October 27 - Luke 13-15

The theme that struck me today was repentance. As you read these chapters notice how many times repentance is mentioned or implied. When you think of salvation, do you think of repentance? Jesus began this passage by saying that unless you will repent, you will perish. He was not speaking to terrible people, but to all of us. Then, Jesus spoke of finding the narrow way. How do we do that? We turn from our sins, and we go His way. What about the story of the feast and not sitting at the head table to start off? Doesn't a person need to repent of pride in order to do that? I think we all need to repent of pride. Even when Jesus spoke of taking up the cross to follow Him, that involves dying to self and that is part of repentance. We must stop depending on self, and depend on God alone. Finally, chapter 15 is full of repentance, too. Jesus and all of heaven rejoices over one sinner "who repents." The prodigal son was not accepted home by the Father until He repented of his sin and admitted he was not worthy to be a son. Isn't it amazing how important it is to understand repentance?

I urge you to take some time today and ask the Lord to teach you about repentance. Ask Him to show you any sins that you need to turn from. Then, take I John 1:9 and confess those sins with a repentant heart. God will be able to bless you abundantly when you are cleansed through repentance.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 16-18.