Reflective Bible Study Gospel Adventure

Everyone’s Messiah: Luke 1:39-56

Published October 29, 2025 in Written Journal Entries

Focus Passage: Luke 1:39-56 (GW)

³⁹Soon afterward, Mary hurried to a city in the mountain region of Judah. ⁴⁰She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

⁴¹When Elizabeth heard the greeting, she felt the baby kick. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴²She said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child that you will have. ⁴³I feel blessed that the mother of my Lord is visiting me. ⁴⁴As soon as I heard your greeting, I felt the baby jump for joy. ⁴⁵You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you.”

⁴⁶Mary said,

“My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!
⁴⁷My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,
⁴⁸ because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.

“From now on, all people will call me blessed
⁴⁹    because the Almighty has done great things to me.
        His name is holy.
⁵⁰            For those who fear him,
                his mercy lasts throughout every generation.

⁵¹“He displayed his mighty power.
    He scattered those who think too highly of themselves.
⁵²        He pulled strong rulers from their thrones.
            He honored humble people.
⁵³                He fed hungry people with good food.
                    He sent rich people away with nothing.

⁵⁴“He remembered to help his servant Israel forever.
⁵⁵ This is the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants.”

⁵⁶Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

Read Luke 1:39-56 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!

Often the details surrounding an event are just as interesting as what actually happened.

While reading the passage in Luke that we often call “Mary’s Song”, a phrase near the end of it stood out to me as being interesting. As Mary concludes this song, she finishes off by singing, “He remembered to help his servant Israel forever. This is the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants.” (v. 54-55)

This stands out to me because Mary sees Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise God gave to Abraham, and to the Jewish nation. This is very true. God had promised Abraham that the Messiah would be one of his descendants.

What is fascinating though is not what it said, but what is implied by what is not said. The promise God gave to Abraham was not the first promise God gave regarding sending a Messiah. Immediately following God kicking Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, He promises them a Messiah would come to restore the connection they broke when they sinned.

I wonder if many of the Jews had minimized this reference or dismissed it in their minds. The Messiah God promised to Adam and Eve was a Messiah for all of humanity, but the one they liked focusing in on was one that built up the Jewish nation exclusively. The messiah the Jews were waiting for was one who would come and overthrow the Romans and make their nation independent again.

With this in mind, I also wonder if Mary had this idea in her mind during Jesus’ growing up years – and if so, I wonder what she might have thought as He was arrested, tried, and ultimately crucified.

Mary’s song was a high point in her life as Jesus’ mother, and while there would be many more high points coming, she was ultimately going to face the event no parent wants to face – and that event is watching your child die.

But Jesus’ death wasn’t just for the Jewish nation; Jesus died for all humanity, and He made a way for not only Jews to have a restored connection with Jesus, but gentiles as well!

This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!

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Choosing Who to Associate With: Luke 7:36-50

Published October 28, 2025 in Written Journal Entries

Focus Passage: Luke 7:36-50 (NIV)

³⁶When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. ³⁸As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

³⁹When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

⁴⁰Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

⁴¹“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴²Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

⁴³Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

⁴⁴Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Read Luke 7:36-50 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!

All throughout the Bible, we find examples of people revealing their character through their words and actions – though rarely does it show humanity in a positive light. Sure there are moments of triumph, but many more moments of failure.

In the event we are focusing in on, a woman of questionable reputation comes and anoints Jesus’ feet with perfume. Simon, the Pharisee who was hosting this meal, says to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” (v. 39)

It is unclear in my mind if Simon invited Jesus because he was simply being hospitable, or if he wanted to invite the latest celebrity to help build his own reputation, or if there was another reason behind this meal. Perhaps Simon wanted to see for himself if Jesus was special and everything the rumors about Him claimed to be.

However, in the statement Simon says to himself, we see a glimpse into his character.

Firstly, this response shows us that status mattered to Simon. Those you touched are special to you, and those who you let touch you are even more special. It would seem in that culture that touch played a role in closeness and associating with someone, and Simon’s response tells us that he chose carefully who he associated with.

Next, this tells us that Simon knew about the woman, or at least enough rumors about her had circulated that he had a pretty safe idea the type of lifestyle that she lived. The rumors about her were not simply occasional sin, but a life that was actively lived in sin. Perhaps, Simon had a past with this woman, but there is not anything in this passage that really indicates this. We simply can see that Simon at least knew who this person was – and that he had made up his mind about her.

But most importantly, Simon’s statement tries to discredit Jesus in his mind. In Simon’s response in verse 39, he says, “If this man were a prophet…” Simon had questions about Jesus’ status as a prophet, but surely a prophet, or really anyone sent from God, would not openly associate with those who live their lives far away from God. Therefore, in Simon’s eyes, Jesus must not have been a prophet.

However, Simon – like many of us – don’t fully realize what Jesus’ mission was. Jesus came for sinners, to open a way for salvation, and His mission was to those who were looking for a Savior – and we can only truly realize our need for Jesus when we realize we cannot do life on our own. In this regard the sinful woman was not only forgiven for a greater amount of sin in her past, she was also further ahead on the path to seeing Jesus as God’s Messiah and as her personal Savior.

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Flashback Episode — Enduring For God: Luke 21:5-24

Published October 27, 2025 in Audio Journal Entries

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As we continue moving through Luke’s gospel, and the week leading up to the crucifixion, we come to a prediction Jesus makes and a message Jesus gives His disciples when they ask Him about when His prediction will take place.

Let’s read what Jesus predicts and what we can learn from what Jesus taught His disciples. Our passage is found in Luke’s gospel, chapter 21, and we will read it from the New American Standard Bible. Starting in verse 5, Luke tells us:

⁵ And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He [referring to Jesus] said, ⁶ “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”

⁷ They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” ⁸ And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”

¹⁰ Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, ¹¹ and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

¹² “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. ¹³ It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. ¹⁴ So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; ¹⁵ for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. ¹⁶ But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, ¹⁷ and you will be hated by all because of My name. ¹⁸ Yet not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will gain your lives.

²⁰ “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. ²¹ Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; ²² because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. ²³ Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; ²⁴ and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

In this lengthy challenge Jesus gives His followers, I am amazed by several details Jesus shares. In the first part of Jesus reply, we are warned not to follow people who come claiming to be Jesus while also claiming that the time of the end is near. We should be cautious of anyone claiming to have special revelation from God regarding when the world will end. We also should know that when we hear of wars, these things are leading up towards the end, but the end does not follow these rumors or wars immediately.

This suggests that before Jesus returns, there may be a time of peace, or a time when things are more peaceful than not. One might describe this as a lull in a storm, as a temporary rest before the ultimate end. While I don’t make predictions about this, I simply am sharing one way to understand how Luke frames verse 9, which says “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”

Jesus continues His reply talking about massive wars, major earthquakes, plaques, famines, and terrors and signs from heaven. This may also be what happens leading up to Jesus’ return.

However, in verses 12 through 15, I am challenged and encouraged by Jesus’ words. In this section of Jesus’ reply, He predicts that His people will be persecuted, and brought before kings and governors because of our belief. Jesus tells us that this is God’s directing, and it is an opportunity for us to share our testimony. While it is very tempting to prepare what to say beforehand, Jesus challenges us not to prepare but to trust that God will give us the words to say. The amazing promise in this passage is that when we let God speak through us, He will “give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.”

God’s words through us when we are being challenged and attacked will be much stronger than words we could ever prepare, and the arguments God will speak through us will be as effective as Jesus was at challenging the religious leaders. Jesus always avoided disaster because He let God speak through Him.

The last big promise I want to draw out of this passage is what Jesus shares in verse 19. Jesus tells His followers that when all the bad in the world is directed at His people, “By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

When we press forward, determined to endure to the end, we will ultimately gain our lives. Technically, we won’t be gaining our lives, because our lives are stained by sin and our lives deserve death. Instead, technically, when we endure to the end, we gain Jesus’ life, and Jesus’ life is eternal life. Jesus took the death we deserved onto Himself on the cross and He offers us His life when we place our belief, faith, hope, and trust in Him. Through what Jesus did, when we endure through persecution, we gain eternal life!

While Jesus shares many other details in this passage, some of what Jesus shares was more relevant to those living in past centuries than it is today, while it is also possible that history will repeat itself.

Since we don’t know what details the future holds, I challenge myself to live each day at a time, and to focus on enduring for God. Through endurance, pressing forward for God and with God, no matter comes my way, I know for certain that I will outlast sin and I will ultimately gain Jesus’ gift of life, eternal life, in the new heaven and new earth!

As we come to the end of another podcast episode, here are the challenges I will leave you with:

As I always challenge you to do, intentionally seek God first in your heart and in your life. Choose to trust God knows the future, trust God will speak through you when you are challenged for your faith, and trust that by enduring through all the bad that the world wants to throw our way, we will ultimately gain eternal life.

Also, while enduring the bad in this life, it is vital that each of us has a personal connection with God. Because of this, I always challenge each of us to pray and study the Bible for ourselves, because personal study leads to a personal relationship, and a personal relationship with God ultimately leads us through this life challenged by sin and into eternal life with God. If you have been coasting through your spiritual life leaning on other people, consider this a challenge to grow your personal relationship with God through personal prayer and personal study!

And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or give up on where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!

Flashback Episode: Year in Luke – Episode 43: When answering a question His disciples ask Him about what the sign of the end will be, discover some powerful things we can learn from Jesus’ response, and how Jesus’ message is just as applicable for us living today as it was for those living in the first century!

The Private Night: Matthew 14:22-36

Published October 24, 2025 in Written Journal Entries

Focus Passage: Matthew 14:22-36 (GW)

²²Jesus quickly made his disciples get into a boat and cross to the other side ahead of him while he sent the people away. ²³After sending the people away, he went up a mountain to pray by himself. When evening came, he was there alone.

²⁴The boat, now hundreds of yards from shore, was being thrown around by the waves because it was going against the wind.

²⁵Between three and six o’clock in the morning, he came to them. He was walking on the sea. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. They said, “It’s a ghost!” and began to scream because they were afraid.

²⁷Immediately, Jesus said, “Calm down! It’s me. Don’t be afraid!”

²⁸Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹Jesus said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”

³¹Immediately, Jesus reached out, caught hold of him, and said, “You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?”

³²When they got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. ³³The men in the boat bowed down in front of Jesus and said, “You are truly the Son of God.”

³⁴They crossed the sea and landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵The men there recognized Jesus and sent messengers all around the countryside. The people brought him everyone who was sick. ³⁶They begged him to let them touch just the edge of his clothes. Everyone who touched his clothes was made well.

Read Matthew 14:22-36 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!

In between two of the most well known events in the four gospels, we are often tempted to simply skip over a verse that is incredibly relevant for us today. Perhaps we skip over it because the gospel writers don’t focus more on it, or perhaps it is simply because they chose to use it as a transition-style statement to set the stage for the big event that follows. Maybe we simply see it as a part of the transition rather than being important on its own.

However, because I like to draw our attention onto overlooked verses like this one, we’ll ignore the stories on both side and focus in on what this simple verse means. To give a tiny bit of context, the verse we will focus on follows one of Jesus’ big food multiplying, feeding-the-crowd events, and the miraculous event where Peter walks on the water comes after it.

Between these two events, we read, “Jesus quickly made his disciples get into a boat and cross to the other side ahead of him while he sent the people away. After sending the people away, he went up a mountain to pray by himself. When evening came, he was there alone.” (v. 22-23)

I include two verses there to give a little more context to this whole transition, but the part I want to focus us on is verse 23 where it says that Jesus “went up a mountain to pray by himself. When evening came, he was there alone.”

This is important because Jesus valued and prioritized alone time with God. While He may have slept for part of that time, He likely spent the majority of it praying and focusing on God.

This is important because it is often times skipped or ignored because it is not glamorous. But that leads us to the big idea that I see supported in Jesus’ actions: Our public platform is only as solid as our private foundation. Jesus modeled both how to build the private foundation through prayer and how this foundation is the most important key to having a successful public “platform” (i.e. ministry).

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