Today’s passage: Luke 20:19-47

Helpful thoughts:

• The Jewish leaders had an evil plot that required evil actions and they carried them out.  The ends justified the means.  They knowingly sinned and justified it.
  • Even in their falsified attempts, they could not find any fault in Jesus!
  • Even though Jesus caused them to marvel, their minds were already made up.  They wanted Him dead.  They refused to believe that the Son of David, the Son of God was right in front of them.
• Jesus responded with his own question to the religious leaders, except his question would have led to life if they had heard and repented.
  • Had one of the religious leaders received the compliment from verse 39, they would have left happy.  Jesus is not into empty praise.  He does nothing “for a pretense”.
• Death ends marriages but it doesn’t end our existence.  God is the God of the living.  Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul, and every other person in history who puts their faith in the promise of God’s grace through the sacrificed Messiah is and/or will be worshiping the LORD forever!
• And…pay your taxes.

Questions to consider:

1. What had these religious leaders already decided before they asked these questions?  It is often better to ask questions than to make accusations…however, is it possible to sinfully manipulate people with your questions?
2. If you find yourself being motivated often in the same way that the scribes are (The praise of people), what do you need to do?  Why does a heart of worship for God bring exceedingly more joy and freedom than pleasing people?
3. Who are those who will be considered worthy to attain to that age, where we will live forever like the angels and as the children of God?  What makes us worthy?  What makes others not worthy?

Today’s passage: Luke 19:45-20:18

Helpful thoughts:

• The Jews had hoped the Messiah would come to Jerusalem to drive out the Romans.  Instead, He drove out Jews who were abusing the Temple and sought true worshipers.
• The Jewish leaders understood the things Jesus was saying in this passage.  However, they told Jesus He was wrong and they were more interested in the people thinking highly of them than they were interested in the people thinking highly of God the Son.
  • One does not simply disagree with God.  To disagree is to rebel.  The rebellion of these leaders was evidenced in this passage by their desire for the praise of man.  Their reason for waiting to destroy Him was because the people looked like they would oppose such a thing.
• Matthew 28:18-20
• In the parable, Jesus told these religious leaders exactly what they wanted to do and why they wanted to do it.  They wanted Jesus dead because they wanted His glory.  But, the death of the Son brought righteousness to all who believe…and judgment to all who reject.
  • Psalm 118:19-24

Questions to consider:

1. Why is the fear of man so dangerous?  How does it hurt our walk with Christ?
2. If the prophets were beaten, imprisoned and even killed, and if Jesus was beaten and crucified, should we expect the world to think highly of us? (John 15:18-19, John 16:33)
3. There are many popular verses from the Psalm 118 passage linked above.  To what person, day and accomplishment are they referring?

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)
• 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:

1. Whose coronation did the unbelieving Israelites truly desire?  Why did they reject Jesus?  Why was there “worship” not only empty, but also rebellious?
2. In what ways was Jesus’ divine omniscience on display in this passage?
3. 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?

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:

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?

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:

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. What role does your faith in God’s future gracious promises have in how you choose to spend each day?

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:

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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)

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:

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?

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:

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. Whose kingdom has your heart and affections?  Are you ready?

Today’s passage: Luke 17:11-19

Helpful thoughts:

• These leprous men (Now formerly leprous) were required by law to show themselves to the priests who acted as the local health officials.  The process for declaring them clean would last eight days.  These priests were about to get an eight day testimony to the deity of Christ as He approached Jerusalem for the last time in His earthly ministry.
• Nine of the ten men were overwhelmed at the prospect of returning to a normal life.  One man was overwhelmed by the prospect of being in the presence of Almighty God.  He bowed down humbly, with thanksgiving, in worship.
• All ten men were healed, so Jesus’ statement in verse 19 had nothing to do with leprosy.  This Samaritan man had been made well eternally that day.  He had put his faith in Jesus, and received eternal life.

Questions to consider:

1. When the nine Jewish men were declared clean, they would also be seen as too good for the Samaritan man.  What is the irony of his ethnicity?  Of the ten men, who was truly the child of God?
2. When Jesus asked, “Where are the nine?” what was He implying?  How many of the men should have come back and worshiped Him?
3. What was the best thing that happened to that Samaritan man that day?  Was it truly a good day for the nine Jewish men considering what they had missed?  What things matter the most in our lives today?

Today’s passage: Luke 17:1-10

Helpful thoughts:

• In contrast to the pride of the Pharisees, Jesus teaches his apostles (And the rest of us) what humility will produce in us.
  • A humble teacher will be careful to ensure that his teaching is from the Bible (God’s Word alone has authority) and not his own errant opinion, which would cause others to go the wrong direction.  (“Little ones” refers to all believers.)
  • A humble leader will pay attention to himself first! (Matthew 7:5)
  • A humble believer will be willing to rebuke, not preserving their own reputation in the eyes of the one needing correction.
  • A humble believer will be willing to forgive, even repeatedly, knowing they have been forgiven of much more (Matthew 18:21-35).
  • A humble believer will realize great things don’t happen because they had enough faith, but because God is the one who wills and holds the power (Not how much faith I have, but who my faith is in).
  • A humble believer will see themselves as a servant doing their duty, not as a champion who’s master is lucky to have them.
• Philippians 3 shares Paul’s personal testimony of this transformation.

Questions to consider:

1. How does a teacher/preacher know if their teaching is biblical?  How does a listener know if the teaching/preaching they are receiving is biblical?  How does humility promote biblical teaching and learning?
2. In what way can pride motivate us to point our finger and bark at people’s sin?  In what way could pride motivate us to remain quiet when someone needs to hear a rebuke?  How could thinking too highly and/or too “lowly” of ourselves both be a result of pride? (Think, high self-esteem and low self-esteem…what is the common denominator?)
3. How does preaching the gospel to ourselves encourage humility in our hearts?  Children of God, what are we?  Whose are we? What is our calling and mission? Who is our hope? Where is our home?