What Jesus Did! from Heartlight

No Marriage? - Luke 20:34-40

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Key Passage

"Jesus said to the Sadducees, "On earth, people marry each other. Some people will be worthy to be raised from death and live again after this life. In that life they will not marry. In that life people are like angels and cannot die. They are children of God, because they have been raised from death. Moses clearly showed that people are raised from death. When Moses wrote about the burning bush, he said that the Lord is 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' {If God said he is their God, then} these men are not really dead. He is God only of living people. All people that belong to God are alive." Some of the teachers of the law said, "Teacher, your answer was very good." No person was brave enough to ask him another question."

— Luke 20:34-40 (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

No marriage in heaven? Some folks worry about this. Jesus' point, however, is that every relationship is raised to a new level and we find a heightened and holy existence that far transcends anything we can experience or even imagine here and so marriage will not be an issue for us. Just remember, good things await us in the presence of God with whom we will spend forever.

Prayer

Father, thank you for a bright and shining future with you that is far better than anything I can imagine, much less understand. I await your future with joyous expectation. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scriptures

"What we tell you now is the Lord's own message. We who are living now might still be living when the Lord comes again. We who are living at that time will be with the Lord, but not before those people who have already died. The Lord himself will come down from heaven. There will be a loud command. That command will be given with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God. And the people who have died and were in Christ will rise first. After that, we people who are still alive at that time will be gathered up with those people who have died. We will be taken up in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words."
— 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

"But our homeland is in heaven. We are waiting for our Savior to come from heaven. Our Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Christ can do this by his power. With that power Christ is able to rule all things."
— Philippians 3:20-21

"I answered, "You know who they are, sir." And the elder said, "These are the people who have come out of the great suffering. They have washed their robes with the blood of the Lamb. Now they are clean and white. So now these people are before the throne of God. They worship God day and night in his temple. And the One (God) who sits on the throne will protect them. They will never be hungry again. They will never be thirsty again. The sun will not hurt them. No heat will burn them. The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of water that give life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.""
— Revelation 7:14-17

Our Questions Betray Our Hearts - Luke 20:27-33

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Key Passage

"Some Sadducees came to Jesus. (Sadducees believe that people will not rise from death.) They asked Jesus, "Teacher, Moses wrote that if a married man dies and had no children, then his brother must marry the woman. Then they will have children for the dead brother. One time there were seven brothers. The first brother married a woman, but died. He had no children. Then the second brother married the woman, and he died. And the third brother married the woman, and he died. The same thing happened with all the other brothers. They all died and had no children. The woman was the last to die. But all seven brothers married her. So when people rise from death, whose wife will this woman be?""

— Luke 20:27-33 (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

Ever notice how the questions we ask often betray what is really in our hearts? The Sadducees didn't believe in a resurrection. So their question was a trap, not an earnest seeking of truth. Their hearts were hardened and their goal was destroying Jesus. Jesus longs to hear our honest questions and help us to the truth. Sometimes, however, we need to listen to our own questions and ask the Lord what they reveal about hearts!

Prayer

Father, give me a clean heart and pure motives as I seek your truth. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.

Related Scriptures

"So I tell you, continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, if a person continues asking, that person will receive. If a person continues looking, that person will find. And if a person continues knocking, the door will open for that person. Does any of you have a son? What would you do if your son asked you for a fish? Would any father give his son a snake? No! You would give him a fish. Or, if your son asks for an egg, would you give him a scorpion ? No! {You are like all other people}--you are evil. But you know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to those people that ask him.""
— Luke 11:9-13

"God, create a pure heart in me! Make my spirit strong again!"
— Psalm 51:10

"{Lord,} no person can see all of his own mistakes. So don't let me do secret sins. Don't let me do the sins I want to do. Don't let those sins rule me. If you help me, then I can be pure and free from my sins. I hope my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock -- You are the One who saves me."
— Psalm 19:12-14

Amazing! - Luke 20:20-26

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Key Passage

"So the Jewish leaders waited for the right time to get Jesus. They sent some men to Jesus. They told these men to act like they were good men. They wanted to find something wrong with the things Jesus said. (If they found something wrong, then they could give Jesus to the governor, who had power and authority {over him}.) So the men asked Jesus, "Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is true. It doesn't matter who is listening -- you teach the same to all people. You always teach the truth about God's way. Tell us, is it right that we should pay taxes to Caesar? Yes or No?" But Jesus knew that these men were trying to trick him. Jesus said to them, "Show me a coin. Whose name is on the coin? And whose picture is on it?" They said, "Caesar's." Jesus said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. And give to God the things that are God's." The men were amazed at his wise answer. They could say nothing. The men were not able to trick Jesus before the people. Jesus said nothing they could use against him."

— Luke 20:20-26 (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

Isn't it interesting that Jesus' public ministry is ending very similarly to the way it began -- with people being amazed at his teaching. The smartest and the best tried to trap him in social and religious conflict. But, Jesus' answers are not only wise, they are also true. Seek your answers in him and let him silence the doubts and answer the questions of your heart.

Prayer

Holy God, please help me find my answers in Jesus as I seek your truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scriptures

"All the people said good things about Jesus. They were amazed at the beautiful words Jesus spoke. The people said, "{How can he speak like this?} He is only Joseph's son, isn't he?" They were amazed at Jesus' teaching, because he spoke with authority (power). The people were amazed. They said to each other, "What does this mean? With authority and power he (Jesus) commands evil spirits and they come out.""
— Luke 4:22, 32, 36

"The followers of Jesus heard this. Many of the followers said, "This teaching is hard {to accept}. Who can accept this teaching?" Jesus knew that his followers were complaining about this. So Jesus said, "Is this teaching a problem for you? Then will it also be a problem for you to see the Son of Man going back to the place where he came from? It is not the body that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The things I told you are spirit. And so these things give life. But some of you don't believe." (Jesus knew the people that did not believe. Jesus knew this from the beginning. And Jesus knew the person that would turn against him.) Jesus said, "That is why I said, 'If the Father does not let a person come to me, then that person cannot come.'" After Jesus said these things, many of his followers left him. They stopped following Jesus. Jesus asked the twelve apostles, "Do you want to leave too?" Simon Peter answered Jesus, "Lord, where would we go? You have the things that give life forever. We believe in you. We know that you are the Holy One from God.""
— John 6:60-69

"So Jesus came to them and said, "All authority (power) in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach those people to obey everything that I have told you. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of the world.""
— Matthew 28:18-20

Just Got Mad! - Luke 20:17-19

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Key Passage

"But Jesus looked into their eyes and said, "Then what does this verse mean: 'The stone that the builders did not want became the cornerstone'? Every person that falls on that stone will be broken. If that stone falls on you, it will crush you!" The teachers of the law and the leading priests heard this story that Jesus told. They knew this story was about them. So they wanted to arrest Jesus at that time. But they were afraid of what the people would do."

— Luke 20:17-19 (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

There are three ways to respond when Jesus speaks the truth about your sin. First, you can ignore it and pretend it doesn't apply to you. Second, you can do what the religious leaders did here -- you can become enraged at the truth and try to get rid of the truth-teller. Third, you can be convicted in your heart and change your life. While the events in which we face these three choices are not as significant as what is happening with Jesus in Jerusalem, they do happen for us. So what are we going to do with the truth about our sin?

Prayer

Father, when I hear the truth, please convict my heart and help me change my life. I don't want to ignore or rationalize my sin away. I don't want to let Satan harden my heart to the truth. Help me be convicted of my sin and commit to live your truth no matter the personal cost to me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scriptures

"When the people heard this, they felt very, very sorry. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Then God will forgive your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you. It is also for your children and for the people that are far away. It is for every person that the Lord our God calls to himself.""
— Acts 2:37-39

""My brothers, I know you did those things to Jesus because you did not understand what you were doing. Your leaders also did not understand. God said that these things would happen. God said through the prophets that his Christ would suffer and die. I have told you how God made this happen. So you must change your hearts and lives! Come back to God and he will forgive your sins. Then the Lord (God) will give you times of spiritual rest. He will give you Jesus, the One he chose to be the Christ."
— Acts 3:17-20

"In the past, people did not understand God, but God ignored this. But now, God tells every person in the world to change his heart and life."
— Acts 17:30

God Forbid! - Luke 20:14-16

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Key Passage

""When the farmers saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the owner's son. This vineyard will be his. If we kill him, then it will be ours!' So the farmers threw the son out of the vineyard and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those farmers! Then he will lease the land to some other farmers." The people heard this story. They said, "No! This should never happen!""

— Luke 20:14-16 (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

"God forbid!" the people cried out when they heard Jesus' story. But God didn't stop the horrible events of the trial, rejection and crucifixion from happening. In fact, these events show his love for us and demonstrate Jesus' obedience to God. Jesus' crucifixion is horrible ... unconscionable ... and despicable. In normal human circumstances they would have been deplorable. Jesus, however, is much more than son of the farm owner; he is the Son of God and heir to all that belongs to God. Yet he will be treated with utmost contempt. It is so sad ... yet it is also our salvation!

Prayer

Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. I am sorry that it cost so much to share it with me and that Jesus had to endure so much for me. Make me worthy of this great cost by the sanctifying power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scriptures

""My Jewish brothers, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazareth was a very special man. God clearly showed this to you. God proved this by the powerful and amazing things he did through Jesus. You all saw these things. So you know this is true. Jesus was given to you, and you killed him. With the help of bad men you nailed Jesus to a cross. But God knew all this would happen. This was God's plan. God made this plan long ago. Jesus suffered the pain of death, but God made him free. God raised Jesus from death. Death could not hold Jesus."
— Acts 2:22-24

"Where is the wise person? Where is the educated person? Where is the philosopher of this time? God has made the wisdom of the world foolish. This is what God with his wisdom wanted: The world did not know God through the world's own wisdom. So God used the message that sounds foolish to save the people that believe it. The Jews ask for miracles as proofs. The Greeks want wisdom. But this is the message we tell everyone: Christ was killed on a cross. This message is a big problem to the Jews. And the non-Jews think it is foolish. But Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God to those people that God has called (chosen)--Jews and Greeks (non-Jews). Even the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom. Even the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."
— 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

"Christ had no sin. But God made him become sin. God did this for us, so that in Christ we could become right with God."
— 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Owner's Story - Luke 20:9-13

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Key Passage

"Then Jesus told the people this story: "A man planted a vineyard. The man leased the land to some farmers. Then he went away for a long time. Later, it was time for the grapes to be picked. So the man sent a servant to those farmers so that they would give him his share of the grapes. But the farmers beat the servant and sent him away with nothing. So the man sent another servant. The farmers beat this servant too. They showed no respect for him. The farmers sent the servant away with nothing. So the man sent a third servant to the farmers. The farmers hurt this servant badly and threw him out. The owner of the vineyard said, 'What will I do now? I will send my son. I love my son very much. Maybe the farmers will respect my son!'""

— Luke 20:9-13 (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

This parable is very autobiographical for Jesus. He is clearly referring to what God has done. Religious leaders had taken over the running of God's people. However, they wanted to run it their own way and resisted God's desires and true representatives to the point of abusing and killing them. So God would send someone who is more than just an owner's representative; he would send his cherished son! Jesus is that cherished Son! What unfolds in the events that follow happened to God's beloved Son! It doesn't just matter historically; it also matters significantly in the life and heart of God. In other words, God loves enough to send his cherished Son to save us!

Prayer

Father, thank you for your indescribable gift. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scriptures

"Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that every person that believes in him would not be lost, but have life forever. God sent his Son into the world. God did not send his Son to judge the world guilty. God sent his Son so that the world could be saved through his Son."
— John 3:16-17

"Christ died for us while we were still weak people. We were living against God, but at the right time, Christ died for us. Very few people will die to save the life of another person, even if that other person is a good person. If the person is a very good person, then someone might be willing to die for that person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners. In that way God showed us that he loves us very much. We have been made right with God by Christ's blood (death). So through Christ we will surely be saved from God's anger. I mean that while we were God's enemies, God made friends with us through the death of his Son. So surely, now that we are God's friends, God will save us through his Son's life. And not only will we be saved, but we are also very happy now. We are happy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God's friends."
— Romans 5:6-11

"This is how God showed his love to us: God sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. True love is God's love for us, not our love for God. God sent his Son to be the way that God takes away our sins."
— 1 John 4:9-10

By Whose Authority? - Luke 20:1-8

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Key Passage

"One day Jesus was in the temple area. He was teaching the people. Jesus told the people the Good News {about the kingdom of God}. The leading priests, teachers of the law, and older Jewish leaders came to talk to Jesus. They said, "Tell us! What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?" Jesus answered, "I will ask you a question too. Tell me: When John baptized people, did that come from God or was it only from other people?" The priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish leaders all talked about this. They said to each other, "If we answer, 'John's baptism was from God,' then he will say, 'Then why did you not believe John?' But if we say that John's baptism was from someone else, {not God,} then all the people will kill us with rocks. They will kill us because they believe that John was a prophet." So they answered, "We don't know the answer." So Jesus said to them, "Then I will not tell you what authority I use to do these things!""

— Luke 20:1-8 (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

Jesus has now entered the battlefield. Yes, he is in the Temple of God. However, his opponents are now going to bombard him with questions in hopes of getting him to commit some heinous religious offense that they can use to make him seem scandalous. Jesus' agenda, on the other hand, is to share the Good News. So outwitting his opponents at their own game, he sends them away with a question they didn't want to answer. They won't answer him, so he sends them away without an answer to their question. He is there to minister. He won't get caught up in their games with the end so near. Let's remember that we must not let religious games ever take the place of God's mission and ministry through us.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for getting so upset sometimes with religious questions. I know there are important issues of truth. Please help me see these. On the other hand, dear Father, I don't want to get caught up in the religious arguments and miss the opportunity to minister to others as you would have me do. Please remove any contentious spirit from me and help me to focus on the things that are matters of your concern. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scriptures

"Timothy, God has trusted you with many things. Keep those things safe. Stay away from people who talk about useless things that are not from God. Stay away from people who argue against {the truth}. Those people use something they call "knowledge"--but it is really not knowledge."
— 1 Timothy 6:20

"Tell the people these things. You have full authority (power). So use that authority to help the people and to correct them when they are wrong. And don’t let any person treat you like you are not important."
— Titus 2:15

"So I am proud of the things I have done for God in Christ Jesus. I will not talk about anything I did myself. I will talk only about the things that Christ has done with me in leading the non-Jewish people to obey God. They have obeyed God because of the things I have said and done. And they obeyed God because of the power of the miracles and the great things they saw, and because of the power of God's Spirit. I have told people the Good News about Christ in every place from Jerusalem to Illyricum. And so I have finished that part of my work. I always want to tell the Good News in places where people have never heard of Christ. I do this because I don't want to build on the work that another person has already started."
— Romans 15:17-20