“Put away doubting and do not hesitate to ask of the Lord. Do not say to yourself: ‘How can I ask of the Lord and receive from him, seeing that I have sinned so much against him?’ Do not reason with yourself like this, but turn to the Lord with all your heart and ask of him without doubting, and you will know the multitude of his tender mercies, that he will never leave you but fulfi ll the request of your soul.”
— Shepherd of Hermas, 2nd century
Two Ways to Interact with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
—Author unknown, Lam.3:21-24
Grappling with our Lord (Habakkuk 1:1-2:1)
God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill; he fashions up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds that you much dread, are big with mercy and will break in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain.
- William Cowper, God Moves In A Mysterious Way.
Jesus Turns the Test (Luke 10:25-37)
“Thy Mercy is more than a match for my heart, which wonders to feel its own hardness depart; dissolved by thy goodness, I fall to the ground, and weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.”
— John Stocker, Thy Mercy My God
The Mission of God (Luke 10:17-24)
“Christians go into the world as witnesses of the kingdom (Acts 1:6-8). To spread the kingdom of God is more than simply winning people to Christ. It is also working for the healing of persons, families, relationships, and nations; it is doing deeds of mercy and seeking justice. It is reordering lives and relationships and institutions and communities according to God’s authority to bring in the blessedness of the kingdom.”
— Tim Keller, Ministries of Mercy
On Mission (Luke 10:1-16)
“He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite his grace! Emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race. ‘‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, For Oh my God, it found out me!”
— Charles Wesley, d.1788
Why Follow Him? (Luke 9:51-62)
The cross was not an accident. It was planned in eternity, and it was for this, Jesus said, that he had come. He had come to die. And in his moment of death the holiness of God and our sin collided. This is what called forth his cry of dereliction. ... The truth is that Christ’s death is simply incomprehensible if we do not start with the demands of God’s holiness, which cannot tolerate sin’s violations. ... What we see at the cross is the white-hot revelation of the character of God, of his love providing the price that his holiness requires.”
—David F. Wells
The Disciples (Luke 9:46-50)
“Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up;they are together lighter than a breath.” —Psalm 62:8
Listening to Jesus (Luke 9:37-45)
“Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.” -Psalm 22:30-31
Jesus Transfigured (Luke 9:28-36)
“Do you believe your faith? Do you believe this I am telling you? Do you believe a day is coming, really coming, when you will stand before the throne of God, and the angels will whisper together and say, ‘How like Christ he is?’ That is not easy to believe. And yet not to believe is blasphemy. For that, not less than that, is what Christ promises.”
— Robert Rainy, Principal, New College, Edinburgh, Scotland