S – As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy^, met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 

¹⁴ When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. 

¹⁵ But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. ¹⁶ He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan.

Luke 17:12–16 CSB

O – Because of their disease, the lepers stood far away from Jesus.  Jewish law and culture prohibited them from being close or touching others.  When they obeyed Jesus’ command, only one came back to Jesus and said thank you.  He was not Jewish.

A – Gratitude brought the man who only knew distance into proximity with Jesus.  He never knew closeness or the power of touch.  Once he encountered Christ, he was healed and brought near.  We must never take for granted the life changing power of God.  Gratitude should be foundational in our relationship with him – it brings us closer to Him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy, holy, holy.  Thank you for all that you have done for us through Jesus Christ.  You have met us where we are at and healed us from our sin and brokenness.  We are grateful for the closer proximity it brings us to you.

S – Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much

Luke 16:10 CSB

O – Commentary:

 If one is faithful in his use of money, then he can be trusted with greater things. True riches (v. 11) seem to refer to the kingdom’s spiritual riches of which the disciples will partake.

“Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Like all relationships, trust is foundational to their growth.  If we our actions build trust, more will be given.  Like a parent giving their child more responsibility as they grow, God is doing the same with us.  Righteousness follows a similar path.  Both stem from the heart and overflow in our thoughts, words and actions.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Alpha and the Omega and hold all that is in between.  Please help us to grow in our faithfulness and righteousness.  To do this, reveal the things in our hearts that do not line up with your word.  Empower us as we grow in both of these areas so you will trust us with more.

S – ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found

Luke 15:31–32 CSB

O – Commentary:

The words, You are always with me and everything I have is yours, suggest the religious leaders’ privileged position as members of God’s Chosen People. They were the recipients and guardians of the covenants and the Law (Rom. 3:1–2; 9:4). Rather than feeling angry, they should rejoice that others were joining them and would be a part of the kingdom.

  “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The older brother had proximity and resources with his father and still didn’t want to celebrate and value his returned brother. Understandably, his brother wasted his father’s inheritance and came home defeated.  We can be that older brother.  In relationship with God with all of his promises and miss his heart by not loving others.  We must see and value others like God does.  A great test for our humility and security is if we can genuinely celebrate someone else and their wins.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, true God.  Please help us today to see others as you do.  We want to value and celebrate others.  Your love for each of us is undeserved.  We need to love each other unconditionally.  When someone takes a step closer to you, we need to rejoice with them.

S – For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 CSB

O – Commentary:

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. This recalls Jesus’ earlier statement that those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last (13:30). The Pharisees, assuming they would have important positions in the kingdom, would be humiliated if they were pushed aside for someone else (14:9). However, if they would humble themselves, then they would perhaps be honored (v. 10).

“Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we elevate ourselves, two things usually happen.  We make ourselves look better than we are or we push down others to achieve a higher status.  Both do not model the heart of God.  Humility is not debasing ourselves.  It is confident and secure in the gifts and talents the Lord has given us; whether recognized by others or not.  Making others feel small so we can feel big is not God’s way at all.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Please help us walk in security and confidence in all that you gifted to us.  Empower us to help others rise to new heights.  You will exalt us in the proper time and experience.

S – As he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, ¹¹ a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit^, for over eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free of your disability.”

 Luke 13:10–12 CSB

O – “Saw” – ŏptŏmai:  to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – In freeing the woman of the disabling spirit, Jesus saw the woman.  How did he do that when she was bent over in the crowd?  She wouldn’t be with the men on the floor.  She would be in the balcony with the women.  The answer is Jesus was looking for her with intentionality.  He wanted to see her.  He sees us too.  In all of our good and bad, he is intently looking at us and the condition we are in spiritually and physically.  Since we know this, we should invite his presence instead of hiding from it.

R – Heavenly Father, you are omnipresent.  Thank you for being with us at all times.  Give us the resolve not to hide from you.  Instead, come to you in transparency and invite you to remove anything that would hinder our relationship with you.

S – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Luke 12:34 CSB

O – Bible Dictionary:

“Treasure” – thēsaurŏs:  a deposit, i.e. wealth (lit. or fig.):— treasure.

“Heart” – kardia:  the heart, i.e. (fig.) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by anal.) the middle:— (+ broken-) heart (-ed

James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – Money is often the main association when it comes to treasure.  (Financial wealth was the focus of the verses before this).  Treasure goes beyond wealth.  It is anything you center your life around and pursue.  Anything can be our treasure – family, business, relationships, health – can also be prominent in our lives.  And, they are all good things as is finances.  The tough question is “Are they more important than a relationship with God?”  God must be first and everything else falls beneath Him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Jehovar Jireh, our provider.  Help us to trust you to provide for all of the things in our lives that we need.  You promise to do this.  We do not have to be anxious about when or where  your provision will come.  Your love us and will give us what we need today.

S – So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened

Luke 11:9–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jesus encouraged the people of God to ask. He noted that natural fathers give good food to their children rather than something that would harm them…How much more will the heavenly Father give what is good to His children.

Jesus stated that this good gift is the Holy Spirit, the most important gift that followers of Jesus would receive (cf. Acts 2:1–4). The heavenly Father gives both heavenly gifts and earthly gifts. Believers today are not to pray for the Holy Spirit because this prayer of the disciples (for the Holy Spirit) was answered at Pentecost (cf. Rom. 8:9)

“Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we approach God in relationship, it makes asking much easier.  We are not approaching a figure head or an distant “power.”  We are going to our Heavenly Father in relationship and making requests known to him.  Just as a good parent knows what is best for their child, God interacts with us in love.  Even though there is tension in the requests, timing, expectations, and fulfillment of those requests, God’s unchanging love is the foundation.

R – Heavenly Father, you are unlimited and all powerful.  Give us the understanding how to ask of you.  Keep us from entitlement of what we think we deserve.  Also, don’t let us lack in our faith and trust that you can do it.  Let us confidently come to you in faith and ask…knowing that we can trust your timing and fulfillment to be in our best interest.

S – But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”^, 

⁴¹ The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary.^, Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Luke 10:40–42 CSB

O – Commentary:

Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing: Hospitality was valued highly, and Martha was fulfilling the expected role of a woman. She was frustrated that Mary was not.

10:42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it: Jesus’ words were shocking. Women were expected to serve domestically and were forbidden to learn as disciples from a rabbi. Jesus validated Mary’s desire to be Jesus’ disciple.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – There are good and bad things that distract us from God’s word and purpose.  As we spend time with God, we recognize the distractions or things that pull us away from his presence.  Like Mary, we desire him more than what is “normal.”  God validates us in our pursuit of him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy and worthy of all our honor.  As we pursue you, empower us to recognize and avoid distractions or anything that would keep us from your presence.  We want more of you and less of whatever tries to fill that spot.  

S – While everyone was amazed at all the things he was doing, he told his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink in: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 

⁴⁵ But they did not understand this statement; it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. 

Luke 9:43–45 CSB

O – Commentary:

The glory on the mountain and Jesus’ power over *demons would confirm the disciples’ messianic suspicions (9:20), so Jesus needs to reemphasize his definition of the messianic mission in contrast to theirs (see 9:22). Most Jews did not expect the *Messiah’s death.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Jesus stayed on “mission” throughout his ministry.  With so many things to deter him from the cross, he never wavered.  God has a purpose and plan for each of us.  What would it look like for us if we were resolute and “on mission” with God ‘s plan for our lives?  How can we eliminate the distractions or sidesteps that challenge our ability to do what God calls us to do?

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy and just.  Please help us to know and stay on the path you have for us today.  We desire your will over our own.  As you reveal your purpose to us, empower us to avoid distractions and things that would keep us from accomplishing it.

S – Someone did touch me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from me.” ⁴⁷ When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him and how she was instantly healed. ⁴⁸ “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” 

Luke 8:46–48 CSB

O – Commentary:

Who touched Me? does not imply that He was ignorant of the situation. He wanted the woman to reveal herself and openly express the faith which caused her to touch Him. The woman’s faith became public when she fell at His feet. (This reminds one of another woman who expressed her faith at the feet of Jesus [Luke 7:36–50].) The woman’s faith had healed her (8:48)—faith that Jesus could make her ceremonially clean and therefore faith that He really is the Messiah. Jesus told her, Go in peace, just as He had recently said to a sinful woman (7:50).

“Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God wants us to be open with out faith.  God wants us to express it in a way that reveals ourselves – our fears, challenge and uncertainty.  When we realize all of those and still step towards God in faith, it allows for God to do amazing things.  Even if he doesn’t, we are closer to him than before.

R – Heavenly Father, we exalt your name above all others.  Please help our faith to grow.  Even in our challenges and fears, we can overcome them with a genuine faith in who you are and your unchanging character.  When we do that, you meet us in our place with your love.