom. 5:6-10). All the things Job experienced, and more were endured by Jesus on the cross to bring those who were His enemies back to Him. 

What's Pulling Your Eyes Off Jesus? Luke 9:62 “But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The leader of the Watchman Prayer group sent out an email yesterday entitled, “Don't Look Back.” In it, she put two scripture verses. The first one was today's verse. I did not really understand today's verse. It seems kind of harsh to me. I know that not everyone will go to heaven. But that doesn't mean I like reading about it. Some things I understand. I get why some things are so awful. If we don't repent, then we won't be fit for the kingdom of God. However, “No one, having put his hand ot the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” I didn't understand this. So, I went to the Enduring Word commentary, which is where I go when I want to understand things a bit better. I am fully aware that there is so much I don't know about the Bible and what it means. I could study it my whole life and still not understand everything. However, there are people who have studied it their whole lives, and we are so lucky because they have shared their wisdom with us. If you go to enduringword.com, you will find a tab for his commentary. Click it, enter any book and chapter you want, and learn so much. I want to provide a bit of context for everyone who might not know why Jesus said this. I know when I hear a verse I don't understand, I like to go back and see the verses around it and see if I can get more context just by reading those other verses. At the very end of Luke 9, there is a section titled The Cost of Discipleship. The scripture verses are Luke 9:57-62. “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”  Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Reading this did not give me much more context. I still didn't understand why someone wouldn't be fit for the kingdom of God just because they wanted to go and say goodbye to their loved ones. It seemed kind of harsh to me. However, reading the Enduring Word Commentary, I get it now. It makes sense. The commentary explains that when we are so excited about Jesus, want to follow him, and go tell our families, they are not always that excited for us. Charles Spurgeon, an influential British preacher, said it like this, “O young man, when you are thinking of leaving the world, be afraid of these farewells! They have been the ruin of hundreds of hopeful people. They have been almost persuaded, but they have gone to their old companions just to give them the last kiss, and the last shake of the hand, and we have not seen anything more of them.” As soon as I read that, it all made sense. I love God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I love being Catholic. I love my religion. However, I do not feel I am over the top, I don't think I am super strict, and I try very hard not to judge people or force my beliefs on others. However, my kids would probably tell you the opposite. They try to talk me out of my religion all the time. This is something people have been doing the whole time my husband was in the military. Protestants would try to convince me that my religion was wrong. I went to a retreat once where people were telling me I didn't have to be Catholic. I understand how difficult it might be to stay strong and follow Jesus back in the day. Jesus's teachings were new, and some were very difficult. Jesus's way was contrary to the way so many people thought. Especially when he would say things that seemed to contradict what the Pharisees and Sadducees were saying. I could see how people would hear Jesus give a sermon, be so on fire, run home, and tell their family members. Then, when their family members start asking questions, and they don't have all the answers, they may start to get afraid. When we are surrounded by people who don't understand what we are feeling or how important it is to us, they may try to persuade us by listing only the negatives. What if  He is not the Messaiah? How are you going to make money while you follow Him around? How will you eat? What if you get caught up in some fight between Him and the Pharisees and Sadducees, or Him and the Roman army? They could have some valid questions, and yet, that is not what matters. What matters is that you are giving all for Jesus, and He will take care of you. However, once they get you to stop and think about these things, you might get cold feet. Once we take our focus off Jesus, it is easy to lose our focus. Jesus often used phrases and parables that would have made so much sense to the people he was talking to. However, to us, they don't always make a lot of sense. I am not a farmer, and so I didn't really understand the phrase, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Once I read the enduring word commentary this line made so much sense. Here is what I read: (again you can find this on enduringword.com) Jesus stressed to this man the commitment necessary to follow Him. One must have a similar determination as a farmer plowing a field, who must do it with all his strength and always looking forward. “In plowing a field back in that day, a farmer kept the rows straight by focusing on an object in front and in the distance (such as a tree). If the farmer started to plow and kept looking behind, he would never make straight rows and do a good job of plowing. In following Jesus, we are to keep our eyes on Jesus and never take our eyes off Him. “No plowman ever plowed a straight furrow looking back over his shoulder.” (From: William Barclay was a Scottish theologian and author known for his influential Bible commentaries.) Plowmen also do something else of great importance: they hold on. A plowman who lets go is no plowman at all. “Plowmen are not usually learned persons, nor are they often poets in disguise. But there is one virtue they possess preeminently, and that is the virtue of quietly holding to it.” (From: George Morrison, a Scottish Congregational minister who served at Wellington Church, Glasgow, for over 20 years.) More than anyone else, Jesus lived this; He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Doesn't that verse make so much more sense now? It makes sense that if we take our eyes off Jesus to look back at those we are leaving behind, we may no longer want to go. It makes sense that if we want to follow Jesus, it might cost us something. That is something we might know, but we don't want to think about. Jesus is not being harsh or unkind by saying we can't say goodbye to our loved ones. He is actually being loving and kind because He knows they could convince us to pull away from our true destiny, which is to be right by His side for all of eternity! This week, I will do a few more scripture verses about not looking back because I think so many of us are tormented by our past. So many people look back with regret, sadness, and anger. We might even look back with a longing. We might long for the days when our kids were little or when we seemed happier. God does not want us looking back. So much heartache can come from looking back. We must have a singular focus, Jesus. If we keep looking ahead to Him, life becomes better because we know that no matter how bad things get, our time with Jesus is ahead. Today, I invite you to ask yourself, “Where am I letting other people distract my gaze from Jesus?” Dear Heavenly Father, I love you so much! I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. I thank you for leading me to this scripture and to the commentary that helped me understand it. Lord, we ask that you speak to each one of our hearts today. Lord, show us where we are allowing others to take our eyes off of you. Show us how we can keep our focus on you more? Show us where our focus is drifting. We love you, and we want to always be focused on you. Help us, Lord! We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. One reason people may hesitate to join mentoring is the thought, “I'm not holy enough.” Mentoring is not for people who already have it all together; it is for anyone who wants encouragement, support, prayer, and a safe place to grow closer to Jesus. CLICK HERE for more information. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, just as I am, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Wrestling with the flesh is a challenge in mankind's lives. It is something that everyone struggles against and with. The saints struggled but claimed victory over it, but not without me. I am a necessary component and the key to your lives. All can and will be conquered and made with me.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Jesus doesn't drift toward the cross, He walks there with His face set and His purpose clear. From Luke 19:28–40, we follow the Triumphal Entry and see a King who arrives in humility on a donkey while the crowd shouts praise and the Pharisees demand silence. The scene is Palm Sunday beauty with Good Friday weight, because Jesus knows exactly what Jerusalem means.We unpack three anchors for everyday faith: the intent of Jesus is firm, the authority of Jesus is sure, and the worship of Jesus is inevitable. That road to Calvary is not a last-minute fix or a backup plan. Scripture ties it together from Genesis 3 to Isaiah 53 to Revelation's picture of the Lamb, showing that redemption has been on God's heart from before the foundation of the world. If you've ever wondered whether God's love is personal, this passage answers with a Savior who chooses the cross on your behalf.Then Luke's “small” detail becomes a big comfort: Jesus directs two disciples to a colt and everything happens exactly as He said. The same Jesus who rules the universe also rules the overlooked moments, which means you can trust Him with the “big” crisis and the “small” prayer request. Finally, we face Jesus' words, “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out,” and we talk honestly about misdirected worship, the danger of worshiping people, and the certainty of Philippians 2 that every knee will bow.Listen, share this with someone who needs hope, and then subscribe and leave a review. What part of your life needs to turn back into worship today?

In her Palm Sunday message, Pastor Jen explores the theme of letting go of expectations, specifically regarding how we perceive God and His work in our lives. Using the biblical account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28–40), she draws a parallel between the crowd's misplaced expectations and our own tendency to “reshape” Jesus […]

Send us Fan Mail“Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).Freshly written and sent out immediately "morning by morning" from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.God bless you and you have a great day!—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministrieshttp://messiah-ministries.org

He Set His Face Towards Jerusalem; Luke 9:51-62; Marcus Bailey, Sunday 8th March 2026

Wednesday, 18 February 2026   Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4   “And answering, Peter, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, good, it is – us to be here. If You desire, we will make here three tabernacles: You one, and Moses one, and Elijah one'” (CG).   In the previous verse, it was noted that during the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Matthew next records, “And answering, Peter.”   All three gospel narratives agree that it was Peter who spoke to Jesus. However, each will show the individual preference of how Peter addressed Him. Matthew continues the narrative with, “he said to Jesus, ‘Lord.'”   Matthew records the word, kurios, lord. It is derived from kuros, supremacy. Mark records the word rhabbi. It is derived from the Hebrew rab, abundance, which is fixed to a pronominal suffix. The meaning then is “my master,” with the intent of “my great one,” or “my Mr. Full of Knowledge.” Luke records the word epistates, master. That is derived from epi, upon or over, and histemi, to stand. Thus, it is one who stands over another.   Each of them gives the same general meaning but is taken from the author's own well of knowledge when penning the account. The word spoken by Peter would have been in Aramaic, thus rhabbi is probably what was said. With that stated, Peter next says, “good, it is – us to be here.”   The meaning probably isn't, “It is good to be here, because...” Rather, Peter's intent seems more akin to “What a satisfying experience it is for us to be here.” To bolster that thought, he next says, “If You desire, we will make here...”   Some manuscripts say, “I will make.” Scholars who lean toward this as correct indicate it is in line with the impetuous nature of Peter, as if “I will handle this.” However, that doesn't change with “we.”   Depending on the situation, there is no less impetuosity if Peter volunteered others. However, it isn't certain that we have all that was said. Rather, the gospel focuses on particular things while probably ignoring other things that may have transpired. Understanding this, Peter continues, saying, “three tabernacles.”   It is a new word, skéné, a tent. In this case, it would be referring to a tabernacle built out of whatever branches could be obtained by the disciples. The word can be used literally, as it is here, or it can be used figuratively, such as in Hebrews 9:11. Peter, assuming this may be an extended stay for them, or maybe hoping it can be extended by his suggestion, offers to build three tabernacles, which are, “You one, and Moses one, and Elijah one.”   The offer to build tabernacles, akin to the sukkah made for the Feast of Tabernacles, is made. Mark adds to the thought, saying, “For not he had known what he should say. For terrified, they were.” Luke says, “not having known what he says.”   In other words, there was confusion in his mind about how to address the issue at all, and he blurted out his words, probably in an attempt to bring some sort of control to the events around him that he could not fully understand.   Life application: One of the most common things passed on in Christian circles from this verse, and which has been repeated in innumerable sermons and commentaries, and then which is passed on by lay people, is that everyone will know everyone else in heaven immediately because Peter knew who Moses and Elijah were without being told.   How anyone can come to that conclusion is hard to figure out, but it now permeates Christian thinking. The account has already said that Moses and Elijah were conversing with Jesus. Conversing means... anyone? Having a conversation. It could have gone on for five minutes or an hour. And yet, not a word of what was said is recorded.   The general tenor of the conversation was that they “spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). But that is just what the conversation was about, not the details that were conveyed.   For all we know, Peter was listening and heard the names of Moses and Elijah stated by Jesus. Maybe Jesus introduced the two, saying, “Moses, this is Elijah. Elijah, this is Moses.” Or maybe the two were wearing name tags. To jump to the conclusion that everyone will know everyone else assumes too much.   It is not a good policy to make such statements without qualifiers, such as “Maybe...” The fact is, we have no idea whether we will know everybody's name or not.   Use discretion when passing things on. To insert thoughts that may or may not be correct can only lead people down incorrect paths of thinking. One idea, such as this, can, and normally will, lead to other unfounded suppositions.   Lord God, it is good to be in Your presence and to share in Your tenderful blessings and mercies each day. We are the recipients of all of Your goodness toward mankind because of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Help us to remember this in times of troubles, trials, and difficulties. What we have coming will forever replace anything we are now suffering. Thank You for this great hope we possess. Amen.  

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The way Jesus comes to Jerusalem foreshadows the work he has come to do.

Reading Luke 21:20-24 where Jesus continues His prophecy to the disciples about the eventual destruction of Jerusalem, that they may trust in the Lord to deliver them. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

     Those who are positive to God desire to know Him, His Word, and to pursue His will.[1] Jesus said to fellow Jews, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17). Jesus explained that knowing God's Word is predicated on a desire to do (ποιέω poieo) His will. But some hearts are negative to God. And when the heart is negative, no amount of divine revelation will prove persuasive. For example, Noah preached to his generation for one hundred and twenty years, but they refused to listen (Gen 6:3; 2 Pet 2:5). Jeremiah spoke to the leaders of Israel, saying, “these twenty-three years the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened” (Jer 25:3). Preachers are responsible for the accurate output of the message, not the outcome of response. Jesus spoke to the hard-hearted Pharisees and said, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word” (John 8:43). Jesus then gave the answer, saying, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44). They could not hear His words because they were unsaved and negative to God. These were men who “loved the darkness rather than the Light” (John 3:19). Paul described them as ones “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). Paul also spoke about the unsaved person, saying, “But an unbeliever does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor 2:14).      Of the one with positive volition it is said, “his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:2). The benefit of such a lifelong meditation is that “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psa 1:3). The godly person is positive to the Lord and welcomes His Word. David said, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart” (Psa 40:8). The word delight (חָפֵץ chaphets) means, “to take pleasure in, desire…to delight in…to be willing…to feel inclined.”[2] This speaks of positive volition. God's will (רָצוֹן ratson) refers to what pleases Him. And the word Law (תּוֹרָה torah) means teaching, direction, or instruction. Jeremiah said, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer 15:16). To eat God's Word is a picture of positive volition, as Jeremiah welcomed the divine revelation into himself. Once received, it delighted (שִׂמְחָה simchah – delight, joy, gladness, mirth) his heart (לֵבָב lebab – inner person, mind, will). When the human heart is receptive to God's Word, it transforms that person from the inside out, and this is both cognitive and experiential. David and Jeremiah wanted to know and walk with God, and His divine revelation, properly understood and applied, was the means to know and do it.      God will open His Word to the believer who dedicates his/her life to Him. Paul wrote, “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:1-2). A surrendered life to God makes the Christian sensitive to the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit, who aids the believer to know God's will. Concerning this passage, Arnold Fruchtenbaum states: "It is hard to understand what the will of God is without this act of dedication because the believer does not have the Spirit's illumination, which is needed to determine God's will from His Word. Dedication brings knowledge of the will of God. Having the knowledge, the logical outworking of the dedicated life is that the believer now does the will of God."[3]      God's Word is powerful and accomplishes what He desires (Isa 55:10-11; Heb 4:12), and it lights a fire in the heart of those who welcome it. For example, Jesus, after his resurrection, walked for several miles with two disciples and gave them a Bible lesson which lasted for several hours as they traveled “to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:13). Luke records what Jesus taught them, saying, “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). After His Bible lesson, the two disciples said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). The heart that is positive to God receives His Word and is excited by what is learned.  Theological Categories of God's Will      The will of God can be divided between His secret will and revealed will. Moses wrote, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deut 29:29). What God has revealed in Scripture is what He deems important for us to know. But there are secret things that belong to the Lord, and on these matters, He remains silent. To spend our days pursuing what God has sovereignly chosen to keep hidden will only lead to unending frustration. If we have prayed and studied God's Word thoroughly yet received no clear answer, it may be because God does not want us to know—or not to know at this time. Though we may seek to discern God's will through daily experiences, such providential insight must always remain subordinate to His written revelation. Though we don't know many particulars about what God is doing, we know He is in control and directing history to the return of Christ and the eternal state, and we are part of that grand plan. Concerning God's revealed will, Scripture presents several classifications. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] For the Christian, this does not mean our sin nature is removed, nor that we are free from the sinful pressures of living in a fallen world. Paul said, “I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members” (Rom 7:21-23). This struggle with sin continues until we leave this world and enter into heaven. Until then, it is God's will that we remain in this world (John 17:15) as His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). [2] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, 340. [3] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Faith Alone: The Condition of Our Salvation: An Exposition of the Book of Galatians and Other Relevant Topics, ed. Christiane Jurik, Second Edition. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2016), 120.

Jesus the Risen King The story so far! Jesus Christ has died as a common criminal and been buried in a garden tomb guarded by Roman soldiers. His followers, his disciples have abandoned him, no doubt in fear for their own lives. They had given up everything to be with this Jesus, following him in his 3 years of ministry. What would they do now? Go back to the lives they had before they followed this man, Jesus Christ. He was just another false messiah and there had been plenty of them. Or was he? Each of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark Luke and John, tell us that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried in a tomb. What do these four Gospels say about what happened next? Firstly, what did Jesus predict about what would happen, as he often talked about his death! An example of this can be seen from reading Mark 8v31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. So Jesus predicted he would rise physically from the dead! WOW! Let us firstly look at the sequence of events over the period of time after Jesus death. The tomb is empty The two Marys watch the burial (Matthew27v61, Mark 15v47, Luke23v54-55) and Roman soldiers are placed to guard the tomb in order to keep it safe: (Matthew 27v62-66). Then the two Marys arrive at dawn to prepare spices for the body of Jesus before resting (Matthew 28v1, Mark 16v1-4, Luke 23v56-24v3, John 20v1). An angel rolls the stone away a great distance from the tomb! (Matthew 28v2-4) and then angels appear to the women (Matthew 28v5-7, Mark 16v5-7, Luke 24v4-8)! The women dart back to tell disciples: (Matthew 28v8, Mark 16v8, Luke 24v9-11, John 20v2) and that gives Peter and John the impetus to go and investigate the empty tomb for themselves (Luke 24v12, John 20v3-9)! They find it empty and go home (Luke 24v12, John 20v10)! Mary Magdalene weeps by the tomb: (John 20v11) and then is met by two angels: (John 20v12-13) And where is the body of Jesus? Was it stolen? Unlikely under a Roman guard! Was it 3 days? Yes! But not a literal 3 x 24hours! There was the rest of the Friday (1 day), all of Saturday (2 days) and part of the Sunday (3 days). Let's look now at his appearances! Jesus' appearances First of all Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16v9, John 20v14-17) and then to the other women (Matthew 28v9-10! Then the women report to the disciples in haste (Mark 16v10-11, John 20v18)! The Roman guards testify to the Jewish priests about what they knew (Matthew 28v11-15)! Then as two people are walking along the road to Emmaus, Jesus greets and talks to them (Mark 16v12-13, Luke 24v13-32)! Then Jesus appears to Peter (1 Corinthians 15v5). The 2 men who met Jesus on the Emmaus Road report back to the disciples in Jerusalem (Luke 24v33-35)! Finally, Jesus appears to his disciples, but Thomas isn't there (Luke 24v36-43, John 20v19-24)! When the disciples meet up with Thomas they tell him that they have met with the risen Jesus but Thomas doubts it unless he sees with his own eyes (John 20v25)! Jesus then appears to the Disciples again and this time Thomas is there (Mark 16v14, John 20v26-29). Jesus goes on to appear to seven people (John 21v1-14), then 500 people (1 Corinthians 15v6). Then finally, Jesus appears to James: (1 Corinthians 15v7). So, not only from the Gospels as you may have observed, but also one from the letter to the Corinthians. That was a letter written by Paul, but we come to him later in the series! Evidences for the resurrection Oh that's all very well, but what further evidences do we have for this resurrection of Jesus Christ? These facts remain for the resurrection: The changed attitude of the disciples after seeing the risen Jesus - from defeated, cowardly people to being victorious and, brave. Nobody who could have produced the dead body of Jesus, did so. Their silence is as significant as the words of the eyewitnesses. The multiple appearances of Jesus to various numbers of individuals and groups of people, all at various times of the day and in differing circumstances. The survival, growth and impact of the early church. If there was no bodily resurrection of Jesus' would people really have risked persecution and death for knowing a lie? Maybe a few would but not masses of people! It was a physical resurrection and not merely a spiritual one as some suggest! Jesus was touched physically, involved in conversation and even ate food! The greatest evidence though for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very existence of the church itself and its being embedded in history. If the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ wasn't the catalyst for the start of the church, what was it and would it have lasted 2000 years so far? Dealing with Doubters How do we deal with those who doubt Jesus bodily resurrection and rising from the dead. Let's say Jesus didn't rise from the dead. Surely the authorities, either Roman or Jewish, would have produced his dead body in order to quench the new movement! But they didn't. The Romans wouldn't have wanted any more trouble from the Jewish people and the Jewish hierarchy would have wanted to squash the very notion that Jesus was the Messiah who had bodily risen from the dead. Would the disciples have really risked death for telling and maintaining a lie about the risen Jesus? They were beaten, confused and defeated men until they saw that Jesus truly did rise physically from the dead. After seeing Him, they were transformed and victorious people. Somebody stole the body. Hardly likely, and if that did occur, for what reason? How would they have got past the Roman Guard and moved the stone a great distance from the tomb? The tomb was sealed to prevent tampering as well. An impossibility! Some say that Jesus didn't die but merely fainted and recovered consciousness in the tomb. Even the sceptics disagree with this theory, one of whom said "It is impossible that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulchre, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening and indulgence, and who still at last yielded to His sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that he was a Conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life." Or I suppose they all went to the wrong tomb. Whilst one person may have gone to a wrong tomb, not everyone would have done. And again the authorities, Roman or Jewish, would have shown the body in order to dispel the rumours! So Jesus really did rise from the dead, in a bodily resurrection! So what? Significance of the Resurrection The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ provided the central theme for the sermons and teaching in the early church (Acts 1v22; Acts 4v33, Acts 17v18). But what significance is there in Jesus' resurrection? The resurrection proved and vindicated all Jesus' teaching and claims as the suffering Servant and attested to his being fully God and the last Judge of all mankind (Isaiah 53v10-12; Acts 2v36; Acts 3v13-15; Romans 1v4). The resurrection declared God's approval of Jesus' obedient service and the fulfilment of all the Old Testament promises that we looked at! This results in forgiveness of sins and salvation being only found in and through Jesus Christ, which was the prime motive for evangelism in the early church (Acts 2v32, Romans 4v24-25) It is vindication that Jesus is greater than Abraham or Moses! The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof evident of the I AM claims: He is truly the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate and the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the only way, the only truth and the only life! Jesus' resurrection is a sign of the bodily resurrection for all believers in him, giving a new attitude to death and transforming hopes to all those who partake of his offer (1 Corinthians 15v12-58, Romans 8v10, 2 Corinthians 4v14; 1 Peter 1v3 & 21)! More about this to come! As the resurrected King, Jesus now intercedes for us and has perfected the redemption of all those who choose to follow him (Romans 5v10; Hebrews 6v20, 1 Peter 1v21). More about this too later! Jesus has died and risen physically again! But what next? Is that all? Oh no! There is more yet to come in our story tomorrow! Thank you. Right mouse click or tap here to download as a MP3 audio file

Introduction The message focuses on the compassion and empathy of Jesus, highlighting specific instances from the Bible where Jesus was moved by human suffering, faith, and the spiritual state of people. Pastor Tommy emphasizes that Jesus is touched by our infirmities and cares about our lives, encouraging listeners to approach Him with boldness and faith. Jesus' Compassion and Empathy Jesus is touched by our infirmities: Quoting Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities." He understands what we go through and is able to help in times of need. A cry for mercy moves Jesus: The story of blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10 is used as an example. Bartimaeus cried out, "Thou son of David, have mercy on me," and Jesus stopped for him. Emphasizes that earnest cries to God still move Him to respond and help. Acts of faith touch Jesus: The story of the woman with the issue of blood is referenced. She believed that touching the hem of Jesus' garment would heal her. "If I could just touch the hem of His garment, I know that I'll be made whole." Jesus felt power leave Him and turned to find out who touched Him. Faith intersects with God's faithfulness to create miracles. The Centurion's faith: The Centurion's faith in Luke 7 is highlighted. The Centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant from a distance by just saying the word. "I am not worthy that you come under my roof. But...if you'll just say the word...my servant will be healed." Jesus marveled at the Centurion's great faith, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Pastor Tommy expresses a desire for people to believe God in such a way that He marvels at their faith. Unbelief makes Jesus marvel: In Mark 6:6, Jesus marveled because of the unbelief of the people in his hometown. He was limited in what he could do because people didn't believe. Pastor Tommy expresses a desire to not have Jesus marvel at their unbelief after all the blessings and help He has provided. Hardness of hearts angers Jesus: Reference to Mark 3:5, where Jesus was angry and grieved by the hardness of hearts of the Pharisees. They were more concerned about the Sabbath than the man with the withered hand. "He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts." Pastor Tommy urges listeners to ask God to search their hearts and remove any wickedness that leads to hardness of heart. Suffering saints move Jesus: The story of Stephen in Acts 7 is used as an example. Stephen, while being stoned, looked up to heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The suffering of those who are martyred or suffer for the cause of Christ still moves God today. Pastor Tommy believes Jesus has stood up for them in times of suffering. Jesus weeps: Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33, 35). He was moved by the weeping of Mary and the other Jews. "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping...He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And...Jesus wept." He wept not for Lazarus, but for those still alive and grieving. Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). He was moved by the lost souls in the city. "When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it." Pastor Tommy believes Jesus is still touched by the lost people in the world and the lack of people willing to share the gospel. Conclusion and Invitation Come boldly to the throne of grace: Based on Hebrews 4:16, knowing that Jesus is touched by our infirmities, we can come boldly to the throne of grace. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." We can take our cares and troubles to Him, knowing He cares and is touched by what we are going through.

Reading Luke 13:31-35 where some Pharisees confront Jesus with a threat from Herod, and Jesus expresses that He cannot be stopped but will accomplish what He came to do. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Luke: The Action | Jesus Enters Jerusalem | Luke 19:28-44 Sermon from April 13, 2025 – Deron Spoo, Pastor Part 15 of 18 of the series The Action

- Jesus spends next few days in/around Temple- Curses fig tree for not producing fruit (CORRECTION MARK 11:13-19)- Drives out money changers (Matt 21:12-19)- Upset Religious leaders.- But miracles kept happening, they couldn't touch Jesus. - Jesus Wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:38-44) - Went to a town called Bethany to spend the night.  TAKE AWAY: MondayREMEMBER – The fig tree not producing fruit. The money changers getting cleared out.THIS WEEK - Do a cleansing (Outside money changers / Inside fig tree)

Friends of the Rosary,Today, before the Holy Week begins, the Catholic Church in various countries, following the Roman Rite, observes the devotion of Friday of Sorrows, or ‘Passion Friday', Viernes de Dolores in Spanish.Spanish-speaking countries, and particularly the Philippines, hold processions on this day to honor the Seven Sorrows of Mary.Currently, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is paired with the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in September. The general liturgical calendar lists September 15 as the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.We reflect upon the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary in contemplating the Passion of Christ. We journey with Mary as she remains with her Son amid agonies and pains. We also pray for those who are going through their own sorrows and trials.These are the Seven Sorrows of Mary:The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43-45)The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on his Way to Calvary (traditional)Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross (Matthew 27:57-59)The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40-42)We pray today's Rosary from Las Vegas.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York Enhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠April 11, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they delve into the revised common lectionary texts for Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday. This episode for April 13, 2025 offers insightful commentary on Luke's narratives of both Jesus's entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40) and the Passion (Luke 22:14-23:56), exploring the unique way Luke portrays Jesus's journey to Jerusalem and his faithfulness to the Kingdom even amidst persecution. The hosts discuss how the supplementary texts—Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, and Philippians 2:5-11—illuminate themes of faithfulness, suffering, and divine presence. They provide homiletical considerations for preachers navigating this complex Sunday, including: - The significance of Jesus "setting his face like flint" toward Jerusalem - Luke's distinct portrayal of justice denied rather than justice perverted - Translation nuances in the Philippians Christ hymn and their theological implications Whether you're pondering which texts to emphasize or seeking fresh insights for your Holy Week proclamation, this episode offers theological depth and practical wisdom. Commentaries for the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday) can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/sunday-of-the-passion-palm-sunday-3/commentary-on-luke-2214-2356-6. *  *  *   Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/_4HchsBXc9s.

Anchored in the Word Morning Reflection: Season 4 Episode 56: Going Up to Jerusalem: Luke 19:28-40 #morningreflections #salvation #providence #faithfulness

New Life Haverhill

New Life Haverhill

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent (C) Sunday, 16 March A+D 2025 Rev. Matthew D. Ruesch

The Way to Jerusalem Luke 18:31-43 Dr. Rich Schnieders Friendship Grace Brethren Church March 16, 2025

This week we read Luke 13:1-9, 31-35, a text that raised the biggest of questions for us. What exactly is the connection between sin and death that Jesus is getting at when he talks about the the Galileans who died at the hand of Pilate, or that freak accident with the tower? How does it hit readers for Jesus to explicitly name his imminent death as central to his purpose in going to Jerusalem, rather than letting us think of it as an unfortunate side effect of his work? We really felt the pull of his lament for Jerusalem – his deep knowledge of what is possible and what is meant for this holy city, and also his awareness of how the world has pressed it in another direction. His outcry rises up from the gaping chasm between them.  And our world, too, is broken in so many ways. So in this broken world, what does the fact of our death mean about how we should live?  

Jesus had been teaching, healing and doing miracles throughout Galilee. So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem the people were asking if he was the promised one of God to come. But come to do what?Copyright, Dave Andrus 2025

Epiphany is an often overlooked season of the church year. It is sandwiched between Christmas and Lent, two of the most familiar seasons of the church year. Epiphany concludes with the Transfiguration of Jesus, which we will be celebrating this weekend. This is fitting, first because the Transfiguration is a magnificent proof that Jesus is the Son of God, and second because we are told that following the Transfiguration, Jesus begins to “set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). In other words, Transfiguration Sunday is an appropriate “bridge” connecting Epiphany to the season of Lent.  Little is known about the hymn “Oh, Wondrous Type! Oh, Vision Fair” other than it was originally composed in Latin and used in the Old Sarum Rite from Salisbury, England in 1495. It was translated from Latin into English by John Mason Neale, the prolific 19th-century translator of Greek and Latin hymns. Sadly, only four stanzas of this hymn are included in Worship Supplement 2000. We will include a fifth stanza (found in other hymnals) which is a fitting doxology to the reminder that Jesus is True God and the Savior of all people. This hymn reminds us that the glory which was revealed in Jesus on the mountain is a glory that those who believe in Him will also share when Jesus returns on the last day. Because of the work which Jesus came to accomplish for sinful mankind, we will, by God's grace, experience that glory when we see Him face to face in heaven. This truth causes us, God's people, to raise our voices in joyful strains of prayer and praise in worship. Thanks be to God! Join us as we study this hymn about the revelation of Jesus as true God, and the assurance of being partakers of that glory in heaven because of Jesus life and death as our substitute.

Listen in as Pastor Adam walks through the fascinating and even funny account of Jesus, as a boy, traveling with his family to Jerusalem only to be unknowingly left behind by his parents in the temple. But as J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote, "not all who wander are lost..."

The Old Testament is about Jesus, which is reason enough for us to open our Bibles and read it regularly. “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Jesus opens our minds to understand the Hebrew Scriptures (Luke 24:45) and teaches us how to read them. “Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled... Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:44, 46–47). This year's “Searching Scripture” columns will lead us through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. This month we focus on the foundational messianic prophecy of the blessed “offspring” (or “seed”) of the woman first given in Genesis 3 and then reiterated to the patriarchs. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the January 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “The Blessed Seed” on Genesis 3:9-15. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Opening the Old Testament” and will walk through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

The Old Testament is about Jesus, which is reason enough for us to open our Bibles and read it regularly. “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Jesus opens our minds to understand the Hebrew Scriptures (Luke 24:45) and teaches us how to read them. “Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled... Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:44, 46–47). This year's “Searching Scripture” columns will lead us through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. This month we focus on the foundational messianic prophecy of the blessed “offspring” (or “seed”) of the woman first given in Genesis 3 and then reiterated to the patriarchs. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the January 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “The Blessed Seed” on Genesis 3:9-15. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Opening the Old Testament” and will walk through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

For several chapters, we've followed Jesus' trip to Jerusalem. With Chapter 19, Luke records his arrival. We take a careful look at how Jesus presents himself to the great city and how the groups around him respond to his coming. 

The Gospel According to Luke: Encountering the Real Jesus Pastor Anson McMahon

October 18, 2024Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-9Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 17:1-20; Matthew 14:1-21“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nothing in Jesus' ministry happened by accident… nothing in this world happens without our Lord's knowing it. So St. Luke records that Jesus sent out 72… to whom were they sent? What would they say? Just this… that Jesus had set His face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and would be visiting them in various towns and cities on His way. Jesus sent the 72 to get the people ready. He sent them so that they wouldn't be surprised and so that they'd talk to their friends, family, and neighbors about Jesus, the one who'd set His face to Jerusalem's cross, was coming to them.And here's the thing… 72 wasn't enough. There were countless towns and villages, countless poor, widowed, and fatherless who needed care and consolation, countless sinners steeped in their sin, drowning in guilt and remorse, shame and despair… what could 72 do among so many? Nothing is the answer… unless they were sent by the Lord, who would do something for all people. What is so endearing about St. Luke, among many things, is that he was a physician, a medical doctor… chosen by our Lord not because He was special in and of himself, but because God had set him aside to write the Gospel that bears his name and the Book of Acts that records the birth and early growth of the Christian Church. St. Luke was there to witness the Lord's ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. He traveled with St. Paul and saw with his own eyes the promise of Jesus. The harvest was plentiful… it is plentiful… Jesus sows the seeds and gives them growth… Jesus does it all, and yet He commends Luke to write for our benefit… not of the work that we must do to reap the harvest, but to labor together as ones redeemed by Christ in the vineyard together, to rejoice greatly that we have a place in the vineyard and yet there is still room! It started with 72, and the Christian church has been growing ever since. In fact, it's never gotten smaller… for those departed saints who sleep the sleep of death rest secure as they await their raising, we who have been born are shepherded, cared for, and forgiven from womb to tomb, and yet there are many still to come for whom the Lord Jesus has died to save.We pray for what the Lord promises… not results… not that we would even be ‘successful…' Luke writes, “Pray for the Lord to send laborers,”… and so He does. Perhaps it's you men who will preach and teach as pastors. Perhaps it's you young ladies who will see to the mercy arm of the Lord's church in diaconal ministry. We pray that the Lord will send laborers to provide us with the eternal Gifts of our Gracious God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, You have commanded us to pray that You would send forth laborers into Your harvest. Of Your infinite mercy give us true ministers and teachers of Your Word who preach nothing contrary to Your Word. Grant that we, being warned, instructed, nurtured, comforted, and strengthened by Your Word, may do those things which are well pleasing to You and profitable for our salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.-Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

Jesus reached the age where He must travel with His parents to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts appointed by the Law of God. While in the city, He will not only astound the religious teachers but open the eyes of His parents about who He is as the Son of God, along with a revelation of His mission on earth. In season 7, titled "Doctor Luke & The Great Physician", I have a unique offer relating to this series in the book of Luke. If you partner with Net Cast during our seventh season, I want to send you the complete outline for each episode to guide your study. If you would like to become a partner or donate, you can send PayPal donations using netcasthost@gmail.com or visit Patreon.com/netcast to learn more about how you can get on board with this podcast. I have also added this podcast to www.buymeacoffee.com/netcasthost where you can send a small gift of any amount to help support the show. I appreciate any help you can provide.If you cannot support this ministry's effort financially at this time, would you please consider doing one of the following? First, please subscribe and continue to be a dedicated listener. Next, please share Net Cast with your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe. Finally, consider leaving a review for the podcast so that your positive feedback can encourage others to listen.Please take a few moments after we sign off to visit our website at netcasthost.com. Here you will find transcripts of the podcast on the blog, you can sign up for the free newsletter, become a member, and join Net Cast for free, giving you access to hidden portions of the podcast host site.Don't forget to check out our social media sites on YouTube, Facebook, X aka Twitter, and Instagram. Be sure to like and follow the podcast as we use these sites to keep you current on what is happening at Net Cast. Every new episode is announced on these media outlets.Until next time, God bless you richly in Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is the sermon for the Lord's Day, October 6, 2024.

     For Christians, there is blessing through submission to God. This blessing comes from operating within the sphere of God's love and laws, which establish boundaries for us to thrive and survive.[1] This is because “a man's way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer 10:23); rather, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way” (Psa 37:23). As God's children, we are instructed, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov 3:5-6).      Living in submission to God means putting His will above our own, trusting in His plan, and following His directives. It entails aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with God's will and commandments. This submission is characterized by humility, trust, and obedience to follow God's directives over personal desires.      In the Old Testament, Abraham exemplified submission when God called him to leave his homeland and go to a land that He would show him. Moses wrote, “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you…So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him” (Gen 12:1, 4). Abraham's obedience to the Lord made him “the friend of God” (Jam 2:23; cf., 2 Ch 20:7; Isa 41:8). When God said to Isaiah, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? (Isa 6:8a), Isaiah responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa 6:8b). And when it was revealed to Mary that she would conceive in her womb and bear the humanity of Christ, she said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Jesus, the Perfect Example of Submission      Jesus Christ provides the perfect example of submission to God. He's the perfect example because He is perfect and never disobeyed the Lord. Jesus said, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30), and “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). In the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matt 26:39; cf., Matt 26:42, 44). Paul tells us that Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). Jesus' willingness to submit to the Father's will, even to the point of death, is the ultimate example of submission. Jesus never deviated from the Father's course for Him.      Jesus' submission to the Father started when He was very young. By age twelve, Jesus knew God was His Father and what the Father's mission was for Him (Luke 2:40-47).[2] Isaiah wrote, “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple” (Isa 50:4). This passage refers to Jesus' humanity, where God the Father would educate Jesus as His disciple. This education enabled Him to minister to others, as He says, “that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word” (Isa 50:4b). To those who are weary in their souls, a divinely spoken word can lift the spirit and revive the heart (see Matt 11:28). And Jesus' discipleship training took place in the early morning hours, as Messiah states, “He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple” (Isa 50:4c). According to Arnold Fruchtenbaum, “During His boyhood in Nazareth, every morning, Jesus was awakened by His Father in the early hours of the morning to receive instruction. In this way Jesus learned who He was, what His mission was, and how to act and react accordingly.”[3] As a human boy, Jesus had to be educated, which meant the discipline of acquiring knowledge over time. Because of His daily discipline, Jesus was fluent in the Scriptures by age 12. Fruchtenbaum states: "The New Testament gives us an account of a 12 year old Jesus visiting the Temple in Jerusalem for the first time (Luke 2:41–50). By the age of 12 Jesus was fully conversant with the Hebrew Scriptures and able to debate deep spiritual matters with the leading theologians of the day. Furthermore, when Jesus is later rebuked by His mother for remaining in the Temple, He replies, “Did you not know I would be in My Father's house?” This one statement shows that by the age of 12 Jesus knew that Joseph was not His father, knew that God was His Father, and therefore understood that He was the Messiah of Israel."[4]      Jesus was fully submissive to the Father, saying, “The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back” (Isa 50:5). Another translation reads, “The sovereign LORD has spoken to me clearly; I have not rebelled, I have not turned back” (Isa 50:5 NET). The word “disobedient” translates the Hebrew verb marah (מָרָה), which, according to HALOT, means “to be recalcitrant, rebellious.”[5] Jesus was not hardhearted nor defiant to the Lord in any way. When God spoke to Messiah, His Servant, He was in total submission to God in everything. Throughout Scripture we observe where other servants of the Lord tried to escape His call to service. When Moses was called by the Lord (Ex 4:1-12), he replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else” (Ex 4:13 CSB). When God called Jonah, we're informed His prophet rebelled, and “Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD” (Jon 1:3a). But Messiah never rebelled against the Lord. He was in total submission to Him. And such submission required a mind that was saturated with divine viewpoint, and a will that was totally surrendered to God. Warren Wiersbe states: "His mind was submitted to the Lord God so that He could learn His Word and His will (Isa 50:4). Everything Jesus said and did was taught to Him by His Father (John 5:19, 30; 6:38; 8:28). He prayed to the Father for guidance (John 11:42; Mark 1:35) and meditated on the Word. What God taught the Servant, the Servant shared with those who needed encouragement and help. The Servant sets a good example here for all who know the importance of a daily “quiet time” with the Lord. The Servant's will was also yielded to the Lord God. An “opened ear” is one that hears and obeys the voice of the master. The people to whom Isaiah ministered were neither “willing” nor “obedient” (Isa 1:19), but the Servant did gladly the will of the Lord God. This was not easy, for it meant yielding His body to wicked men who mocked Him, whipped Him, spat on Him, and then nailed Him to a cross (Matt 26:67; 27:26, 30)."[6]      Later, Jewish scholars would marvel at Jesus' wisdom (Matt 13:54; John 7:15); yet, they were unwilling to submit to Him as Messiah. This is an amazing thing, for though “the Light has come into the world” (John 3:19a), and that Light was bright and clear, we are informed that “men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19b). Here, we are reminded that at the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart, and the human heart is very corrupt and in great need of life and light. King David: An OT Example of Submission      David provides a good example of an OT believer who lived in regular submission to God. The Bible describes David as a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22). David walked faithfully with the Lord and surrendered to His will. David was an obedient king, for the most part, and subsequent kings were measured by him (1 Ki 3:14; 9:4-5; 11:4-6, 31-34, 38; 14:7-8; 15:1-5; 11-15; 2 Ki 14:1-4; 16:1-3; 18:1-3; 22:1-2). David set the bar for what it meant to be a good king, and this allowed others to have a standard to guide them. However, we should not conclude that David was perfectly obedient and kept the Lord's will in all matters in his life. He did not. No believer ever does, for there are none who are sinless (Eccl 7:20; 1 John 1:8, 10), except the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 John 3:5).      David personally acknowledged his sins, saying “my iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me” (Ps 38:4). He also wrote, “My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; they are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me” (Ps 40:12). Among David's recorded sins, the most offensive was his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah (2 Sam 11:1-17). Scripture tells us that David had slept with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed; and “the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Sam 11:27). What is commendable about David is that he handled his sin in a biblical manner by confessing it and seeking the Lord's forgiveness. Concerning Uriah and Bathsheba, David said, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam 12:13; read Psalm 51 for the longer version of David's confession). And upon his confession, the prophet Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die” (2 Sam 12:13). Here we see God's grace and government at work; for though David was forgiven and restored to fellowship with God, there were still consequences for his actions and the Lord dispensed judgment upon David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:14-18).      On another occasion, David followed Satan's temptation and “sinned greatly” by taking a census in Israel (1 Ch 21:1, 8), presumably because he was trusting in his military strength rather than the Lord. When God judged David for this, David confessed his sin and declared, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing” (1 Ch 21:8a). Not only did he confess his sin, but he also sought the Lord's forgiveness, saying, “Please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly” (1 Ch 21:8b), and “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great” (1 Ch 21:13). It is a hallmark of mature believers to humble themselves before the Lord through confession.      Furthermore, David practiced the sin of polygamy contrary to the Law of Moses, which specifically commanded the king of Israel, that “he shall not multiply wives for himself” (Deut 17:17). From Scripture we know the names of eight of David's wives: Michal (1 Sam 18:27), Abigail (1 Sam 25:39-42), Ahinoam (1 Sam 25:43), Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:24), Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah (2 Sam 3:2-5). And he had other wives and concubines that are not named, as Scripture reveals, “David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron” (2 Sam 5:13a). Interestingly, the Bible says nothing about David's practice of polygamy, and though it is a sin according to Scripture, it was apparently tolerated in David's life, perhaps because it never resulted in his wives leading him into idolatry as it had with his son, Solomon (see 1 Ki 11:1-11).       Despite David's imperfections and sins, he was still regarded as a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). His life demonstrates several key areas of faithfulness that are instructive for Christians. David exhibited a deep love and devotion to God, as reflected in his heartfelt expressions throughout the 75 Psalms he wrote (see Psa 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1; 8:1; 9:1; 11:1; 12:1; 13:1; 14:1; 15:1; 18:1; etc.).[7] Many of the Psalms reveal David's heart of worship to the Lord. His repentance and humility are evident after his sin with Bathsheba, where he sincerely sought God's mercy and forgiveness (Psa 51:1-2). David's trust in God's sovereignty was unwavering, as witnessed in his confrontation with Goliath and his reliance on God (1 Sam 17:37). His obedience to God's commands is seen in his refusal to harm King Saul, respecting God's anointed king (1 Sam 24:1-6). His commitment to justice and righteousness was evident in his reign, where he sought to administer justice and equity for all his people, for “David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people” (2 Sam 8:15). Even in difficult times, David depended on God for guidance, protection, and comfort, as beautifully expressed in Psalm 23. Lastly, his desire to build a house for God, although fulfilled by his son Solomon, demonstrated his dedication to honoring and prioritizing the Lord (2 Sam 7:1-2). These aspects of David's life highlight the important areas of faithfulness: devotion to God, humility, trust in God's sovereignty, obedience to God's commands, a heart for worship, commitment to justice and righteousness, dependence on God in difficult times, and a desire to honor and prioritize the Lord. The life of David demonstrates that believers can have a healthy walk with the Lord and be in submission to Him and doing His will in the major areas of their lives. Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] This truth can be compared to the relationship between a loving and wise parent and their child. Just as a parent establishes boundaries and rules to protect and guide their child, God provides His commandments for our well-being, and this because there is much evil in the world. A loving parent sets these boundaries to ensure the child's safety from evil and help them thrive. They know that without guidance, a child might make harmful decisions because they lack the wisdom and experience to navigate life's complexities on their own. Similarly, God's laws create a framework within which we can experience true freedom and blessing. By submitting to God's guidance, we avoid the pitfalls and dangers that come from relying solely on our own understanding. When we trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He directs our paths, leading us to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [2] Jesus, in His humanity, was not omniscient, and needed to develop and grow in His understanding. Luke tells us that Jesus “continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:40). When Jesus was twelve, He traveled with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-42), but after they left, we're informed “Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:43b). Joeseph and Mary were not aware that Jesus had stayed behind (Luke 2:43-44), but when they looked for Him and could not find Him, “they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him” (Luk 2:45b). Luke tells us, “Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:46-47). Jesus, in His humanity, had great biblical wisdom, but not because He learned from the Rabbinic scholars of the day. The Jewish leadership understood this. John wrote,  “The Jews then were astonished, saying, ‘How has this man become learned, having never been educated?'” (John 7:15). Jesus replied to them, saying, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7:16). [3] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Messianic Christology: A Study of Old Testament Prophecy Concerning the First Coming of the Messiah (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 1998), 51. [4] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Messianic Christology: A Study of Old Testament Prophecy Concerning the First Coming of the Messiah (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 1998), 51. [5] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 632. [6] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Comforted, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 126. [7] King David is traditionally attributed with writing 73 of the 150 Psalms in the Book of Psalms. These Psalms often bear his name in their superscriptions, indicating his authorship. Additionally, the New Testament ascribes two other Psalms to David (Psalm 2 in Acts 4:25 and Psalm 95 in Hebrews 4:7), bringing the total traditionally attributed to David to 75.

Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem because, even though he was praised as he entered, the people did not understand that they missed God's long-awaited visit. Listen in to hear more.

Part 79 of "Luke: Mission to the World"

Part 79 of "Luke: Mission to the World"

Today we continue in Chapter 1 in our Acts study, and we'll cover just a few verses as we answer this question: What's the best way to wait on God?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --What's the best way to wait on God?That's what we'll see the disciples doing in the textLast week Jesus got the disciples all riled upHe told them he would send the HS to empower themHe told them to wait in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49)But he didn't tell them how long it would takeThe angels caught them staring into heaven while Jesus ascendedHave you ever been there? Waiting for God to act?Romance - when will I finally find the “One” - ?Provision - in financial struggles or with career opportunitiesDeliverance - from addiction you've tried to kickHealing - in a relational conflict Vindication - you were falsely accused or misunderstoodWisdom - esp for new believers who just want to know Bible moreAnxiety - when will you take this away?We've all been there. Today as we open the Bible we're going to get a few practical, actionable tips to answer the question: What's the best way to wait on God? We're all doing it; we might as well do it right!So let's get to it….Acts 1:12-13aActs 1:12-13 (NLT) "12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying."Went to the upstairs roomPossibly the upper room from the last supperMay have been like headquarters in early daysMay have been the “home of Mary, the mother of John Mark” that Peter visited after jailbreak (12:12)the Mount of Olivesie, Jesus ascended to heaven from Mount of OlivesMakes sense, in light of this OT prophecy:Zechariah 14:2-4 (NLT) "2 I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem…. 3 Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem…."a place of judgment for nations when Jesus returns remember, this was part of the “kerygma” (early message = Jesus + faith + Spirit + return)We'll see this in Peter's first sermon in ch 2Has now become the place of blessing for nationsHe'll give them a chance to respond to kerygma“Blessing on all nations” (Gen 12)returned to JerusalemSimple obedienceLuke 24:49 (NLT) 49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”They had great expectation, but little understandingThis is where we are when we wait on GodWhat do you do in this case? First answer:Obey what you knowDo the next...

1. A man of courage - John 11:162. He did not accept easy answers - John 14:1-53. A crises of Faith - John 20:24-254. Jesus resolves the crises - John 20:26-295. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem - Luke 19:41-44

/> ### MESSAGE NOTESPalm Sunday "Hosanna in the Highest" • March 24, 2024Teacher: Adam Barnett --/> Luke 9:51 "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem" /> Luke 19:28-34 "After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.As he approached Bethphage and Bethanyat the hill called the Mount of Olives,he sent two of his disciples, saying to them“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' say, ‘The Lord needs it.'”Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”They replied, “The Lord needs it” /> Zechariah 9:9  "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey"   /> Luke 19:35-38 "They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.As he went along, people spread their cloakson the road.When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  /> John 12:12-13 "The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” /> Hosanna (English) ---> ὡσαννά (Greek) ---> hoshiya na (Hebrew) /> Psalm 118:25 "LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success!"  /> Psalm 118:26 "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" /> "Darkness fell, His friends scattered, hope seemed lost… but heaven just started counting to three."— Bob Goff

The Crowds Palm Sunday 3-24-24 “And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem… Luke 9:51 ESV And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” Luke 9:52-53 ESV What they knew • The messiah will come • He will be triumphant • His rule, reign and dominion will be over all the earth Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:9, 10) What they thought • Rome would be defeated in battle • Power structures would shift and they would become the conquering people of God • It's happening now What this led to • disillusionment • disappointment • The crowds walking away What Jesus knew • Their deepest need • Their lack of sight • This Triumphal entry leads to death And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44 ESV And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.” Luke 19:47-48 ESV "He knows that the same people who are so impressed with him one day so as to want to make him king need very little altering of circumstance to begin the chant: Crucify Him! Amazement lies at the root of hype, ideology, groupthink, mob mentality, gang rapes, and crucifixions. Crowds do not think; they act out of a blind energy, and that carries immense dangers. Indeed, scripture scholars tell us that in the Gospels, most every time the word crowd is used, one could supply the word mindless." Ronald Rolheiser

And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. Luke 5:18–19It's interesting to note that, as the paralyzed man's faith-filled friends lowered him down from the roof in front of Jesus, Jesus was surrounded by Pharisees and teachers of the law “from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem” (Luke 5:17). The religious leaders came in droves. They were among the most educated of the Jews and happened to be among the ones who had gathered to see Jesus speak that day. And it was partly on account of large numbers of them gathering around Jesus that the friends of the paralyzed man could not reach Jesus without this radical move of opening the roof.So what does Jesus do when He sees the paralytic lowered before Him from the roof? He told the paralytic that his sins were forgiven. Sadly, those words were immediately met with severe interior criticism from these religious leaders. They said among themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” (Luke 5:21). But Jesus knew their thoughts and decided to do one more act for the good of these religious leaders. The first act of Jesus, to forgive the paralytic's sins, was for the good of the paralytic. But the paralytic's physical healing, interestingly, appears to be primarily for these pompous and self-righteous Pharisees and teachers of the law. Jesus heals the man so that they will “know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). As soon as Jesus performs this miracle, the Gospel tells us that everyone was “struck with awe” and glorified God. Apparently, this included the judgmental religious leaders.So what does this teach us? It shows how deeply Jesus loved these religious leaders despite their exceptional pride and judgmentalism. He wanted to win them over. He wanted them to convert, humble themselves and turn to Him. It's somewhat easy to show love and compassion to one who is paralyzed, rejected, and humiliated already. But it takes an incredible amount of love to also care deeply about the proud and arrogant. Reflect, today, upon the love Jesus had for these religious leaders. Though they came to find fault with Him, falsely judge Him and continually tried to trap Him, Jesus never ceased in His attempts to win them over. As you think about this mercy of our Lord, consider also the person in your life who is most difficult to love, and recommit to loving them with your whole heart in imitation of our divine Lord.My most merciful Lord, give me a heart of forgiveness and mercy for others. Help me, especially, to have a deep concern for those whom I find most difficult to love. In imitation of Your divine mercy, strengthen me to act with a radical love for all so that they will come to know You more deeply. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.