Lesson 5371

 (Lesson 5371)(10-21-26) Luke 11:37-54 

   “And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus dined with a Pharisee and confronted the Jewish religious leaders for prioritizing outward ceremonial rituals (to include water baptism), over actual devotion to the work set before them by God. He berated and warned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, spiritual pride, and overburdening those whose spiritual intent was genuine. For us today, this lesson serves as a stern warning against religious hypocrisy, external formalities, and holding within ourselves a judgmental spirit. Therein He reminded us that God gives much greater value to a sincere heart than to mere religious ritualism. ~ 

Lesson 5370

 (Lesson 5370)(10-20-26) Luke 11:33-36 

   “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” 

 

   Today’s quote teaches us that the light of God's truth must be fully received and lived out rather than hidden. Just as a candle is raised to give light, God's spiritual light within us should permeate our whole being. If our spiritual eye, which is our heart and inner intention, is singly focused on God, our entire life will be full of moral and spiritual light. Conversely, if our inner focus is darkened by greed or deceit, our whole life remains in spiritual darkness. This lesson warns us to examine our hearts to ensure we truly perceive and walk in God’s divine truth. ~ 

Lesson 5369

 (Lesson 5369)(10-19-26) Luke 11:29-32 

  And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus rebuked the people of His generation for demanding miraculous signs even though plenty of evidence was already present. He stated that no sign would be given to them except the sign of Jonah, pointing to His resurrection as the ultimate proof of His authority. He adds that the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching and the Queen of Sheba traveled to hear Solomon's wisdom, meaning those historical figures will condemn the current generation because they refuse to listen to the Son of God, someone far greater than Jonah or Solomon and who was standing right in front of them. ~ 

Lesson 5368

 (Lesson 5368)(10-18-26) Luke 11:14-28 

   “And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” 

 

    Today’s quote describes Jesus casting out a mute demon, after which unbelievers falsely accuse him of working through the power of Satan. Jesus refuted that claim by explaining that a divided kingdom cannot stand and that He casts out demons by the power of God. He warned those who are having problems that without God’s grace, their future will only get worse. Finally, when a woman praised His human Mother for having birthed Him, Jesus corrected her by stating that true spiritual blessing belongs to those who hear the word of God and obey it. ~