Friday, September 30, 2016

Luke 15 and 16

VII. His Ministry in and around Perea (13:22;19:27)
  • The Narrow Door (13:22-30)
  • Warning concerning Herod (13:31-35)
  • At a Pharisee's House (14:1-23)
  • The Cost of Discipleship (14:24-35)
  • The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son (ch. 15)
  • The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (16:1-18)
  • The Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31)
  • Miscellaneous Teachings (17:1-10)
  • Ten Healed of Leprosy (17:11-19)
  • The Coming of the Kingdom (17:20-37)
  • The Persistent Widow (18:1-8)
  • The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14)
  • Jesus and the Children (18:15-17)
  • The Rich Young Ruler (18:18-30)
  • Christ Foretells His Death (18:31-34)
  • A Blind Beggar Given His Sight (18:35-43)
  • Jesus and Zacchaeus (19:1-10)
  • The Parable of the Ten Minas (19:11-27)



Luke 15 NLT
1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 
2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 
3 So Jesus told them this story: 
4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 
5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 
6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 
7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 
9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 
10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” 
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.
12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 
14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 
16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 
18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 
19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 
21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. ’ 
22“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 
23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 
24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. 
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house,
26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 
27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ 
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 
29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 
30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 
32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”



Luke 16 NLT
1 Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. 
2 So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ 
3 “The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. 
4 Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ 
5 “So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ 
6 The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons. ’ 
7 “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels. ’ 
8 “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. 
9 Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. 
10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 
11And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 
12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? 
13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 
14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. 
15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God. 
16 “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. 
17 But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned. 
18 “For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 
20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 
21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 
23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 
26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 
28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Luke 13:22 to 14

VII. His Ministry in and around Perea (13:22;19:27)
  • The Narrow Door (13:22-30)
  • Warning concerning Herod (13:31-35)
  • At a Pharisee's House (14:1-23)
  • The Cost of Discipleship (14:24-35)
  • The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son (ch. 15)
  • The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (16:1-18)
  • The Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31)
  • Miscellaneous Teachings (17:1-10)
  • Ten Healed of Leprosy (17:11-19)
  • The Coming of the Kingdom (17:20-37)
  • The Persistent Widow (18:1-8)
  • The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14)
  • Jesus and the Children (18:15-17)
  • The Rich Young Ruler (18:18-30)
  • Christ Foretells His Death (18:31-34)
  • A Blind Beggar Given His Sight (18:35-43)
  • Jesus and Zacchaeus (19:1-10)
  • The Parable of the Ten Minas (19:11-27)

Luke 13
22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 
23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied, 
24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 
25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 
26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 
27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’ 
28“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. 
29 And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God. 
30 And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then. ” 
31 At that time some Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!” 
32 Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. 
33 Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem! 
34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 
35 And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the !’ ”


Luke 14 NLT
1 One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. 
2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. 
3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 
4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 
5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” 
6 Again they could not answer. 
7When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 
8“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 
9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 
10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 
11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 
12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 
13Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 
14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” 
15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” 
16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 
17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 
18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 
19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 
20 Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’ 
21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 
22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 
23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 
24For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” 
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 
26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 
27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 
29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 
30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 
31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 
32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 
33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. 
34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 
35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”


Thursday, September 29, 2016

Sep 29: Palestine, Panama | Operation World

Sep 29: Palestine, Panama | Operation World

Luke 11 -13:21

VI. His Ministry in Judea (9:51;13:21)
  • Journey through Samaria to Judea (9:51-62)
  • The Mission of the 72 (10:1-24)
  • The Lawyer and the Parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37)
  • Jesus at Bethany with Mary and Martha (10:38-42)
  • Teachings in Judea (11:1;13:21)

Luke 11 NLT
1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 
2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. 
3 Give us each day the food we need, 
4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation. ” 
5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 
6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 
7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 
8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. 
9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 
10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 
11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 
12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 
13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” 
14 One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, 
15 but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 
16Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. 
17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 
18 You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? 
19 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 
20 But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 
21 For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— 
22 until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings. 
23 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. 
24 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 
25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 
26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” 
27 As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!” 
28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
29 As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. 
30 What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God. 
31 “The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen. 
32 The people of Nineveh will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 
33 “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. 
34“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. 
35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 
36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” 
37 As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. 
38 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. 
39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 
40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 
41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. 
42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 
43 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. 
44 Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.” 
45 “Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.” 
46 “Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden. 
47 What sorrow awaits you! For you build monuments for the prophets your own ancestors killed long ago. 
48 But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments! 
49 This is what God in his wisdom said about you: ‘I will send prophets and apostles to them, but they will kill some and persecute the others.’ 
50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world— 
51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation. 
52 “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.”
53 As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions. 
54 They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him.
Luke 12 NLT
1 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 
2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 
3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! 
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 
5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. 
6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins ? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.
7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 
8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 
9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 
10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” 
13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” 
14Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 
15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 
16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 
17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 
18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 
19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” 
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 
23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 
24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 
25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 
26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? 
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 
28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 
30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 
31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 
34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 
36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 
37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!
38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. 
39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 
40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” 
41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?” 
42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 
43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.
44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 
45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?
46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. 
47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 
48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. 
49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 
50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 
51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 
52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. 
53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ ” 
54Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 
55When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 
56You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times. 
57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 
58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 
59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny. ”



Luke 13 NLT
1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 
2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 
3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 
4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 
5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” 
6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 
7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ 
8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 
9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”
10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 
11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 
12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!”
13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! 
14 But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.” 
15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 
16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?” 
17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did. 
18 Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? 
19 It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.” 
20 He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? 
21 It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”