The Luke Project
Who is Jesus and Why Should I Care? This is a question that stayed with me for way too many years. I grew up in a house divided. My Dad was an atheist, and my mom was a Christian. She would take my brother and I to Sunday School and church while we pleaded to stay home with Dad. I was bullied very heavily in elementary and middle school during the week, and then on the weekends, had to go to church, where those same bullies were, along with others. They acted so nice when they were with their families and in Sunday School; however, it was during the breaks between Sunday School and church, and at school that they showed a different side. We were taught that Jesus loved us; however, I did not feel love. I felt not good enough, shame, and judged. I felt like Jesus was someone who looked down on me from up above and was judging my every move so that he could throw me below into the pit of fire when he found out who I really was. I was shy, sad, and full of fear and anger. I felt misunderstood by others, but could not find the voice to speak up and let anyone in.
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
Luke 9: 37-43 The next day, after they came down from the mountain, they were met with a large crowd. A man in the crowd called out to Jesus, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him...
The Transfiguration
Luke 9: 28 - 36 About a week later, Jesus took his disciples Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking...
Jesus Predicts His Death
Luke 21 - 27 Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. He was not ready to present himself openly as the Messiah as at that time. The people expected the Messiah to overthrow the Roman government. Jesus was sent to spread God’s word, heal the broken...
Peter’s Declaration About Jesus
Luke 18 - 20 One day Jesus left the crowds to be alone with his disciples. He asked them, “Who do people say I am?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.” ...
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
Luke 9: 10 - 17 Jesus’s apostles returned, updating him with their travels and all they had done. He tried to quietly slip away with them to a town called Bethsaida; however, the crowds found out where he was going and followed him. Instead of being upset, he...
Herod’s Confusion
Luke 9: 7-9 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, so could not understand how the person he was...
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples
9: 1 - 6 After several months of following Jesus around and observing his ministry, Jesus called the disciples together and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. He sent them out to teach about God’s kingdom and to heal the...
Jesus Heals in Response to Faith
8: 40-56 On the other side of the lake, the crowds had been waiting for Jesus and they welcomed him as he arrived. A leader of the local synagogue came and fell at Jesus’s feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years...
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
8: 26-39 They finally arrived at the other side of the lake, across from Galilee. As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. The man had been homeless and naked for a long time, living in a cave outside of town...