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Journey Through Luke: 62 Biblical Insights by Mike Raiter
Journey into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through the book of Luke
What does it mean to follow Jesus? And what will it cost us? Join the 12 disciples on their journey with Jesus. Explore Luke’s account of what they learn as they accompany their master on His long journey to Jerusalem - and to the Cross. Find out what discipleship really means, as you discover the joy of following Jesus.
The Journey Through the bible series provides assistance to those who desire to spend time with God in His Word, book by book. The biblical insights will help Christians discover the precious, life-transforming wisdom of the Bible, inspiring them toward a closer walk with God. Perfect for personal devotions.
What does it mean to follow Jesus? And what will it cost us? Join the 12 disciples on their journey with Jesus. Explore Luke’s account of what they learn as they accompany their master on His long journey to Jerusalem - and to the Cross. Find out what discipleship really means, as you discover the joy of following Jesus.
The Journey Through the bible series provides assistance to those who desire to spend time with God in His Word, book by book. The biblical insights will help Christians discover the precious, life-transforming wisdom of the Bible, inspiring them toward a closer walk with God. Perfect for personal devotions.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2022
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February 21, 2025
No inn? No stable? No scramble to find a place for Mary to give birth? The writer wants us to pay attention to what the Bible actually says, rather than accept the barnacles that tradition has added to it over the centuries. His concern that the text of the Bible, being God’s word, should be understood, believed and applied to our daily lives is evident throughout.
This strong contribution to the Journey Through series of daily Bible reading notes was written by Australian preacher, trainer of preachers and author, Mike Raiter. As with all in the series, it gives a double page spread to each day’s Bible passage. The left-hand page explains and expounds the passage. The right-hand page gives space for notes and for two questions that help you apply the teaching to your situation.
The comments are written from a conservative evangelical point of view, with what seems to be a reformed (or Calvinistic) understanding of the sovereignty of God and of his role in saving sinful human beings. For example, of the paradox of Judas being responsible for betraying Jesus, while Satan incited him and it all fulfilled God’s purposes (22:22), Raiter writes,
“We believe in an all-mighty God who wonderfully and mysteriously achieves His good purposes for our salvation by working through the deliberate, wilful choices and actions of men and women as well as the schemes of the devil. It is because we believe in the sovereignty of God that we can pray with confidence and not fear the future.”
The authority, unity and inerrancy of the Bible as God’s word are fully respected. References to other parts of the Bible are made where they help to explain, reinforce or illustrate a point.
Raiter has a readable and engaging style and his comments and explanations are always helpful. It is helpful, for instance, to be told that the strange words “everyone is forcing his way into [the kingdom of God]” (16:16, NIV) could be translated “everyone is strongly urged to enter it”. It is rather more startling to be told that the unjust judge (18:1-8) is worried about the persistent widow literally giving him a black eye (rather than, metaphorically, wearying him)!
On Jesus’ warning to dinner guests not to choose the best places (14:7-11), Raiter comments:
“To choose the best seat at a dinner, next to the host, is to display pride. Clearly Jesus is talking not just about human relationships, but also about how we see ourselves before God. We are gravely mistaken if we believe we deserve to sit next to God. Salvation is by grace to the humble and undeserving.”
The writer’s clear respect for what the Bible actually says makes the occasional departure from it surprising. He assumes, for example, that the two disciples the risen Jesus met on the way to Emmaus were friends and both men. Yet Luke only tells us one was a man; they may have been a married couple. In Chapter 5 verses 1-11, Peter and his friends fish all night with nets and catch nothing. Is it just a figure of speech when Raiter writes that Peter knows “the fish simply aren’t biting”? More grating is his reference in the context of Jesus’ baptism to the Holy Spirit as “it”.
Nevertheless, this book would be a useful aid in personal, daily Bible reading, both for Christians with wide knowledge and long experience as well as for those with little of either, including those who are not yet believers. The daily readings are numbered, not dated, so missing out a day does not come with a burden of guilt and some long readings could be covered over more than one day.
One question for the publisher: What happened to Luke 1:57-80?
This strong contribution to the Journey Through series of daily Bible reading notes was written by Australian preacher, trainer of preachers and author, Mike Raiter. As with all in the series, it gives a double page spread to each day’s Bible passage. The left-hand page explains and expounds the passage. The right-hand page gives space for notes and for two questions that help you apply the teaching to your situation.
The comments are written from a conservative evangelical point of view, with what seems to be a reformed (or Calvinistic) understanding of the sovereignty of God and of his role in saving sinful human beings. For example, of the paradox of Judas being responsible for betraying Jesus, while Satan incited him and it all fulfilled God’s purposes (22:22), Raiter writes,
“We believe in an all-mighty God who wonderfully and mysteriously achieves His good purposes for our salvation by working through the deliberate, wilful choices and actions of men and women as well as the schemes of the devil. It is because we believe in the sovereignty of God that we can pray with confidence and not fear the future.”
The authority, unity and inerrancy of the Bible as God’s word are fully respected. References to other parts of the Bible are made where they help to explain, reinforce or illustrate a point.
Raiter has a readable and engaging style and his comments and explanations are always helpful. It is helpful, for instance, to be told that the strange words “everyone is forcing his way into [the kingdom of God]” (16:16, NIV) could be translated “everyone is strongly urged to enter it”. It is rather more startling to be told that the unjust judge (18:1-8) is worried about the persistent widow literally giving him a black eye (rather than, metaphorically, wearying him)!
On Jesus’ warning to dinner guests not to choose the best places (14:7-11), Raiter comments:
“To choose the best seat at a dinner, next to the host, is to display pride. Clearly Jesus is talking not just about human relationships, but also about how we see ourselves before God. We are gravely mistaken if we believe we deserve to sit next to God. Salvation is by grace to the humble and undeserving.”
The writer’s clear respect for what the Bible actually says makes the occasional departure from it surprising. He assumes, for example, that the two disciples the risen Jesus met on the way to Emmaus were friends and both men. Yet Luke only tells us one was a man; they may have been a married couple. In Chapter 5 verses 1-11, Peter and his friends fish all night with nets and catch nothing. Is it just a figure of speech when Raiter writes that Peter knows “the fish simply aren’t biting”? More grating is his reference in the context of Jesus’ baptism to the Holy Spirit as “it”.
Nevertheless, this book would be a useful aid in personal, daily Bible reading, both for Christians with wide knowledge and long experience as well as for those with little of either, including those who are not yet believers. The daily readings are numbered, not dated, so missing out a day does not come with a burden of guilt and some long readings could be covered over more than one day.
One question for the publisher: What happened to Luke 1:57-80?
July 26, 2026
“Scripture speaks for itself. A good commentary simply helps us hear it more clearly.”
Journey Through Luke – 62 Insights from God’s Word by Mile Raiter isn’t a book I simply read—it’s a book I walked through.
Rather than reading it in isolation, I paired it with the Gospel of Luke from my English Standard Version (ESV) Bible by Crossway. My routine was simple: first, I would read the corresponding chapter from Scripture, allowing the biblical text to speak for itself. Only then would I turn to Raiter’s reflections in Journey Through Luke. That sequence made all the difference. Instead of replacing Scripture, the book illuminated it, helping me notice details, themes, and applications that I might otherwise have overlooked.
This is part of a four-book series covering Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that I purchased from Our Daily Bread Ministries, and completing Luke has only increased my anticipation for the remaining Gospels.
What impressed me most was the author’s balanced approach. The insights are biblically grounded, practical, and devotional without becoming overly academic or unnecessarily simplistic. Each chapter encourages reflection, drawing attention to Luke’s recurring themes of compassion, grace, forgiveness, prayer, discipleship, and God’s concern for those often overlooked by society. Rather than offering sensational interpretations, Raiter consistently points the reader back to the heart of the Gospel and the character of Christ.
Luke’s Gospel presents Jesus not only as the promised Messiah but also as the compassionate Savior who seeks the lost, welcomes the outcast, and calls ordinary people into an extraordinary relationship with God. This companion guide helped me appreciate those themes with greater clarity and intentionality.
What I appreciated most was that the book never felt rushed. The 62 short readings naturally invite you to slow down, meditate on Scripture, and ask, “What is God teaching me through this passage today?” In an age where we’re often tempted to consume more information, this book gently encourages transformation over mere knowledge.
If you’re looking for an academic commentary packed with linguistic analysis and historical debates, this isn’t that book. But if you’re looking for a faithful devotional companion that encourages you to engage more deeply with God’s Word, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
For me, Journey Through Luke wasn’t about finishing another book—it was about spending sixty-two intentional moments in the Gospel and coming away with a renewed appreciation for the life, teachings, compassion, and mission of Jesus Christ.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
Journey Through Luke – 62 Insights from God’s Word by Mile Raiter isn’t a book I simply read—it’s a book I walked through.
Rather than reading it in isolation, I paired it with the Gospel of Luke from my English Standard Version (ESV) Bible by Crossway. My routine was simple: first, I would read the corresponding chapter from Scripture, allowing the biblical text to speak for itself. Only then would I turn to Raiter’s reflections in Journey Through Luke. That sequence made all the difference. Instead of replacing Scripture, the book illuminated it, helping me notice details, themes, and applications that I might otherwise have overlooked.
This is part of a four-book series covering Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that I purchased from Our Daily Bread Ministries, and completing Luke has only increased my anticipation for the remaining Gospels.
What impressed me most was the author’s balanced approach. The insights are biblically grounded, practical, and devotional without becoming overly academic or unnecessarily simplistic. Each chapter encourages reflection, drawing attention to Luke’s recurring themes of compassion, grace, forgiveness, prayer, discipleship, and God’s concern for those often overlooked by society. Rather than offering sensational interpretations, Raiter consistently points the reader back to the heart of the Gospel and the character of Christ.
Luke’s Gospel presents Jesus not only as the promised Messiah but also as the compassionate Savior who seeks the lost, welcomes the outcast, and calls ordinary people into an extraordinary relationship with God. This companion guide helped me appreciate those themes with greater clarity and intentionality.
What I appreciated most was that the book never felt rushed. The 62 short readings naturally invite you to slow down, meditate on Scripture, and ask, “What is God teaching me through this passage today?” In an age where we’re often tempted to consume more information, this book gently encourages transformation over mere knowledge.
If you’re looking for an academic commentary packed with linguistic analysis and historical debates, this isn’t that book. But if you’re looking for a faithful devotional companion that encourages you to engage more deeply with God’s Word, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
For me, Journey Through Luke wasn’t about finishing another book—it was about spending sixty-two intentional moments in the Gospel and coming away with a renewed appreciation for the life, teachings, compassion, and mission of Jesus Christ.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews