Luke 17:19

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 17:19

“And He said to him, Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you well.” – Luke 17:19   

Today’s verse is an account of the healing of ten men who were afflicted with an infectious skin disease commonly known as leprosy.  In Israel during this time, when a person developed a rash or skin disorder, they had no option but to go to the priest for them to examine it. God declared the following to Moses and Aaron. “When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bright spot, and it becomes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the priests. And the priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean.” Leviticus 13:2-3. This was done in order to keep the leprosy from spreading throughout Israel. Unfortunately, those who were infected may have a life sentence upon them, for they had to be isolated and many times lived as outcasts until they died.

Now these ten men who were probably part of a leper colony approached Jesus but remained at a distance as per the law. They called out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Luke 17:13. And without seeming to do anything to heal them, Jesus merely gave the instruction to go show themselves to the priest. “And when He saw them, He said to them, Go and show yourselves to the priests. And it came about that as they were going, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:14. Note, before the men left, the men were still lepers. Nothing had yet changed. However, in faith, they obeyed, and as they began to walk to the priest, they were healed.

Now, we have no idea how far they had gone from Jesus before they were healed.  However, they were all healed at the same time.  What is sad here is that only one of them came back to Jesus after seeing he was healed, and this was the Samaritan. A Samaritan is an inhabitant of the city or region of Samaria, which lies between Judea and Galilee. The Jews labeled these non-Jews Samaritans, as a term of reproach and contempt.

Jesus expressed disappointment that the other nine had not thought to give praise to God for their healing. “And Jesus answered and said, Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17-18. From this we learn that God desires for us to express our thankfulness to Him for all He does in our lives. Jesus’ last words to the grateful Samaritan imply that this man was healed both physically and spiritually. After the man was already healed of leprosy, Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 19:19. It could be that the man’s return to fall at Jesus’ feet gave him spiritual wholeness in addition to the physical wholeness he had received.

Even though Jesus did not withhold healing from the Jews, who had the faith to do what He said, they  did not take the time to thank Him. He made a point of noting their lack of gratefulness. Not improbable is the view that Luke here, using this as an example, wished to place in a clear light the unthankful attitude of the Jews towards the Savior, which showed itself throughout Jesus’ time here. John Peter Lange put it this way. “The ingratitude of the nine, in contrast with the one Samaritan, bears so far as this a symbolical character, that it gives an example of the unfavorable reception which the Savior ever found in Israel, in opposition to the higher esteem which was accorded Him in the heathen world.”

When God blesses us with a miracle of healing, good opportunities, or anything else that is to our benefit, we must take time to acknowledge the Giver and not just the gifts. Especially if these gifts are beyond our ability to secure ourselves. True faith which leads to salvation, whether our soul, body, or even our life here, should be intimately connected with glorying God. No matter which, He is deserving of all thankfulness, glory, and praise.  We must take time daily to give Him thanks for all good things He gives us, for we cannot earn them, but by His grace and love He gives them to us. Always remember this, for He deserves it all.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Luke 17:10

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 17:10

“So, you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, we are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.” – Luke 17:10   

Most theologians do not see this as a parable, as some perceive it, but as an illustration. Jesus starts this with a question. “But which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, Come immediately and sit down to eat? But will he not say to him, Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me until I have eaten and drunk; and afterward you will eat and drink” Luke 17:7-8.  Here he speaks of slaves serving their master in the custom implicit in this time period. This meant the responsibilities of doing what the master included serving him before he served himself.  The conditions in this illustration reflect these customs. If a master has a servant who comes in from plowing or tending sheep, the master does not instruct the servant to meet their own needs first. Rather, the servant is expected to tend to the master’s needs, and only afterward to his own. The servant should expect no special recognition or reward for so doing, for he is a servant, after all, and has only done what is expected of servants.

Then He continues with the following rhetorical question, “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?” Luke 17:9.  Jesus here is saying the master will not thank the slave because He only did what was required.  He was not thanked when he plowed the field.  Nor was he given special recognition or reward  for the work in the field and then the preparing of the meal.  He only did what was required of him, not anything extra.  These were his responsibilities.

This brings out the difference between asking and commanding.  If we are asked to do something, we may say yes or say no and these are both acceptable answers.  If we are commanded, and the person has the right to for they are over us, then the only acceptable answer is yes. The Greek word translated commanded is διατάσσω or diatassō, which has the meaning to direct, or order to be done.  More directly, doing what the master commands.  And because he commanded him, there was no purpose in thanking the one who did it.

And then to our focus verse. “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.” Luke 17:10. Why should we say this?  Because we are.  We sinned and lost our opportunity for salvation.  However, God made a way by sending Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins.  And there is nothing we can do that even comes close to what He did. Therefore, we owe Him everything and He owes us nothing.  The idea of ‘unworthy slaves’ has the idea of meriting nothing. We have not benefited God or laid him under obligation. If he rewards us, it will be a matter of unmerited favor and grace. And this is true in relation to Christians in all respects. Jesus is telling them that what the Pharisees believe is contrary to the truth.  He opposes any suggestion that obedience might be construed as a means to gain honor, or that one might engage in obedience in order to receive a reward. 

In closing, theologian Robert H. Stein puts it this way, which could not have been said better. “The last saying is directed to the church and reminds the readers that there is no place for boasting and that disciples must remember who is to serve whom. Luke may even have been warning the church leaders among his readers that their service did not merit them any special reward. There will always be a need to emphasize this, for at times some Christians tend to reverse these roles and see God as their servant. Whereas a sovereign God delights to bless his servants (See below Luke 12:35-37). The church must always remember that he is the Lord of all creation and that they are, even at their best, forgiven sinners. Believers are the apples of God’s eye, and woe to those who would cause them to stumble; but believers who see clearly only confess, ‘We are unworthy servants.’ All too often they are not even able to say, “We have only done our duty.” Believers have no claim on God. Their only hope is God’s gracious character and promise.” 

 “Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps alight. And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master shall find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.” Luke 12:35-37.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Luke 17:3

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 17:3

“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” –  Luke 17:3 

This verse deals with people, specifically in these verses (1-4), who sin against us.  Starting in verse 1 we read, “And He said to His disciples, It is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come, but woe to him through whom they come!” Luke 17:1. As we see at the beginning of this verse, He is not speaking to the Pharisees but to His disciples.  And what He is saying here is that temptation, here referred to as ‘stumbling blocks’ are inevitable.  From the Greek word ‘skandalon’ which refers to the trap-spring,  the item on a trap that causes it to spring shut. The idea is that whatever tempts us to sin is a trap, and if we fall into sin due to the temptation, then we sprung the trap and are caught in it. But notice the end of this verse.  Yes, we sin and that is wrong.  Jesus knew that due to the world, the flesh, and the devil such temptations would continue. But Jesus says woe to those who cause the temptation.

Then in the next verse, Jesus shows how He feels about this. “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:2. Drowning a person with a stone tied about the neck was an ancient mode of punishment. What this is saying is that it would be better for them to endure the temporary drowning death by men then to cause a young brother or sister in Christ to sin, which is a serious offense to God.

Now we come to our focus verse. “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” Luke 17:3. So, based on what we see in the first two verses, He is not speaking of sins in general, but particularly of sins one brother commits against another. This rebuke should be a mild brotherly admonition, helping them understand what occurred. If such correction brings him to humbly acknowledge his fault, forgiveness must not then be withheld, even if the trespass had already been six times repeated. We see this last part in verse 4. “And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, I repent, forgive him.” Luke 17:4. Now, this seven times is not to be taken literally for it has a much deeper meaning. It does not mean you may forgive him, but it is an imperative denoting ‘you will forgive him’. There is no option here.  And to understand the numbers, we must go the Matthew for clarification. “Then Peter came and said to Him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22. The seven times mentioned in Luke, and the seventy times seven in Matthew are not upper limits to the number of times we are to forgive.  It means ‘always.  If a brother or sister sins against us, and they repent, then we are to ‘always’ forgive them.  And our model in this is God Himself. He forgives all our sins if we truly repent and ask forgiveness. Remember, Jesus forgave all the sins committed by one on the cross in which he repented.  “And he was saying, Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom! And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:42-43.

Jesus calls us to forgive those who sin against us and repent of that sin. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32. When we repented, He forgave us.  Therefore, those who repent of their sins against us, we must forgive. And in so doing, we will show them the reality of our faith, and thus open the door to help them grow in their faith and in the knowledge of God. And this is what we are called to do. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14.  And this light is to help disciple others in the faith. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. That is, after all, our calling.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Luke 16:15

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 16:15

“And He said to them, you are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” – Luke 16:15  

Today we will be looking at what Jesus deemed priority as apposed to the Pharisees.  It starts by saying the Pharisees were listening to what He was saying. “Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things, and they were scoffing at Him.” Luke 16:14. The Pharisees here were not just listening to what Jesus said but were literally scoffing at it.  Jesus was telling them a parable of the dishonest manager.  The meaning to be derived from this is told by Jesus at the end.  “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:10-13.  The basic thought of this parable is that no servant can serve two masters, for we will serve one or the other. We cannot serve both.

The general idea of it is carried forward in what Jesus said after this parable.  The Pharisees were known in that day as ones who wanted the people to think highly of them.  Therefore, they would perform acts in such a way as to impress those watching them.  We see this in our focus verse. “And He said to them, You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15.  They did there good deeds to be seen by men. Matthew wrote these words of Jesus in His gospel. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1. They did their good deeds to be acclaimed by men.  In fact, Jesus goes on to say that these things that they do for the purpose of lifting themselves up is actually detestable in the sight of God. 

It is important that we examine how we do things.  Do we give to God because we love Him or because it looks good when we give it?  Do we give a talk simply because we want people to hear us? Do we do things to show how ‘righteous’ we are?  At the end of our verse, we are told this is not pleasing to God.  “for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” God wants us to do our good deeds without making a big deal about it. Expanding on Matthew 6:1 we read, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matthew 6:1-4. We should do good because it honors God, not because it honors ourselves.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Luke 14:33

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 14:33

“So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” – Luke 14:33

Today we will be looking at what Jesus said about the cost of being a follower of Him.  First, Luke points out who He is speaking to.  “Now great multitudes were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them,” Luke 14:25.  Jesus is going to share with them three basic conditions regarding discipleship. And these were not addressed to believers only to make them apostles, but also to unbelievers in order for them to understand what it means to be a follower. These three conditions are therefore conditions for salvation, not conditions for Christians to become a spiritual elite or to reach a new level in their Christian lives. 

Now, the first condition is found in the next verse. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26. The phrase, ‘comes to me’ means either to ‘seek salvation’, or  to ‘make a decision to follow Him’.  These are different from simply believing in Him but has the idea of also choosing to follow His ways.  He then tells them that if they do not hate their father or mother and mother, wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be a disciple.  He is not calling them to actually hate them, for that would go against what He said about the two great commandments. “And he said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39. Everything Jesus taught was about love for all, just as stated here.  We can look at Matthew’s version to get a better understanding of what is meant here. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37. Theologian Robert Stein puts it this way. “A person who commits himself or herself to Christ will develop a greater love for both neighbor and family, although at times loving and following Christ may be seen as renunciation, rejection, or hate if the family does not share the same commitment to Christ.”   It has nothing to do with them hating their family and friends, but loving Jesus more.  And as stated above, if they do not love Jesus more, they cannot be a disciple for when a difference arises between the two, they may not choose Christ’s way which would then make Him a disciple no more. 

Then He takes it one step further with the second condition. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27. He is saying to them if they are not willing to suffer for Christ’s sake, then they cannot be His disciple.  This does not refer to all earthly suffering, but specifically suffering for the cause of Christ.  Suffering for Him must take precedence over everything else.

They are then told to count the cost of discipleship. “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down, and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace.” Luke 14:28-32. Note the words in verse 28. “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?” He is telling them that before they decide to follow Him, count the cost to determine if we are able and willing to follow through.

And condition three is, are we willing to give up everything for Him. “So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” Luke 14:33.  Along with what’s above, we must be willing to give up everything.  Nothing and no-one should be deemed more important or desirable then Jesus and a life completely dedicated to Him. 

And we must ask these questions of ourselves and be willing to be honest with our answers.  Are we willing to do what Christ calls us to do even if it goes against family and friends desires?  Who’s commands should come first, Christ’s or others?  And this could lead to separation and rejection of us by them.  Would this be worth it to us?  If we cannot be fully dedicated to Christ, then we need to question whether we can truly be a disciple. And are we willing to give everything up for Him? I am not saying that we then choose not to be a disciple of His, but that we must look at where we are weak and decide if it is worth it, and then follow as you decide.  However, I can assure you that He is worth it, for Jesus loves us and wants us to live eternally with Him in His heavenly kingdom.  Would this be worth it?  It truly is.  So, I want to encourage us all to examine ourselves and make whatever changes are necessary.  As the Apostle Paul said, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Luke 13:3

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 13:3 

“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3    

Today, we will be looking at the importance of repentance.  Starting in verse 1 we read, “Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” Luke 13:1. During Jesus’s teaching found in chapter 12, some came to Jesus to tell Him of a horrendous event that happened to some Jews from Galilee.  There is no record of this event in secular history, however there is an incident like it from before Jesus’ ministry. Pilate wanted to build an aqueduct from the Pools of Solomon to the city of Jerusalem. To pay for it, he demanded money from the temple treasury, money that had been dedicated to God – and this outraged the priests and the people. When the Jews sent a delegation to beg for their money back, Pilate sent into the crowd soldiers dressed as common people, and at a certain signal they took out daggers and attacked the people asking for the money. Now, this may not have been the same incident, however it does show how Rome, and particularly Pilate, pictured the Jews and did what they could to force obedience from them.  The phrase, ‘whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices’ speaks of how the blood of those killed mixed with the blood of the sacrifice itself.  

Now, it appears that Jesus read into their story the idea of self-justification, rooted in the common notion back then that disaster falls on them who deserve it.  Basically if a person sins, something bad will happen to them. Jesus turns this around and asks them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? “ Luke 13:2. Jesus turned the theological issue around. Is this punishment for sin? Do persecution and death prove the victim to be a greater sinner than those who do not suffer? Jesus, one who was looking suffering square in the face as he marched to Jerusalem denied such a theological outrage. He reminded them that everyone has sinned. Paul put it this way, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:21-23.

Jesus then answers the question Himself, in our focus verse. “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3. Jesus was countering their belief by saying apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

Jesus then asks them a question to enforce His thought.  “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:4-5. Jesus added his own illustration. He takes another recent tragedy down at the corner of the south and east walls of Jerusalem at the water reservoir called Siloam. Eighteen people died in an accident on the tower there. Were these the worst sinners in Jerusalem, punished for their horrible sin? He then repeats our focus verse.  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5. He in essence told them, you all must repent or perish.  Jesus’ warning that they must repent or perish had an immediate, chilling fulfillment. Within a generation, many citizens of Jerusalem who had not repented and turned to Jesus perished in the destruction of Jerusalem.

We must be careful that we do not fall into this trap ourselves.  It is not our place to look at others and compare their life to ours, looking to place ourselves as more righteous than they are.  We are called to go out and help lead the lost to Christ, and to disciple Christians to live a life that is pleasing to God. It is not to put ourselves above everyone else.  Paul put it this way.  “For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3.  No one is saved by their own good works, but by the grace given us by Christ.  We have all sinned, therefore we all need to repent.  For if we do not truly repent, we will perish.  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Luke 12:51

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 12:51 

“Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.” – Luke 12:51   

Jesus here in this section is telling the disciples what His purpose was for coming here.  We read the following from Luke. “I have come to cast fire upon the earth.” Luke 12:49a. This verse can be more clearly understood when we look at what Peter wrote. “But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7.  There is a time coming when judgement will come; when the current heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire, along with those who are ungodly and refuse to accept the salvation made available by Christ.  However, the godly people have a different fate. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.  And then in the next verse He says, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” John 3:17.  In these three verses, we see that Jesus came into this world to call out those who accept Christ as savior, and to bring judgement to those who will not.

Then at the end of verse 49 we read, “and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49b. The idea here is that Jesus longed for the completion of his mission, which was as yet incomplete. And in the next verse, we see what this act of completion will be. “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” Luke 12:50. So, what is this baptism He needs to undergo?  It is not the baptism as we understand it, which was accomplished in chapter 3. “Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased.” Luke 3:21-22. The baptism alluded to here refers to an answer given to James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “And they said to Him, Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left. But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” Mark 10:37-38. The baptism here forms a parallelism with the ‘cup’ Jesus was to drink and refers to Jesus’ passion and death. According to theologian Robert Stein, this image being found in these two different Gospels indicate it was well-known and that the early church would have understood both Jesus’ baptism and drinking the cup as references to his death.

Then Jesus says why He came. “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53. Now, this can easily be taken out of context.  What Jesus is saying is not that His purpose was to bring division, but that His calling here of preaching the gospel will ultimately bring division because not everyone will accept it.  And I believe because He went to the Jews to declare the truth, this would bring incredible division between those who believe Jesus and those who do not and choose to stay with the Jewish belief system of their day.

And we see a lot of division in our culture today.  This is not what Jesus came to do, but as stated above, it is the result of people who choose not to believe.  Many people will not accept the Christian beliefs of another which will cause a chasm to grow between them. It is important that we do not give up on those who do not believe but continue to be that light which shines out in the world declaring the love of Christ for all. Who knows if our life lived out in their midst will make a difference in their lives.     

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Luke 12:7

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 12:7

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.” –  Luke 12:7 

Many times, in the gospels Jesus is said to tell His people not to fear.  Mark shared these words from Jesus. “But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” Mark 5:36. And from John we read, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27. Here in our focus verse, Jesus gives the reason why we have no need to fear. 

First, let us look at verses 1-3. “Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:1-3. As Jesus continued in the general direction towards Jerusalem, vast multitudes came to hear Him. The crowds were so large that some were injured in that some were trampled by others. Jesus then spoke to His disciples saying, beware of hypocrisy.  Hypocrisy is like leaven in the sense that it only takes a little bit of it to affect a great mass. A little bit of hypocrisy can be like a little bit of strong poison. In light of their tremendous popularity, it was especially important for the disciples to remember this. The temptation to hypocrisy is often strongest to those who enjoy some measure of outward success. He closes this out by saying that nothing is hidden that will not be revealed at some future time, for God knows all things.

He then answers a question they may have had; this may cost us our life. “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” Luke 12:4. He did not deny this could happen but explained how, for Christians, this was inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.  Our bodies may die, but we will live forever. Therefore, we have no reason to be afraid of persecution because of our faith.  The believer’s real life is an eternal one to be spent in God’s presence, and no outside power can affect this. And He went on to say, “But I will warn you whom to fear; fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5. This verse does not refer to a hopeless terror but to a kind of reverential awe that leads to obedience. He is not saying we are to be afraid of God, but to see God in awe and reverence which is due Him.  Then He gives them an example of what He means.  “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God.” Luke 12:6. These birds were considered good, cheap food that were sought after by the poor, who could not afford anything else.  In God’s providential rule of creation, not even something as inconsequential as the fall of a sparrow occurs apart from his omniscience and will.  

And now we come to our focus verse. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7. This is written in a legal sense.  Since God values the sparrows to the point that they are never forgotten, then we should not be afraid since we are considered far more valuable than many sparrows and thus will not be forgotten. 

In closing, God knows everything about us; past, present, and future.  And in the above example, He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.  That is particularly amazing with me because I lose hairs on a regular basis.  But this shows the importance He places on us because of His amazing love.  Yes, we may suffer because of our belief in Christ, or even die due to our faith.  But we must always remember what Jesus said as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. So, let us not fear what man can do to us, for in remaining strong in our faith during the most difficult times, we will be blessed by going home to God’s kingdom.  Nothing to be afraid of here.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Luke 9:56

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 9:56 

“For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.  And they went on to another village.” – Luke 9:56  

This is an intriguing story told by Luke for the benefit of Theophilus.  He starts with the following. “And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him. And they went, and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make arrangements for Him.” Luke 9:51-52. This journey will be His final one outside of Jerusalem.  The use of the phrase “when the days were approaching for His ascension” speaks of the completion of His mission approaching.  This also looks back to what is typically called the Transfiguration, where two men were speaking with Jesus about His departure.  “And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Luke 9:30-31. And remember, James and John were there with Jesus at this event. And when the disciples arrived in Samaria, they went out to make arrangements for when Jesus arrives.

However, they would not receive Jesus or make arrangements for Him. “And they did not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem.” Luke 9:53.  The main reason was that He was focused on going to Jerusalem.  One of the subjects of dispute between the Jews and Samaritans pertained to the proper situation of the temple. The Jews contended that it should be at Jerusalem; the Samaritans, on Mount Gerizim, and accordingly they had built one there. They had probably heard of the miracles of Jesus, and that he claimed to be the Messiah. Perhaps they had hoped that he would decide that they were right in regard to the building of the temple. Had he decided the question in that way, they probably would gladly have received him as the Messiah; but when they saw that he was going among the Jews, that by going he would decide in their favor, they resolved to have nothing to do with him, and they rejected him.

Now James and John saw what they did and were very upset. “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Luke 9:54.  This points back to an account in 2 Kings.  This speaks of King Ahaziah in Israel who was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, who were among the most wicked rulers in Israel.  And because he worshipped Baal, he aroused the anger of God.  At some point during his reign, King Ahaziah of Israel fell out of a window, injuring himself badly. He was confined to bed, and rather than inquire of the Lord, Ahaziah sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if he would be healed. The Lord sent His prophet Elijah to confront the messengers and give them God’s message for King Ahaziah: he would never recover from his injuries and would die in his bed.

Now, notice the answer given by Elijah to Ahaziah. “Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, O man of God, the king says, Come down. And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.” 2 Kings 1:9-10.  This sounds very much like the question asked by James and John in verse 54. Now, Jesus rebuked them. “But He turned and rebuked them, and said, You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;” Luke 9:55.  They had received the Spirit of God, and this Spirit is not one of anger, but of love.  They did not consider that the present is a dispensation of infinite mercy and love; and that the design of God is not to destroy sinners, but to give them space to repent, that he may save them unto eternal life.

In closing, we should imitate, in our spirit, the Son of man who came to save and not destroy.  If he had come for that purpose, he could have destroyed these Samaritans; but he came to save. He is not quick to anger, but patiently bears opposition to himself, and we should act upon opposition as He did. We should temper our zeal, seeking to do good to those who injure us or God. We must push ourselves to be mild, kind, patient, and forgiving. This is the Spirit we have been given, and this is the only way to reach those who question our faith as being unreasonable. For this is what we are sent out to do, not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Luke 9:50

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 9:50 

“But Jesus said to him, Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.” – Luke 9:50

Our focus verse, and the one before it is a follow up of the prior three verses where the disciples asked Jesus who among them was the greatest.  “And an argument arose among them as to which of them might be the greatest.” Luke 9:46. And then Jesus adds, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48. This last part of verse 48 obviously was not understood by His disciples. What Jesus said in this last verse, John responded to with the following. “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to hinder him because he does not follow along with us.” Luke 9:49.  The depth of John’s, and probably some of the other disciples as well, of his incomprehension  of what Jesus had just told them is unconceivable. 

Think about this.  John had witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus where His glory was manifest to them, and where  a voice from heaven, God the Father, said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” Luke 9:35b.  Nevertheless, John’s words of concern not only contradict Jesus’ message, but are actually seen as a response to Jesus.  Jesus had basically negated conventional ways by declaring that “for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48. Then, just after this, John contradicts Jesus by declaring “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to hinder him because he does not follow along with us.” Luke 9:49.

What John did here was to place himself and the others as greater than this one who was casting our demons.  The fact that this one was able to cast demons out in Jesus’ name is evidence that God approved of what he was doing.  Remember, it is through the power of God that anyone has the ability to cast out these evil spirits.  It is God working through this man that he succeeded in this work.  We see this in the story of the sons of Sceva, showing it is the power of God and not our own. “And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” And seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” Acts 19:11-16.  

Now to our focus verse.  God has called all who are Christians to do His work. John and the others wanted to forbid this other person from casting out demons, in Jesus name, because He was not one of them, the twelve. And they believed this even though he had shown himself to be successful in his work for Christ.  Mark shows this by including these words of Jesus. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me.” Mark 9:39.  If God worked through him to cast out demons, then he was on their side, and more importantly, on God’s side.  Therefore, Jesus said the following in a mild corrective way to tell them they are not the only ones who will do these things.  “But Jesus said to him, Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.” Luke 9:50.  It is important that we do not hinder anyone who is doing the work of God simply because we are not in the same group as they are.  Jesus works through all who are followers of Him.  Let us not look down on anyone whom God is working through in this world.  We may not know them, but He does, and that is what matters.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.