Luke QT

Luke QT: EE training on Summer of 2018

Chapter 1

1-38 I am the servant of the Lord

Today’s passage (Luke 1:1-38) is foretelling John the baptist and Jesus Christ’s birth and Luke describes John as (17)“to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” and Jesus as (32) “the Son of the Most High”. In both cases, I can observed that angels were involved indicating God’s divine calling and importance of the events.

The most impressive thing on today’s passage to me is Mary’s reaction on the news delivered by the angel Gabriel. Her first reaction was (34) “How will this be …?” as Zechariah’s (18), and, I think, this reaction would be normal to anyone on this kind of surprising news - a virgin having a baby, the Son of the Most High. But the impressive thing is that, after the Gabriel’s explanation, she said, (38) “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” To me, this is FAITH. Considering a very young girl (maybe, age doesn’t matter for faith), Mary showed amazing faith on Lord and His word.

My prayer today is that God help me so that everyday I can joyfully confess “Jesus is my Lord and let it be according to your word”. The pray also goes to our training team. Praise Christ Jesus our Lord.

38-80 My spirit rejoices in God

Mary’s praising is indeed blessing, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”

My spirit rejoices ~~

Chapter 2

1-21 Who is Christ the Lord

I also blessed by verse 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Savior and Lord! Praise God and thanks for sending Jesus Christ. My lips only can confess, as shepherds did (20) “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

22-52 Light for revelation to the Gentiles

I also see that Simeon’s praise is beautiful, starting with (29) “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace …”. He was so pleased and now he could finish his life because (30) “for my eyes have seen your salvation”. Just beautiful.

Another noticeable is (32) “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” Simeon was prophesying that Jesus is Savior for all people including the Gentiles like us. Praising God.

Chapter 3 His winnowing fork

I was impressed by, (9) “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (17) “His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

John the baptist was preparing Jesus’ path who will be the judge and has authorities for final destination of a man, human being. This reminds me of urgency, that we all have to abide in Jesus and let others know of coming judgment.

Chapter 4 I was sent for this purpose

(33) "but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." That verse also impresses and helps me to focus on goal, purpose and priority of my life. The reason God has us being here instead taking right away to heaven - spreading the Gospel.

Holy Sprit fills my heart with joy when my lips are adoring goodness of God. Praise the Lord.

Chapter 5 Leave everything and follow him

In Luke chapter 5, Jesus taught the word of God, healed the sicks, performed miracles. Also called His first disciples telling them, (9) “from now on you will be catching men”. Peter and James’ reaction was, (11) “left everything and followed him” which is same to later Levi (Matthew)’s (28).

“Leave everything and follow him” is what Jesus kept commanding to his followers throughout the chapters of the Gospel of Luke, better to say, throughout the all 4 Gospels, or even I should say, throughout the whole Bible. We, as christians, should “leave everything and follow Jesus”, and not to be church goers, nor men practicing religion (종교인 宗敎人), nor lukewarm, nor pretenders. As inline with what Hosun’s shared yesterday, we ought to become fishermen of man. Leave everything, follow, … spread Gospel. Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”

Prayer items:

1. For Jae Choi, who heard the Gospel on last Saturday OJT, to open his heart and surrender his life to Jesus
2. For the team (and church), to leave everything and follow Jesus, and to make evangelism become the most important part of our life
3. For myself, evening time devotional - don’t waste (in Youtube) but spend time with God

Chapter 6

1-19 Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus was doing his ministries and the scribes and the Pharisees, the leaders of Jews, were watching him. They were so obsessed by laws and regulations and forgot the God’s purpose of those rules - which is LOVE. They accused that Jesus healed a handicapped on the Sabbath, and Jesus replied (9) ”is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”

I am asking to myself, “Am I doing things for LOVE or for other reasons?” Father, please remove my hypocrisies and pretenses.

20-49 Blessed ... Woe

Jesus is teaching “blessed” and “woe”.

Blessed … poor, hungry, weep, and people hate b/c Jesus … Woe … rich, full, laugh, people speak well …

What am I pursuing for? Am I worldly? Can’t witness our precious Lord, and boastful about people like me? Father, help me to be poor and humble so I can be desperate for You. Help to fill my heart with Words, obey, and be content only with You. Help to weep over my sinful nature and the lost souls. Help to be boldly share You, love whom hate me, and follow You joyfully.

Mercy on me. Mercy on us.

Chapter 7

1-17 Centurion’s Faith

(6-8) “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” And Jesus marveled at his faith. I don’t think Jesus admired many and can imagine that the centurion knew/understood,

(1) he is not worthy (2) Jesus is the Lord and has divine authority.

Like as in EE’s session.07, “A”dmit, “B”eleive, “C”ommit - faith involves admitting how sinful self is and believing and committing (surrendering) to Jesus Christ, our precious Lord.

Father, please help me/us to have faith like the centurion’s.

18-50 John the Baptist and Repentance

A woman came and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and perfume. What a picture of repentance and worshiping the Lord! Typical response to Jesus - I am sorry for my sins and thanks for saving me even though I am a terrible sinner. This Monday morning, this passage reminds me again His goodness and draw me to worship Him. Praise Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

Contrast to her, the Pharisee thought (39) “what sort of woman this is … for she is a sinner” and (30) “the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by John” They did not repent because they thought they were not sinners and rejected Jesus, their Messiah.

Father, please keep remind us that how sinful we are and how desperately need you. With the poor spirit and gratitude, we truly worship you like the woman did, live godly life for You are holy and joyfully witness you for others also need You, desperately. Father, please help us, we desperately need You - everyday, every morning, every moment ...