Luke 23: Who Crucify Christ?
Verse of the Day: V21 “But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.”

1. Crucify (V1-26)
V14 “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:”

Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine, found Jesus not guilty. However in order to please the Jews, he gave them a choice of whether to crucify Jesus or Barabbas, a criminal, during the feast of Passover where it was a tradition for them to release one of the criminals. The Jews chose to crucify Jesus, even though Jesus was not a criminal, and there was no fault found in Him. However, it is not really the Jews who crucified Jesus. Ultimately, it is all the people of the world, including you and me, who have crucified Jesus, because we have sinned against God. This is why God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, so that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish in the fiery pits of hell, but shall have everlasting life with God in the portals of heaven.

V21 “But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.”
      
2. Calvary (V27-33)
V33 “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

Even though Jesus had no fault or sin in His life, He humbled Himself and was willing to be crucified on Calvary for the sins of the whole world. Imagine Jesus, the Son of God, left the glory of heaven, to become the son of a lowly carpenter, and to die a cruel and humiliating death on the cross, not for His own sins, but for the sins of the whole world.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
 
3. Centurion (V34-56)
V46 “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

Even in death, Jesus led a soul to heaven. The centurion, who was in charge of the entire crucifixion, after witnessing Jesus’ trial and final moment of death, realised that Jesus was indeed a righteous man, the Son of God, as He peacefully committed His life to God.

V47 “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are crucified because of my sins.

Luke 22: How To Be The Greatest?
Verse of the Day: V26 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”

1. Glad (V1-6)
V4 “And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.”

It was sad that the chief priests and scribes were glad when they discovered that Judas was willing to betray Jesus for money. Instead of being glad that Jesus came to preach the Word and heal the sick, they were jealous of Jesus because He was a threat to their power and influence. Nevertheless, Jesus’ betrayal, death and resurrection were the fulfilment of God’s prophecy of the shedding of His precious blood as the penalty of the sins of the whole world, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

V5 “And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
      
2. Greatest (V7-46)
V24 “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”

It was sad that Jesus’ disciples were arguing and disputing as to who would be the greatest among them, beside their Master and Teacher, Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing on Jesus’ Word and work, they were striving for position and power. Thus Jesus taught them that the greatest among them shall be like the youngest who shall serve his elder. Indeed God’s leadership, unlike man’s leadership, is all about love, humility and service.

V26 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
 
3. Galilean (V47-71)
V59 “And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.”

Peter denied before the people that he was a Galilean, but he could never hide his strong Galilean’s accent. Finally, Peter repented his sins when he heard the cock crew thrice as Jesus had earlier prophesied. Indeed we can never hide our Christianity from others because God shall convict our hearts and give us no peace until we repent our sins and return to Him. Once a Galilean, always a Galilean. Once a Christian, always a Christian.

V60 “And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me to know that only You are the greatest.

Luke 21: Are You The Poor Widow?
Verse of the Day: V3 “And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:”

1. Widow (V1-4)
V3 “And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:”

When Jesus saw the rich men giving their gifts as offerings to God in the temple, He pointed the poor widow to them. Jesus told them that God shall richly bless the poor widow though she only gave her two mites or coppers, because she had given her all to Him, and had fully trusted God to provide for all her needs. Let us give our very best to God, and see how God richly bless and keep us in His perfect peace and everlasting love.

V4 “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.”
      
2. Words (V5-33)
V11 “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

Jesus told the people that there shall be fearful sights and great signs of His imminent return to judge the world, such as great earthquakes, violent wars, terrible famines and deadly diseases that shall not only destroy millions of lives, but everything in this entire world, including the heaven (atmosphere) and the earth. Only God’s words shall remain forever. Hence, let us study and hide God’s eternal words in our hearts, that we shall not sin against the holy God, but live a holy and an obedient life that is well pleasing to Him.

V33 “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”
 
3. Watch (V34-38)
V34 “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

Jesus warned the people time and again to always watch and pray, and flee from worldly lusts and material pursuits, and follow after God’s holiness and righteousness. However, if we continue in our sins and wickedness, then let us expect God’s impending fiery judgment of terrible disasters and deadly diseases to be upon us. The choice is yours!

V36 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be like the poor widow giving my all to You.

Luke 20: Are You A Scribe?
Verse of the Day: V46 “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;”

1. Son (V1-18)
V13 “Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. “

Jesus taught the people of a parable of a man who owned a vineyard, and employed farmers to tend to it. At harvest time he sent his servant to the farmers to collect the fruits from the vineyard, but instead they beat him. The owner then sent a second servant, and he was also beaten. He sent the third, and he too was beaten. Finally he sent his beloved son thinking that they might respect him, but instead they killed him. This parable was a prophesy of Jesus Himself who came to save the world, but the world crucified Him.

V15 “So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him, What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?”
      
2. Sadducees (V19-44)
V27 “Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,”

The Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection, trapped Jesus by asking Him who would be the husband of the woman in heaven as she had seven husbands who died one after another. It was in Moses’ law that when the husband died without children, his wife would marry his brother, and in this case, he had six brothers, and all died without children. Jesus knew the trap and deceit of the Sadducees, and He taught them that in heaven there would be no marriage, and it did not matter who the woman’s husband was.

V35 “But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:”
 
3. Scribes (V45-47)
V46 “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;”

Jesus taught His disciples that the scribes who abused their authority by taking advantage of the widows’ property, and making long prayers to show that they were more spiritual than the rest of the people, shall be severely punished for their deceit and hypocrisy.

V47 “Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a sincere son of God and never a scribe.

Luke 19: Are You The Chief Publican?
Verse of the Day: V2 “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

1. Chief (V1-10)
V2 “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

Though Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief publican, he was hated by the Jews for collecting taxes for the Romans. This was why he was overjoyed and immediately came down from the sycamore tree (he climbed the tree as he was too short to see Jesus) when Jesus told him that He would stay at his house. He repented his sins, and gave half of his wealth to the poor, and returned to the Jews four times what he had falsely collected from them.

V8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
      
2. Cities (V11-27)
V13 “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

Jesus taught His disciples of a nobleman who gave his ten servants one pound each for service to others. When he returned from overseas, he was glad that the first servant reaped ten times, and he rewarded him to rule over ten cities. The second reaped five times, and he rewarded him to rule over five cities. One came without any service, and he rebuked him, and gave his one pound to the one who had been most faithful in his service.

V17 “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”
 
3. Colt (V28-48)
V28 “And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.”

Jesus told His two disciples that He needed a colt for His ride to Jerusalem before His death. Jesus humbled Himself by riding on a colt instead of a stallion as He was preparing for His eventual death as the Saviour of the world, but one day He shall come as the King of kings and Lord of lords riding on a stallion to judge the sins of the world.

V30 “Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me to know that to be chief is to serve others in need.

Luke 18: Are You A Publican?
Verse of the Day: V10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”

1. Pray (V1-8)
V1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

Jesus taught His disciples of a parable of a judge who feared not God and man, and refused to help a poor widow, yet finally acceded to her request for justice against her enemy, because she was so persistent in asking him for help. If an unjust judge could help a poor widow, how much more should we persist in praying to our God who loves us so much and shall surely hear and answer our prayers according to His will and for our good.

V7 “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”
      
2. Publican (V9-34)
V10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”

Jesus taught His disciples of a parable of two men who went to the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other a publican or tax collector who was despised by the people because as a Jew he was collecting taxes on behalf of the Romans and was seen as a traitor. The Pharisee prayed and boasted of how much he had done for God while the publican pleaded with God to have mercy on him. However, God forgave the publican because he was humble, but God did not forgive the Pharisee because he was proud.

V14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
 
3. Praise (V35-43)
V42 “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

Jesus healed the blind beggar because he had great faith to believe that Jesus was the Son of David, and pleaded with Jesus to have mercy on him. After he received his sight, he immediately followed Jesus and glorified God. The people who witnessed the miracle also praised God. Indeed, let us praise God for who He is and what He has done for us.

V43 “And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me as I am a publican, a sinner, saved by grace.

Luke 16: Where Will You Go?
Verse of the Day: V23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

1. Heart (V1-18)
V13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Jesus warned His disciple never to serve God and the world or the devil. Though they thought they could worship God publicly and sinned against God secretly, yet they failed to realise that God could see and know their hearts, and shall judge their sins and hypocrisy. We can only serve God because only He deserves our loyalty and devotion.

V15 “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
      
2. Hell (V19-26)
V22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;”

Jesus taught the people of the life story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed his life of sins on earth but when he died he suffered in hell forever, while Lazarus believed in God and suffered on earth but when he died he enjoyed heaven forever. Let us choose to believe in God like Lazarus, because it is far better to suffer on earth and enjoy heaven forever, than to enjoy sins on earth and suffer in hell forever.

V23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
 
3. Hear (27-31)
V27 “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:”

The rich man begged Abraham to raise Lazarus from the dead, and sent him to earth to warn his five brothers to repent of their sins, and believe in Jesus, and escape fiery hell. However Abraham told him that if his five brothers would not hear Moses and the prophets, how would they hear from Lazarus even though he was raised from the dead?

V31 “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am going to heaven because I believe in You.

Matthew 2

Verse of the Day:V10 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

1.  Star (V1-10)

V2 “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

The wise men who studied God’s word and prophecy knew that the moment of exceeding great joy would come when the Star which would appear in the East would be the time when the almighty God, the Father, shall send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews as well as the King of kings, to this earth to save the world from sins.

V10 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
 
2.  Seek (V11-14)

V13 “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

Herod, King of Judaea or King of the Jews, misunderstood that when the time of the star would appeared, it would be the time when Jesus would be born, and Jesus would be the one who would eventually dethrone him to be the next King of Judaea. Herod failed to realise that Jesus was not only the King of the Jews, but He is the King of kings, and His mission is to save the world from their sins. Instead of believing in Jesus, Herod ordered his men to seek and destroy Jesus. However God protected Jesus as He sent His angel to Joseph asking him to bring Jesus and his mother to flee to Egypt by night to escape death.  

V14 “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”

3.  Son (V15-23)

V15 “And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

Prophet Hosea prophesied the return of Jesus (Israel), long before Jesus came out of Egypt after the death of Herod. God loved Jesus and all the people made in His image, and He sent Jesus into the world to die for the sins of the people, so that whosoever believes and trust in Jesus shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hosea 11:1)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, thank You that I know and trust in the Star, Jesus, the Son of God.

Matthew 1

Verse of the Day: V21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

1.  Joseph (V1-17)

V16 “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

Apostle Matthew, inspired by the Holy Ghost, declared the miraculous birth of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who shall save all the people from their sins if they repent their sins, and believe in Him. Jesus’ birth was miraculous because Mary, his mother, was a virgin, when she gave birth to Jesus. Mary’s husband, Joseph, accepted this miraculous birth by faith knowing that it was God’s love and redemption plan to save all the people from their sins, and that whosoever believes in Jesus shall not perish in the fiery pits of hell, but shall have everlasting life with God in the pearly gates of heaven.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
 
2.  Just (V18-20)

V18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

Joseph was a just man as he kept the miraculous birth privately as many might accuse him and Mary of having a child before their marriage. He could have called off the wedding but he truly believed that the child was of the Holy Ghost, and he continued to love and cherish Mary, and raised the child, Jesus Christ, in the way of God, the Father.

V19 “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”

3.  JESUS (V21-25)

V21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Joseph did not have any sexual relationship with Mary until she gave birth to her firstborn son, JESUS, who shall save all the people from their sins, that whosoever repents their sins and believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life in heaven.

V25 “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, thank You that I know Your Son, JESUS, who saves me from my sins.

Malachi 4

Verse of the Day:V4 “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”

1.  Stubble (V1)

V1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”

God through Prophet Malachi warned the people that there shall be the Day of Judgment where He shall judge all the people in the world whether they are righteous or wicked before Him. The humble and the righteous shall inherit eternal life, while the proud and the wicked shall be punished as stubble to be burned in the oven of hell forever and ever.

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)
 
2.  Sun (V2-3)

V2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

Malachi encouraged and comforted the people that the Sun of righteousness and the Shield who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, shall shine upon their lives and give them hope and peace, and heal their physical and spiritual sicknesses, and grow them in His Word, and give them grace and glory, and above all, bless them with many good things if they would believe in Him, and fear Him, and walk uprightly in His perfect will.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalms 84:11)

3.  Servant (V4-6)

V4 “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”

Malachi reminded the people that the Lord shall bless them if they would obey His commandments given by Moses, His servant. Though Moses was not a perfect servant and leader of Israel, and had failed in his leadership and walk with God, yet he never gave up, but kept serving the Lord until God took him home at the age of 120. Moses was so blessed of God that he was still in good health and had good eyesight before his death.

“And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” (Deuteronomy 34:7)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, please humble me and help me to serve You all the days of my life.