LK 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

This parable is spoken to men who believed in a works salvation.  They thought they were saved because of what they did.  This belief often leads to thinking that you are better than someone who does not do as much works as you do.  Trusting in yourself and your righteousness lifts up pride and leads to despising others.   

LK 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

LK 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

LK 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Can you just see the pride oozing out of this works salvation believer?

LK 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

The second man is quite a contrast.  He realizes that he is a sinner.  He knows that he is not worthy.  He is burdened and convicted by his sin.  He simply calls upon God for mercy.  The second man has not fasted, he has not tithed, he has not done any works to get saved.  He did not join a church.  He was not in the religious crowd.  He did not get baptized. 

Now which one is justified in the eyes of God?  Is it the first man (works), or is it the second man (grace)?

LK 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The second man is justified and the first is not.  Works does not save.  Only the mercy of God saves us.

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

LK 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

LK 17:23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

LK 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

The context of verses 20 thru 37 is when Christ comes back to get the redeemed.  Notice how it is mentioned that one is left and the other is taken.  Also notice how no notice is given.  People are carrying on their normal lives. 

In verse 24 it talks about how fast Jesus is coming.  It will be like lightning.  There will be no advanced notice.  It will happen so fast that no one will have time to think about it or prepare for it.  There will be no chance for someone to see that it is starting and then decide to get saved.  It will be too late.  Jesus is coming like lightning. 

In 23 Jesus gives a warning about false teachers in conection to this subject.  Jesus knows that many will long to see Him, and that people will take advantage of that.  They will say see here, or see there.  They will say He is coming back on such and such a date.  Some will even claim that Jesus is already here.

Jesus says, "go not after them, nor follow them."  Never listen to anyone who says that they know when Jesus is coming back.  No man knows the hour.  

LK 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

LK 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

LK 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

You have most likely heard people say, I would give more to my church and give to missions if I was rich.  Or how about, the things I would do for God if I won the lottery.  That is just a lot of hot air.  No they would not.  If they are not faithful in the little that they have, then they will not be faithful if they had more. 

Jesus does not just look at how much is given.  It is how faithful are you with what you have been given.  Verse 10 teaches that if you are faithful with the little you have, then you are actually faithful in much.  If you make 100.00 and give 10.00 you are more faithful than the man who made 800.00 and gave 40.00.  It is not the total amount; it is how faithful with what God has put into your care.  Being faithful with a little is being faithful in much.  The opposite is also true.  If you are unfaithful in a little you are unfaithful in much.  You might say I only kept back 10.00.  Ten dollars is no big deal.  Actually it is to God.  It is not the amount of money that is the issue; it is how faithful you are with what you were entrusted with. 

LK 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

LK 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

I have heard these verses misused today to try to validate bringing the world into the church.  They will says that Jesus sat with publicans and sinners.  Then they will reason.  Therefore we need to bring fleshly rock-n-roll music in to appeal to the sinners, and all the other worldly things they do.  Their reasoning is that this is the way to get the sinners in.

There are many major things wrong with this reasoning.  In this verse the sinners did not come to get entertained.  They did not come to have their flesh catered to.  Verse one says that they came to hear Jesus.  They came for the preaching.  They came for the word of God.  And let me tell you they did not get no watered down feel good message.  The got the truth from the Son of God.  Jesus' preaching brought conviction. 

Second there is a huge difference between preaching to sinners and partaking in their sin with them.  Jesus NEVER partook with their sin. 

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Bringing fleshly music into the church house is partaking in the sinners sin.  You cannot use these verses to justify partaking in sin to try to reach the sinner. 

LK 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

LK 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

LK 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

In the verses before these Jesus talks about seeking positions of honor with men.  Then in these verses Jesus talks about rewards for service.  Many people will serve others because of what they can get in return.  They will minister to friends, family, and rich neighbors.  In other words people who have a reason or the means to give recompense for your service. 

Jesus tells them in verse 13 to serve the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind instead.  For they cannot recompense you.  Our service is not to be based on what the people we serve can give us. 

Jesus says that there is a blessing involved in service without expecting recompense.     

Then Jesus says, "for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."  You will be recompensed for all you do for Christ.  He is faithful and just.  You will be rewarded.  Just don't look for it from the people you serve. Do not let what you can get enter in who you serve.  That is the point here.  Your recompense will come in the life to come.  It will be given at the resurrection of the just.  This is a reference to the judgment seat of Christ.  Recompense that is given there lasts for all eternity, whereas recompense here gets spent wares out, gets lost, rusts, and so on. 

Labor with your eye set on eternity.  Lay your treasures up in heaven.  Serve where and to who ever that God would have you serve. 

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LK 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Some people came and told Jesus of an event that had recently occurred.  They tell him of Galileans who blood was spilled by Pilate while they were sacrificing in the Temple.  We can tell that there is more going on here than just giving news because of Jesus' reaction. 

LK 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

These people thought that the Galilaeans deserved what happened to them because they were great sinners.  They were judging these people because of what happened to them.  What happens to people on this earth is not a valid standard for judging sin.  In this life the sun shines on the just and on the wicked.  The wicked often prosper here, while the just go thru trials.  Much of the punishment for the  wicked is reserved for hell.  After Jesus states what they were thinking (that the Galilaeans were sinners above all because they suffered such things) then He rebukes them. 

LK 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Jesus tells them Nay.  What happened to the Galilaeans was not because they were great sinners.  It was not justice from God on their sin.  Never look at someone who is in a bad situation and say it is judgment on their sin.  Sometimes it might be, but you have no way of knowing.  God might be allowing it for a totally different reason. 

Then Jesus takes the focus and puts it right on those that brought the news.  He tells them, but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  He basically tells them that they are no better than the Galilaeans who they were accusing of being great sinners.  Jesus then goes on to add another similar case. 

LK 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

This event is not otherwise mentioned in the Bible.  Most likely this was also a recent event, but the situation was the same in that the people Jesus is talking to thought that the tower fell on them because, "they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem".

LK 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Again Jesus tells them Nay.  They did not die in punishment for great sin.  The tower falling on them was not due to them being great sinners.  And then once again Jesus turns the spotlight on the people He was talking to.  "but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

We are all sinners.  No one is exempt.  We must all repent or we will perish.  It does not matter what happens to others.  We are sinners, we have fallen short, we cannot meet God's perfect standard, we are lost, we need to repent or we will perish. 

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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LK 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

There was an innumerable multitude following Jesus.  But they were not acting like disciples.  They trode one upon another.  Some might say that it was only because there was so many people.  But that would not explain Jesus' reaction to it.  He said, "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."  Leaven is always a type, a picture, of sin.  Jesus called it hypocrisy.  They were following Jesus around  like a disciple would, but they were not acting like it.  Many of them were only pretending.  However, their actions gave them away.  They trode over each other.  The next 4 verses all have connecting words that link them to verse one.  In other words the context is the same. 

LK 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

LK 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Verse 2 and 3 could be summed up as be sure your sin will find you out.  You cannot hide it.  You cannot pretend.  You can try to cover it, but it will be uncovered.  You speak something in darkness it will be heard in the light.  You can speak in a closet and think that you got away with it, but it will be proclaimed upon the housetops.  After setting down the principal that you can't pretend or hide from God, then Jesus says the following:

LK 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

LK 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Because God sees all and nothing can be hid from Him, then we should fear Him.  This is the type of fear that is the beginning of wisdom.  If you realize that God sees and notices everything you say and do, then you will not be going into sin under the cover of darkness or in a closet.  Watching what you say and do at all times because God is watching is wise.  Having the proper fear of the Lord is good for us.  It is healthy and leads to making correct choices.  God tells us to fear Him because He loves us and He wants what is best for us.  He is our heavenly Father and He will chastise us for our good.  If He did not, then He would not be a loving Father. 

And before Jesus moves on to the next subject He adds. 

LK 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

LK 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

God does not forget sparrows that are sold for only two farthings, and we are more valuable than they are.  He says that even the hairs of our heads are all numbered.  When you ponder the Fear of the Lord also remember His great care for us. 

After Jesus gave the disciples the model prayer, He then gives them this illustration. 

LK 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

LK 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

LK 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

LK 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

LK 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

LK 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

In this illustration a man goes to his friend for food not because he is starving but because he does not have anything to give a visitor.  Jesus says the man will not give him the food because of their friendship.  But he will give it because of his importunity. 

Importunity means; pressing solicitation, urgent request, application for a favor which is urged with troublesome frequency.  

So even if the man does not want to give to his friend, he will give in because of a pressing, urgent request that is urged with troublesome frequency.  Then Jesus tells them to ask and it shall be given you.  Speaking of prayer Jesus says seek and ye shall find.

LK 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Hopefully you are seeing the comparison that Jesus is making.  If a friend who does not want to give will go ahead and give due to urgent repeated asking, then how much more will God.  A God who is infinitely interested in us.  A God who is much more than a friend.  A God who loved us so much that He gave us the greatest gift that could be given.

In Jesus' words on prayer we find asking, seeking, finding, and knocking.  This means more than a 30 second prayer over your meal.  We need to pray with importunity.  If we prayed with more of a pressing need, more urgently, and make our  requests with troublesome frequency, then we would see more answers to our prayers.   

LK 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Jesus had sent out the 70 and gave them power to heal and power over devils.  They return with joy and it seems they were amazed at the power they were given.  They said, "even the devils are subject unto us".  They also make a plain statement giving the glory to Jesus by adding, "through thy name." They knew that it was only because Jesus empowered them that they could do what they did.  In reply to the 70 Jesus makes a very interesting statement in verse 18.  

LK 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Jesus tells them in response to their wonder at the power that was given them that He beheld Satan's fall from heaven.  Jesus makes it clear that He existed before He was born of Mary.  Jesus is eternal.  He was there  when Satan was lifted up with pride and fell.  Jesus was letting them know that He can give them this kind of power because He is God.  He is eternal and all powerful.   

LK 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Jesus tells them that His power is above all.  It is greater than the power of the enemy and nothing can hurt them.  Of course Christians do get hurt sometime but it is always because God allowed it and has a reason for it.  It is never because the enemy was greater.

We can learn several things in this account that applies to us.  First we need to realize exactly who Jesus is and the extent of His power.  Second we need to realize that what ever power we have to do His work is only because He gave it to us.  Third we need to give Him the glory for it.  Forth we need to have faith that since He is all powerful and eternal that He can help us with any trial or problem that we have.   

LK 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

James and John wanted to command fire to come down from heaven and consume some people like Elias did.  This is a reference to 2 Kings Chapter 1.

2Ki 1:10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I [be] a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

Elijah called fire down from heaven to destroy a captain and his fifty men twice in a row.  This is what James and John wanted to do when they saw something.  Verse 54 says, "when his disciples James and John saw this,"  That brings the question, what did they see?  The answer is in the 3 preceding verses.

LK 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

LK 9:52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

LK 9:53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

What they saw was some people in a village of the Samaritans who did not receive Jesus.  The reason that they did not receive Jesus was that He was set to go to Jerusalem.  The Jews and the Samaritans did not like each other.  The Jews would travel a great distance out of their way to walk around Samaria.  They thought that even walking through it would defile them.  Here we see that the Samaritans were also guilty of prejudice.  They would not receive Jesus because His face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 

Color of skin or nationality is a very poor reason to not receive Jesus.  This still happens today.  Many Indians in America will not listen to the gospel because they say it is the white man's religion.  However, Jesus came and went to the cross for all men.

Rejecting Jesus is foolish, but James and John had the wrong attitude about it.  They actually wanted to destroy these people.  Jesus was not pleased with them and He rebuked them. 

LK 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

James and John's  attitude was not of God.  They were listening to the spirit of Satan at that moment.

LK 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Jesus did not come to destroy men's lives.  Killing in His name is not of God.  What the Catholics did by killing millions who did not accept their beliefs was NOT of God.  It was prompted by another spirit.  Instead of the improper reaction of James and John we see the proper reaction to people who refuse to receive Jesus in verse 56.  They went to another village.  The proper reaction is to wipe the dust off of your shoes and move on.  If someone refuses to listen, then just move on to someone who will. 

LK 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

LK 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Can you imagine what it would have been like to walk with Jesus and to minister unto Him of your substance.  The privilege to provide for the Son of God a good meal or to provide for any of His other needs while He walked on the earth.  Can you imagine the joy in their heart and the since of purpose that came with ministering to Jesus of their substance? 

You can do more than imagine.  Read carefully this passage from Matthew.

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

Did you catch the question in verse 37 and answer in verses 38-40?

When you are ministering to even the least of Jesus' brethren it is as if you are doing it to Jesus. 

LK 7:2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

LK 7:3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

LK 7:4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

LK 7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

LK 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

LK 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

LK 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

LK 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

LK 7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

The Centurion understood authority.  He had many people under him.  To get something done all he would have to do is speak.  If the Centurion told a soldier to go, then he would go.  And if he told one to come, then he would come.  If he told a servant to do something, then he did it.  There was no questions asked.  There was no wondering if the soldier would come.  The Centurion had authority. 

The Centurion sends word to Jesus and tells Him that there is no need to come all the way to his house.  All that is required is that you "say in a word, and my servant shall be healed."  The Centurion understood who Jesus really was.  He knew that Jesus was not just a good man or a great teacher.  He knew that Jesus' authority was over more than just a few apostles and disciples.  He knew that Jesus had authority over his servants' body.  Jesus had authority over sickness and life itself. 

The Centurion also knew that Jesus' authority was not lessened in any way by distance.  Jesus did not need to be present.  After all distance means nothing to God manifested in the flesh. 

This understanding of Jesus' authority and who Jesus really is gave this man great faith.  When Jesus heard the word that the Centurion sent He said, "I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

The Centurion had great faith in who Jesus is.  He had great faith in Jesus' authority.  He had great faith in Jesus' power.  He had great faith that Jesus was on the throne no matter where Jesus was.  He had great faith that distance did not matter.

May our faith be more like the Centurion's.

LK 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

LK 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

LK 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

After praying all night in verse 12 Jesus calls out the 12 apostles in verse 13. That same morning Jesus preaches a sermon.  In that sermon Jesus tells them, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

Albert Barnes has a good comment on this verse. "The men of the world will not praise or applaud my doctrine; they are opposed to it, and therefore, if they speak well of you and of your teaching, it is proof that you do not teach the true doctrine.  If you do not do this, then there will be woe upon you.  If men teach false doctrines for true; if they declare that God has spoken that which he has not spoken, and if they oppose what he has delivered, then heavy punishments will await them."

The context here is false teachers.  Jesus then brings up the fact of how the Israelites spoke well of the false prophets.  And I am sure that you know how they often hated,  persecuted, and even killed the true prophets of God. 

Jesus was teaching that there will be men that do not speak well of you if you teach the truth.  Opposition is what should be expected.

After setting down this principal Jesus then tells how you are to react to them.  1) Love your enemies.  (Love would include telling them the truth).  2) Do good to them.  3) Bless them.  Other scripture makes it clear that we are not to bless their false teaching so this is talking about blessing them in other ways.  4) Pray for them. 

This is not easy to do.  It goes against our fleshly sin nature.  So how is it possible to behave this way to your enemies?  There really is only one way.  Thru His power and His Spirit.  He does supply the grace to be able to do what He wants us to do.  We first need to realize that, and then second we need to ask Him to help us. 

LK 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

LK 5:2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

LK 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

This event happened before the religious leaders were after Jesus.  They had not yet taken very many steps to draw the people away from Jesus' ministry.  They were not yet calling for His death.  That all comes later.

Multitudes came to Jesus at this time.  And notice what they came for.  "the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God,"  Later in His ministry many would come just to see the show.  They wanted to see Him perform some miracle. Others would come to try to discredit Jesus. 

However, this crowd was different.  They did not come to try to discredit Jesus.  They did not come to watch a miracle.  They did not come to please their flesh.  They did not come to be entertained.  They came to hear the Word of God. 

They came to listen to Jesus, and He did not disappoint.  He got into a ship and had it go out a little ways and he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

We are not told in this account what Jesus preached.  But rest assured it was a great message.  It would have been the perfect message for this crowd.  Jesus knew the hearts of men.  He would not have wondered what message to bring.  And we can be sure that they got something out of the message.  Why?  Because they came with the right attitude. They came with a  purpose.   They came to hear the Word of God.  They came because they were interested in the Word of God. 

This is the way that we should go to church.  Too many people go to satisfy their conscience or because they think that it is a good thing to do.  Some go to see a show.  Some to get entertained.  Some go out of routine.  Some go because their friends will be there.  Some even go to try to discredit the preacher; to catch him in some mistake.  We need to be like the people in Luke 5:1.  We need to go to hear the Word of God.  If your attitude is right, you will be amazed how much more you will get out of the preaching 

LK 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

LK 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

LK 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

LK 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

LK 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

LK 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

LK 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Jesus read from the book of Isaiah chapter 61:1-2.  If you never bothered to look up and compare these verses, then you have missed something important. 

Here is Isa. 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

If you notice Jesus stopped reading and closed the book mid sentence.  He did not read the rest of the verse.  On purpose He left out, "and the day of vengeance of our God;"

Why?  The answer is found in verse 21.

LK 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Jesus only read the part of Isaiah's prophecy that was being fulfilled right then.  The last part of Isaiah 61:2 is talking about when Jesus is coming back to set up His 1,000 year reign.  The day of vengeance happens at the end of the tribulation. 

There are thousands of years between the first part of Isaiah 61:2 and the last part. 

One of the reasons that the Jews thought that Jesus was going to set up His kingdom right then was that they saw prophecies like Isaiah 61:2 as one event.  They foresaw the kingdom but they did not foresee the cross.    

This account in Luke is just one of the many places that Jesus was teaching that He did not come to set up His kingdom when He came the first time.  The kingdom is still in the future and must wait until He comes back in His glory.

People often cry about how bad things are today.  Both in politics and in the spiritual condition around us.  A preacher might lament on how he wished he could have preached in better times, but times are not as bad as they have been.  Just look at the political and spiritual conditions when John the Baptist preached.

LK 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

Tiberius had succeeded Augustus in the Roman empire and he was famous as being a scourge to the Roman people.  Herod the Great had killed all the male children under two years old because he was trying to kill Jesus.  He left his kingdom to 3 sons.  They were all wicked men.  The Herod in verse one took his brother's wife.

LK 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

LK 3:20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

John told him the truth from the Word of God.  Not only about taking his brother's wife but also "for all the evils which Herod had done".  This ruler was openly wicked and vile and did many evils.  Herod did not like hearing the truth and put John into prison and later has his head chopped off.  Because of the political situation it was not even safe to preach the Word of God. 

Politics were in bad shape and religion was not much better. 

LK 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

If you know much about the Old Testament you know that there was to be only one High Priest.  This is because the High Priest was to be a picture, a foreshadowing, a type of the true High Priest to come.  He was to be a picture of the only true intercessor to come.  Having only one High Priest was typifying that there is only one mediator between God and man.

1Ti 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The religious world was in such a mess that they could not even get such a simple thing right as having only one High Priest.  They had two.  They had departed from what the Word of God clearly taught.  Not only in the issue of having only one High Priest, but also in many other areas.  They obviously thought that they knew better, that they had a better way to do things.   

And it was into this political and spiritual  mess that God sent John to preach.

LK 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

LK 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John did not preach to be popular.  John did not accept this nonsense of we have to be like the world to reach the world.  He did not accept the false teachings of the religious leaders of the day.  He called them a generation of vipers. 

John was the voice of one crying in the wilderness.  He was not one of 500.  He was out there all alone.  He was preaching the truth no matter what people said or did.  He did not preach a health and wealth don't offend anyone watered down message surrounded by entertainment the devils rock music and light shows.  John preached in one of the worst political and religious environments  and he preached hard and he preached that people need to get right with God. 

This is the type of preaching that we need more of today. 

LK 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

LK 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

LK 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

LK 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

The Bible commands us to honor our parents.  Sometimes people will ask is there a line.  Do I have to do everything my parents say no matter what.  What if they tell me to do something ungodly.  If my parents go into some herecy do I have to follow them into it.  What if my parents need rebuked for some evil.  These are all valid questions. 

In this chapter we see that Jesus stays at the Temple while His mother and her husband are traveling home.  They wanted Jesus to come home with them right then.  That is obvious from their reaction.  When they find out that Jesus is not traveling with the group, they return and when they found Him, Mary rebuked Him.  Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

Jesus responded that He must be about His Father's business.  The principal that we see here is that what God wants must come before what the parents want.  When ever there is a conflict between God and parents, God needs to come first. 

After Jesus had finished His Father's business, then He went home and was subject unto them. 

We are to Love the Lord more than anyone else. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. 

LK 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth did not have any children and now they are too old to have children.  The Bible says they are now well stricken in years. It was frowned upon in that society to not have children. They had wanted children and prayed for children.  But they are too old now. 

It comes Zacharias' turn to serve in the Temple and offer incense.  Burning incense was a picture of prayer.  The people were outside praying as He was at the altar of incense.  And all the sudden an angel comes to Zacharias.

LK 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

The angel tells Zacharias that his prayer is heard and that they are going to have a son.  We know that Zacharias was not praying for a son at this time because of his reaction.  

LK 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

LK 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

LK 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Zacharias doubted.  He did not believe the words of the angel.  He was then unable to speak until his son was named John.  So if Zacharias was not praying for a son when the angel came, then what prayer was the angel talking about?  The answer should be obvious.  The angel is referring to a prayer made many years before.  A prayer that was prayed long ago when they were still young enough to have children.  A prayer that was no longer fresh in the mind of an old man.  God heard and remembered that prayer from years ago.  And God answered it. 

Sometimes God will say yes to a prayer but the right time for the answer is down the road a ways.  As in this case many years.  God in His wisdom knows the exact time that is the perfect time for the answer.  He will never answer too early or too late. 

Zacharias thought the answer to his prayer was no, but that was not the case.  It was just not time yet for the answer.  What can we learn from this?  We need to be patient and trust in God.  Do not get discouraged.  Do not get impatient.  Keep on praying and trust the Lord to answer in His time.  Which will always be the perfect time. 

MK 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Jesus had risen and already showed Himself to many.  Those who had seen the risen Saviour were witnessing and telling others about it.  The eleven apostles did not believe the true witness that Jesus had risen.  Jesus came and appeared unto the eleven as they were eating and notice what He did.  He rebuked them.  Even after all the evidence they had of His resurrection they still did not believe.  This shows that they did not make up the resurrection.  They did not expect His resurrection and they did not believe that He rose until it was impossible for them to deny it.  It is only after they saw Him face to face. 

Jesus was not pleased with their unbelief.  In verse 14 we see that Jesus also upbraided them for their hardness of heart as well as their unbelief.  The two really are connected.  Why do men often not believe today.  Even with all of the evidence they still refuse to believe.  It is because of hard hearts.  It is often the case that a  hard heart will result in unbelief.   This is true for the lost. 

A hard heart can also cause a Christian to refuse to believe some of the promises that God gives to His redeemed.  For example if we let our hearts become hard, then we can start to doubt His promise to provide for our needs (notice I did not say wants).  We need to pray that God will help us to keep our hearts tender to the things of God. 

MK 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

MK 15:45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

Death by crucifixion was not designed to be quick.  It was meant to be a very slow agonizing death.  It was not uncommon for it to take two or three days for someone to die.  No doubt Pilate had sent many others to die in this way.  Hearing that Jesus was already dead was something that was not expected.  This is why Pilate marvelled that Jesus was already dead after only a few hours.  Pilate called for the centurion and asked him to verify this claim that Jesus was already dead.  It was too incredible to believe.  He would not take just anyone's word on it.  He wanted the testimony of a professional.  He called for the man who was in charge of this crucifixion.  A man who was well acquainted with death.  Only after the death of Jesus was confirmed did Pilate give the body to Joseph. 

Pilate knew all about crucifixion and he knew that it should have taken longer for Jesus to die.  The question then comes why did Jesus die so soon?

The answer is that no man took the life of Jesus.  Jesus laid down His own life.

Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus did not hang on the cross one minute longer than necessary.  As soon as the sin debt had been paid and all prophecy about the cross had been fulfilled, Jesus declared it is finished and then He gave up the ghost.  No man has the power to lay down his life and then to take it again.  On the cross Jesus proved His deity by demonstrating the power to lay down His own life.  And three days later He demonstrated His deity by raising from the dead.  Jesus was much more than a man, He was God manifested in the flesh.