24 Days of Christ: Recent Episodes
24 Days of Christ
Follow the life and ministry of the Savior, Jesus Christ throughout the month of December by listening to the Book of Luke. Starting on December 1st with the angelic announcement to Mary, through His life and ministry, and ending on the Road to Emmaus on Christmas Eve.
December 24: Following His death and burial, Christ's disciples return to the tomb with spices and ointments, but discover the tomb empty. Two angels appear and declare the Savior has risen, as He testified he would. Jesus accompanies two men on the road to Emmaus, but His identity is concealed until He breaks bread with them. He appears to the apostles and they feel the wounds in His hands and feet. He blesses His disciples and ascends to heaven.
December 23: The trial of Jesus continues as He is taken to and questioned by Pilate and Herod. The chief priests, rulers and the people demand the release of Barabbas, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He is taken to Calgary and crucified between two malefactors. The Savior dies and is buried in the tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathæa.
December 22: Judas Iscariot covenants with the enemies of Jesus to betray Him. Christ and His disciples attend The Last Supper during Passover, and later He suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas leads the chief priests and scribes to Jesus and betrays Him with a kiss. Peter denies knowing the Lord and Jesus is mocked and taunted by the chief priests and scribes.
December 21: Jesus teaches in the temple and highlights the widow's mite. He speaks of the future destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. He further teaches about His Second Coming and what signs will precede it, including the parable of the fig tree.
December 20: The chief priests and scribes continue to question Jesus and seek to catch Him in His words. He shares the parable of the wicked husbandmen, tells the people to render unto Cæsar and God what should be rendered to each, and expounds on the law of marriage.
December 19: Zacchæus, the publican, climbs a tree to see the Savior as He passes by. Jesus calls to him and later is a guest in his home where the Lord declares He has come to seek and save that which was lost. Christ shares the parable of the pounds, and enters Jerusalem triumphantly. He weeps over Jerusalem and later cleanses the temple.
December 18: Jesus continues to teach through parables, and teaches about the unjust judge, and the Pharisee and publican. He also declares, "suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God," speaks of his death and resurrection and heals a blind man.
December 17: Teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ continue as he discusses how to treat children, how often to forgive others, and other principles. He shares the parable of the ten healed lepers, and talks about His Second Coming.
December 16: Teachings from the Savior continue as Jesus shares more parables including the parable of the unjust servant, and the rich man and Lazarus. He says, "No man can serve two masters."
December 15: As the Pharisees and scribes murmur over His eating with sinners, Christ shares the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son. There shall be great joy in heaven over those who repent.
December 14: Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, and later eats with the Pharisees, teaching them to humble themselves and shares the parable of the great supper. He teaches that those who follow Him must take up their cross and give up all.
December 13: Jesus continues to teach, calling all to repentance. He shares the parable of the fig tree, and compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed and leavened bread. Christ heals a woman, and rebukes the Pharisees who scold Him for healing on the Sabbath. He admonishes all to "enter in at the strait gate," and mourns over Jerusalem.
December 12: The Savior teaches His disciples about to seek the kingdom of God, to beware hypocrisy, to prepare for the Lord's coming, to lay up treasures in heaven, and to live righteously.
December 11: Christ teaches His disciples to pray, and defends Himself against those who question by what power and authority He casts out devils. The Savior declares He is greater than Jonas and Solomon, and also commands His disciples to have their eye single to light and not darkness, that their whole bodies may be full of light. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, scribes and lawyers, and they continue to look for ways to trick and accuse Him.
December 10: Jesus calls the Seventy, gives them instructions prior to their missions and sends them out to preach the gospel and heal the sick. The Savior continues to teach His disciples, and speaks to a lawyer who asks, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Christ shares the parable of the good Samaritan. He later enters into the home of and teaches sisters Mary and Martha.
December 9:Christ sends His apostles out to preach the gospel and heal the sick. Later, when the apostles return, Jesus miraculously feeds the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fishes. The Savior asks, "whom say ye that I am," and Peter declares "The Christ of God." Jesus is transfigured on the mount and speaks with Moses and Elias. The Savior testifies multiple times about his death and resurrection, and heals a man's son. He teaches the apostles, "Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."
December 8: The Savior teaches the Parable of the Sower, and continues to teach His disciples. He calms the raging winds and waves as He and His apostles travel to Gadarenes. Upon arrival, Christ heals a man possessed of a legion of devils, who take over a nearby herd of swine. He returns from Gadarenes and meet Jairus, who begs Him to heal his dying daughter. On the way to heal her, a woman with an issue of blood reaches out and touches the border of His clothes, causing her to be healed. Later, the Savior raises the daughter of Jairus from the dead.
December 7: Jesus heals a centurion's servant and declares, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." He has compassion on a widow in Nain and raises her son from the dead. The Savior testifies of John the Baptist's divine role and mission as a prophet preparing the way for Him, and forgives the sins of a woman who comes to Him while he eats with a Pharisee.
December 6: The Savior is again confronted by the Pharisees who are seeking opportunities to accuse him. He heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, chooses his 12 apostles, continues to heal those who are sick and afflicted, and teaches the blessings of obedience and consequences of wickedness.
December 5: Jesus calls his first disciples and performs miracles including filling Simon Peter's nets with fish, and healing the sick. He speaks in parables to the Pharisees during dinner with Matthew.
December 4: Jesus completes his forty day fast and is tempted by Satan. He rebukes the devil and travel to Nazareth where he preaches in the synagogue of his divinity as the Son of God, enraging those in attendance. They cast him out of the city. Jesus casts out devils and heals Simon's mother-in-law, and continues to heal and preach while the fame of his ministry spreads.
December 3: John the Baptist performs his mission to teach and baptize, preparing the way for and pointing all to the Savior, Jesus Christ. The genealogy of Christ is documented.
December 2: The chapter that is the foundation for many a Christmas program in communities, churches and homes across the world - the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem, and while there, Mary gives birth to the Christ child. Shepherds receive angelic ministry and are told of "good tidings of great joy," before visiting the newborn babe themselves. Simeon and Anna praise and worship God at the temple upon seeing the Savior, and we hear a story from Jesus' childhood.
December 1st: Our journey through the Book of Luke begins with angelic announcements to Zacharias and Mary, miracle pregnancies for Elisabeth and Mary, beautiful verses full of praise and worship, and the birth of John the Baptist.