Learning From Luke

(Luke 24:6). The tomb was empty—but could there be another explanation? In this special episode, we examine common attempts to explain away the resurrection of Jesus and why each one fails to account for all the evidence. The cumulative evidence points to one compelling conclusion!

(Luke 24:1-8). On the first day of the week, when the women came to the tomb expecting to find the body of Jesus, they instead find the tomb empty. The empty tomb and the appearances of Jesus that followed answer the angels’ question with one undeniable truth: Jesus was no longer among the dead—He is risen!

(Luke 23:50-56). Josep of Arimathea boldly steps forward to bury the body of Jesus while faithful women carefully watch where He is laid. They observed the tomb—and soon they would return to find it empty.

(Luke 23:44-49). As Jesus breathes His last, darkness covers the land, the temple veil is torn, and a Roman centurion declares His innocence. In His final words, Jesus demonstrates complete trust in the Father when He cried, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

(Luke 23:38-43). As Jesus hangs between two criminals, one continues to mock Him while the other recognizes his own guilt, confesses Christ’s innocence, and turns to Him in faith. In his final moments, this repentant thief receives one of the most comforting promises ever spoken: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

(Luke 23:27:38). This is the climactic statement Luke gives after Jesus reaches Calvary. This pivotal moment in history underscores that things are not always as they appear to be.

(Luke 23:26). When Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry the cross of Jesus, it evidently transformed his life. The soldiers compelled him to pick up the cross, but love compelled him to never put it down. The cross of Christ still has the power to transform someone from a reluctant participant into an active advocate. 

(Luke 23:13-25). The cross of Christ reveals humanity at its worst, but God at His best. This episode explores the details surrounding the sixth and final phase of Jesus’ trial. When the voice of the people prevail, Pilate releases Barabbas and delivers Jesus to be crucified: the guilty goes free and the innocent pays the price. When we reject God’s will to follow our own, we stand, in a sense, wi...

(Luke 23:8-12). When Pilate sends Jesus to Herod, the Lord stands silent before the wicked ruler who had sought to see Jesus for merely selfish reasons. Herod is not unlike many today who send Jesus away after they lose interest and Jesus fails to provide what they want. Herod’s encounter reminds us that Jesus is not a curiosity to entertain us but a King to whom we must listen, believe, and submi...

(Luke 23:1-7). As Jesus stands before Pilate to be judged, the Roman governor declares Jesus to be innocent three different times.  When the evidence is examined and the accusations are weighed, the verdict remains unchanged, and it still echoes through the pages of Scripture today: “I find no fault in this Man.” Yet, Pilate compromises his convictions and Jesus pays the price.

(Luke 22:63-71). That question is the climax of Luke chapter 22. It is not merely the question the Sanhedrin asked Jesus—it is the question every generation must answer. Before this chapter ends, every reader is forced to decide whether Jesus was telling the truth or whether He deserved the condemnation He received.

(Luke 22:47-53). In the dark shadows of the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus confronts the arresting party who seek to capture Him under the cover of darkness.  What are some lessons to takeaway from this “hour” and “power” of darkness?

(Luke 22:39-46). Before there was a glorious crown, there was a gruesome cross. Before brightness of resurrection morning, there was the darkness of the garden of Gethsemane. What lessons can we learn from one of the most sacred and emotionally moving scenes in Luke’s gospel?

 (Luke 22:35-38). After Jesus commands His disciples to sell their garments in order to buy swords, they respond by revealing two swords. What was the Lord trying to teach them and why would He say that two swords were “enough”?

 (Luke 22:31-34). Before Peter denies the Lord, Jesus gives the apostle a sobering prediction—a prophecy that would ultimately lead him back to the Christ. But Jesus also will manifest His care and concern for  the faith of His followers when He lets Peter know, “I have prayed for you.”

(Luke 22:21-30). As Jesus approaches the cross and prepares His apostles for His impending death, astonishingly, they focus on themselves. In this episode, we discover how Jesus turned the world’s definition of success upside down as He redefines true greatness.

(Luke 22:14-20): As we study this passage, Jesus’ words draws our focus on two themes that rise naturally from the text: the pattern and the purpose of the Lord's Supper. Many discussions have centered on the mechanics of communion, while others have focused exclusively on its meaning. But Scripture emphasizes both. The Lord gave His disciples a pattern to follow and a purpose to remember. Whe...

(Luke 22:7-13): As Jesus approaches His sacrificial death, He instructs His disciples to prepare the final Passover He would eat with them. At first glance, this passage may seem like a simple account of logistics. Yet, beneath these details lies a powerful revelation of God’s providence, Christ’s divine knowledge, and His sovereign control over the events leading to the cross.

(Luke 22:1-6): Before Judas betrayed Jesus, Luke gives this unsettling detail. What are the lessons that can be learned from the statement, “Satan entered Judas”?

(Luke 21:20-36). God’s imminent judgment upon Jerusalem continues to be the theme of Luke 21. Jesus sets out to warn His disciples and preparing them by giving them signs to watch for in order to escape the destruction that awaits their unfaithful nation. Being able to stand before the Son of Man will depend upon whether one is prepared for the coming judgment. This episode’s focus is on the Lord’...

(Luke 21:5-19). When Jesus gives the ominous prediction concerning the destruction of Jerusalem’s temple, His words are filled with admonition and exhortation. What is the faithful response to persecution? Jesus cautions His followers to remain grounded in truth despite false claims, wars, and troubling events. He also teaches that these hardships provide a platform to testify of their faith and u...

(Luke 21:1-4). During His final week, Jesus observes those who were donating to the Temple treasury. This episode highlights a teachable moment when a poor widow gives only two mites. How is it that Jesus could say that she gave more than all?

(Luke 20:41-44). Returning to the subject of His authority, Jesus confronts the Pharisees with a question of His own. If the Christ is the the son of David, why did king David refer to Him as Lord? This episode explores the implications of David’s mysterious statement in the Book of Psalms (110:1).

(Luke 20:27-40). When Jesus is challenged by the Sadducees who reject the resurrection of the dead, the Lord responds with irrefutable reasoning from the scriptures.

(Luke 20:20-25). This episode discusses the delicate balance between a Christian’s relationship with God and government.