Podcasts about reading luke

Reading Luke 15:8-10 where after telling the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin, and how there is much rejoicing before the angels over one sinner who repents. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 15:1-7 and hearing the parable that Jesus told about the 99 sheep that were safe in the fold and the shepherd going to find the one that ran away. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 14:31-35 where Jesus continues to teach about the cost of discipleship, and when professing disciples of Jesus aren't really His disciples, they're worthless. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos.

Reading Luke 14:28-30 and continuing the teaching of Jesus on counting the cost of discipleship, considering what we must give up in order to follow Him and enter His kingdom. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 14:25-27 where Jesus says to His disciples, "Whoever does not hate His own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters cannot be my disciple." Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 14:12-24 where Jesus, still as a guest in the house of a Pharisee, tells them a parable about a great banquet at which the most unexpected people will be invited. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 14:1-11 when Jesus visits a Pharisees home and heals a man on the Sabbath, then He teaches the guests a lesson in humility, before God and others. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

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!

June 4, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 19:29-48Daily Lectionary: Numbers 16:23-40; Luke 19:29-48“Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes,” (Luke 19:42)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The people of Judea were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem with shouts of joy, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38). The people were excited because they expected Jesus to bring them peace. But while they were shouting for joy, Jesus was weeping for them. He wept because even though the people were expecting peace, many of them weren't going to get it.Why? Because they didn't know the “things that make for peace.” You see, the Jews were only looking for worldly peace. They were longing for a new king like David, who would free them from Roman oppression. And they had hoped that Jesus was that guy. But He wasn't. At least not in the way they thought. Jesus didn't come to be an earthly king, to rule in an earthly kingdom and bring a worldly type of peace.Jesus came to bring us the “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). That is, peace with God. And just what are the things that make for this peace? The death and resurrection of Jesus, of course! Through Jesus, for the sake of His innocent suffering and death, we are reconciled to our heavenly Father, and we live with the hope of everlasting life in the Father's kingdom. That hope cannot be taken from us, no matter what happens in this life.As Jesus rode into Jerusalem to win that peace for us, He knew that many of the Jews He encountered that day weren't going to receive it. They rejected Him because they were so obsessed with earthly things that they didn't want the peace that He brought.  We've got to be careful that we don't do the same thing. God has given us so many wonderful gifts, such as our families and friends, money, the ability to play sports, and the intelligence to get into a great college. While these can all be great blessings from God, we shouldn't think that these blessings are the source of our peace, at least not true, lasting peace. Sadly, friends can betray us; money can be taken from us. Popularity, looks, and health will all fade away. True peace only comes from Jesus. Thankfully, He wants you to have it, and He offers you what you need to have it. He gives you His Word along with His crucified and risen Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Altar. When you receive the Word and Sacrament in faith, you receive the things that make for peace. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thy work alone, O Christ, Can ease this weight of sin; Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, Can give me peace within. (LSB 567:3)- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 31, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-45 (46-56)Daily Lectionary: Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33; Luke 18:1-17“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:39-41)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  “With haste.” That means she went quickly. Mary didn't dawdle. She didn't waste her time. She got out of town and went to see her cousin. How long did it take? It was about 90 miles of a journey, so even going at a slow pace, she would have gotten there in a few days of travel. Even if she had taken a few days to pack and prepare for the journey, she would have gotten there about a week after the Angel Gabriel had visited her.So, with the Little Lord Jesus (one week from conception!) in her womb, Mary greets Elizabeth. At the sound of her greeting, St. John (six months from conception) leaps within his mother's womb because he is in the presence of His Lord! How big was Jesus at that time? Well, at four weeks, a baby is about .04 inches and .04 ounces. So, at one week? Not big at all! But there was God in the flesh, and John worships Him. The One who is mighty makes Himself weak. He scatters the proud but lifts the lowly. As He came to the lowly Virgin Mary, He still comes down to us, filling the hungry with His Body and Blood and clothing us with His righteousness. Your Savior is not a Savior who reigns from high above. He is a Savior who comes down to us. He is not a Savior who doesn't understand you or get what it's like to be in your place. Jesus knows you. He knows your pain and your weakness. He knows what it is like to grow up, to learn to read, to get hurt by nature and hurt by people, even close friends. He knows what it's like to be a child in the womb. He knows what it is like to be an infant, a toddler, a teenager. He knows what it's like to die and to rise again.Jesus comes for you. He comes to die that you might live.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Before he yet was born, He leaped in joyful meeting, Confessing Him as Lord Whose mother he was greeting. By Jordan's rolling stream, A new Elijah bold, He testified of Him Of whom the prophets told. (LSB 346:2)- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 13:18-30 where Jesus tells two parables about a mustard seed and leaven hidden in flour, and then instructs His hearers to enter the kingdom by the narrow door. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

May 29, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 24:44-53Daily Lectionary: Numbers 11:1-23, 31-35; Luke 17:1-19“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Think about those hands. Hands that were knit together in the womb of St. Mary. Hands that pressed up against that womb as they grew. Hands that grasped His mother's finger as she cradled Him in her arms. Hands that held St. Joseph's fingers as He learned to walk. Hands that did chores around the house. Hands that reached out to touch the lepers, the blind, the deaf, and the mute. Hands that reached out to grab Peter as he sank into the water. Hands that stopped a funeral procession in its tracks, touching the coffin of a young man and then taking that young man and giving him back to His mother. Hands that blessed the little children.Hands that overturned the tables in the Temple. Hands that dipped a towel in the water and washed the feet of His disciples that would run away, or, even worse, deny Him that night. Hands that broke bread and said, “Take and eat.” Hands that raised the cup and said, “Take and drink.”Hands that were pierced with nails. Hands that went limp in death. Hands that were laid in a grave. Hands that were shown to the Disciples on Easter Evening and to Thomas the next week.Now, as Jesus ascends into heaven, those nail-scarred hands are raised and lifted in blessing. Those hands were taken into heaven and seated at the Right Hand of the Father. Those hands, hands of the One who is True God and True Man, have a place in heaven.Those same hands now come to you in blessing. They work through the hands of your pastor who baptized you, who forgives, who delivers the Body and Blood of Jesus to you each week, and who raises His hands in blessing and says, “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord makes His face shine upon you be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Crown Him the Lord of love. Behold His hands and side, Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified. No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bend their wond'ring eyes At mysteries so bright. (LSB 525:3)- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 13:10-17 where Jesus is teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and He calls to Himself a woman who was crooked and heals her of her infirmity. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 13:6-9 where Jesus tells His disciples and the people who are there about the barren fig tree, which the master will cut down for it does not bear fruit. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

May 23, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 13:18-35Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 26:1-20; Luke 13:18-35“He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.'” (Luke 13:18-19) In the Name + of Jesus.  As people, we like stories of victories, don't we? We love it when our sports teams win. We love for hard work to pay off. We love it when we see the fruits of our own labors come to fruition. All of these things bring us happiness and satisfaction, don't they?  But then Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. If you have seen a mustard seed, you know they aren't much as far as seeds go. They aren't acorns that are large and sturdy looking. They aren't walnuts that you can see easily as they fall from trees. No, they're small and seem insignificant.  God's work often looks this way. It often looks like the Church isn't making much progress in the world. It often looks like we're not making much progress in being good Christians. It often feels like we're better at sinning than we are being faithful. And when you look at the cross, it's the same way. On the cross, Jesus doesn't look like a powerful God. He looks lowly. He looks like He's defeated, and Satan wins.  But then Jesus tells how a mustard seed grows. Yes, it looks insignificant, but it gets big enough for the birds to live in it and for them to be sustained by it. This cross is the same. Despite its lowly appearance, or actually even by it, Jesus accomplishes the greatest of things: the salvation of the world. By the seed of His body falling to the ground, the tree that grows in His resurrection provides for the needs of the many.  You see, this is how God works. The little bit looks insignificant, but through its insignificant appearance, God is bringing about great works. Even today, through the lowly waters poured on a baby, or the bread and wine of His Supper, there He is bringing the cross and resurrection to His people and sustaining them in His eternal love. It doesn't seem like much, but again, this is how God works. This means that when you see the things that don't look like victories, you can trust that somehow God is still working good things through it. Think of it: the cross is the worst possible thing— the death of the perfect Man, God in the flesh. But through it, God accomplished the greatest possible thing: the salvation of mankind. If He can do it there, He can do it in the worst things in Your life too. In fact, He promises that He will.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Heavenly Father, when we see the lowly things of this world and Your Kingdom, bless us to see them with the eyes of faith and trust in Your promises knowing that through these You accomplish the greatest things, most of all our salvation. Amen.- Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 13:1-5 where Jesus responds to a couple of scenarios, one where Pilate killed some Galileans and another where a tragic accident occurred, and points them to repentance. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:54-59 where Jesus tells the crowds that they have a responsibility understand what is going on in the world around them and know what's right and wrong. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

May 21, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 12:35-53Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 23:23-44; Luke 12:35-53“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  Every year at Christmas time, I hear those familiar words of Handel's Messiah: “And His Name shall be called… Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Of course, this is a quote from Isaiah 9:6, and it's clear that, ultimately, it's referring to Jesus. So with that, we rightly call Jesus by the title “Prince of Peace.”  But in Luke 12, we read Jesus saying that He didn't come to bring peace but division. Isn't that a contradiction? All the more, when we talk about Jesus in our day and age, if people know of Him, they think of Him as being really “nice.” So, what is this He's saying about not bringing peace but division?  Let's start with how He does bring peace. Paul tells us that the peace Jesus brings is with God (Romans 5:1). Our sin puts us in enmity with God, and so when our sin is forgiven, that enmity is overcome by peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace because He makes our peace with God for us. So, what about this division? That is between us and the world. Having been born anew in Baptism, in that washing of rebirth and renewal of water and the Spirit, we are different from the world. We no longer live for ourselves, for the truth of the world, but we live in the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  As we look at that, we see that there are a lot of places in the teaching of Jesus where He describes a separation. There is the separation between the wheat and the chaff, the sheep and the goats, the wise and foolish virgins, and the list keeps going. This separation is ultimately the church and the world. Yes, we ought to try to keep peace with those around us as much as we can. However, we have to realize that there are a lot of times when the world won't want to hear the Word of Jesus. They won't like hearing that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. All the more, they won't want to hear that they, too, are sinners. It's this that causes the division.  Thankfully, we see that Jesus is the One who made peace with the Father so that we could enjoy unity with Him. That does not make the divisions now unimportant. It means that they are a sad reality. But in Jesus, the joy of His peace will overcome the sadness of this time and bring us to eternal communion with Him and the Church throughout all days. Amen. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  Blessed Jesus, in You we find our peace. We pray for Your coming that our sad divisions would cease and we would know the perfect unity of Your eternal Kingdom. Amen.- Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 12:49-53 where Jesus looks toward the judgment that will come, and says that He has not come to bring peace but a sword, to set families against one another. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

May 16, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 11:1-13Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 18:1-7, 20-19:8; Luke 11:1-13“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Jesus speaks to His lamb: My dear lamb, I will teach you to pray like I taught my disciples to pray. Read closely what I told them here in Luke 11. What I taught them is for you, too. Pray to the Father in My name; He will hear you and give you good.When you pray to your Father in heaven, think about a father here on earth. Fathers on earth are not perfect. They struggle with sin like every human being.But we know that fathers want to give good things to their children. If a son asks his father for a healthy meal like a fish or an egg, what father would be so evil that he would give his child a painful, venomous serpent or scorpion instead?!If an imperfect father on earth knows how to give good gifts to his children, how much more will your perfect Father provide you with something good when you pray?Your heavenly Father loves you. He gives you good gifts every day. He gave you the best Gift of all, Me— your Savior, your Good Shepherd. So when you pray, you can be confident that He will give you the Holy Spirit, who will create and strengthen your faith through My Word every day until you are safe in heaven. (And remember to tell Him, “Thank You.”)Jesus' lamb responds: Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching me to pray and showing me how much the Father loves me. Thank you, Father, for hearing my prayer and answering with the best of Your Gifts. You give me Your Son. You pour out Your Spirit. And you save me and keep me as your own.Please give me faith to believe that You are good and that You answer my prayers, just as Jesus taught. Forgive me for the times I do not pray—for when I forget, am lazy, or don't believe you can or will help.You are good. Thank You for the good you always give me in Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord His children sever; Unto them His grace He showeth, and their sorrows all He knoweth. (LSB 725:3)- Rev. Jeffrey Horn, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Escondido, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 12:45-48 where Jesus instructs His disciples to be ready for His return, and gives a warning to that servant who thinks His master is delayed and acts wickedly. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

May 14, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-22Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 16:1-24; Luke 10:1-22“And (Jesus) said to them, “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.Jesus speaks to His lamb: Dear lamb, This world is filled with people—people whom I died for on the cross. I want them to hear My Word. Some will hear and believe in Me and be saved. The Holy Spirit will draw them to faith. Some will hear My Word and reject it and be lost.…But I want them to hear My Word.I want them to hear My Word like you hear My Word, little lamb. I want them to hear that I died to forgive them. I want them to hear and repent of their sins. I want them to hear the Word as it's being read and preached… as the Holy Spirit draws them to faith, washes them in Baptism, and feeds them My Body and Blood in My Supper.I want them to have all these things like you are having them.Dear lamb, pray earnestly that more workers would go into the harvest. Pray for workers in every land who speak every language to go out and serve. Be ready to do the work that I will give you in your vocation, whatever it may be.My heart is filled with compassion for people. In your prayers, share in this compassion. Remember that My compassion is for you, too.Jesus' lamb responds to Him: Dear Jesus, You have been merciful to me and saved me from my sins.Your Word is true and gives life. In this day, in this place, in my congregation, and around the world, please send workers into the fields. Let people hear Your Word — the Spirit will work through it to give Your Gifts of forgiveness and salvation.Please forgive me for the times I have not shared Your compassion for those not yet in Your Flock. Thank You for being merciful and gracious to me. Please keep me in Your grace.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You sent it; through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.- Rev. Jeffrey Horn, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Escondido, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 12:39-44 where Jesus says that no one knows the hour or the day of the Lord's return, so we must be dressed for action and always be doing the will of Christ! Visit wwutt.com for all our videos.

Reading Luke 12:35-38, where after telling His disciples not to be anxious, Jesus instructs them to be ready for action, that the Lord may find them faithful servants. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

May 9, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 8:22-39Daily Lectionary: Exodus 39:32-40:16; Luke 8:22-39“And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked [Jesus] to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.” (Luke 8:36-37)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus arrives in the country of the Gerasenes, across from Galilee, and is immediately greeted by a man who is possessed by demons. This man has been so captive to this demonic oppression that he is naked, living in the tombs of the city, and has frequently burst through the chains used to bind him. This must have been a terrifying sight and a situation that was well-known in the city. Most towns these days have the oddball who may come across as slightly creepy, given his mannerisms and clothing, but magnify that by ten thousand, add in clear demonic elements, and you have a better sense of how the city must have viewed this man. It's safe to assume that most of the people in the city wanted nothing to do with him, and beyond being a nuisance, he was probably a source of a lot of fear. But despite this, after Jesus heals the demoniac and restores him, Jesus is only met with gratitude and wonder by the demoniac himself, who asks to follow Jesus. The people of the city, however, respond with fear. This seems a curious response, as it is logical that Jesus solved a problem for them, so they would all be grateful for it. But they have witnessed the power of Jesus, and though that power is wielded in mercy to heal, restore, and forgive, they also seem to intuit that it could be used for judgment. Indeed, a man who can judge and condemn multiple demons, driving them back to the abyss where they belong, could certainly render judgment against any of our sins. People often have this reaction to Jesus. Many of us hear his words of forgiveness, life, and salvation, and like the demoniac, see healing, restoration, and redemption from our sins that we so desperately want. Others hear and see the word and works of Jesus and receive it only as condemnation and terror, responding by asking him to go away. Just as the parable of the sower earlier in chapter eight illustrates, not everyone will receive the Word of God with joy and thanksgiving; some will not receive it at all and reject it immediately. How people respond to God's Word is not in our control; we should simply be ready to speak it and speak it as one delivered out of bondage by grace.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, Your Word is cast Like seed into the ground; Now let the dew of heav'n descend And righteous fruits abound. (LSB 577:1)- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary ServicesAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 12:27-34 where Jesus continues to teach His disciples not to be anxious but to seek first God's kingdom, for it is the Father's pleasure to give it to us in Christ.  Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

May 7, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 7:36-50Daily Lectionary: Exodus 34:29-35:21; Exodus 35:22-38:20; Luke 7:36-50“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.' And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.'” (Luke 7:47-48)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In this passage, the Pharisees directly encounter Jesus's tendency to scandalize the piety of the arrogant and self-righteous. Here, we see Jesus is invited to dine with the Pharisees, and a woman labeled “a sinner” hears that Jesus will be there and crashes the party. Let's take a step back and think through all of the implications of this: the Pharisees are the teachers of the law, are all men, and are trying to learn from this interesting rabbi by having a respectable meal with him. Then, their all-male party is crashed by a woman. This is boundary stretching on its own, as this culture certainly had a healthy respect for distinguishing between male and female spaces. But she's not only a woman; she's also a “sinner.” The text doesn't detail the particulars of the woman's sin, but it's been widely accepted by scholars, from the context, that she was likely a sex worker. This makes sense, as we are clearly meant to understand that she isn't just a regular sinner; she's a pretty grievous public sinner. Yes, we all know that we're all sinners, but most of us have a hierarchy of sins, and frankly, that type of sin was and is considered especially egregious. So, people let their imaginations work, put together a woman who was a great sinner who obviously had money, and draw a conclusion. We can easily see how the dinner party would be surprised at her arrival, but imagine how brave she must have been. She knew what she was walking into, and instead of waiting for a time when Jesus was on His own, where she could avoid the condemnation of the Pharisees, she marches in with her savings in the alabaster jar and worships her Lord with her love and her tears, because that act was more important than her pride. Jesus knows exactly who she is and what she has done and is more aware of her sin than even she is, yet He uses this to preach on love and redemption. She loves Jesus because she knows how very much she needs saving, and that He can do this. The lesson here is not that bigger sinners love Jesus more, but rather those who know intimately just how very much they need Jesus, who know their weakness, can rest in Him as their strength, especially when the world would shame us for that weakness. We happily give Him everything we have, because we know that we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.For all the faithful women Who served in days of old, To Your shall thanks be given; To all, their story told. They served with strength and gladness In tasks Your wisdom gave. To You their lives bore witness, Proclaimed Your pow'r to save. (LSB 855:1)- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary ServicesAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading Luke 12:22-26 where Jesus tells His disciples not to be anxious about their lives, and for us as well understanding what it means to trust fully in Christ Jesus. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:13-21 where Jesus gives the parable of the rich young fool, warning His hearers not to put their trust in riches or in their material possessions but in God. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:8-12 where Jesus tells His disciples about bearing witness before men, warns against blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and says the Spirit will be with them. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:4-7 where Jesus tells the disciples to fear not what man can do to you, instead fear God who can cast into hell, but knowing that God cares for us. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 12:1-3 where Jesus is teaching His disciples, warning them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and also to mindful that every word we say is known by God. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:33-54 where Jesus confronts the Pharisees and tells them that the judgment of God has come upon them, for twisting God's word as we see a lot of today. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:29-32 where Jesus rebukes this generation for seeking signs from heaven, and says no sign will be given to them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:24-28 where Jesus tells a parable about an evil spirit which persistently attacks a person, and Jesus says the person who is blessed is the one who hears the word of God and keeps it. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:14-23 where Jesus casts out an evil spirit that causes a man to be mute, and when the people accuse Him of being of Beelzebul, He turns the accusation back on them. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:5-13 where Jesus encourages His disciples to pray, for our Father in heaven wants to hear from us, and He wants to give good gifts to His children. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:1-4 once again where Jesus taught His disciples to pray, but this was not the only place Jesus taught about prayer or even where Jesus Himself prayed. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 11:1-4 where the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, and Jesus teaches them the Lord's prayer, similar to the prayer we read in Matthew 6. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 10:38-42 where Jesus meets a woman named Martha who welcomes Him into her home, but her sister Mary listens to Jesus teach while Martha does all the work. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 10:25-37 and the famous parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus responds to a lawyer attempting to test Him by showing the lawyer he's not as good as he thinks. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 10:21-24 once again, where Jesus praised the Father for revealing saving truth to His elect and withholding the understanding of who Jesus is from the reprobate. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 10:21-24 and reflecting upon the great prayer Jesus prays to the Father, thanking Him for concealing the truth from the great and revealing it to those who are lesser. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 10:13-20 where Jesus sends out His seventy-two (actually seventy) disciples into the surrounding cities and towns to perform miracles and preach the message of the kingdom. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 10:1-12 where Jesus sends out the 72 disciples to go ahead of Jesus into the towns He will soon visit, preaching the message of the kingdom that will go out to the world. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 9:57-62 finishing up the chapter and learning about counting the cost of discipleship, understanding what we might need to give up in order to follow Jesus. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 9:49-56 where John tries to stop someone from casting out demons, and Jesus says whoever is not against us is for us, and also sets His face toward Jerusalem. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 9:37-48 where Jesus casts and unclean Spirit out of a boy, and then He settles a dispute between His disciples about which of them is the greatest. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 9:28-36 where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on the mountain, and He is transfigured before them, with new details in this account that weren't in the others. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 9:23-27 where Jesus tells His disciples and the Spirit says to us that if anyone would come after Him, they must deny themselves, take up a cross daily, and follow Jesus. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!