Devotional: Luke 19:28-44
Today’s passage: Luke 19:28-44
Helpful thoughts:
- Jesus entered Jerusalem on the day the Law required the Passover lambs be selected (Exodus 12:2-6).
- Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
- Some of the people in this crowd who were heralding the coming of the King were truly believers. Most however, were simply expecting freedom from Rome and the rise of Israel. On the outside, it might have been hard to tell the difference. (Isaiah 53:3-4) It is possible to use words of esteem without truly esteeming the King.
- Words of worship without truth and repentance are not worship at all. (John 4:23)
- Some of the people in this crowd who were heralding the coming of the King were truly believers. Most however, were simply expecting freedom from Rome and the rise of Israel. On the outside, it might have been hard to tell the difference. (Isaiah 53:3-4) It is possible to use words of esteem without truly esteeming the King.
- The stones would cry out in judgment against Israel for her rejection of Messiah. Jesus’ statement in verse 40 was a claim to deity and a word of judgment.
- Rome destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and according to Jesus’ words, this was a judgment for their unbelief.
- The peace Israel needed was not with Rome. They were at war with God.
Questions to consider:
- Whose coronation did the unbelieving Israelites truly desire? Why did they reject Jesus? Why was there “worship” not only empty, but also rebellious?
- In what ways was Jesus’ divine omniscience on display in this passage?
- What are the “things that make for peace” that Jesus spoke of in verse 42? What had He entered Jerusalem to do? Why was this entry into the city “Triumphal” and who will share in the triumph?
Children’s Church: Jesus On the Throne
Devotional: Luke 19:1-27
Today’s passage: Luke 19:1-27
Helpful thoughts:
- Zacchaeus’ salvation was evidenced by repentance.
- He didn’t share his changed life with those who were grumbling to earn their favor. They had no authority and were unrepentant themselves. Zacchaeus spoke to his Lord and Savior.
- You have to know you are lost before you can be found.
- The wicked servant directly disobeyed clear orders, he blamed his master for his disobedience and called his master a thief.
- Every one of the people in this account were under the sovereignty of the Master and King, whether they wanted to be or not.
- Some of them served their master faithfully and were rewarded.
- Some of the people openly voiced their rejection.
- Some (At least the one) acted like they were serving the master but were not.
- These second and third groups were both characterized by this statement, “these…who did not want me to reign over them.”
Questions to consider:
- When Jesus became Zacchaeus’ Lord, whose opinion was Zacchaues concerned about? Who did he try to please? In doing good to others and making things right, who was he truly worshiping?
- Is there a single soul on the face of the earth who will not have to answer to God? Do we get to choose who is in charge? Who needs to hear the Gospel?
- How does 1 John 1:5-9 agree with this parable? What was the wicked servant trying to do? What was his end? What will happen for those who truly repent and follow Jesus?
Devotional: Luke 18:31-43
Today’s passage: Luke 18:31-43
Helpful thoughts:
- Jesus sacrificial death was not a change in plans. God had revealed His plan and purpose for the Messiah in His Word. Israel had this all in writing in the Old Testament.
- The disciples’ view of the coming Messiah matched that of the vast majority of Israel (Straight to the end…skipping the death, burial and resurrection). They would not understand until God graciously opened their “eyes”. (Luke 24:44-49)
- You can also read about Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52.
- Bartimaeus referred to Jesus as the Son of David and as “Lord”. He knew and believed. Bartimaeus “saw” before he could see.
- He also threw his cloak behind when he was being led to Jesus. This was likely the only thing he owned. What he did have, he left behind to follow Jesus.
- The fact that Mark names him shows that the early church was probably familiar with who he was. He followed Jesus continually.
- When Jesus said, “You faith has made you well.” He uses the word not for healing, but for salvation. Bartimaeus faith didn’t make his eyes get better. Jesus did that. Bartimaeus faith was a gift from God that brought salvation.
Questions to consider:
- Where should we look if we want to know what God is going to do and to know what He wants us to do? Where was the information the Jewish people were missing? How does abstaining from the Scriptures prevent the Spirit from teaching us?
- Why did it seem easier for the blind man to leave his possessions behind than the rich young ruler? How does one penny compare to a million dollars? How does one penny compare to a million dollars (Which you can only possess for 70-80 years) when compared to the infinite worth of eternal life in the presence of God as a joint-heir with Jesus Christ?
- What role does your faith in God’s future gracious promises have in how you choose to spend each day?
Devotional: Luke 18:15-30
Today’s passage: Luke 18:15-30
Helpful thoughts:
- Having faith like a child doesn’t mean you are innocent and ignorant. It means you realize you are helpless and hopeless without the intervention and leadership of someone who you trust to care for you.
- The rich young ruler did not come to Jesus like a child. He came like a business man ready to make a contract.
- Furthermore, his valuation of his righteousness was wrong. “No one is good except God alone.”
- A person who needs saving cannot save themselves. That is impossible. There is only one who has the authority and the righteousness to save us.
Questions to consider:
- What does it mean to be “saved”? What does the word “saved” imply? Who is hopeless and in need of rescue lest they perish? Who is the rescuer?
- What happens to my level of appreciation (Thanksgiving) of God the more highly I think of myself? What happens to the level of hope I have in the life to come the more highly I value the treasures of this world?
- Did the apostles leave their homes in order to earn salvation or did the apostles leave their homes because they had been saved and therefore had a new value system? (Matthew 16:15-17)
Think On These Things: Psalm 143
Children’s Church: Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
Devotional: Luke 18:1-14
Today’s passage: Luke 18:1-14
Helpful thoughts:
- This unrighteous judge gave the woman what she wanted for his own benefit. God proactively loves his children. Instead of being annoyed by us, He tells us to draw near to Him in prayer!
- God gives justice. He will give us what is right, which may not always be what we want.
- The Pharisee and the tax collector were both sinners. Only one of them realized it…and that man went home justified.
Questions to consider:
- In what way(s) were the unrighteous judge and the Pharisee similar? What was most important to them? How did they view other people? Who didn’t they fear?
- What justices should we be praying fervently for? Do your prayers contain more matters of justice and glory or prayers of self-interest, self-promotion, and an avoidance of any hardship? Do your prayers look more like the prayers of the Pharisee, the desire of the unrighteous judge (“Make this woman stop bickering”) or the prayer and appeal of the woman and the tax collector?
- What must the elect come to know before they know to ask God for mercy? How has God provided justice for the elect through Christ? Why would our justification at the cross give God all the more reason to pursue our good to the end?
Devotional: Luke 17:20-37
Today’s passage: Luke 17:20-37
Helpful thoughts:
- The fact that the Pharisees were asking Jesus about the coming kingdom again at this point displays more mockery than curiosity.
- The kingdom of God didn’t come according to the Pharisees’ expectation and desires. So, they rejected it.
- When Jesus comes again to rule and reign, there will be no mistaking it.
- Those being taken away in this passage do not refer to the rapture. These illustrations are being compared by Jesus to times of judgment. The ones being taken away here are being taken away to judgment.
Questions to consider:
- Given the words and actions of the Pharisees, how do you think they would have envisioned the coming of the Messiah and the kingdom? How was their thinking wrong and backwards?
- If people are “eating and drinking” and pursuing the best things this world has to offer, what kind of life is their “dream life”? What kinds of things will prove to be paramount in the heart that is longing for the kingdom of God?
- Whose kingdom has your heart and affections? Are you ready?
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