“Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt” (John 12:14, 15). The event described here by John (and by the other Gospel writers) is labelled as “The triumphal entry in Jerusalem”. The … [Read more…]
“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today” (Luke 5:26). The phrase “remarkable things” (other translations have “strange things”) are the translation of the word paradoxos. The word “paradoxos” can be translated and used in a variety of ways. I will not … [Read more…]
“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:11). Jesus came to earth with a well-defined mission, according to God’s plan worked out before the world began (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus’ work had many aspects: teaching (revealing the theology of God’s kingdom); healing & miracles (bringing the reality of the … [Read more…]
“They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority” (Luke 4:32). The Holy Spirit’s presence is a constant feature of Luke’s Gospel. We find Jesus going about His Father’s business under the close guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus – the Word incarnate – lived His life and ministered to the … [Read more…]
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:19). We can only find … [Read more…]
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:19). There is a time … [Read more…]
”The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here” (Luke 4:9). Jesus saw in the temptation of Satan not a desire to confirm the truthfulness of God’s Word but a conniving intention to … [Read more…]
”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” (Luke 4:8). Jesus’ answer to the first temptation contains a hint for wholesome living: “There is more to life than bread…” There is food for the soul. And what is the food for the soul, I pray? Faith, hope and love … [Read more…]
”When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21, 22). Taking … [Read more…]
“John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). Most of the commentators are keen to point out that untying the straps … [Read more…]