Bill Hao

Will only a few people be saved? In Luke 13, someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Jesus replied, “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” (Luke 13:23-24) This response is similar to Matthew 7, where Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through…

Disciples on fire Jesus said, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! (Luke 12:49-50) What is this fire that Jesus was talking about? In the context of chapter 12 of Luke, this fire refers to the fire in one’s heart and soul in being a disciple of Christ. The eagerness…

Becoming a Vigilant Servant   Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in…

The greedy brother and the rich fool Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (cf. Luke 12:13-15) Jesus’ particular response to the person and then admonishing the crowd to…

The long and short of the Lord’s Prayer      The Lord’s Prayer in Luke is situated differently as compared to Matthew. In Matthew, Jesus teaches the ‘Our Father’ to the crowds at the Sermon of the Mount (chapters 5-7). In Luke, the ‘Our Father’ does not even appear in the Sermon on the Plain, which some commentaries view as Luke’s counterpart to the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, Jesus teaches the ‘Our Father’ to His disciples after they asked, “Lord,…

Martha of Bethany The story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42 – what was that all about? Many commentaries say that Martha was too busy with domestic affairs and therefore failed to choose ‘the better part,’ which is, to keep still and listen to Jesus. That is true, but this Gospel passage is more than just being a Martha or a Mary.   ‘Martha was burdened with much serving (v40)’ implies that Martha was doing a lot to serve…

A Neighbor to my Enemy    In Luke 10:25-37, a scholar of the law tested Jesus and said, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25) Jesus answered, “What is written in the law?” The scribe said, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Dt 6:5, Lv 19:18) Jesus told him that he answered correctly, but…