<<< Go back to Luke chapter ten <<<
(61) A prayer for life's journey (Luke 11:1-4, 14th February 2010)
(62) Knocking on heaven's door (Luke 11:5-13, 28th February 2010)
(63) Devilish activity (Luke 11:14-23, 7th March 2010)
(64) Listen! Will you? (Luke 11:23-28, 14th March 2010)
(65) Preaching Jonah-style (Luke 11:29-36, 28th March 2010)
(66) Law gone bad (Luke 11:37-52, 25th April 2010)
(67) Overcoming bad influences (Luke 11:53-12:7, 2nd May 2010)
>>> Go on to chapter twelve >>>
Being a Christian involves self-denial and bearing a cross daily (9:23). But what's that like? Well, Jesus' self-denying journey to his cross in Jerusalem gives us the experiences and teaching we need to see the pattern for the Christian's life, and this part of Luke's record of Jesus' journey shows us how to pray. A Christian must constantly pray. Jesus travels to Jerusalem full of the Spirit and in fellowship with his Father in heaven through prayer (v1). Likewise, Christians must live in regular praying contact with God. However, in v1 Jesus is also asked a particular question about why he doesn't teach about prayer like John the Baptist. We do not have a record of John's prayer teaching but it presumably matched his preaching and he, and his followers, prayed in regard to the Lord's imminent arrival with cleansing fire (3:9). Well Jesus has already had to correct John's view of how God will work (7:22-23) and now he teaches his followers to pray in a different way to John. They must pray knowing that their journey through life will take time and face many issues; they're not just praying about a soon-to-come judgement day. So how should they pray? Jesus tells them to begin with “Father” (v2). Just as Jesus spoke to his Father with intimacy, so Christians may do the same. On our trip through life we can be assured that our God is always ready to listen to, and help, us; He is not distant and cold like the gods of other religions. However, we must also treat Him with respect, upholding His reputation and speaking His praise so that His name is “hallowed” (v2). He should be praised because he deserves it and also to keep us in touch with just who our God is. This God-centred practice to our praying then continues as we turn to make requests, for our first request should be concerned with God's great desire: His kingdom to come. The Father has appointed His Son to be the king who rules the world made new, where all evil has been banished. In his time, Jesus launched that kingdom and since then it's taken 2000 years to progress to where it is today. But that's not long in God's eyes (2 Pet 3:8) and He remains passionate for His kingdom to be completed. So must we. And as we live for God in our lives, we can know He will care for us, even our basic needs (v3). However, on this journey with our fellow believers, we'll still have to contend with sin and so forgiveness must be constantly on our agenda: asking it from God and others; granting it to those who sin against us (v4); this must be always in our prayers. As must a request for God to keep us on the right path, not drawn away by the devil's temptations, and our own desires, for a simpler route and easier life. Many Christians do not find it easy to pray. But we must practise prayer for God wants to hear from us – it's one of the most important things we do.
(1) Do you see prayer as vital to surviving in this world as a Christian? If not, why not? What wrong attitudes do you need to repent of? How can you see prayer as more important? Make time to pray for God's help to enable you to pray.
(2) Taking the Lord's Prayer as your pattern, carefully prepare a prayer which speaks to God along the same lines but in a personal way. Pray it to God.
(3) Sort out the unforgiven areas of your life. Are their shameful parts you don't discuss with God? Now seek forgiveness. Are you failing to forgive others? Repent to the Lord and ask for his help. Whom do you need to ask for forgiveness?
(4) How might you be tempted to take the Christian life in an easy way? Read back over Jesus' temptations in the desert (Luke 4). Which of these would also apply to you? Pray for your Father to turn you away from these wrong paths.
Click here to return to the contents listing
John the Baptist preached (and presumably prayed earnestly for) the coming of God's Holy Spirit (3:16) and fiery judgement(3:17). But thus far only Jesus has received the Spirit (3:22) and he has not implemented judgement. So one of Jesus' disciples raises the question of John's prayers and asks how Jesus would have them pray. Well, Jesus agrees with John's message but not his timing (7:18-23); the Holy Spirit will come and judgement will fall, but not as soon as John thought. Hence Jesus teaches his followers to pray on the basis that they will have to follow him in a difficult world which has not yet been sorted out by God (11:2-4). He then reassures his people that God will hear such prayers, by telling a story about a man disturbed at night by a friend who has no food, but who urgently needs to feed an unexpected guest (the urgency is presumably because the visitor is travelling, v6, and needs to move on). The first man cannot see the urgency in providing hospitality (like some in the towns Jesus has visited) but the friend feels it and ignoring all social conventions, knocks until he gets a response (v5-8). But why does Jesus tell such a strange story, when talking about prayer? Well he's setting up a contrasting picture: in his tale he's showing an uncommonly unfriendly man in order to say that God is not like this. Jesus' workers may have found some unwilling to listen, give friendship or even open the door, but that's not true of God (v9)! He always responds to those who truly come to him for help (v10). Even human fathers, with all their sinful ways, do not in general mistreat their hungry children (v11-12). Well how much more will a perfect heavenly Father who maintains a good reputation (v2)? He certainly will not fail to react to the prayers of his adopted children (v13). Which brings Jesus back to where this conversation started. John the Baptist preached about, and prayed for, the urgent arrival of the Holy Spirit and judgement. Jesus teaches his people to pray with a longer term view: they must expect the world to continue as a troubled place. But nonetheless, God has not ignored John's prayers and Jesus' followers must continue them: they must persist and at the right time God will abundantly give his Holy Spirit (v13). What does this teach us? Firstly, always to think of God as responsive: he delights to hear from his children and answer them. Secondly, to be bold and persistent in prayer. Not because God is stubborn but rather because he often answers more slowly than we would like, so we must be determined lest we lose heart or forget that he will answer. Thirdly, to put God's priorities into our prayers: our needs (and we must pray about them) are subordinate to his desires (v2-4). Fourthly, to ask for more of the Holy Spirit, for God delights to give him to those who pray (cf Eph 3:14-21).
(1) Read again Luke chapters 9 to 11 and think further about how Jesus' story connects into the journey that he himself is on and the hospitality that he has sought from others. Are there any extra lessons you can learn from this?
(2) How do you normally think of God when you're praying? Does this need to change in the light of Jesus' teaching? Is there anything about your attitude in prayer for which you need to apologise to God?
(3) Think about talking to friends (Christians or not) who criticise God's ways of dealing with them. How should this story shape your responses to those friends?
(4) List out ways in which God's Spirit works in the lives of Christians and churches. Pray for God to grant more of the Spirit's work in these areas. Note down particular requests you make and watch for any answers, so that you can give thanks.
Click here to return to the contents listing
People everywhere believe superstitious nonsense. The Bible does not support such ideas and, indeed, mocks non-existent gods (Isaiah 44). However, it does teach that God has spirit enemies who influence life on the earth for evil. In this passage, Jesus deals both with silly beliefs and wicked spiritual realities. This happens in the context of growing division over Jesus, as previously predicted (2:34; 9:22). Why is Jesus opposed? Because he is calling people into God's kingdom. But those who join are drawn out from under the devil's rule (4:5-7). So in Jesus' ministry two kingdoms are clashing, as is particularly visible when Jesus casts out demons (v14). From our viewpoint, we only see the physical effects of demonic activity (like muteness) and tackle them with physical solutions such as medicine. But Jesus, who is both God and man, can deal directly with the demons. This is why it's important for Christians to pray. Some people, of course, claim to have similar powers to Jesus; but actually cannot match him. However, although Jesus is doing good, some accuse him of serving the mythical “Beelzebub” (compare with 2 Kings 1) and others demand further proof (v15-16), testing Jesus as the devil did (4:2). But Jesus fights back by exposing their folly. He points out that the first group are saying that demons have begun a civil war amongst themselves! How would that achieve anything for the demons? (v17-18) In this response Jesus puts to one side what “they say” (v18) about Beelzebub and speaks instead of Satan: the former is nothing, but the latter is real. Having exposed their idiocy, however, Jesus does not stop there. He brings their own demon experts into the picture and asks whom they are serving. This leaves his opponents stumped because their people don't have power like Jesus (as seen in the crowd's amazement of v14) and so if they answer “God” it makes God look weaker than Beelzebub! Of course they could ask the experts themselves, but that will end up with them being condemned by their own people who would surely recognise Jesus' God-given power (v19). This reminds Jesus of the Old Testament incident in which Pharaoh's own magical experts told him that Moses clearly had the strength of God on his side, and so Jesus echoes their rare “finger of God” phrase (v20; Exodus 8:19). Like stubborn Pharaoh, Jesus' opponents are going against God and so they need to: remember what happened to Pharaoh and Egypt; recognise the strength of God in Jesus overcoming Satan (v21,22); and come onto the right side (v23). Here we see that Christians need not fear superstitions. They are mostly rubbish and in any case, we stand next to the strongest one. Of course we take seriously the devil, but we fight against him by staying close to Christ: living his way and relying upon him (1 Pet 5:6).
(1) Read 2 Kings 1, Isaiah 44, Exodus 8 and other passages to see God's dealings with false gods and alternative powers. Remind yourself from Exodus 20 how there is only one God who should be served: the Lord. Turn this into praise and prayer.
(2) Review your life to see if there is anything in which you put more trust than in the Lord himself. Are you looking to anything else to look after you instead of God? Repent of such things through prayer and ask the Lord to help you change.
(3) Pray for Christians who suffer at the hands of liars and slanderers. Ask the Lord to give them wise and powerful words like the ones he used on his opponents.
(4) Are you careless at all of the reality of Satan's temptations to draw you away from Christ? When are you most aware of the reality of his evil intentions? What have you learned from this passage about dealing with the devil?
Click here to return to the contents listing
These are tough verses because they're both unexpected (how do they relate to what goes before?) and unusual (what do they mean?). In the previous verses Jesus expelled a demon but some in the crowd slandered him as a result (v14,15). He exposed their lies and proved his power is of God (v17-22), warning them to choose their sides carefully: Jesus is the good shepherd who is gathering together God's people (see Ezekiel 34; Luke 11:39-54). People can only react in one of two ways: gather with him or be scattered away from God (v23). Jesus' listeners, then, need to be sorted out into those who really want to learn from him and those who are only around for the benefits and entertainment. Therefore Jesus now deploys the technique he described in chapter 8, and tells a hard-to-understand story; a technique designed to separate those truly interested in hearing his message from the careless (8:10; 8:18). This reminds us to make full use of our opportunities to hear God's word and obey it, otherwise the Lord will take away the privilege from us. So, in v24 Jesus begins a confusing story to test the people. At first it seems relevant, being about expelling an evil spirit. But it's cast in the language of the Israelites escaping Egypt through the desert (v24), and so is Jesus saying that demons are like the Israelites? (Or vice versa?) And then in a weird twist the demon returns to the cured soul with a gang of worse mates (v25,26), but Jesus doesn't explain what this refers to: is he talking about the long-term effects of his exorcisms, or those of the Jews, or does he mean something different? Well his story leaves the crowd floundering, as seen in one woman's shout about Jesus' mother (v27). She clearly hasn't made any sense of his words and so treats him like a celebrity who has uttered some unintelligible – but clearly profound! – comment. But that shows her up as a careless listener and so Jesus responds by calling her, and the crowd, to listen properly and obey (v28)! Jesus does not want flatterers who hang around for their own pleasure, but disciples who learn. However, in this response Jesus also hints at his story's meaning. He was saying that the only truly effective way for people to escape the evil and trouble of this world is to listen and respond to Jesus as saviour. It is possible to alleviate the problems of life temporarily (such as by driving out a demon) but the problems soon return, often worse! For any real hope, radical salvation is needed. The Israelites should have known this since they'd long had God's laws, yet still fell into rebellion – the worst of which was yet to come, when they crucified Christ. As Christians we are taught to live depending upon our Father for forgiveness and rescue from evil (v4). Only by relying on Him, and not our temporary solutions, can we escape disaster (see v29-54) and live forever.
(1) The Lord Jesus overcame all evil through his death upon the cross. Remember the willing sacrifice he made for his people: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). Turn this into praise, thankfulness and worship.
(2) Are there any times when you “switch off” to the Bible. Not simply because you cannot concentrate but because you do not want to hear its challenge upon your life. Apologise to God for such times and confront yourself with those truths.
(3) Can you think of situations you've seen which appear to have improved and yet ended up far worse. Does Jesus' story help you to understand these things?
(4) Which areas of your own behaviour have failed to see improvements in holiness? How have you reacted to such failure? Turn to the Lord about it in prayer. Repent, asking for forgiveness, grace and his help, that you would truly change.
Click here to return to the contents listing
As Jesus has just pointed out in his demon story (v24-26) short-term help with a problem isn't the same as a long-term solution: the problem can easily reappear, possibly in a worse form. The crowds in chapter 11 need to see this because although thrilled by Jesus' power they are not listening to his message (v28), and only that can solve their deepest problem: sin. So because they will not listen, Jesus becomes stronger in his way of speaking. They're calling for more displays of power (v16) but the only “sign” he'll give them is that of Jonah (v29,30). At God's command the prophet Jonah preached of destruction in the city of Nineveh and that was all he preached, never mentioning repentance or mercy, because he wanted wrath to fall (Jonah 3:4; 4:1,2). Yet the Ninevites listened and responded, thus receiving God's mercy, as Jonah feared. Well Jesus is going to preach Jonah-style! He'll announce dreadful destruction and tragedy, without mention of mercy, and it will really shock people (v39-54). But that's what they need: a “sign of Jonah” (v29). Why? Because they're not listening! Yet sadly Jesus expects their deafness to continue, foreseeing that on the day when God judges all, foreigners like the Ninevites (v32) and the Queen of the South (v31) will condemn his generation. Those outsiders valued God's messengers; but even though Jesus is far greater than Solomon or Jonah, his own people will reject him and his message. So Jesus calls the crowds to urgent self-examination, using the image of a lamp not being seen due to damaged eyes (v34). Jesus' disciples understand that in speaking of this lamp-light he's referring to his own teaching and its impact upon lives (8:16-18). So in v33 Jesus is reassuring his disciples that despite his negative analysis of his generation, his message will still have great impact in the world. But as for the crowds, they must test themselves, see what sinful darkness is within them (v34-36) and allow in the light of Christ. Of course many in the crowd will have been confused by Jesus' language, but he's doing this on purpose (once again) to make them think. If they put his words in the context of the others things he's saying, they'll see his meaning. We must examine ourselves and ask what we do with Jesus' teaching. If we are stubborn, don't let his light shine upon our dark areas and refuse to repent and change, then we may need to be treated in firm, Jonah-like ways. This will not be due to a lack of love, however, but rather to help us “see the light”. Certainly we read of Jesus doing just that with some of his churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Of course he is very patient and generous, but we must still be careful not to treat what we learn from Jesus carelessly. We must listen and obey (v18), as other passages – like Hebrews 6 – warn us to do.
(1) Read the story of Jonah in the Old Testament. What does the book teach us about the Lord? Turn your thoughts into praise and worship.
(2) Read the similar account of Jesus' words in Matthew 12:38-45. There Jesus speaks of the time Jonah spent inside the fish, which Luke doesn't include. What do you think this extra phrase adds to what Jesus means by the “sign of Jonah”?
(3) What situations can you think of where a Christian today needs to take a harder, Jonah-like, line with somebody? Pray for anyone you know in such circumstances.
(4) Spend some time in examining your own heart and life, maybe using Hebrews 6. Are there dark areas where you hide away sins that you know ought to be dealt with? Turn to the Lord in prayer and repentance for these sins.
(5) Take time to ponder judgement day and what it will mean for you, and others.
Click here to return to the contents listing
The misuse of good things is all too common in our world; here in Luke 11 that is seen in the matter of law. Joining a Pharisee for a meal, Jesus is criticised for failing to wash (v37-38). The Old Testament law (see Leviticus & Numbers) insisted on various cleansing rituals to teach the Israelites about the rotten state of the world due to sin and God's curse upon it. However, the Pharisees turned these laws into meticulous rules which they applied obsessively: hence the shock at Jesus' conduct. But Jesus turns on them with strong words (like Jonah – see previous sermon) and solemnly condemns them to disaster (“woe!”), for ignoring the more important matter of the heart (v39-40). They “baptise” cups and hands, but will not be baptised for repentance (7:31)! Their sin is that they are ready to take but loathe to give generously, being greedy and wicked (v41; 7:36-47). Such attitudes are utterly opposed to God's gracious ways and so Jesus warns them to stop clinging inside to their possessions and start giving away to the needy (v41). Of course, the Pharisees might point to their tithing a tenth of all they have to God as giving. But Jesus tells them that they should also have pursued the higher goals of giving justice and love to those who need it (v42). They've not done this; instead they have been pursuing their own social honour (v43)! So Jesus says that for all their good appearances, they are actually unclean people in God's sight: dead souls (v44). This teaches us to look into our motives. Are we interested in impressing others, or honouring God? Do we seek to gain from others or serve them? Are we greedily clinging onto what is “ours”? God's grace should be the example we follow in our behaviour and we must repent where we fall short of His glory. Sadly, however, no repentance is forthcoming from Jesus' listeners – only a sense of insult expressed by the law experts (v45). So Jesus turns on them and speaks of how they have wrecked God's law. The law should have instructed the Israelites to recognise sin, cry for mercy and look to God's promises of salvation. Instead the experts have turned it into an unkeepable mass of rules, which bolster their pride as they outperform the ordinary people whom they teach (v46): the law has gone bad in their hands. So Jesus condemns and mocks the experts: they are no different from their forefathers who killed the prophets who preached God's law to them (v47)! Well, Israel's history is coming to a head and they must now listen and repent, otherwise God's saved up judgement will hit them (v48-51). And with that, Jesus utters one final woe condemning their vandalism of God's good law (v52) thus hindering people from knowing God's mercy. The Bible is a book about salvation and when anyone teaches it in such a way that that is lost, then they are behaving wickedly.
(1) Look back through the Old Testament to find some of the prophets whom God sent to Israel. What did they preach? How were they treated? Read Hebrews 11 as well. Thank God for these faithful witnesses and learn from their messages.
(2) Think about God's long-suffering, patience and grace in regard to Israel. Think of all that tells us about God. Then think about ourselves and how God has shown rich grace to us in our time. Praise Him for his generous kindness and mercy.
(3) Check your own heart for any signs of greedy pursuit of self-interest instead of looking to the needs of others and showing them love. Repent where you find sin.
(4) Can you think of examples of the Bible being misused today? Where might our own church be in danger of doing this? Pray for those who preach and teach that they will only say what is truly from God.
Click here to return to the contents listing
All of us are influenced by others. However, the question we must ask ourselves is whether the influence is good or bad. Here, Jesus raises that question with his disciples. His concern is with the unhealthy influence of the Pharisees and law experts, as expressed in his final “woe” in v52. Their proud law-keeping through innumerable rules has both kept them from repenting before God and also so burdened others that they too cannot see the way into God's kingdom. Jesus has seen this in his journeys through Israel where many haven't listened to him, and he knows that this is only going to get worse. Why? Because now the experts are going to oppose him. They've started listening, but only in order to bring him down (v53,54), which shows that Jesus' assessment of them as unmarked graves and prophet-killers was correct (v44,47,48). Yet his disciples may not realise this, for like others they've held the experts in high regard and are probably shocked at his words. So Jesus now issues a clear warning: his opponents are not what they seem! Jesus' disciples might feel that with the crowds running to them (12v1), the experts will soon come on side; but that's naïve. Actually, just as a little yeast reshapes bread dough,so their influence will change the crowds: soon they will chant for Jesus' death. We must learn to be careful about those who influence us. Even if they seem outwardly impressive, remember that every person is still a sinner. So whilst not being overly cynical about everyone, yet we must be careful only to build our lives upon Christ. Others should direct us towards him and we must be wary of any who turn us away from Christ. In the case of Luke 12, this means unbelieving, powerful men and so Jesus next explains to his disciples how to handle such people. But before he does so, he uses a clever phrase which comes across with two meanings (v2,3). At first sight it condemns the hypocritical behaviour of the Pharisees – secretly plotting against Christ – and warns us that God hates deceit, and will expose and punish it. But then we remember Luke 8:16,17 which has similar wording, and a second meaning comes to light. Jesus is also telling his disciples not to fear the growing enmity and so be forced into silence: they must bring his message out in public, as he promised would happen. Yes, they will be attacked and some killed. But if they keep God and his eternal power in mind, then they'll remain firm in the face of hateful attacks (v4,5). Fearing God, they need not fear anyone else, being sure that his loving care will watch over them, for he knows the world even down to the finest detail (v6,7). At times, we believers can feel like doomed sparrows, with no control over our lives – trouble comes upon us. But we must say to ourselves “Fear not, the Lord is reigning and he cares for me!”
(1) Think long about God's loving care of his people and give thanks.
(2) Read Luke 7 and 8 again, and look for the themes which have reappeared in Luke 11 and 12. What key lessons are being driven home by Jesus? How do they apply to you? How do they apply to our church?
(3) Pray for our society that the influence of wicked people would not grow and in yeast-like fashion do damage far and wide. Pray rather that through the gospel and the lives of Christian people, righteousness would prevail in our country.
(4) Who has influence over you for good? Who has influence over you for bad? What have you learnt from this passage that helps you to deal with the impact of others upon you? Think particularly about God's future judgements upon wickedness and of his majestic power. Turn this into God-fearing praise and prayer.
Click here to return to the contents listing