LUKE 11
JESUS TEACHES THE DISCIPLES TO PRAY + REBUKES THE PHARISEES
Jesus teaches the disciples to pray personal, honest prayers. Addressing God as Father, He provides an example of how to pray, honoring God’s holy name and asking the Father for His will to be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven. Throughout His prayer, Jesus models asking for provision, forgiveness, and wisdom. This prayer is commonly known as “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Jesus reminds His disciples of the generosity and goodness of God. He encourages persistence in prayer, emphasizing that God will respond to those who ask, seek, and knock. God desires to give good gifts to His children who come to Him for provision.
Jesus continues to heal, giving speech to a man who was mute. The Pharisees accuse Him of being influenced by demonic powers instead of God’s authority. They see Him as a spawn of Satan and not the Son of God. Jesus emphasizes that whoever is not with Him is against Him and those who do not gather in His name will be scattered.
Using the imagery of an unclean spirit or demonic force, Jesus describes the hearts of the people. Once they have been cleansed from their sins, if they do not replace their old ways with God’s ways, they will be susceptible to end up worse than they were before. God’s people, for generations, have attempted to follow the law but have neglected the importance of a transformed heart and genuine repentance.
While Jesus is teaching, a woman in the crowd speaks up and blesses Mary, the mother of Jesus. Without dismissing the woman or disrespecting Mary, He corrects her by saying that the truly blessed are those who hear and follow God’s word.
Jesus references the prophet Jonah and compares Jonah’s three days in the stomach of the whale to the three days He will spend in the grave. Just as Jonah was spared, Jesus will defeat death and resurrection. He tells the religious leaders, who are familiar with Jonah’s story, that He has come as a greater Jonah. Jesus also references 1 Kings 10 when the Queen of Sheba traveled to Jerusalem to witness Solomon’s incredible knowledge. He has come with a knowledge even greater than Solomon!
Jesus explains that it would be pointless to light a lamp and put it under a basket out of sight. Similarly, He teaches that the eyes are the lamp of the body. When the eyes are healthy, the entire body gives light. He wants the people to see what is in front of them and marvel at God’s provision! When our eyes are open to receive God’s goodness, our entire being is affected.
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, calling them out for their practices of false religiosity. Their actions appear righteous, but their hearts have neglected justice and forgotten the love of God. Jesus confronts the lawyers and religious leaders, saying they are not protecting wisdom, but are hindering others from hearing God’s word.
