What Jesus Did

[Jesus told this story:] "A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!"...

 

One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:...

—Luke 8:4 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus used stories to help drive home his message, to plant seeds to help people remember divine truths, and to help give his hearers insights. Stories provide a potent part of the Master's ministry. Stories are powerful and stick in our hearts. Much of the Bible was written in the language of a story, including a huge portion of the...

 

Soon [after Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisee when the sinful woman anointed Jesus' feet, he] began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing...

 

Then Jesus said to the woman [who anointed him while he was having dinner at the Pharisee's house], "Your sins are forgiven."
The men at the table said among themselves, "Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?"

And Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

—Luke 7:48-50 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus, our Savior, says, "Your sins are forgiven" and "Your faith has saved you" and "Go in peace." Can you think of anything sweeter...

 

Then [Jesus] turned to the woman and said to [Simon], "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

"I tell you, her sins — and they are many — have...

 

Then Jesus told [the Pharisee] this story: "A man loaned money to two people — 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?"
Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt."

"That's right," Jesus said.

—Luke 7:41-43 NLT

Key Thought​

Have you been forgiven much? Our response to being forgiven is a major...

 

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw [the immoral woman anointing Jesus], he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!"
Then Jesus answered his thoughts. "Simon," he said to the Pharisee, "I have something to say to you."

"Go ahead, Teacher," Simon replied.

—Luke 7:39-40 NLT

Key Thought​

I love the way Luke describes this situation: "Jesus answered his thoughts." I'm sure I don't want Jesus...

 

When a certain immoral woman from that city heard [Jesus] was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

—Luke 7:37-38 NLT

Key Thought​

This event occurred in the house of a certain Pharisee. [1] This woman was the antithesis of the Pharisee. He was a man. She was a...

 

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.

—Luke 7:36 NLT

Key Thought​

Many Pharisees had repeatedly rejected Jesus, opposed his every move, and demonstrated an unwillingness to believe. [1] Nevertheless, since Jesus loves all people, he went to a Pharisee's home even though he knew that the Pharisee would likely treat him unfairly. [2] Jesus didn't rule out any person or any group from being exposed to God's grace...

 

"To what can I compare the people of this generation?" Jesus asked. "How can I describe them? They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

'We played wedding songs, and you didn't dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn't weep.'

For John the Baptist didn't spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, 'He's possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, 'He's a glutton and...