Month: June 2020

Reading 1, Luke 22:1-34

Luke 22  

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. ²And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. 

³Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. ⁴So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. ⁵And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude. 

Jesus and His Disciples Prepare the Passover

⁷Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be ^[j]killed. ⁸And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” 

⁹So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” 

¹⁰And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. ¹¹Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ ¹²Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” 

¹³So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. 

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper

¹⁴When the hour had come, He sat down, and the ^[k]twelve apostles with Him. ¹⁵Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; ¹⁶for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 

¹⁷Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; ¹⁸for I say to you, ^[l]I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

¹⁹And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 

²⁰Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. ²¹But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. ²²And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 

²³Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. 

Study note: For some background information on 30 pieces of silver for which Jesus was betrayed, check out the following link:  https://www.grandrapidscoins.com/blogs/entry/how-much-were-judas-iscariot-s-30-pieces-of-silver-worth 

Question: Why was a betrayer needed for the religious leaders to have Jesus crucified? 

The Disciples Argue About Greatness

²⁴Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. ²⁵And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ²⁶But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. 

Question: How should we think and act if we want to be great in the kingdom of heaven? 

²⁸“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. ²⁹And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,³⁰that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” 

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

^31 [m]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 

³³But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 

³⁴Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” 

Reading 2, Luke 22:35-71

Supplies for the Road

³⁵And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” 

So they said, “Nothing.” 

³⁶Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. ³⁷For I say to you that this which is written must still be ^[n]accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 

³⁸So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” 

And He said to them, “It is enough.” 

Study note: The money bag, knapsack, and sword were minimum items one would need to flee from one place to another.  The sword would be for protection from bandits.  Christ their shepherd would be smitten and his disciples scattered and flee (see also Matthew 26:31). 

The Prayer in the Garden

³⁹Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. ⁴⁰When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 

⁴¹And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, ⁴²saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” ^43 [o]Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 

⁴⁵When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. ⁴⁶Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” 

Question: How do you think prayer can help us to not enter into, or fail in temptation? 

What do you see in the Lord’s prayer that would help you not enter into temptation (see Matthew 6:9-15)? 

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane

⁴⁷And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. ⁴⁸But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 

⁴⁹When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 

⁵¹But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 

⁵²Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? ⁵³When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” 

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly

⁵⁴Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” 

⁵⁷But he denied ^[p]Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 

⁵⁸And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” 

But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 

⁵⁹Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 

⁶⁰But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” 

Immediately, while he was still speaking, ^[q]the rooster crowed. ⁶¹And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster ^[r]crows, you will deny Me three times.” ⁶²So Peter went out and wept bitterly. 

Jesus Mocked and Beaten

⁶³Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. ^64 [s]And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?” ⁶⁵And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. 

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁶⁶As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, ⁶⁷“If You are the Christ, tell us.” 

But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. ⁶⁸And if I ^[t]also ask you, you will by no means answer ^[u]Me or let Me go.⁶⁹Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” 

⁷⁰Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” 

So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” 

⁷¹And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” 

Reading 3: Luke 23: 1-43

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

Luke 23  

Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. ²And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting ^[v]the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 

³Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 

He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 

⁴So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” 

⁵But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” 

Jesus Faces Herod

⁶When Pilate heard ^[w]of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. ⁷And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. ⁹Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. ¹⁰And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. ¹¹Then Herod, with his ^[x]men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. ¹²That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. 

Taking the Place of Barabbas

¹³Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, ¹⁴said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; ¹⁵no, neither did Herod, for ^[y]I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. ¹⁶I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” ¹⁷(for^[z] it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast). 

¹⁸And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— ¹⁹who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. 

²⁰Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. ²¹But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” 

²²Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” 

²³But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men ^[aa]and of the chief priests prevailed. ²⁴So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. ²⁵And he released ^[ab]to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will. 

King Jesus on the Cross

²⁶Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. 

²⁷And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. ²⁸But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ ³⁰Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ ³¹For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” 

³²There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. ³³And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. ^34 [ac]Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” 

And they divided His garments and cast lots. ³⁵And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” 

³⁶The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, ³⁷and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” 

³⁸And an inscription also was ^[ad]written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: 

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

³⁹Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ^[ae]“If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 

⁴⁰But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴²Then he said ^[af]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 

⁴³And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 

Reading 4: Luke 23:44- 24:27

Jesus Dies on the Cross

⁴⁴Now it ^[ag]was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵Then the sun was ^[ah]darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in ^[ai]two. ⁴⁶And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ”Having said this, He breathed His last. 

⁴⁷So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” 

⁴⁸And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. ⁴⁹But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 

Question: What does the veil of the temple being torn in two have to do with what Jesus did for us on the Cross (see Hebrews 10:19-23)? 

Question: Christians often talk about us having forgiveness because Christ died for us.  However, some will say that it does not matter what we do, because we are forgiven.  What do these two scriptures reveal about the purpose of Christ’s suffering regarding forgiveness and living right before God in 1 Peter 2:24-25 and 1 John 3:4-9? 

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

⁵⁰Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. ⁵¹He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who^[aj] himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. ⁵²This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. ⁵⁴That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 

⁵⁵And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. ⁵⁶Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. 

He Is Risen

Luke 24 

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, ^[ak]and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. ²But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴And it happened, as they were ^[al]greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. ⁵Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, ⁷saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” 

⁸And they remembered His words. ⁹Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. ¹¹And their words seemed to them like ^[am]idle tales, and they did not believe them. ¹²But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths ^[an]lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. 

The Road to Emmaus

¹³Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was ^[ao]seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴And they talked together of all these things which had happened. ¹⁵So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 

¹⁷And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you ^[ap]walk and are sad?” 

¹⁸Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” 

¹⁹And He said to them, “What things?” 

So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. ²¹But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. ²²Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. ²³When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. ²⁴And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” 

²⁵Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” ²⁷And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He ^[aq]expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. 

Reading 5: Luke 24:28-53

The Disciples’ Eyes Opened

²⁸Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He ^[ar]indicated that He would have gone farther. ²⁹But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. 

³⁰Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 

³²And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” ³³So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was ^[as]known to them in the breaking of bread. 

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

³⁶Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” ³⁷But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. ³⁸And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?³⁹Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 

^40 [at]When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. ⁴¹But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” ⁴²So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish ^[au]and some honeycomb. ⁴³And He took it and ate in their presence. 

The Scriptures Opened

⁴⁴Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” ⁴⁵And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 

⁴⁶Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, ^[av]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, ⁴⁷and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸And you are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city ^[aw]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” 

Question: What was the message Jesus said should be preached in His name to all nations?   

What do we need to do the works of Jesus and carry His message wherever we go? 

How can we grow in being an instrument for the Holy Spirit to use to do the works of the Father and tell the good news? 

The Ascension

⁵⁰And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. ⁵¹Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³and were continually in the temple ^[ax]praising and blessing God. ^[ay]Amen. 

Reading 1, Luke 19:1-27

Luke 19 

Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House  

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ²Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. ⁴So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.⁵And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up ^[bx]and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, ^[by]make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶So he ^[bz]made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷But when they saw it, they all ^[ca]complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 

⁸Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 

⁹And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; ¹⁰for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

1) Question: What was Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus inviting himself over to Zacchaeus’ house in verse 8 (also note Jesus’ commentary of what happened in verses 9-10)? 

The Parable of the Minas

¹¹Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. ¹²Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.¹³So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten ^[cb]minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ ¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ 

¹⁵“And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. ¹⁶Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ ¹⁷And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’¹⁸And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ ¹⁹Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ 

²⁰“Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. ²¹For I feared you, because you are^[cc]an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ ²²And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. ²³Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 

²⁴“And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ ²⁵(But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ²⁶‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ²⁷But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ” 

2) Question: What one or two things do you get out of this parable of the minas?   

Reading 2, Luke 19:28-48

The Triumphal Entry

²⁸When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹And it came to pass, when He drew near to ^[cd]Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, ³⁰saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. ³¹And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ” 

³²So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. ³³But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” 

³⁴And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” ³⁵Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. ³⁶And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. 

³⁷Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, ³⁸saying: 

“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ 
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 

³⁹And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 

⁴⁰But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” 

3) Question:  Who was cheering Jesus on at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and why (see also verse 11)?  Who was not cheering Jesus on and why? 

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

⁴¹Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, ⁴²saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, ⁴⁴and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” 

4) Question: What do you think Jesus was talking about as he wept over Jerusalem in 41-44?   

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

⁴⁵Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who ^[ce]bought and sold in it, ⁴⁶saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house ^[cf]is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” 

⁴⁷And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, ⁴⁸and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. 

Reading 3, Luke 20:1-26

Luke 20 

Jesus’ Authority Questioned

Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him ²and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?” 

³But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: ⁴The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?” 

⁵And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why ^[cg]then did you not believe him?’ ⁶But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” ⁷So they answered that they did not know where it was from. 

⁸And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” 

5) Question: Why do you think Jesus did not give an answer to these religious leaders who questioned where his authority came from to do the things He did? 

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

⁹Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to ^[ch]vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. ¹⁰Now at ^[ci]vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.¹¹Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. ¹²And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out. 

¹³“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.’ ¹⁴But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ ¹⁵So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.” 

And when they heard it they said, “Certainly not!” 

¹⁷Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: 

‘The stone which the builders rejected 
Has become the chief cornerstone’? 

¹⁸Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” 

¹⁹And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they ^[cj]feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them. 

6) Question: Notice that this parable is a follow on to what is happening in verses 1-8.  What do you think this parable of the vineyard is about? 

Also note that the reference of Christ as the cornerstone is foretold in the Old Testament in Psalms 118:21-31 and Isaiah 28:16. 

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

²⁰So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. 

²¹Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: ²²Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 

²³But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, ^[ck]“Why do you test Me? ²⁴Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” 

They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” 

²⁵And He said to them, “Render^[cl] therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

²⁶But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent. 

7) Question: What are ways in which we can render to “Caesar” that which belongs to him and render to God that which belongs to Him? 

Reading 4, Luke 20:27-21-4

The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?

²⁷Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, ²⁸saying: “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. ³⁰And the second ^[cm]took her as wife, and he died childless. ³¹Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven ^[cn]also; and they left no children, and died. ³²Last of all the woman died also. ³³Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.” 

³⁴Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. ³⁵But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; ³⁶nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. ³⁷But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ ³⁸For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” 

³⁹Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” ⁴⁰But after that they dared not question Him anymore. 

⁴¹And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? ⁴²Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: 

‘The Lord said to my Lord, 
“Sit at My right hand, 
⁴³Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 

⁴⁴Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” 

8) Question: What do you think Jesus referring to when He talks about “those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead” in verses 35-36? 

Beware of the Scribes

⁴⁵Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, ⁴⁶“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, ⁴⁷who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” 

9) Question: What do you think was at the root of the behavior of the scribes that Jesus warned His disciples to beware of them? 

Luke 21 

The Widow’s Two Mites  

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, ²and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.^[a]3So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; ⁴for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings ^[b]for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” 

10) Question: How is God’s view of giving to Him different than the way people tend to look at giving to God (see also 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)? 

Reading 5, Luke 21:5-38

Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, and the Signs of the End of the Age 

⁵Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was ^[c]adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, ⁶“These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” 

⁷So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” 

⁸And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’^[d]Therefore do not ^[e]go after them. ⁹But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 

¹⁰Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. ¹²But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. ¹³But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.¹⁴Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will ^[f]answer; ¹⁵for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or ^[g]resist. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. ¹⁸But not a hair of your head shall be lost. ¹⁹By your patience possess your souls. 

The Destruction of Jerusalem

²⁰“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. ²¹Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. ²²For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. ²³But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. ²⁴And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

Study note: This description of the destruction of Jerusalem foretells what would happen in 70 AD when the temple also would be destroyed. 

The Signs and Coming of the Son of Man

²⁵“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; ²⁶men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” 

The Parable of the Fig Tree

²⁹Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. ³¹So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 

Study note: The Greek word for generation can be used to mean about 40 years, or can refer to the human race.  The above prophecy is fulfilled in both ways: the destruction of Jerusalem would be in about 40 years from when Jesus spoke this, and His words would all be fulfilled before heaven and earth pass away and God makes all things new. 

The Importance of Watching

³⁴“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with^[h]carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. ³⁵For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Watch therefore, and pray always that you may ^[i]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 

³⁷And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. ³⁸Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him. 

Study note: The word in verse Luke 21:36 for escape is ekpheugó, which means have strength, overpower, prevail. This verse could mean have the strength to overcome all these things and stand before Christ, or escape and be raptured out before these things take place.  If you want to dig into this further, go to the following link and look under the Bible Study section: https://biblehub.com/luke/21-36.htm 

11) Question: From what you have learned from Jesus’ teachings, what do you think Jesus meant in verse 36 by “watch” and how do you think watching and praying will help you have the strength to overcome or escape, and stand before Christ? 

Reading 1, Luke 16:1-17 

Luke 16  

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was^[ax]wasting his goods. ²So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ 

³“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. ⁴I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ 

⁵“So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ⁶And he said, ‘A hundred^[ay]measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ ⁷Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred ^[az]measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ ⁸So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 

⁹“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous^[ba]mammon, that when ^[bb]you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. ¹⁰He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.¹¹Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? ¹²And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 

¹³“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” 

1) Question: What do you think is the main point of this parable of the unjust steward in verses 1-9?  

What important things do you get out of Jesus’ teaching on not being able to serve two masters in verses 10-13?  

The Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom

¹⁴Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they ^[bc]derided Him. ¹⁵And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 

¹⁶“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.¹⁷And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one ^[bd]tittle of the law to fail. 

¹⁸“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. 

Reading 2, Luke 16:19-17:10 

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and ^[be]fared sumptuously every day. ²⁰But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, ²¹desiring to be fed with ^[bf]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. ²²So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

²⁴“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ ²⁵But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. ²⁶And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 

²⁷“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, ²⁸for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, 7.’ ³¹But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ” 

2) Question:  What stands out to you in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? 

Luke 17  

Jesus Warns of Offenses

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no ^[bg]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! ²It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should ^[bh]offend one of these little ones. ³Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins ^[bi]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns ^[bj]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 

3) Question:  What do you think offending another person or offending one of these little ones is all about?  What might that look like? 

Some Christians believe that verses 3-4 teach us that we don’t have to forgive people that don’t repent or say they are sorry.  How do you reconcile Jesus’ teaching us to forgive those who say they are sorry or repent, and forgiving others so we be forgiven (Luke 6:37), and to forgive as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you in Ephesians 4:32? 

Faith and Duty

⁵And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 

⁶So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. ⁷And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? ⁸But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? ⁹Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded^[bk]him? I think not. ¹⁰So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ” 

4) Question: What are two things stand out to you in Jesus’ response to their request for more faith (5-10)?  

Reading 3, Luke 17:11-37 

Ten Lepers Cleansed

¹¹Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. ¹²Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. ¹³And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 

¹⁴So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 

¹⁵And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, ¹⁶and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 

¹⁷So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? ¹⁸Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” 

5) Question: What was the good and the bad of the 10 leper’s actions? 

The Coming of the Kingdom

²⁰Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹nor will they say, ^[bl]‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is ^[bm]within you.” 

²²Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. ²³And they will say to you, ^[bn]‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. ²⁴For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. ²⁵But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. ²⁶And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: ²⁷They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. ²⁸Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; ²⁹but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 

³¹“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his ^[bo]goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. ³²Remember Lot’s wife.³³Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. ³⁴I tell you, in that night there will be two ^[bp]men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. ³⁵Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. ^36 [bq]Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” 

³⁷And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” 

So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” 

6) Question: In the above passage, Jesus talks about the present kingdom of God and His return.  How is the kingdom of God within you?  

What stands out to you about His second coming? 

Reading 4, Luke 18:1-17 

Luke 18  

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, ²saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor ^[br]regard man. ³Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ^[bs]‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’⁴And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, ⁵yet because this widow troubles me I will ^[bt]avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” 

⁶Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. ⁷And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”” 

7) Question: Why do you think Jesus gave this parable of the persistent widow to teach us to always pray and not give up?   

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ ¹³And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be ^[bu]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

8) Question: What would repentance look like for the above Pharisees to believe on Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven? 

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹⁵Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ¹⁶But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁷Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 

9) Question: How do you think adults would try and complicate coming into the kingdom of God that would not be acceptable to God? 

Reading 5, Luke 18:18-43 

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

¹⁸Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 

¹⁹So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. ²⁰You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness, ’Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 

²¹And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 

²²So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 

²³But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. 

²⁴And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 

²⁶And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 

²⁷But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” 

²⁸Then Peter said, “See, we have left ^[bv]all and followed You.” 

²⁹So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” 

10) Question: How do you understand verses 29-30 in the context of the rich you ruler?  See Mark 10:23 as a reminder of Jesus’ commentary on What Jesus said about the rich you ruler that He said needed to give away all that he had to enter the kingdom of heaven.  

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection a Third Time

³¹Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be ^[bw]accomplished. ³²For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.³³They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” 

³⁴But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken. 

A Blind Man Receives His Sight

³⁵Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. ³⁶And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. ³⁷So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. ³⁸And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

³⁹Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

⁴⁰So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, ⁴¹saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 

He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” 

⁴²Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” ⁴³And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. 

11) Question: From what you read in this account of the blind man being healed, what things lead up to him receiving his sight? 

Reading 1, Luke 13:1-17

Luke 13  

Repent or Perish & Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had ^[z]mingled with their sacrifices. ²And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.⁴Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!” 

⁶He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. ⁷Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it ^[aa]use up the ground?’ ⁸But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ^9 [ab]And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ” 

1) Question: 1) From what you have come to understand in the Gospels, what does Jesus mean by Repentance? 2) How essential is repentance to entering the kingdom of God?  3) What do you think Jesus was talking about in the parable of the fig tree? 

A Spirit of Infirmity 

¹⁰Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. ¹¹And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way ^[ac]raise herself up. ¹²But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” ¹³And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 

¹⁴But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” 

¹⁵The Lord then answered him and said, ^[ad]“Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? ¹⁶So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. 

2) Question: What type of spirit is being revealed in the words of the ruler of the synagogue at this woman being set free on the sabbath after 18 years of being bent over?  How is this spirit revealing itself? 

Reading 2, Luke 13:18-35

The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven 

¹⁸Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a ^[ae]large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” 

²⁰And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? ²¹It is like ^[af]leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures^[ag] of meal till it was all leavened.” 

3) Question: What do you think the parable of the mustard seed and leaven are revealing about the kingdom of God (Hint, compare the description of the kingdom of God in the present Luke 17:20-21 verses the future in Revelation 20:4-6? 

The Narrow Way 

²²And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” 

And He said to them, ²⁴“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ²⁵When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ ²⁶then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ ²⁷But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’²⁸There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. ²⁹They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.³⁰And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” 

4) Question: What is the narrow gate and what are ways that people try to enter through it but will not be able to (see verse 24? 

^31 [ah]On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.” 

³²And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be^[ai]perfected (accomplish my goal).’ ³³Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. 

³⁴“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁵See! Your house is left to you desolate; and ^[aj]assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” 

5) Question: Why would Jerusalem have a history of killing the prophets and stoning those God has sent to her? 

Reading 3, Luke 14:1-14

Luke 14 

A Man with Dropsy Healed on the Sabbath 

Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. ²And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. ³And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the ^[ak]Sabbath?” 

⁴But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. ⁵Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a ^[al]donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” ⁶And they could not answer Him regarding these things. 

Take the Lowly Place 

⁷So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: ⁸“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; ⁹and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. ¹⁰But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. ¹¹For whoever exalts himself will be ^[am]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

¹²Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. ¹³But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the ^[an]maimed, the lame, the blind.¹⁴And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” 

6) Question: Ask the Holy Spirit to identify ways in which you can humble, rather than exalt yourself.  What comes to mind? 

What do you think is the point of Jesus teaching in verses 12-14 about inviting people for diner than cannot pay you back? 

Reading 4, Luke 14:15-35

The Parable of the Great Supper 

¹⁵Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat ^[ao]bread in the kingdom of God!” 

¹⁶Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, ¹⁷and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ ¹⁸But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ ¹⁹And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ ²⁰Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ ²¹So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the ^[ap]maimed and the lame and the blind.’ ²²And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ ²³Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. ²⁴For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ” 

7) Question:  what do you think the parable of the great supper is talking about? 

Leaving All to Follow Christ 

²⁵Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, ²⁶“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— ²⁹lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ³⁰saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? ³¹Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³²Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. ³³So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. 

8) Question: How do we go about forsaking all as described in 25-33 to become Jesus’ disciple? 

Tasteless Salt Is Worthless 

³⁴“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? ³⁵It is neither fit for the land nor for the ^[aq]dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 

9) Question: What do you think Jesus is talking about with salt that has lost its flavor.  How do we avoid becoming like tasteless, worthless salt? 

Reading 5, Luke 15:1-32

Luke 15 

  The Parable of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin 

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. ²And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man ^[ar]receives sinners and eats with them.” ³So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 

⁴“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ⁷I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine^[as]just persons who need no repentance. 

“Or what woman, having ten silver ^[at]coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ ¹⁰Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  

The Parable of the Lost Son 

¹¹Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹²And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with ^[au]prodigal living. ¹⁴But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the ^[av]pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 

¹⁷“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 

²⁰“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 

²²“But the father said to his servants, ^[aw]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 

²⁵“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 

²⁸“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ³⁰But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 

³¹“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³²It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ” 

10) Question:  What was Jesus addressing when He told the three parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son (see Luke 15:1-3).  What should we practice from what Jesus was taught the Pharisees in this chapter.