Luke 20:27-39

What I see in this passage is that the people who could not understand Jesus' teaching questioned Him and doubted His words. Some of their questions were not asked with a desire to learn but with the intention of proving that the Word of God was wrong.

None of us has been to heaven, so we do not truly know what it is like: what our surroundings will be or what kind of life we will have there.

Jesus clearly teaches us these truths, yet we still struggle with doubt.

Jesus also calls us to die to our flesh. I believe this is because only when we die to the flesh can our spiritual eyes be opened. The more we allow His word to sink into our hearts, the more we will be able to die to our flesh. As we do, God will reveal things we have never seen or understood before.

 Most of my life, I managed to face challenges without letting them show on my face.

I remember that as a little child, I used to cry over every little thing. But after I got married and went through many heartbreaking situations, I learned to cope with everything without showing it on the outside,

: especially to my family. I didn't want my parents or my siblings to see that I wasn't happy.

When my children came into my life, I did the same. I carried most of my heartaches on my own.

Then I came to know Jesus. That's when I learned to pour out my heart's cry to Him. When I worship Him, I weep and cry because He is the only One who truly sees my heart's cry.

This coping mechanism eventually made me feel numb inside. I stopped crying, even in the face of tragedy. People used to wonder why I didn't cry over things that would normally bring others to tears. It was because I had become numb.

But lately, I find it hard to say anything without crying. I still try to appear okay in front of my children and grandchildren, but the truth is, I am not okay.

At work, I have found myself crying in front of people recently, and I hate when that happens.

This Scripture came to my mind:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or

When I read this Scripture, I think about how crying, sorrow, and pain will all come to an end: but only when we see Jesus face to face.

Sometimes I wish He would give me a little bit of that comfort now. But I hesitate to ask if that promise is meant only for the end of our journey here on earth.

Then this old hymn comes to my mind:

Reach out and touch the Lord as He passes by;
You'll find He's not too busy to hear your heart's cry.
He is passing by this moment, your needs to supply;
Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by.

As I reflect on those words, I am reminded that even while I wait for the day when every tear will be wiped away, He is still near. He sees my heart's cry, and He is not too busy to hear me.

 Luke 19:28-44

This morning, I am sitting here in my living room, reflecting on what I just read.

This passage takes place just before Jesus was crucified. There are many lessons to be learned from it, but these verses especially caught my attention:

Luke 19:29-31

When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’”

The words that stood out to me were: “a colt... on which no one has ever sat.”

This colt seemed so ordinary and insignificant. No one would have looked at it and thought it was special. The world often values people and things based on what they can gain from them, but this colt had gone unnoticed.

Yet the Lord saw it.

He chose it.

He had a purpose for it.

Many times in my own life, especially among certain people I spend time with, I have felt much like that colt: ordinary, unnoticed, and insignificant.

These verses encouraged my heart.

I may not have as much to offer as others. I may feel overlooked or inadequate. But the Lord has called me to His side. He loves me, and He is inviting me to be set free from the things that keep me bound.

One of those things is the feeling of rejection. It has often held me back and shaped the way I see myself.

But as I surrender that burden to God, I believe He can use me for His kingdom: not because of what I have to offer, but because He has chosen me.

 Luke 19:11-27

Jesus has given us so many things freely. We actually don't deserve them.

He loved us even before we came to know Him.

He forgave us.

He promised that He will protect us and guide us.

He provides for our needs.

The only thing He expects from us is to give to others what we have received from Him. We are not to hide it. In other words, we are to forgive those who do wrong to us, give to those who don't have, and love those who treat us badly.

Is it easy? No. Not by our own ability. But with God, everything is possible.

I spent time with two friends today. I have known them for many years. They wanted me to meet with them along with my daughter.

I was touched by their love, and my daughter was touched by their love as well. I can see that they are true followers of God.

John 13:35 came to my mind:

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

Lord, help me to love others, especially those who say bad things about me or treat me badly. Only with your help will I be able to do that.

 Luke 19:1-10

I see the love of God in this passage.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector and a sinner. He    was also short in stature.  But when Jesus was  passing by, Zacchaeus  didn't rely on his wealth or  position. Instead, he  recognized his weakness.  Because he was short, he  climbed a tree just to  catch a glimpse of Jesus.     

Jesus saw him, reached out to him, and Zacchaeus received salvation.

In the previous passage, the blind man also recognized his weakness. He called out to Jesus, and Jesus restored his sight. He too received salvation.

What is the common theme?

Those who recognize their shortcomings and call out to Jesus with a broken heart can receive the gift of eternal salvation.

This reminds me of how I came to know Jesus and how I received salvation.

I was proud and had no idea of my sinful nature. But one unusual night, my heart suddenly realized how desperate I was and how much I wanted to know who Jesus was. At that moment, He revealed Himself to me. Today, I can truly say that I am a blessed child of God.

As I reflect on this passage, the words of this hymn come to my heart:

I need Thee every hour,

Most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine

Can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee.

Oh, bless me now, my Saviour;

I come to Thee.

 Luke 18:31-34

There are many times when I have misunderstood what Jesus is speaking to me. Yes, I have a daily walk with Jesus, but many times it is difficult to understand what He really means. Mostly, it is because my own voice is also speaking to my mind.

Here, I see Jesus speaking to His disciples about what was going to happen to Him:

the crucifixion and the resurrection. 

But it was difficult for them to grasp what He was saying.

Then how do I gain a clear understanding?

I think the more I tune my ears to His voice, the more I will be able to distinguish His voice from every other voice.

Speak, O Master, speak to me;

Speak, my soul doth thirst for Thee.

Lord, I want to be in the rapture

When the saints are gathered in.

 Luke 18:18-30

The rich young ruler was sincerely seeking God. He had followed most of God's commandments. He wanted to know what he should do to inherit the kingdom of God.

Then Jesus said, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and give it to the poor."

This made him very sad because he couldn't give up his treasures. His heart was on his wealth.

I may not have wealth, but what am I lacking?

Like the rich young ruler, I am following God. I am striving to keep His commandments, but there is so much more that God is asking me to do.

The most important thing I see here is the heart.

Where is my heart?

Is Jesus the center of my heart?

If He truly is, then there should be no room for jealousy, anger, frustration, envy, unforgiveness, or any other negative attitudes.

Lord, I come to you, you said in verse 27, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

So I lay all these negative attitudes at your feet. Help me to walk closer to You.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea;

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.