Emily Parke Chase's Blog

We have arrived at the end of Advent and at the end of Luke’s gospel. Tomorrow, we will welcome the birth of our Savior. Immanuel, “God with us.”

Luke’s gospel concludes with the resurrection of Jesus. In 24:44-48, Jesus says to his disciples, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.”

Luke’s story began with the humble birth of Jesus, an event fulfilling centuries-old prophecies of a Messiah. Now, it ends in triumph. Having fulfilled the prophecies, Jesus returns to the Father. What a joyous reunion that must have been.

The joy of Mary and Joseph welcoming Jesus at the 1st Christmas is only matched by our own joy in our salvation, a salvation complete and paid for by Jesus.

Often in this study of Luke’s gospel, I have pointed out unique elements of Luke’s gospel. Why? Because Luke’s perspective is unique from that of Matthew, Mark and John. And you and I also have a unique story to tell of what God has done in our lives. Be sure to share your story with all you love! Merry Christmas!

Thank you for staying with me all through Advent. We are reading Luke 23, and Christmas is only two days away!

This chapter describes Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. Trumped-up charges, a weak judge, angry Jewish leaders, and a mocking mob. And a quiet, calm Savior busy rescuing his people. Could anyone among us ever ignore such pain, spikes biting the tender flesh of our wrists and ankles? Even if we could overcome the pain, could we share the good news of the gospel under such circumstances? Yet, Jesus speaks of salvation to the thief hanging next to him. All Jesus’ life has led up to this moment. “I entrust my spirit into your hands.” His life, his blood…the best Christmas gift ever.

In 23:44, just before Jesus died, Luke describes how the sky darkened and the sun was obscured for three hours. The veil in the Temple ripped from the top to the bottom. Jesus died at noon, when the sun was at its zenith, yet there was darkness. And a chapter later, in the final chapter of Luke, an earthquake marked the moment of his resurrection.

The heavens also spoke when Jesus came into the world. At his birth, shepherds in a field saw a multitude of angels in the sky. Later, an unusual star guided magi through 800 miles of desert to the town of Bethlehem. All nature testified to the birth and death of our Savior.

Nature spoke without words. You and I can use words to speak of those events. Whom will you tell about the birth and death of Jesus this season?

Good to have you back again! Today, we are continuing our Advent study by looking at Luke 22. The events of this chapter are familiar to most of us. They include Jesus sharing a final meal with his disciples, praying with them in the garden, and it culminates with Jesus’ arrest.

Right after these events, Peter denies that he knew Jesus. In this paragraph, Luke uses a simple verb in a powerful way. In 22:56, as Peter waits in the courtyard of the high priest, a servant woman “looks intently” at him. There is no mistaking Peter. Even his accent gives him away. She has no doubt about her identification. The woman has likely seen him with Jesus at another time and place. She does not express her identification tentatively, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?” Instead, she makes a statement, “You were with him.” Yet Peter denies her words.

Then, in 22:61, Luke uses the verb again. Peter has just denied knowing Jesus for the third time. The cock crows. And at that very moment, Jesus turns around and “looks” at his disciple. Just as the servant woman looked intently at the apostle, Jesus turns intentionally and looks at his follower. Jesus needs no words to remind Peter of what he has just done. Peter immediately leaves the courtyard and weeps bitterly.

Before Jesus was born, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth looked up and, seeing Mary enter her home, recognized the child within Mary’s womb. She had no doubt about the child’s identity. No questions. In Luke 1:42, Elizabeth cried out loud and stated, “Blessed among women are you [Mary] and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Have you “looked” at Jesus recently? Would you recognize him in a line-up? More, importantly, would he recognize you as one of his children?

Advent is rapidly coming to a close; I hope our brief review of Luke’s gospel is helping you to see a bigger picture of Christmas and how those early events set the scene for the rest of Jesus’ ministry. In chapter 21, Jesus warns his disciples that God’s plan for the world will one day also come to a close.

Have you watched the news lately? It sounds a lot like Luke 21! There are wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Earthquakes have destroyed homes in Indonesia, Central America, and even California. Famines in Sudan and Gaza have left children with empty bellies. Environmental issues have triggered dramatic changes in our weather. In chapter 21, Jesus points to the clues that would indicate that judgment would be coming.

Neither Jesus’ birth nor his return was an unexpected event. Gal. 4:4 tells us that “in the fulness of time, God sent his Son into the world to be born of a virgin.” Jesus existed long before the world was ever made. But “in the fulness of time”—at the time appointed by the Father—Jesus was sent to be born of Mary. And there is an appointed time when he will return to gather us into his presence.

We can have confidence when Jesus predicts future events…and we should be alert! Jesus reminds us in v. 13, “This will be your opportunity to tell them about me.”

We are in the home stretch of our Advent journey through Luke’s gospel. Today we are reading chapter 20. Take out your wallet and look at the faces of people who appear on those dollar bills and coins. How many faces do you recognize?

In this chapter, Luke records an event where scribes and priests approached Jesus and asked him if they were required to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked them to show him a denarius. This small silver coin represented a day’s wages in that time. Jesus asked his audience, “Whose face appears on this coin?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what carries his image. And give to God what carries his image.”

What carries God’s image? A dollar bill, a dime? No. In John 14:19, Jesus gave the answer: “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus was the image of the Father.

But you and I also carry the image of the Father. Way back in Genesis 1:26-27, God said that he made man in his own image. You and I carry the image of the Father imprinted in our souls. And what carries his image belongs to him.

Just as a child has features and habits that resemble those of his parents, so we each have features that reflect the image of our heavenly Father. What aspects of the Father’s face do others see in you during this season? Will others recognize him as easily as you recognize the faces on your coins?

Christmas is less than a week away! Stick with us as we complete our overview of Luke’s gospel.

In Luke 19, we move into the final week of Jesus’ life on earth. Jesus passes through Jericho and heads to Jerusalem. On his way, he bumps into Zachaeus. This story, too, is unique to Luke’s account. Zachaeus is a chief tax collector, a Jew of some means. He not only has bought the right to collect taxes for the Roman government, but he has franchised others to do the dirty work for him. But no one is so filthy that they cannot find hope in Jesus. “Salvation has come to your house today.”

In this chapter, Jesus at last enters Jerusalem. It is broad daylight. The crowds shout and wave palm branches.

This seems like a huge contrast to the way he entered the world quietly at night, lying in a manger. At his birth, angels announced, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to all men,” and on Palm Sunday, the crowd announces, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” A fitting set of parentheses surrounded Jesus’ birth and death: Peace on earth and peace in heaven.

May you experience God’s peace as you gather with family and friends this season.

Hello! I’m glad that you are joining me here to continue our Advent journey through Luke’s gospel. Today we are in chapter 18…not much further to go!

This chapter begins with two stories that are unique to Luke’s volume. Neither Matthew nor Mark record the account of the widow seeking justice and the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. Luke must have learned of them from another “ear”-witness as he interviewed people.

Whenever I read about this determined widow, I smile at the image of her showing up before the judge day after day. He groans, “Oh, no, not again!” As a widow, this woman had no advocate, no influence, no power. Yet she persevered and at last achieved justice.

When Jesus was only a newborn infant, Simeon predicted that one day a sword would also pierce Mary’s heart. Imagine her seeing her son Jesus on trial, standing alone before Herod and Pilate, without an advocate. How would she have felt seeing her son hanging on a cross after a mockery of justice? She saw spikes pierce his hands, his feet. She saw a soldier pierce his side with a spear. And she felt pain pierce her own heart.

Are you facing trials in the coming year? Be assured that Jesus died so that you and I would never stand alone as Jesus did. We have a forever Advocate.

How long has it been since you read the entire gospel of Luke? Has this Advent season offered an opportunity to familiarize yourself again with this account of Jesus’ life?

Christmas is not a happy season for everyone. For some, the holiday brings thoughts of a loved one who died in December. Or perhaps it involves memories of a difficult season when money was tight and gifts were sparse. Trying to celebrate against such a backdrop can be challenging. There is a mixture of joy and pain.

In Luke 17, the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would arrive. No doubt they looked forward to the day when Jews would no longer be subjects under Roman rule. A Roman soldier could command a Jew to carry his 60-70 pounds of gear. Jews had to pay exorbitant taxes to Caesar. When God’s kingdom would arrive, however, they expected everything would be set to right.

Jesus, in private, told his disciples that Day of the Lord would not be full of joy. First, the Son of Man would have to suffer. As in the days of Noah, there would be destruction. As in the days of Sodom, fire and brimstone would fall from heaven. Some would be taken and others left behind. The Kingdom of God will bring not only joy but tears and difficult times too.

That very first Christmas in the stable saw celebration with angels and shepherds. Later, magi arrived with gifts. However, Herod would soon threaten to kill all male infants 2 years old and under. Mary and Joseph would flee to Egypt. Good times and bad.

May your heart fill with joy at Jesus’ birth, but may the Lord also prepare you for whatever trials that may arise in the new year.

(BTW: The parable of the exhausted slave serving his master that appears in this chapter is yet another story found only in Luke’s gospel!)

Welcome once again to Advent 2025. Today we are Luke chapter 16.

Luke was not an eyewitness to all the events of Jesus’ life, but he interviewed eyewitnesses. He must have also interviewed “ear”-witnesses, because he gives us so many parables and lessons that are unique to his gospel. This chapter records Jesus telling two more of those parables.

The first is about a dishonest manager who was misusing his employer’s money. When he discovers that he is about to be fired, the manager immediately prepares for the future. His dealings may be dishonest, but he does take the warning seriously and makes certain that when the ax falls, he will have friends who will care for him.

The second parable is about the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man had everything he could want in this life, including designer label clothes, rich food and servants. However, he made no preparations for life after death. He had access to the scriptures. He could read warnings of the prophets about the day of judgment, but the rich man did not take them seriously.

The shrewd manager knew enough to prepare for dire consequences, but the rich man did not prepare for death and life eternal. Advent is a time for preparation, thinking about what lies ahead.

No doubt, you have made some preparations for Christmas. Gifts may be wrapped and placed below your Christmas tree and a goose may be roasting in the oven, but is your heart prepared for the life that follows this one?