Brian Manning

The climax of the Triumphal entry of Christ isn't a coronation but rejection. This leads to two events where Jesus shows deep emotions. Weeping over Jerusalem and clearing the temple. Why do these situations bring such strong reactions? In these we learn that Jesus wants you to avoid judgement and He wants you to know Him.

Jesus leaves crowds and the Pharisees behind to talk with 12. His purpose is to help them understand why Jesus came. He would speak of His death more often in the weeks ahead because we all need the reminder of why He came to keep us on track. Perhaps too, we can gain strength in seeing how God works.

Jesus uses the two events in Luke 18:15-30 to teach us who will enter His eternal Kingdom (have eternal life). The children show us our need of dependence on God for salvation. The young ruler illustrates our need for God's grace and power for salvation.

Jesus' teaching on prayer here is in context of His coming Kingdom. This is a call to look beyond what we see and experience to see God’s great purpose. It is a call for us to fix our prayers not in what is but what will be. Jesus is encouraging us to keep praying and not get discouraged because He will answer His people's prayers.

Jesus Christ is coming again. He promised He would. Christ’s coming Kingdom is important part of our faith and we need to grow in understanding it and in our desire for it. Here Jesus gives us a little more detail about His Kingdom. His Kingdom has come, His Kingdom will come and His Kingdom is forever.

In Isaiah 9 we are shown the first coming of Christ break into the glory of the second coming. We are certain Christ is coming again and this time He will come to reign as King and judge the wicked. Knowing this truth we are encouraged to live in expectation of His reign. Isaiah 9:7

Psalm 89 is a psalm about God's covenant with King David. It is a psalm of praise for God's mercy and faithfulness which is to lead us to trust and praise. It's a psalm which leads us to Christ. It is a reminder that God's people are blessed.

The people of God are to be a people of gratitude. We’ve recognised that what God does for us is undeserved, that God has seen us from afar and brought us near. In a society of entitlement we are reminded that He deserves our praise and thanks.

Luke 17:1-10 opens with a topic less controversial than the previous topics but no less difficult to hear. In a rebuke against the heartless Pharisees Jesus teaches us a lesson about being Christlike, about forgiveness. For the believer, forgiveness isn't really a choice it's a command, a way of life, which is to flow from a heart of humility. Freely you have received, freely give.

In this story about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus Jesus leads us to consider our assumptions about where we think we will go when we die. Most people assume it will be heaven but how do you know for sure?