Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is Luke 21:5-19.

You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me.
Luke 21:16-17

Jesus has strong words about what will come for His followers. These are hard to hear, but necessary. Jesus has told us before that things will be difficult – “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:34-36). It’s not a pretty picture or the promise of the easy way.

Jesus wants us to follow him in truth and love, and that means choosing Him over everything else, even those who are closest to us. We must be ready to give up whatever binds us to this life, including possessions and relationships. Anything that stands between us and Him is a stumbling block we must avoid.

So is Jesus telling us not to have anything or love anyone? No, but He is saying that these things can’t give us the satisfaction and fulfillment of being close to God. On the last day, only that will matter.

Loving Lord, we are weak and we grasp for the things we want here on earth. Help us to see that nothing we have or do can save us, that only our relationship with You leads to salvation. Amen.

Our scripture for the week is Luke 21:5-19.

“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Luke 21:12-15

Jesus has told us before that it won’t be easy to follow Him. In the Beatitudes we are taught “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:10-11) We know that there will be opposition from those who do not know the Messiah.

Jesus also tells us that we need not worry about how to defend ourselves, that He will give us the words that need to be said. Most of us don’t know what it is like to be persecuted for our faith, but there are still places in the world where it is dangerous to be a follower of Jesus. However, in spite of the threat of even death, faith persists.

Those of us who enjoy religious freedom must never take it lightly. We must stand ready to offer the testimony Jesus will give us when challenged and pray for our brothers and sisters who suffer persecution. While the Lord needs no help from us, we need Him and we need each other.

Mighty God, help us to be strong in the faith and ready to share Your love with the world. Use us as You will to spread the Gospel to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 21:5-19

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Luke 21:8-11

Jesus tells us some frightening things about the end times. One of the most concerning is the coming of false prophets, those who would lead us astray. Jesus warns us that things will seem to be falling apart, but we must put our trust in Him and no one else.

Thinking about terrible things such as this can lead to panic and despair. Jesus tells us things will be this way so we will not lose hope. He also taught us that anyone who claims to know the time is wrong, because only God will decide when this occurs.

Perhaps Jesus is telling us to focus on the here and now, on what we know to be true and what we are called to do. When we worry about the future, we only make ourselves afraid and we miss the opportunity to do good in the present time. God is in control and we can take comfort in knowing we are fulfilling His purpose through love and care for one another right now.

Gracious God, You have set creation in motion according to Your will, and things will occur as You command. Help us to let go of our want to control things and follow the plan You have for all of us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 21:5-19.

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.

When the disciples praise the beauty of the Temple, Jesus tells them that the day will come when it all will be destroyed, a sign that Israel itself will fall. I’m sure that was hard for them to hear and many likely shook their heads in disbelief. Naturally they are concerned and ask what will be the warning signs that it is coming.

We are often proud of the things we have built, but Jesus warns no matter how magnificent we believe them to be, they are only temporary. I returned to my home town after 20 years away with the Air Force and found things quite different, old landmarks gone and new unfamiliar things (or sometimes nothing) in their place. Jesus warns us that we will experience calamitous change as a result of our faith.

The scriptures say that the changes will come according to God’s schedule and plan. In Acts 1:7 Jesus tells His disciples “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” He taught us to follow His commandments and trust in God always so that we can face the changes that come in faith.

Loving Lord, You warn us that following You will be a challenge, that there will be hardship along the way. May we be firm in our faith and strong in Your love to withstand the changes that come. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.

During His discussion with the Sadducees in this passage, Jesus teaches us several valuable lessons. He shows us how to respond in love when we encounter those with contrary beliefs. He shares that eternal life will not be like earthly life and that no human comparisons can explain how wonderful it will be. Finally, He promises us there is a resurrection for those deemed worthy.

At the beginning of this reading the Sadducees ask Jesus an involved but outlandish question to try to trap Him regarding the resurrection. Jesus could have responded angrily to their tactics or attacked them personally in retaliation. Instead, He listened to their question and answered in a way that taught about eternal life without directly shaming those who had asked. We would do well to follow His example of hearing those with whom we disagree and giving only a loving, factual reply, even when provoked.

The Sadducees primary error in their question to Jesus is assuming that eternal life will be like what we experience here on earth. Jesus tells them that the age to come will be much different, that we will have resurrection bodies made perfect by God’s love and we will live in God’s presence forever. Human understanding is incapable of describing the wonder we will experience then, and using earthly examples only confuses the issue.

Jesus says”those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come”, indicating that there are conditions for being included in the resurrection. We know what Jesus has called us to do – love God, love neighbor and make disciples. If we are focused on these tasks, using the gifts God has given to accomplish them, we are working for the kingdom and can expect God’s mercy and blessing when the last day comes. Jesus calls us all to be part of the resurrection, and He shows us the way into eternal life.

Loving Lord, we are weak when we act alone, but strong when we accept Your grace and go to do the work You have for us. Help us to share Your truth with others, especially in difficult circumstances. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.

Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

The Sadducees approached Jesus with a question they hoped would discredit Him. Jesus knows what they are trying to do, but instead of sending them away, He answers honestly, hoping they will see the wonderful gift of resurrection God has promised for those who love Him.

He teaches that our Heavenly Father is the God of the living, that having been created in His image, God wants us to be with Him eternally. The Sadducees believed that death was the end. Jesus came to show us all that it was not, that God had more for us after our mortal lives.

This scripture passage doesn’t tell us if the Sadducees changed their minds, but it was a lesson for all who heard it then, and for us today. Death does not destroy us. We can live for God now with His assurance we will be united with Him at the resurrection.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of eternal life with You. Help us to live in ways that honor Your blessing to us and share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.

But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”
Luke 20:37-38

As we have heard, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. Jesus uses an Old Testament quote that they would know well to prove His point to them. Perhaps they don’t accept Jesus’ scriptural authority, but since they began their argument using Moses as their guide, Jesus gives them a response from Moses.

Jesus was a wise teacher, knowing that people have to have something relatable before leading them to a new or different way of thinking. He wasn’t intentionally trying to make the Sadducees look foolish, He merely brought up something familiar and led them to see it in a new way. His way of arguing wasn’t competitive, He wasn’t out to “win” the debate, but to win people back to a relationship with God.

We can find new ways of looking at the world through His teaching, and a much better way of interacting with each other. Jesus advocated a rational sharing, seeing each other as God’s children, not adversaries to be defeated. If we discuss to understand and teach, rather than to shame and win, we will be better able to reach our brothers and sisters for Him.

Patient God, we often behave in ways that sadden You, not respecting Your children and Your creation. Forgive us and show us how to love each other as You love us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.

Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.
Luke 20:34-36

Jesus shares the truth about the resurrection, which shows the foolishness of the Sadducees question. Our understanding is so limited that the reality of God’s love and eternal life overwhelm us. When the resurrection comes, we will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51) and then our knowledge will be different than that which we know here on earth.

There is both a condition and a promise in the rest of Jesus statement. He says that only “those considered worthy of taking part in the age to come” will see the resurrection. There are expectations placed on our lives in order to live with God in eternity – being in relationship with Him and each other and sharing the Gospel message.

For those who do follow Jesus and keep His commandments, He says “They can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.” What a wonderful promise this is! When we live as Jesus calls us to live, we may live with Him in the age to come!

Loving Lord, we are unable to grasp the enormity of Your blessing to us. Help us to live now as Your children that we may someday be the children of the resurrection. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.

Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
Luke 20:29-33

The Sadducees pose what sounds like a riddle to Jesus, hoping to catch Him in a statement that contradicts His teaching. Jesus listens patiently, not interrupting them to protest the silliness of their question. As we shall see, He also gives them an answer that doesn’t demean them for asking, but shows how the kingdom of God really works.

There are two things we can learn from this passage. We see the Sadducees projecting human concepts and practices onto heavenly existence. We can’t conceive of what it will be like in human terms, heaven is so completely different from anything we can know that we are unable to adequately describe it.

The second is how Jesus treats and responds to them. Rather than interrupting them to say how foolish their question is, He lets them finish, and as we will learn later in this passage, He responds sincerely. Jesus is the model for civil discourse, a lesson to us all.

Gracious God, help us to treat all our brothers and sisters with respect, even when they frustrate us. May we accept that heaven is beyond our human understanding and seek to live in ways that bring us closer to each other and You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.

Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.
Luke 20:27-28

This passage may sound strange to us. The idea that a man is required to marry his deceased brother’s widow in order to continue the family line was a very old custom dealing with tribes and inheritance practices. Most scholars indicate it rarely happened at the time this group approached Jesus with the question, but is part of the Law, found in Deuteronomy 25:5-6.

They ask this question of Jesus to see how He responds to a legal issue, but as we see they have an ulterior motive, as most who questioned Jesus did. They are trying to get Him to give an answer that will support their beliefs and make Him look foolish. Many have debated with Jesus over petty issues, avoiding the hard question that Jesus coming had posed to them.

Jesus always listened patiently, and He always responded, no matter how convoluted or downright silly the argument seemed. Jesus is ready to do the same for us, waiting for us to share our worries and frustration, ready to hear every request we may have. If He cared enough to listen to those who tried to discredit Him, how much more will He hear the prayers and petitions of the faithful?

Loving Lord, we know You are waiting to hear from us. Help us realize we can bring any issue we have to share with You, confident that You will hear us. Amen.