Cover-to-Cover

Luke 24:1-35 In verse 4, the Bible says two men in shining garments stood by the women at the empty tomb. The Greek word for shining is astrapto, which comes from the root aster, meaning a star. Astrapto means “to light up.” The only other time we see this word in the Bible is in Luke 17:24, speaking of lightning. Light was radiating from the clothing of these two men....

Luke 23:39-56 The whole crowd comes together to see the sight – the sun being darkened from noon to 3:00 p.m., the veil being torn in two, Jesus leaving His body on command as He quoted from Psalm 31:5. In fact, most of the chapter is referring to the Christ. 1 Kings 8-9 Solomon has the ark brought into the temple. In verse 8:10, it says the cloud filled the...

Luke 23:26-38 Jesus was mocked for His mission to save others. People shouted to Him, “If you are the king, save yourself!” Have you ever had someone mock you for something for which you are most passionate? People can be cruel, but I believe Satan can be behind mocking, criticisms, and voiced opinions. I believe Satan can be behind people who walk out on you, betray you, or slander you....

Luke 23:1-25 Jesus is handed over to Pontius Pilate. Then Jesus is turned over to King Herod. In verse 8, Herod was glad to meet Jesus, hoping to see a miracle done by Him. The desire to see a miracle was more entertainment to Herod, not a desire to know the glory of God. Herod’s men mocked Jesus after Jesus refused to answer Herod’s questions, then sent Jesus back to...

Luke 22:54-71 In verse 67, we see Jesus’ reason for not answering the Sanhedrin when questioned. He says, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe.” He also said that he knew they would not let Him go or want to discuss the possibility that He was the Christ. Their hearts were closed. One lesson we need to learn is that it is not only a waste of...

Luke 22:31-53 Jesus told Peter ahead of time that he would deny Him. Why? Why tell Peter ahead of time what he was going to do? I think one reason was because Peter could have the confidence that God knew what was going to happen before it happened, encouraging him in faith. One, he would know what he went through was an attack from Satan himself. Two, he would know...

Luke 22:1-30 In verse 28, Jesus is soon to be crucified, the disciples are arguing about who is greatest, and Jesus says “you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.” These same men that were arguing about position are the same men who were tortured, imprisoned, or martyred for the sake of Christ. These men were willing to die for the cause of Christ, and most of...

Luke 21:20-38 In verse 29, the meaning for the fig tree parable is simply to say that when we see the signs of the times, like one would see buds on a tree, you know the season and you know the time is near. Jesus spent His last week before the crucifixion teaching in the temple. In verse 38, it says “all” the people came to hear Him teach in...

Luke 21:1-19 Much of this chapter is focused on the temple in Jerusalem. It starts with Jesus observing the people giving, pointing out the widow who gave all she had in surrender to the Lord. Then Jesus talks about how the temple will be destroyed, with not a stone left on top of another. We know that in 70 AD, Rome destroys the temple in opposition to the Jews. The...

Luke 20:27-47 Before Jesus’ death, He goes through more questioning and discussion. The intellect tries to understand spiritual truth, but it is the Holy Spirit that gives revelation. As Jesus told His disciples in the hearing of the people, we all should be careful of those who use religion to control others. It was true then, and it is true today. Humility is a requirement for revelation, and revelation is...

Luke 20:1-26 Jesus goes through questioning the week between the Triumphal Entry and His crucifixion. The hatred from his enemies was only growing. Time was getting close for His death. In the middle of this difficult week, Jesus continued with His mission. His focus remained the same. He taught, healed, and delivered the people who were open to receive from His ministry. We should do the same – keep our...

Luke 19:28-48 In verse 44, Jesus says, “YOU DID NOT KNOW THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION.” For this reason, Jerusalem would be destroyed, their precious temple torn down, families separated and dispersed, Jews scattered around the world, and many killed, including children. Why? Because the Jews did not recognize their Savior, their Messiah, when He came to sacrifice His life for them. This rejection and dispersing of the Jews around...

Luke 19:1-27 In verse 19, Jesus said of Himself, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He spoke this after saving a cheating taxman, Zacchaeus. I’m not sure we get the whole meaning unless we understand that taxmen were Jews that were working for Rome, collecting tax from their own countrymen for an oppressor. Their character was usually faulted, they were...

Luke 18:18-43 The rich, young ruler did not follow Christ, but chose to rely on himself and his riches. Jesus said it is hard for wealthy people to enter into the kingdom of God because of the self-sufficiency; however, He said all things are possible with God. It is possible for people to be prosperous and still be reliant on God. From a church leadership perspective, all of us are...

Luke 18:1-17 Verse 8 says, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” This parable is concerning the Second Coming of Christ. Faith is a desperate dependency on God that refuses to let go of hope in God. In the last days, will Christ find men and women who are that desperate, calling for His return? Calling for help day and night? Then in...