Luke, a physician, details a historical account of the life of Jesus – his conception, birth, life, death and resurrection.
Summarized by Sandy Trachsel, December 1st thru December 24th, culminating on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023.
Luke Chapter 1
I’m reminded that Mary’s cousin Elizabeth gives birth to a son, John the Forerunner (also known as John the Baptist) a few month’s prior to the birth of Jesus. I love verse 1:44 when Elizabeth’s baby leaps for joy in her womb when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, enters the room. ❤️
Luke Chapter 2
Twice in chapter two, Jesus’s Mother Mary “kept all these things in her heart”. Verses 19 and 51. As a Mom, I understand this.
Luke Chapter 3
Luke’s Chapter 3 listing of Jesus’s genealogy amazes me, all without apps like Ancestry and MyHeritage! And I’m always disappointed when the man’s lineage is listed, leaving out the women involved. 🤨 But my study bible took me back to Matthew’s account and it is interesting to compare Mary’s versus Joseph’s lineage, even though Jesus was the Son of God. ☀️
Luke Chapter 4
Jesus was tempted by Satan to forsake God, just like we are tempted (Luke 4:3-12). At key points in my life, I failed. I am ever thankful for God’s mercy.
Luke Chapter 5
Day 5. By now those following me may be wondering “why is she doing this?”. 🤷♀️ All of us like/love a lot of things online. I felt compelled to do this one! 😊 I am just an ordinary woman with early memories of attending Sunday School as a child, and then teaching Sunday School much of my adult life to young children. In this chapter Jesus is starting to show that he is both the Son of Man and the Son of God. Stay tuned! ❤️
Luke Chapter 6
This chapter calls for some self inspection. Out of Jesus’s many followers, he chose twelve. He encourages us to hunger and thirst for His knowledge. He encourages us to treat our enemies as He would treat them. He encourages us to look internally before judging others. He encourages us be strong and true in our faith.
Luke Chapter 7
Miracles. What are they? And why don’t we see more today? I’ve wrestled with these questions. In Chapter 7, Luke tells of Jesus bringing a young man back to life, healing a sick man and forgiving a woman’s sins. My belief is that Jesus needed to convince people that God had sent Him to them. In today’s world there is so much wrong. Maybe the wrong is hiding the good – today’s miracles.
Luke Chapter 8
Chapter 8 tells us more about Jesus’s way of teaching with parables – wonderful little stories that young and old are able to understand. “Seeds (the word of God) will grow and yield crops if in good soil”. The listener must keep these words in his/her heart.”
Luke Chapter 9
In Chapter 9, we read the well known story of Jesus feeding the multitudes that came to hear about God. We read about The Transfiguration, where Moses and Elijah appeared before Jesus and three of his disciples, Peter, John and James. And then God’s voice is heard declaring Jesus to be His beloved Son. There is a turning point in Jesus’s ministry on earth as He shares information regarding upcoming events with his disciples.
Luke Chapter 10
There is a lot going on in Chapter 10. Jesus sent seventy men to spread God’s Word. The question comes up – How do I inherit eternal life? This is one of my favorite Bible verses. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) And a second question comes up – And who is my neighbor? In today’s modern, global world, we are all neighbors! Closing Chapter 10, Jesus talks of Mary and Martha. Martha reminds me of so many women during the holidays, including myself. Let’s all not be so busy that we miss the truly important moments.
Luke Chapter 11
In this chapter Jesus gives us The Lord’s Prayer, a prayer that many of us know and love. And once again He teaches the parable of the lighted lamp – to not hide our faith in Him, but to shine so others may see.
Luke Chapter 12
Jesus teaches about hypocrisy – that nothing we say or do is hidden from God. That possessions and wealth are temporary and should be shared.
He also speaks about fear. Fear of this world which is just as relevant today. He reminds us that our biggest fear is Satan. Also so relevant today, He talks about “division”. Division amongst households. I can’t help but think about how religion, politics and other beliefs have divided households, countries, this world.
Luke Chapter 13
In this chapter we read that in God’s eyes, all sins are equal, none worse than another. We also read more about hypocrisy.
The parable of “The Mustard Seed” has always intrigued me. The smallest of seeds can become a large tree. Planting small “seeds” – be it in a Sunday School class, in your daily interactions, or perhaps intentionally – can make a huge difference in a person’s life.
Luke Chapter 14
I have recently been thinking I need a larger print Bible. On the other hand my smaller print Bible is a study Bible, with explanations of verses. These explanations are appreciated in Chapter 14. The parable of the “ambitious guest” – that it is better to be humble than to think you are more important than others. The parable of the “great supper” – really isn’t about supper. But instead illustrates those that refuse the good news Jesus offers about eternity in heaven. And Jesus’s words to his disciples regarding “hate”, really refer to “loving less”. Those that follow Him must love him more than anything else.
Luke Chapter 15
This chapter speaks to one thing – rejoicing when a person who has done wrong asks for forgiveness. All sins are equal, but there are those of us who are never sorry for our sins, and never seek forgiveness. When one does, God rejoices.
Luke Chapter 16
Chapter 16 focuses on money – and divorce.
Divorce – plain and clear, is considered adultery. I don’t know what percentage of today’s marriages fail, but I assume it is high.
Money – Jesus condemned those that made money in deceitful ways, and those that were not good stewards of their money. There is a saying that one “cannot serve two masters” – God and money. Stewardship of our money means acknowledging our money as God’s money, and using it to help spread the Gospel.
Luke Chapter 17
Jesus teaches us to forgive, as often as needed, as God does. He teaches us to do what is expected of us, without expecting special honor. Neither of these two things is easy to do. Jesus asks us to be thankful for what is given to us.
And He warns us to be ready for “His Send Coming”.
Luke Chapter 18
Jesus teaches by giving examples – an unjust judge, a relentless woman, a self-righteous man, a humble sinner, a rich man – all stories illustrating the importance of faith in a just God. As I read each one, I am comforted by memories of hearing these stories as a young girl, and from preparing Sunday School lessons to teach young children.
Luke 18:15-17 resonates with me still today as an adult. “… whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” No matter your age, have faith in God, like that of a child.
Again, Jesus foretells his twelve disciples of upcoming events for which they cannot comprehend.
Luke Chapter 19
Such powerful messages in so few words. The story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector, that repented of his sins. (Tax collectors were known to skim money from taxes collected, thus becoming rich themselves.)
The parable of using the blessings given to you in a faithful way.
And then Jesus begins His journey to Jerusalem, often re-enacted today on Palm Sunday.
Luke Chapter 20
Much of this chapter tells how those in power tried to trick (entrap) Jesus. But his answers to every question showed them He was given authority by God.
Luke Chapter 21
Jesus commends a poor woman who gives all she has, as compared to those who give only a small portion of their riches.
Also in Chapter 21, Jesus speaks about the destruction of this earth and his second coming. He warns us to be ready, and tells us the time will come unexpectedly.
Luke Chapter 22
We read in this chapter about “the last supper”. Jesus wanted to share the Passover meal with His disciples, telling them it would be His last time on this earth with them. They shared “the fruit of the vine” and broke bread, symbolizing Jesus’s blood and his body, as He instructed them to do this in remembrance of Him.
He told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. (Judas Iscariot had already traded information with those in power in exchange for money.) And He foretold his most faithful disciple Peter would deny Him three times; (and he did after Jesus was arrested).
After praying all night at a garden in Gethsemane at the foot of The Mount of Olives, Jesus was arrested.
Luke Chapter 23
Events in this chapter lead to the death of Jesus, hung on a wooden cross at a place called Calvary. He was brought before Pilate who said he could not find that Jesus had done anything wrong. He was sent to Herod, who also found Jesus had done no wrong. But due to public pressure, He was sentenced to death. Two others were sentenced to death that day. One mocked Jesus, as many in the crowd were doing. The other asked Jesus for forgiveness, which was given to him. At dark, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”. (Luke 23:46)
Luke Chapter 24
Jesus died on a Friday. His body was wrapped in linen and placed in a tomb. Women brought spices and fragrant oils. On Sunday, the women returned, but Jesus’s body was gone. The women were startled by two angels that proclaimed “He is not here but is risen!” (Luke 24:6) The women told of these things to the eleven disciples. (Judas Iscariot had committed suicide after regretting his betrayal of Jesus.)
Jesus appeared first to two men, one of which, according to tradition, being Luke himself. He then appeared before the eleven disciples, who were terrified and frightened. Jesus showed them He was not a spirit, but was the Son of God as they had known him. He showed them His hands and feet, and ate with them. He instructed them to preach repentance and remission of sins to all nations.
And after blessing the disciples, Jesus was parted from them and lifted into heaven.
Amen.