Sunday Luke Recap

Sunday's Text

Luke 15:1-32  The Lost Sheep, Coin, Son

Sermon Notes For Discussion

Sunday Recap of the week... by Elaine Pierce

Reflections on Luke 5:12 - Luke 8:56. 

In these four chapters, Luke records eight healings and miracles of Jesus. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, as we read in Luke 7:21:

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.  

I suspect that if every healing and every miracle that Jesus performed was recorded in scripture, our Bibles would be much, much thicker. It is evident that Jesus has compassion on those who are suffering, those who are in poverty, and those who are downcast in spirit.  Listen to these words again that Jesus tells his followers:

Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  (7:22)

You might be thinking to yourself, well, thank goodness, I'm not blind, or lame, or poor, or dealing with a debilitating disease. What does Jesus have to offer me? Thank goodness I don't need him that much - I'll go ahead and live my life, and those who are truly needy can call on him. That will keep him busy enough.

I think if we're all honest, we have had thoughts like that. Certainly, it is gratifying to be able to say "I can do it myself. God gave me a brain, and I'll take it from there." Ah, my dear friends, we in the West have been blessed materially. We are rarely hungry, we rarely suffer from the cold, we always have enough food and drink. Let's turn back to Luke 6 and read about people who could be just like us:

But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort  Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.  Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. (6:24-26).

Yes, these 4 chapters have much to teach us. As we continue in this season of Lent, let's thank God for what we have, and remember that all of it comes from him. Perhaps God will show me - and you  - a way we can come alongside those we can serve, and in that service, recognize that the Lord is compassionate, gracious, and merciful, and that in our service we can bring glory to Him.