Luke starts using the term “we” to describe the sailing trip and other events in this chapter. He is now an eyewitness.
In verses 11-15, we meet Lydia, the purple cloth dealer. She is a very hospitable person and has Paul, Luke and the others stay with her.
In verses 12-14, Luke describes the reaction of people who experienced the many miracles of the apostles.
They were impressed but afraid of the punishment Ananias and Sapphira experienced.
Becoming a Christian was not something to be done lightly.
In Luke 23:56, we read that Jesus’ followers rested on the Sabbath, even though they were prepared to put spices and perfumes on his crucified body.
I’ve been taught on several occasions that of the ten commandments, the only one which no longer applies is the command to rest on the Sabbath.
But our economy seems to be built upon building and selling more and more in less and less time.
Even teaching is now labeled a way to “win the future,” whatever that means!
I feel the external pressure to be always creating, always working, always improving.
I sense that, at least for me, developing the discipline of observing a weekly sabbath to honor God would be a positive step.
But I wonder what this will look like.
When I googled “sabbath” the most common discussion seemed to be arguments about what day of the week should be considered the Sabbath. I don’t really care and don’t think it matters much.
What was helpful was the concept that Jews reckon a day from sundown to sundown. I will define my sabbath rest from sundown on Saturday through sundown on Sunday.
My goal will be to finish all of my schoolwork during the day on Saturday. Saturday evening through Sunday evening will be my rest from work (except for Sunday morning volunteering at church). If I do procrastinate or have too much work to complete, then I’ll still have Sunday night for last-minute work.
I’ll experiment with this until spring break. I don’t want a spiritual discipline to do nothing but make me feel guilty. But I think that this may become an energizing pattern, not a negative one. We’ll see…
In Luke 5:1-3, we read that Jesus’ teaching is called the word of God.
This is another use of this phrase, and adds another layer of meaning.
We read–in Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, and Luke 12:10–a strong warning against blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
Speaking against Jesus is forgivable, but speaking against the Spirit has consequences in this life and the next.
What makes this sin so serious?
In Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33, we read that John the Baptist drew an important distinction between his own ministry and Jesus’.
John says that he baptizes with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
In Matthew 1:18, we read that the Holy Spirit is involved in Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ conception.
And in Luke 1:15, we learn that John the Baptist “will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.”
At the end of Luke 15, Jesus describes the whiny, put-upon behavior of the older brother.
This is hard for me to read, because I’m naturally more like the older brother than the younger one.
Do you identify more with the older brother or the younger brother in this story?
The first part of the parable is most people’s favorite.
Many people don’t bother thinking about Jesus’ story much beyond this section.
Who can blame them? This is a touching story of forgiveness and redemption.
Have you ever reached into your pocket and found cash you weren’t expecting?
The most I ever found was a $20 bill in a winter coat. It had been in there since the previous winter. I was so excited!
Jesus teaches, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (v. 10).
