Everybody, what is going on? You know what time it is. You're listening to join the Journey podcast with your host, Emma, daughter.

Hi, Journey, friends. It's Jenna again. If you missed yesterday, I am filling in for Emma while we cover Luke

16 through 18, and it is a joy to be with you all again. As we dive into Luke 17 today,

there are a couple of truths that I hope you'll see throughout this passage. First, Jesus is not

unaware of our sinfulness. Second, we don't sin in a vacuum. And third, Jesus is the kingdom come and our eternal assurance.

With that being said, let's dive in. We begin Luke 17 with Jesus addressing the reality that

temptations to sin are sure to come. I find great comfort in this statement. When I take a quick look at my own

story, I see that I am quick to want to hide in the dark, not wanting to confess my sin because I fear

looking like a sinner. But here Jesus creates space for the light. He brings to the forefront the reality that we are

sinners and we will be tempted to want to sin. And he is speaking to his disciples here, not even a group

of non-believers. Even those who have tasted the goodness of life with Christ will still face a battle with sin. But because of this

common depravity we all share, we can walk in the light together. First John 1, 7 through 9 says,

if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus,

his son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in

us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If you feel overwhelmed by temptations and sin in your life, this is a beautiful invitation

to walk in the light with our merciful God and with others who love Him. It is there that I

have found true freedom. Okay, now that we are on level playing field,

Jesus follows this comfort with a warning, saying, woe to the one through whom they come.

Unfortunately, we don't sin in a vacuum. Our own personal sin affects those around us, whether we realize it or not.

As we seek to love God, one of the ways we do that is we consider others,

and we examine our lives to make sure we're not the cause of temptation for a fellow brother or sister.

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