Chronological Reading Plan for Oct 12, Lk 11

Today's reading is Lk 11, Tomorrow’s readings are Mt 13, Lk 8.

The Lord's prayer, far from being a list of requests, is an exaltation of God and His will in the life of a believer, asking merely for enough to sustain us in a holy lifestyle one day t a time. The prayer Jesus prescribes is, in every way, a daily prayer. It is focused on God as our Father and our total dependence upon Him. We depend on Him for our ongoing sanctification, our sustenance and our protection.

The prayer is followed by the encouragement to see Jesus and all He brings as the good things of God (Lk 11:5-13). This is timely as the Pharisees are accusing Jesus of being evil (Lk 14-23). Jesus says that it is they who are evil and have been for some time. They are getting worse (Lk 11:24-26.)

Jesus mentions the signs (Lk 29-32) as we see in Matthew (Mt 11). This is part of a progression through the gospels. First we see light (Jesus), then signs (miracles) as proof that He is the light, then judgment upon those who refuse to believe (those who reject Him are condemned). The light comes, signs are presented, people who do not repent bring judgment down on themselves. People who do repent receive eternal life. Even an ancient and evil city like Nineveh repented when they heard the truth. Jesus will present the ultimate sign and the evil generation He speaks of will not repent.

Meanwhile, the Pharisees are getting aggravated. Jesus has dinner with them but refuses to wash prior. He refuses to perform meaningless rituals, all of which are supposed to point to Him and His arrival. Now that He's here, there is no need for things to point toward Him. They're missing it though. The separation between the reality of His presence and the emptiness of their rituals is growing. They are offended and we are reminded of Mt 11:6 "Blessed is the one who is not offended by Me."