Luke 4:13

February 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).

This verse is so instructive for us. Luke is describing the circumstances after Jesus successfully resisted the devil’s temptation. But we should not overlook the future aspect of this verse.

After failing, the devil departed from Jesus UNTIL an opportune time. Satan didn’t give up; he only retreated until a future time more appropriate for his purposes.

If the devil didn’t give up looking for opportunities to tempt Jesus, why would I think he would give up on his desire to tempt me? Peter warns us about the nature of the devil: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬)

Let’s extend the metaphor. When a lion fails to catch the gazelle, does he a) forever give up, or b) try again? If a gazelle happens to escape the clutches of the lion, should it a) disregard the likelihood of a future attack by the lion, or b) remain on alert for a future attack?

Based on both Luke’s assessment and Peter’s warning, I should consider a successful defense against the enemy’s temptation the BEGINNING of the battle rather than the end. I must not allow pride to lull me into a false sense of security. I must guard my mind and heart and eyes and ears against the wiles of the devil.

Father, please help me take these warnings seriously. Help me to realize how crafty the devil is and how foolish I can be. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Luke

Luke 3:8

February 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham” (Luke 3:8).

This hits close, particularly to a certain generation in American culture. First, John the Baptist told his listeners to demonstrate their repentance with fruit. Don’t just claim it; show it!

Second, he warns them not to falsely think they are repentant because they are descended from Abraham. Familial relationship is not a free pass. I recall asking some college students if they were Christians, and they began to tell me how faithful their grandma was to the church. That’s nice and all, but I didn’t ask about your grandma.

Although John was speaking to Jews of his generation, I believe his statement is one we should embrace for ourselves.

We should not be satisfied with a claim of repentance. We should look in the mirror and ask ourselves, “Where is the evidence of my profession?” Does my life bear fruit of repentance? If not, why not?

My grandparents didn’t go to church, so I am not tempted to claim their faith as my own. However, I need to ensure that my kids (and hopefully grandkids) do not depend on my faith as their own. I need to guide them toward their own repentance, including fruit.

Father, please help me bear more fruit of repentance. For my own consideration, but also that others may have better certainty of my faith. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Luke, Uncategorized

Luke 2:15-16, 29-30

February 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger” (15-16).

[Simeon said, ] “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation” ‭(29‬-‭30).

In these two passages, we see the report of shepherds near Bethlehem and Simeon at the Temple in Jerusalem. Both the shepherds and Simeon demonstrate an admirable desire to see Jesus.

As soon as the angels told them about Jesus’s birth, “they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” (16) The text doesn’t indicate any prior knowledge about the birth of the messiah or a longing desire to see him. The text only describes their immediate desire to see Jesus based on the angels’ report.

On the other hand, we have Simeon, who was waiting longingly to see the messiah. The description of Simeon gives me the impression that he – even in frustration – had been waiting for the messiah’s appearance for a very long time. I say frustrated, not in a negative sense, but in a way that demonstrates a disappointment that it didn’t happen today. Every day, he hoped to encounter the messiah.

I want to have the spirit of both the shepherds and Simeon. I want to be quickly responsive to the word of the Lord. I also want to look longingly for the Lord’s return. I want to wake up every day hoping that today will be the day!

Father, please help me reorient my heart to be more heavenly-minded. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Luke

Luke 1:31, 38, 45

February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (31).

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her” (38).

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (45‬).

These three verses provide insight into the Virgin Mary.

The first verse (31) is the words of Gabriel when he told Mary that she would bear a son. We don’t have to invest deeply in the thought experiment to realize this announcement would cause some complications in her life. However, we never see her refuse the Lord’s calling on her life.

Mary’s response to the announcement of her role in God’s plan is instructive for us: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” There is no indication that she felt anything but honored. We don’t see her think through the implications or the hardships that may arise. She simply says, “Okay. I’m in.”

Finally, we see Elizabeth’s description of Mary as one “who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” She simply believed the Lord.

What an example of simple faith. Mary 1) heard the Lord’s plan, 2) said, “I’m in,” and 3) believed the Lord’s plan. That spirit doesn’t mean she had an easy life. It means she had a blessed life.

Father, please help me have the spirit of Mary. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Luke

Mark 16:8

February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

This verse stands out to me because it is puzzling. Mark tells us that they [the ladies] were afraid. But he doesn’t tell us why they were afraid. Was it because of the man in white who told them not to be afraid? Was it because the tomb was already open? Was it because Jesus was already risen from the dead? While comparing Mark’s resurrection account with those of Matthew, Luke, and John, I think they were afraid because of the angel and the missing body.

First, here is what Matthew says about the angel: “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was white as snow” (Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭2‬-3‬).

Luke describes the angelic encounter this way: “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’” (Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭4‬-7).

Luke’s description matches Mark’s, but Matthew adds this, “And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men” (Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭4‬).

If the soldiers were terrified of the angel, it seems reasonable to think the ladies were also frightened by him.

Second, the missing body seems to be alarming to Mary. Here is John’s description:

“So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him’” (‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭2‬).

If I understand the chronology correctly, the angel already told her that Jesus had risen. Here is what Matthew said: “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified’” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭5‬).

Luke’s account matches Matthew’s chronology. “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise’” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭4‬-‭7‬).

If he had risen from the dead, why would she assume “they” had taken his body anywhere? I’m guessing the trauma of the weekend, plus the early morning encounter with the angel(s), caused her mind and emotions to race.

At the same time, I’m reminded of the 4 times Mark tells us that Jesus told the disciples about his coming death and resurrection. Admittedly, the ladies were not necessarily there for all four, but in Mark’s account, the angel reminds the ladies that Jesus had said these things. This suggests that they would have been aware of the information.

“But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬). So, why were they surprised?

Father, why is it easy for me to expect others to believe what you say, but challenging for me to believe what you say? Please help me to believe and obey all that you have said. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, resurrection
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