Luke 14

Summary: Jesus, at a party, talks about status in His Kingdom, to accept humble placement and invite even the lowest to one's own party.

Response: I remember the McGee and Me short about the first part. It's the second part that gets me. I know I should be serving others and, to a certain extent, I know I am, but I want to be more active about it. With any grace, I'll be able to serve like that soon again.

Luke 13

Summary: Jesus makes a clear distinction between the powers of the world around Him and the affairs of His Kingdom, blessing those lost in tragedies, healing on the Sabbath, and denouncing a fruitless Israel and a prophet-killing Jerusalem.

Response: I have no idea who Jesus is referring to in the first story (though, after researching, it seems like some others don't either), but it sounded like they're trying to trap Jesus in theodicy (why good things happen to bad people). Jesus gives a non-answer, but really tries to get them to understand they need to worry about themselves, at least a bit. So, helping yes, but judging no. Sounds simple...

Luke 12

Summary: Jesus speaks of what should and should not worry us, focusing less on money or status on earth and more on building goodwill and blessings for heaven.

Response: Jesus really is going after people, a very "you know you've stood for something when people oppose you" kind of moment. Would that I could be so bold.

Luke 11

Summary: In Jesus's continued ministry, He pushes hard at conventions of the world, preferring talks about prayer and heavenly gifts to arguments about demons and dinner with the highest religious figures of His day.

Response: It's like He had to argue just to get people to stop thinking of themselves and their stuff and turn to heaven, even for a minute. And I know I'm guilty of the same. Lord, even in this busy day, fix my eyes on You.

Luke 7

Summary: Jesus works his way to a new town. He meets more underdogs that need help and praises their faith above their station.

Response: Lord, help me to push past my own biases, especially tomorrow! You loved all around You, and You call me to do the same.

Luke 3

Summary: Luke establishes historical, political, and spiritual context for Jesus, including a list of Roman rulers, the ministry of John the Baptist before Him, and his genealogy with such names as David, Jacob, Noah, and Adam.

Response: I believe Luke does this to catch everybody up. Romans will figure out when in the political scale He was there. New Christians can figure out His message, even if right now it's "don't be greedy." Lifetime Jews will trace his lineage, knowing full well the back half (at least) of that line. So Lord, help me to reiterate in my head: You are true.

Luke 2

Summary: Jesus is born, and people of all shapes and sizes come up to his earthly parents to give glimpses of who He is to become.

Response: My family reads the first half of these each Christmas, but I don't always hear about the other messengers, especially the widow. And yet these messages were free and far between; had Mary not made careful note of them, they might have been lost. Lord, help me to notice Your hands more and more.