Studies in LukeStudy Three Interrogation and Warning 13 10/3-6 10/9 Luke 11:53–12:12 ... Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ... It’s hard to love a hypocrite.

Studies in Luke

Fall 2011Santa Barbara Community Church

Abbreviation Source

Bock DarrellL.Bock,TheNIVApplicationCommentary:Luke(Zondervan,1996).

BockCommentary DarrellL.Bock,Luke,(BakerAcademic,1994),2volumes.

Green JoelGreen,TheGospelofLuke:TheNewInternationalCommentaryontheNewTestament(Eerdmans,1997).

Gundry RobertGundry,CommentaryontheNewTestament,(Hendrickson,2010).

Hughes KentHughes,Luke:ThatYouMayKnowtheTruth(Crossway,1998),2volumes.

Liefeld WalterL.Liefeld,Luke,inTheExpositor’sBibleCommentary(Zondervan,1984).

Marshall I.HowardMarshall,TheGospelofLuke:ACommentaryontheGreekText(Eerdmans,1978).

Morris LeonMorris,Luke(IVP,1988).

Ryle J.C.Ryle,Luke,inTheCrosswayClassicCommentaries(Crossway,1997).

Wilcock MichaelWilcock,TheMessageofLukeinTheBibleSpeaksToday(IVP1979).

Studies in LukestudyguidehasbeenwrittenthepastoralstaffofSantaBarbaraCommunityChurch.Study1waswrittenbyMikeWillbanks;study2byBonnieFearer;studies3&7byReedJolley;study4bySusiLamoutte;study5byRyanReed;study6byBenjiBruneel;study8bySteveJolley;andstudy9byErikAnderson.PrayerguidesattheendofeachstudyhavebeenwrittenbyVijayJayaraman.OriginalillustrationshavebeencreatedbyCassieKoop.LayoutdesignwascreatedbyCaroleePeterson.Fall2011.

Sources

Study no. Title/text Page hg Study Teaching week date

StudyOne RespondingtotheLightofChrist 1 9/19-22 9/25 Luke11:27-36

StudyTwo WoetoYou 7 9/26-29 10/2 Luke11:37-52

StudyThree InterrogationandWarning 13 10/3-6 10/9 Luke11:53–12:12

StudyFour WhatDoYouWant? 19 10/10-13 10/16 Luke:12:13-34

StudyFive BeReady 25 10/17-20 10/23 Luke12:35-48

StudySix Trouble,RepentenceandJudgement 31 10/24-27 10/30 Luke13:1-9

StudySeven TheNarrowDoor 37 10/30-11/3 11/6 Luke13:22-35

StudyEight RichMan,PoorMan,HeavenandHell 43 11/7-10 11/13 Luke16:13-31

StudyNine ChristianDuty 49 11/14-16 11/20 Luke17:1-19

Teaching Calendar

�Studies in LukeOne

STUDYONE:Luke11:27-36

Responding to the Light of Christ

Afteranicelongsummerbreak,wearepickinguprightwhereweleftoffthreemonthsagoinLukechapter11.Inthelast

study,welookedatLuke11:14-26whereJesuscastoutademonfromamanwhohadbeenmute.Butremarkably,insteadofpraisingGodforthismercifulwork,someaccusedJesusofdoingthisby Beelzebub, the prince of demons.Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.(Uh…Ithinkyoujustmissedone!)

Ourcurrentpassageshouldnotbeseparatedfromthatcontext.Asigntheywantandasigntheywillget!Thequestionis:willtheyseeit?Andhowwilltheyrespond?Howwillwerespond?

ReadLuke11:27-36.

Therearethreeseparatebutrelatedepisodesinthisshortpassage.WhydoyouthinkLukeputthemtogetherlikethis?Whatisthecommonthread?(Ifyoucan’tfindone,keepgoingthroughthestudyandcomebacktoanswerthisattheend.)

True Blessedness(11:27-28)

ThewomanintheseversesgivesindirectpraisetoJesus’greatnessbypronouncingablessingonhismother.ButJesususestheoccasiontomakeanimportantpoint.AsoneNewTestamentscholarnotes,

ItisnotphysicalrelationshiptoJesusthatissupremelyimportant,buthearingandkeepingtheWordofGod.Thispointstopatient,unspectacularreligiouspractice.TheWordofGodcametothepeopleofthatdaythroughtheteachingofJesusaswellasthroughthestudyofScripture…butJesusissayingthatwhereverpeoplehaveScripturethepathtoblessingisopen.(Morris,p.218)

Whatcomestomindwhenyouthinkofthepatient, unspectacular religious practicethattheScripturescallusto?

� Studies in Luke One

Patientandunspectaculararenotbelovedtraitsinourage.HowareyoucultivatingthepatientandunspectacularhabitoflisteningtoandobeyingtheWordofGod?Givesomepracticalexamples.

JesuspronouncedablessingonthosewhohearandobeyGod’sWord.Thinkforamomentaboutthisblessing.InwhatwaysarethosewhorespondobedientlytoGod’sWordblessed?WhatbenefitisthereinobeyingGod’sWord?

The Sign of Jonah(11:29-32)

ReadtheseparallelpassagesinMatthew,Mark,andLuke.Makenoteofthedifferences.Whatisthemainpointofeach?Whatisthesignthepeoplewillreceiveineach?(Don’tassumeeachgospelmustbeemphasizingthesamething.)

Matthew12:38-42

Mark8:11-13

Luke11:29-32

Commentatorsdifferoverwhatthe sign of JonahisinLuke.Somethinkitrefers,asitdoesinMatthew,tohisdeathandresurrection.1OthersthinkitreferstothepresenceandpreachingofJesus.2Whatdoyouthink?

Whataretheparallelsbetweenthequeen of the South,thepeople of Nineveh,andthepeopleofthis generationtowhomJesusisspeaking?

1 Forinstance,seeMorris,p.219-220.2 Forinstance,seeBock,p.325.


Something greater than Solomon is here… Something greater than Jonah is here.ThebookofHebrewsmakesthispointoverandover:inJesus,Godhasdonesomethinguniqueandgreaterthaneverbefore(orafter).ReadHebrews1:1-4.

NownoticehowtheauthorofHebrewsdrawsoutawarningforhisreadersinHebrews3:12-15.Similarly,inLuke11:29-32,Jesusisgivinghishearers(andus)asternwarning.Whatisthiswarning?

The Lamp of the Body(11:33-36)

IfyouhadbeenreadingstraightthroughthegospelofLuke,whenyougotto11:33,youwouldsurelystopandthink,“I’veheardthatbefore!”GobackandreadLuke8:16-18.Notealsohowthematerialaroundthatsectionparallelsourpassagehere:

8:4-15 Parable of the Soils

Different ways of responding to

God’s word

8:16-18 Lighting a Lamp

“Take care then how you hear”

8:19-21 Jesus’ earthly family

vs.

Hearing and doing the word of

God

11:27-28 Jesus’ Mother

vs.Hearing and keeping the word

of God

11:29-32 Sign of Jonah

The Queen of Sheba, the

Ninevites, & “this generation”Different ways of hearing and

responding

11:33-36 Lighting a Lamp

“Therefore be careful…”

Howdoesthishelpmakesenseof11:33-36?Whatisthecentralthrustoftheseverses?

� Studies in Luke One

Verse33mostlikelyreferstotheministryofJesus,whocameasthelight.Readthefollowingversesandrespond.WhatdoesthismetaphoroflighttellusaboutJesus?Aboutourselves?

John1:4-9

John8:12

1John1:5-7

DarrellBockishelpfulinmakingsenseofverses34-35.

Theeyeisalampinthesensethatitisadoorkeeper.Whattheeyeletsintothemindmakesuptheperson.Whensucheyesaregood,lettinginlight,thenthepersonisfulloflightinlife.Butiftheeyesarebad,lettingnothinggoodcomein,thenthebodyisadarkplace,sinceourinclinationsunledbydivinerevelationtakeusindestructivedirections.Ofcourse,whatisletinisareflectionofwhereourheartis.Jesustherefore,callsforpeopletobefulloflight.TheyaretorespondtothelightofGod’sWordbyreceivingit.(Bock,p.325)

Itissignificantinthisregardtonotethatthewordbadinverse34is thesamewordusedfortheevilgenerationofverse29.Thereis,then,theimplicationthatabadeyeisnotjustanunfortunateoccurrence,butsomethingthatwillincurjudgment.

Later,Bocksummarizesthiswell,This passage highlights our need to respond to Jesus… [The call of Jesus] is not just a matter of truth, but just as importantly, a matter of accountability and responsibility. (Bock,pp.326-327)

HowhaveyourespondedtothelightofJesus?Whatareasofyourlifeusedtobeindarknessthatnowhavebeenfloodedwithhislight?Whatplacesinyourlifestillneedtobeilluminedbyhisgoodnessandlight?


Praying the Passage: Luke 11:27-36

Rejoice:

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it. (11:28)

• ThankGodfortheBibleinourownlanguage.(TheEnglishBiblehasbeenavailableforabout500years.Weareblessedtohaveheard!)

• GivethanksforourpreacherswhohaveopenedtheWordtous.

• PraiseGodforhowyouhaveseentheWordkeptinspecificpeople.AffirmsomeofyourhomegroupmembersasyougivethanksfortheWordkeptintheirlives.

Repent:

(This generation) asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. (11:29)

See to it then, that the light within you is not darkness! (11:35)

• (Note:thesignofJonahmaybeinterpretedasthepreachingofChristandHimcrucified.)Confessourappetiteforthesensationalorentertaining,insteadofChristandHimcrucified.Consider1Corinthians1:22-23:Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified.

• ConfessthesinsamongusthathavedarkenedthelightofChristinthechurch.

Request:

• Thatinandthroughthechurchesofourarea,Christcrucifiedwouldbepreachedandreceived.

• Thatinternationalswhohavetraveledtoourareawould,liketheQueenoftheSouth,gohomeawedbytheone,trueGod.

• ThatthenationswouldrepentasdidtheNinevites.PrayespeciallyfortheMuslimworldinlightofRamadan.

• ThatCatholicchurcheswouldfocusnotonMary,butonhearingandkeepingGod’sword(vv.27-28).

• Thatthelightwouldshineinthedarknessinourchurches,makingusholy,andthatourlightwouldshineinourarea(vv.33-36).

• Thatyouasahomegroupwouldknowthepromisesofscripturethatspeaktoyourindividualneeds.Prayscriptureforthoseneeds!

�Studies in LukeTwo

STUDYTWO:Luke11:37-52

Woe To You

It’shardtoloveahypocrite.Bydefinition,ahypocriteisonewhoprofessesfeelingsorvirtuesthathe/shedoesnothave,or

doesnotliveby.Onthefaceofit,thatdescriptionsoundslikeanyaveragepersonwhoissinfulandmisses the mark.Thedifference,however,betweenahypocriteandtheaveragepersonwhomessesup,isthatthehypocritedoesn’tseehisorherneedforpersonalchangebecausetheyaresofocusedonaneedforchangeinothers.AsMarkTwainoncefamouslysaid,Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.Thatcouldbethecredoforhypocritestoliveby.Sadly,it’salsoafittingdescriptionofthePhariseesandteachersofthelawinancientPalestine.Jesushadnostomachfortheirhypocrisy,andthesereligiousleadersarethetargetofhisharshcriticisminthisweek’stext.

Jesushasspentalongdayteaching(skimovertheeventsofchapter11torefreshyourmemory).HeendsthedaywithaninvitationtodinnerfromaPharisee.WearetoldthatJesusreclinedatthetablewithoutfirstwashing,muchtohishost’sdisapproval.ThePharisee’sscornprobablyhadnothingtodowiththelackofwashingforsakeofhygiene,butratherbecauseoftheJewishpracticeofceremonialwashing.Interestingly,wedon’tknowthatthePhariseespokehisdisapprovaloutloud.However,Jesusresponds.

ReadLuke11:37-52.Makeanoutlineofthecondemnations/woesJesusspeaks:

Generalrebuke(vv.39-41):

TothePharisees:

1.

2.

3.

TotheScribes(orlawyersintheESV):

1.

2.

3.

� Studies in Luke Two

ThisimageofacupthatiscleanontheoutsideanddirtyontheinsidehighlightsthegeneralhypocrisythatJesusiscondemning.

WhatdoyouthinkJesusmeanswhenhesays,But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for youinverse41?

Asyoulookatthechurchingeneral,doyouseeahypocriticalfocusonoutwardappearanceratherthaninwardcleanliness?Explain.

Micah6:6-8says:

With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

WhatwerethePhariseesmissing,accordingtotheversesabove?

ForthePhariseesandteachersofthelaw,theritualobservances,rule-following(andtherule-creating!)weretheoutside of the cup.Whatconstitutestheoutside of the cupforyou?Wheredoyoufindhypocrisyinyourownlife?

�Studies in LukeTwo

AfterJesus’initialrebuke,hegetsintospecifics.Thefirstwoe(v.42)focusesonhowthePhariseesarepracticingtithing.1Whataretheyneglecting?

ThesecondwoeJesuslevelsatthePharisees(v.43)targetsthespecificsinfuelingalloftheirhypocrisy.Whatisit?

Thethirdwoequicklyfollows,andisnamedasaconsequenceofthePharisees’loveforprivilegedattention.Theirfocusonbeingpartofareligiouselitehasledthemtobecomelivingexamplesoftheepitomeofritualuncleanliness–deathitself.InJewishtradition,totouchadeadbodywouldrenderoneceremoniallyuncleanforaperiodoftimeand,therefore,disqualifiedfromreligiousactivities.Jesusissayingthat,notonlyaretheytemporarilyunclean–theyarepermanentlydefiled.Theyhavebecomethegravesthemselves,therebydefilingallwhocomeintocontactwith them.

ItissoberingtocontemplatejusthowseriouslyGoddeteststhesinofpride.Withoutlookinganythingup,writeoutyourowndefinitionofpridewithrespecttoourrelationshipwithGod.Sharethesewithyourgroup.

Wheredoyouseeprideinyourself?Thinkhardaboutthisanddon’tbeafraidtobedetailed.ThistextisintendedtobeapointernotonlytothesinofthescribesandPharisees,buttoourownheartsaswell,sostopforamomenthere,andprayforGodtoshowittoyou.

Inverse45,an expert in the law�speaksupandsays,Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also. Hewasprobablysorryheopenedhismouth,becauseJesusthentakesonthescribesandexpertsinthelawfortheonerousburdentheyhadplacedonthebacksofJewishbelievers.Thewordforburdenusedhereisphortion,awordnormallyusedtodescribeaship’scargo.Jesus’criticismseemstobetwo-fold:theyhadaddedtothelaw,makingitcripplingtoliveunder;and,secondly,theylackedthecompassiontoassistthosewhowerestrugglingtoliveouttheirlivesundertheweightoftheselaws.

1 ReadDeuteronomy14:22-27,26:12-15tobetterunderstandthebackgroundontithingpracticesintheOldTestament.2 Thewordscribe”andtheterm expert in the law areoftenusedinterchangeablyintheNewTestament.Ascribewassomeonewhooften

couldreadandwrite,waslearnedinthelaw,andusuallyateacherofthelaw.InthegospelsofMatthewandLuke,thesescribesareoftenpairedwiththePhariseesinobjectingtoJesus’teaching.

�0 Studies in Luke Two

In47-51,thesecondwoetothescribesisatrulystingingrebuke.Jesuscondemnstheircomplicityintheslayingoftheprophets.TheironyisthatJesuspointstotheirreligiousarroganceinbuildingtombsandmonumentsforthesameprophetswhomtheirownforefathershadkilled.Putanotherway,thescribesandPhariseeswerefollowinginalongtraditionofrejectingGod’smessengers,atraditionthatwouldbecarriedonastheywouldrejecttheMessiahandhisfollowers.

ReadLuke20:9-16,theParable of the Tenants.Whatparallelsdoyoufindbetweenthisparableandthesecondwoe tothescribes?

Inverse52,thethird,andfinalaccusationleveledatthescribesis,…you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering. Inotherwords,thescribes(orexpertsinthelaw)arepresentingreligiousbelief,andthenblockingpeoplefromenteringintoit.Theburdensomeextrarulesandritualobservancesmadetheexpertsinthelawlookpiousandimportant,butJesuspointsoutthehollownessoftheirreligionandtheinherentevilinhowthescribesobstructedthedoortotruefaith.

ReadMatthew7:13-14.Howdoesthisaddtoyourunderstandingofthisfinal“woe”tothescribes?

ThoughpointedtothescribesandPharisees,thisportionofJesus’teachingisastimelessandrelevanttoourlivesasanyotherlessonfromhislifeandministry.

Howdoweapplythistext?Wheremightwebevulnerable(orperhapsculpable)withrespecttoJesus’criticismsofhypocrisyandpride?Dowepracticea checklistChristianity?--Igotochurch(check),readmyBible(check),prayonceinawhile(check);tithe(check)….so,therefore,I’minabetterplacewithGodthanmostofthepeopleIknow?DoweexcuseourselvesfromtheactualworkthatJesuscallsusto–dyingtoourselvestobetransformedbyhim–becausewe’vegotalltheoutward formsofreligioninplace?

��Studies in LukeTwo


Read Micah 6:6-8. Take a moment of silence to reflect.

• ExtolGodandHischaracterbasedonthispassage.

• PraiseGodthatHiscommandsarenotburdensome,andforJesus’wordsthatHisyokeiseasyandHisburdenlight!

Repent and confess those ways we are like the scribes and Pharisees.

• Ourfocusontheexternalsinsteadofwhatisinourhearts.

• Theuglinessinsideofusnoonesees(youmayconsiderseparatingintomenandwomen,orconfessingsomethingssilentlyaswellasothersoutloud).

• Waysinwhichweloadothersdownunreasonablyanddon’thelpthem(parentsconsiderhowyoumaytreatyourownchildren!).

• Waysinwhichwearelikethosewhokilledtheprophets.(Considerourhardnessofheart,ourdeafnesstoGod’svoice,orourridiculeorslandertowardsGod’smessengers.)

Pray for your homegroup members to please God in every way, and bear fruit in every good work. (Colossians1:10)

• ForthespecificthingsmentionedinMicah6:8.

• ForhumilityandgratitudetoGodinourhomegroupandthechurchesofourarea.

• FormissionariesthatseektobringjusticeandmercyastheyproclaimthenameofChrist.SantaBarbaraARocha,SantaBarbaraCommunityDevelopmentCenter,SportsOutreach,andQuerenciaarejustafewexamples!

• Alloftheaboveforeldersofourchurchandthechurchesofthiscity.

��Studies in LukeThree

STUDYTHREE:Luke11:53-12:12

Interrogation & Warning

Verses11:53-12:1aformabridgebetweentwounitsofJesus’teaching.OurLordhasfinishedhiswordstothePhariseesand

lawyersandnowmovestowarnhisdisciplesaboutthePhariseesandlawyers.

Recallwhattookplaceatthatdinnerpartyinourlaststudy.Jesusshowsupandstartleseveryonewithhisactionsandhiswords.Fromtheperspectiveoftheotherguestsatthemeal,Jesusisasuncouthasheisill-mannered.First,thePhariseeswereastonishedthatJesusdidn’twashbeforedinner(11:38).Thatsocialfaux paswasfollowedbyJesus’wordsofwoe(11:39-52).Thisdinnerguestmanagedtoalienateeveryonepresenttotheextentthatthe Pharisees started to have it in for him bitterly and to interrogate him about very many things.1

ClearlytheyareunhappywiththewoesJesuspronouncedonthem.Theywanttocatch himmakingahereticalstatement(11:54).

Thewordrenderedcatchisthéreusai,whichisusedofhuntingwildbeasts.Itisavividwordforintenseopposition.(Morris,p.225)

Withtheaboveinmind,readourpassage.Whatstandsoutasyouread?Whatimagesimpressyou?Whatisthereinthispassagethatconfusesyou?

1 ThisisRobertGundry’sveryliteraltranslation.(Gundry,p.285)TheESVsaystheybegan to press him hard and to provoke him.

�� Studies in Luke Three

12:1 showsusthenumericalapexofJesus’popularity.Thecrowdsnownumber,literally,inthemyriads,inthethousandsuponthousands.Therearesomanythattheyaretrampling one another.Withthevastcrowdssurroundinghim,Jesusgiveshisdisciplesthreewarnings.Considerthefollowingoutline.

12:1b-3Awarningabouthypocrisy

12:4-7AwarningtofearGod

12:8-12AwarningtoacknowledgetheSon

A Warning About Hypocrisy(12:1b-3)

Whatishypocrisy?Writeabriefdefinition/description.Whyarepeoplesooffendedbyhypocrisy?

12:1b WhatwasthehypocrisyofthePharisees?WhydoyouthinkJesuslikensthehypocrisyofthePhariseestoyeast?

12:2-3 WhatdoesJesuspromisethehypocrites?HowshouldthispromiseaffectyouandthewayinwhichyoulivetheChristianlife?Considerthefollowingquotationasyouformulateyouranswer.

FulldisclosurewillcomeonJudgmentDay.Everythingwillberevealed,andthedisclosurewillberuthless.Thethingswhisperedinvisiblyinthedarkwillbeshoutedinfulllightfromtherooftops.Thelimitlesscapacitiesofdivineomniscienceassureperfectexposureofhypocrisy.

JesuswaswarningthemtoavoidexposureattheJudgmentDaybyowninguptowhattheyreallywerethenandbylettingGodmaketheirlivespleasingtohim.(Hughes,2,p.38)


Onecommonreasongivenforavoidingchurchisthatthechurchisfullofhypocrites.Whatdoyouthinkofthiscriticism?Howwouldyourespondtoabelieverwhodidn’twanttojoinachurchbecauseChurches are full of hypocrites?Whatwouldyousaytoanunbelieverwhowantedtoavoidthechurchbecauseofthehypocrisyofitsmembers?

A warning to fear God(12:4-7)

InhislettertotheRomans,theapostlePaulbuildsacasethateveryoneissinfulandneedsGod’sforgiveness.InRomans3:9-18theapostlequotesseveralscripturesthatmakehispoint.HecomestotheclimaxofhisargumentbyquotingPsalm36:1,There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Luke12:4-7containsawarningfromJesustohisfollowers:beamongthosewhofearGod!

Re-readtheseverses.WhatdoesJesushaveinmindwhenhesaysweshouldfear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell?

Whatisthecounter-balancetothefearmentionedinverse5?Howshouldthiscounter-balancecomfortus?

Respondtothefollowingquotation.DiscussthisandsharewithoneanotherhowbiblicalyourunderstandingisofboththeloveandfearofGod.

ThefearofGodisratheroutoffashionthesedays;wemuchprefertostresstheloveofGod.Butwhilethereisasenseinwhichperfectlovecastsoutfear(1John4:18),thereisanotherinwhichfearisquitecompatiblewithlove.ThiskindoffeariscontinuallyregardedintheBibleasanecessaryingredientinrightliving.ItisanattitudecompoundedofarecognitionofthegreatnessandtherighteousnessofGodontheonehandandourreadinesstosinontheother.Fearofthiskindguardsagainstpresumptionandmustfinditsplaceinarightfaith.(Morris,p.227)

�6 Studies in Luke Three

Whatdoesthefear of Godlooklikeinyourlife?Howmightyoulivedifferentlyifyoudidn’tfear God?

Ontheotherhand,arethereelementsinyourlifethatevidenceafalteringorabsenceofthefear of Godinyou?Whatcanyoudotoaddressthem?

A Warning to Acknowledge the Son (12:8-12)

ThedutyofconfessingChristisincumbentonallChristiansineveryage.Letusneverforgetthat.Thisisnotformartyrsonlybutforallbelievers,ineverywalkoflife.Itisnotjustforgreatoccasionsbutforourdailywalkthroughanevilworld.(Ryle,p.171)

Truefaithalwaysmovesfromthehearttothelips.WehavealreadylearnedthisfromthemouthofJesuswhenhesaid,For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory…(Luke9:27)

12:8 WhatarethewaysinwhichwehaveopportunitytoacknowledgeJesusbefore men?

ThesecondhalfofJesus’warning(12:9)speaksofonewhodeniesJesusbeforemen(others).Gundrytranslatesthis,But the one disowns me…(Gundry,p.286)ThepointisthatthispersonrefusestobenumberedamongthedisciplesofJesusandWhen he stands before God his choice will be ratified.(Morris,p.228)

Thewarning,indeed,isstrong.IfwewillnotconfessJesusbeforeothers,wearenottrulyhischildren.

Isthisacknowledgementalwaysdonewithwords?ArewordsnecessarytoacknowledgeJesus?


SharewithyourhomegroupatimewhenyouacknowledgedJesuswithyourwords.

HowdoesyourlifeacknowledgeJesus?

Howcanwegrowinourenthusiasmandboldnesstoshareourfaithwithourfriends,colleagues,andacquaintances?Sharesomeideaswithyourhomegroupthathavebeenhelpfultoyou.

12:10containsanoftenmisunderstoodpassageaboutblasphemy.Whatdoesitmeantocommitthesinofblasphemy?Inaword,toblasphemeistoattributetheworkofGodtoSatan(seeMatthew12:31-31,Mark3:28-29andLuke11:14-26).Thatis,toblasphemeistorejectJesus!AsJ.C.Ryleputsit,

ThesintowhichourLordrefersinthispassageappearstobethesinofdeliberatelyrejectingGod’struthwiththeheart,thoughthetruthisclearlyknownwiththehead.Itisacombinationoflightintheunderstandinganddeterminedwickednessinthewill.…Thepersonwhosesinswillnotbeforgivenispreciselythepersonwhowillneverseektohavethemforgiven.(Ryle,pp.171-172)

LetustakecarethatwearefoundamongthosewhoseekGodandenjoyhismercy.

�� Studies in Luke Three

Praying the Passage: Luke 11:53-12:12

• Readoutloudthefollowingverse,andtakeamomentofsilencetoreflect:

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews11:28-29)

• SpendsometimeappropriatelyfearingandreveringGod.OfferHimyourpraises.

• Confessthewayswe,theAmericanchurch,haveforgottenthefearoftheLord,andbeentoocasualinapproachingHim.ConfesssomesinsinthechurchthatdemonstrateourlackofappropriatefearofGod,includingthesinofhypocrisy.(12:1-3).

• Confesshowweareintimidatedbyandfearfulofmen.NameotherthingsthatyoufearinsteadoffearingGod.

• Prayforoneanother,thatGodwouldtakeawayyourfearofmen,andgiveyougreatboldnesstoacknowledgetheSon!PrayforthefullnessoftheHolySpiritineachofyourhomegroupmembers,andforcouragetoshareChristwhereGodhascalledyou.ConsiderrepeatingActs1:8asalitanyinresponsetoindividualprayers:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses…

• AskforboldnessforthechurchesofourareaastheyproclaimthekingdomofGod.

• Prayforthepersecutedchurch,thattheywouldbestrengthenedwithpower,throughHisSpritinyourinnerbeing…(Ephesians3:16),fearingGodinsteadofman.Considersomeofourmissionariesindangerousplaces,andthepeopletheyserve.Merrill/TeresaDyckamongthePumeinVenezuela,thePalestinianBibleSocietyinthewestbankandGaza,andSportsOutreachinEastAfricaandKenyaarejustafewexamples.

��Studies in LukeFour

STUDYFOUR:Luke12:13-34

What Do You Want?

Haveyoueverstoppedtoevaluatewhatyouwant,whatyouworryabout,andwhy?Ifyoupolledtwentypeopleyouknow,

askingwhattheirdesiresare,whatwouldyoudiscover?Somefrequentanswersmightincludephysicalhealth,steadyemotions,apleasantlivingsituation,goodfood,caringfriends,acompatiblespouse,kidsthatgrowupwell,therightjob,andahealthychurch.Differinganswerscouldbeanicecar,atropicalvacation,amoreattractivebody,anewhouse,aprestigiousuniversitydegree,professionaladvancement,orjustabigger,better,nicerwhatever.

Whatwewantisoftennotnecessarilyinnatelybadinandofitself;rather,itistheanxietyweexperience,andthesenseofsecuritywegainwhichisproblematic.Unfortunately,thepredominantperceptionisthatacquiringorachievinganyofthesegoalswillimproveourlives—makingushappy,comfortable,andsecure.Wants,desires,andasenseofsecuritycanoriginatebothfrombasichumanneedsorfromperceivedneedsandwants.Inthisstudy,noticewhatJesussaysaboutneeds,desires,worry,andsecurity.

Luke12:13-34containstwosections.ThefirstnineversesshowJesusrespondingtoarequestfromthecrowdwithaparable—traditionallyreferredtoasThe Parable of the Rich Fool.InthefinalthirteenversesJesuscontinuesexplainingandillustratinghowhewouldhavethediscipleslive.

Read12:13-34.Whatstandsout?NotethewordpicturesJesusemploys.

Studies in Luke�0 Four

12:13-15WelearninLuke12:1thatthousandsofpeopleweregatheringtogetherandsomeweretramplingoneanother.OutofthischaosamanemergesdemandingthatJesussettleadispute.Readverses13-15.Whatresultdoesthemaninthecrowdwant?WhatdoyouthinkhiscorevaluesarethatcompelhimtorequestthisfromJesus?WhatwasJesusaddressingwhenherespondedtothisman?

Verse15reads,And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Thewordcovetcouldbeunderstoodashavinganenviouseagernesstopossesssomething;orbeinginordinatelyorwronglydesirousofwealthorpossessions.1

WhatdoesJesusmeanwhenhesays,be on your guard against all covetousness?Considerthethingsthatyoucovet,orevenstronglydesire.Whatmustyoudotobeonguardagainstyourinternaldriveforthesethings?

12:16-19Readtheseversesaloud.Asyouread,placestrongeremphasisonthepersonalpronouns(he,himself,I,me,my,etc.).

Whatdoyoulearnaboutthisrichman?Whatdoeshewantordesirethatmakeshimhoard,andbegreedy?Whatimpactwouldthesecharacteristicshaveonhowhetreatsothers?

Listsomecontemporaryexamplesthatexemplifywhatthismandid.Asahomegroupcompareyourexamplesanddiscusswhatissuesandthemessurface,andwhethertheyaresimilarordifferentfromthescenariointhepassage.

1 TheNIV,NASB,NLT,andThe Messageemploythewordgreedinthiscontext.


12:20-21 Thisrichfoolunderstoodhissituationthroughalimitedperspective. Jesusshedslightupontheimplicationsandconsequencesoftheman’sactions.WhatdoesJesusmakeclear?DoyouliveliketherichfoolordoyouoperateunderJesus’valuesystem?Explain.

Readthesecondsectionofourpassage,Luke12:22-34.Noticesomethemesrelatedtothoseinthepreviousparable.HowisJesus’teachingbothsimilaranddifferentinthesetwoportionsofScripture?

12:22-28WhatdoesJesusinstructthedisciplestonotbeanxiousabout?

CommentonHughes’thoughtsregardingtheoutcomeofanxietyinthelifeofaChristian.Whydoyoueitheragreeordisagreewiththesestatements?

ThosewhochosetobeontheroadwithJesusnecessarilylivedontheedgeinrespecttotheirfoodandclothing…Ifadiscipleworriedabout[suchthings]thatdisciplewouldsoonbecomeneutralizedandspirituallyineffective.(Hughes,2,p.51)

WorryisnotamoralvirtueinadiscipleofChrist.Worryisnotsomethingtobeproudof.Itisadesiccator,ashriveler.(Hughes,2,p.53)

Studies in Luke�� Four

Godtakescareofravensandlilies1.HowdoesGodvaluehumanbeingsincomparisontothesebirdsandflowers?HowdoesyouranswercomparetoyourownsenseofbeingvaluedbyGod?

12:29-32TheseversesreiterateJesus’instructionofthedisciplesregardinganxietyaboutwhattheywilleatanddrink,butnowhepresentsanalternative.Jesussays,Instead, seek his[theFather’s] kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.Whatistherelationshipbetweenseeking,wantingordesiring,andanxiety?

Readverse32.Breakoutthefouraspectsofthissentence.Howdoesthisverseaddresswhatwefindinverses22-31?

1.

2.

3.

4.

12:33-34Finally,Jesusteachesthedisciplesregardingpossessions.Inverse31hetellsthemthatratherthanseekingthethingsofthislifetheyaretoseekGod’skingdom,andtheirbasicneedswillbeprovidedforthem.Jesuscontinuesinthefollowingversesayingthatit is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Readverses33-34.Whatarethedisciplestodo,andwhy?

1 Ravenswereobnoxious,squawkingbirdsthathadnosenseofwhattheywouldeatnext.Theywerescavengers,andwereconsideredunclean.Liliesareunderstoodasthe various bright flowers that dot the Palestinian fields in the spring… [with] ravishing beauty, and the tiniest flowers are often the most ornate in their textures and colors…. The flowers existed without concern or worry, though they were only passing ornaments of the field. (Hughes,2,pp.52-53)


Ponderhowthefollowingquotationaddresseswantsanddesires.

Toberightlyawareofthevaluesoflifewillenableamantoput‘things’intheproperplace.Thepossessionsofthislifebelongtothislife;andsincethislifeislessimportantthanthenext,thethingsofthislifeshouldbevaluedlessthanthethingsofeternity.(Wilcock,p.135)

ConsiderWilcock’sstatementalongsideverse34,For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Examineyourvalues.Whatthingshaveyouaddressed,ordoyouneedtoaddress,toputthemintheproperplace?Howisitwithyourwantsanddesires?Allthisconsidered,what,practically,doesitmeanforyoutoseekGod’skingdom?

EXTRACREDIT:Doourmoneyandpossessionsshapeourhearts,ordoourheartsgovernouruseofmoneyandourrelationshipwithmaterialgoods?Whatisthecriterionforevaluation?

Commentingonthispassage,Marshalloffersstrongwordsforustoconsider.

ThesuggestionisthatthepersonwhoceasestotrustinmaterialthingsandplaceshistrustinGodispromisedspiritualblessinginheavenfromGod.Ifapersonseekssuchheavenlytreasure,theimplicationisthathisheart,i.e.hisaffections,isdirectedintherightway,whereasifapersonpilesupearthlytreasure,theevidenceshowsthathisaffectionsareearthboundandhencehisheartisnottrulyrelatedtoGod.Hencethesayingprovidesamotivefortheprecedingcommand,byshowingthatthepersonwhocontinuestoholdontoearthlywealthanddoesnotfulfillthecommandinv.33isnotreallyseekingafterthekingdomofGod.Thetwoattitudesaremutuallyexclusive.(Marshall,p.532)

Studies in Luke�� Four

PraytoyourheavenlyFatherandsurrenderthosethings,whetherbigorsmall,thatdirectyourwants,yourdesires,andyoursenseofsecurityawayfromhim.NurtureyourheartandaffectionstowardsthethingsofthekingdomofGod.

SaidtheRobintotheSparrow,“IshouldreallyliketoknowWhytheseanxioushumanbeingsRusharoundandworryso.”SaidtheSparrowtotheRobin,“Friend,IthinkthatitmustbeTheyhavenoheavenlyFather,Suchascaresforyouandme.”

—Authorunknown1


• CelebratetherichnessandtheprovisionofGod.ConsiderreadingLuke12:27-32outloudagain.Considerblessingeachotherwithmorescriptures,suchastheonesbelow.RememberspecificinstancesofGodmeetingyourneedsandproclaimtheseinprayer.

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1Peter5:7)

I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. (Psalm81:10)

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. (Psalm33:21-22)

• Confessourattachmenttomaterialthings,andthethingsthatweworryabout.Shareyourconcerns,fears,andworrieswitheachotherbynamingthemaloudinprayer.ConfesstheweaknessofourfaithandaskGodtostrengthenusandhelpus.

• Prayforeachother’sneeds,andforGod’sprovision!

• Prayforeachother,ourchurchandthechurchesinourtownthatwemaybegenerousandstoreuptreasuresinheaven.Praythatourstewardshipofourpossessionswouldcauseustohear,Well done, good and faithful servant,whenwemeetChrist.

• PrayforrevivalforthechurchinAmerica,accompaniedbyincreasedgenerositythatgivesthegospelcredibilityandexpandsthekingdomofGod.

• Respondto12:31byprayingfortheexpansionofGod’skingdom.Nameindividualsandpeoples,andaskGodbringthemintoHiskingdom!

1 CitedinHughes,2,p.52.

��Studies in LukeFive

STUDYFIVE:Luke12:35-48

Be Ready

Sleepiness.Itcancauseallkindsoftroubleandbringaworldofgrief.OneoftheworstenvironmentaltragediesinAmerican

historyhappenedonMarch23,1989.At9:12p.m.theExxonValdezlefttheAlyeskaPipelineTerminalcarrying53,094,510gallonsofcrudeoilboundforLongBeach,California.Itnevermadeit.Lessthanthreehoursafterleavingtheterminal,the987footlongshipranagroundintoBlighReef,spillingmorethan10.8milliongallonsofcrudeoilintothePrinceWilliamSound.Themainculprit?Sleepiness.InfactoneoftheleadingcausesofautomobileaccidentsinAmerica,over100,000accidentsannually,areaccreditedto,youguessedit...sleepiness.1

Sleepiness,ortheinabilitytostayawake,isaddressedthroughoutScripture.Proverbs6:10-11says,

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

JesusaddressedspiritualsleepinesswhenherepeatedlyreturnedtothedozingdisciplesashewascryingoutinprayerintheGardenofGethsemane.Hecametothedisciplesandfoundthemsleeping.AndhesaidtoPeter,So, could you not watch with me one hour? (Matthew26:40)

HereinLuke12,wefindJesusteachingonwatchfulness,alertness,andwakefulness.Withtheaboveinmind,readLuke12:35-48.

Whatthemesstandouttoyou?

1 AccordingtotheUSNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration(NHTSA).

Studies in Luke�6 Five

InthispassageJesuspaintssomeveryvividpictureswithhisparables.Someareeasytoreceive,andsomearedifficulttoswallow.Describehowyouenvisionthepaintingoftheseparables.Aretheypaintedwithbrightandwarmcolors,ordarkandcoldcolors?Explain:

Remember,thispassagecomesrightontheheelsofJesus’warningtowatch out for the yeast of the Pharisees.Jesus’disciplesarenottobeworldly-mindedbuttohavetheirfocusbeonthingsabove.Inverses35-48Jesusgoesastepfurthertoexplainnotonlywhereourfocusshouldbe,buthowweshouldliveinlightofthisfocus.AsJesustoldthecrowdhowmuchmoretheywereworththansparrows,howfoolishitistocountonearthlywealth,andhowGodfeedseventheravens,sonowhetellsthemhowadisciplegoesaboutlivingouttheseheavenly-mindedprinciples.

Whatistheconnectionbetweenverses1-34andverses35-48?

Luke12:35-48isaclearteachingonChrist’sreturn,andastrongwarningtothechurch;bothtoit’smembersandit’sleaders.WhenyouthinkaboutthereturnofChrist,whatcomestomind?Isthiseventexciting,fearful,vague?Explain:

Inverse35wereadthewords,stay dressed for action.TheGreekwordisperizonnumi,andisaperfectparticiplemeaningtobedressedandremaindressed.TheKingJamesVersiontranslatesthiswordgirded about.GreeklinguistNigelTurnersaysthewordmeanstobethekindofpersonwhoneverneedstobetoldtogirdthemup,becausehewillalwaysliveinthiscondition.1

1 NigelTurner, Grammatical Insights Into the New Testament(Edinburgh:T&TClark,1965).


WhatdoesitmeanfortheChristiantostaydressedortobegirdedabout?

WhatisJesusimplyingwhenhetellsustokeepyourlampsburning?

Readverses35-38again.

Weddingfeastsintheancientneareastlastedseveraldaysattheveryminimum,usuallyatleastaweek,andoftenuptotwoweeksoffestivities,banquets,andcelebration.Sowhenthemasterleavestogotheweddingfeast,theservantshavenoideawhenhemightcomehome.Butinsteadofdebatingamongstthemselvesastowhatsignsheleftastohisreturn,Jesusinsteadsayssimply,Be ready.

WhatdoesreadinesslooklikefortheChristian?Whatdoesitlooklikeforyou?

WhatisJesussayingabouttiminginverse38?

Readverses39-40.

ComparethoseverseswithwhatPaulwritestotheThessalonianchurch.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1Thessalonians5:1-3)

Studies in Luke�� Five

WhatisJesussayingabouttiminginverse40?

Itisdirectlyafterthisstatementinverse40thatPeterasksJesustowhomheisspeaking.HowcouldthecomingoftheLordbelikeathiefrobbingahouse?

Readverses42-48.

WhoisJesusaddressinginverses35-40,andwhodoesheaddressinverses42-48?

InthesecondparableofthissectionJesususestheGreekwordoikonomos,whichmeansmanager,ormoreliterally,steward.Thiswordwasusedforatrustedslavecommissionedwiththeresponsibilityoftheoversightofthehousehold.ItwasalsousedasasynonymforChristianleaders,pastors,andapostlesinthechurch.

JohnCalvincommentsonthissectionofLuke:

AsChristhadformerlyexhortedthewholefamilyingeneraltowatchforhiscoming,sonowhedemandsextraordinarycarefromtheprincipalservants,whohadbeenappointedoverothersforthepurposeofpointingout,bytheirexample,thepathof…sobriety,watchfulness,andstricttemperance…True,indeed,allareenjoined,withoutexception,tobesober,andtogiveearnestattention,butdrowsinesswouldbepeculiarlydisgracefulandinexcusableinpastors.(Calvin,pp.165-166)

WhatdoesJesussaywillhappentotheunfaithfulstewarduponthemaster’sreturn?


ListentotheseverityofresponsibilityinJames5:1-3,whichechothewordsofJesus:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Jesususesstronglanguageintheseversesconcerningtheundershepherds,theoikonomos.WhydoesJesusreservesuchharshwordsforthestewards?

ThosewholeadspirituallyareaccountabletoGodforhowtheylead,andwhenthatleadershipgoesawry,itisespeciallygrievous.Whyisthat?

Jesusfinisheswithaveryfamiliarphrase.Readverse48.

Applythisversetoyourself.YouliveinSantaBarbara,California.Thinkoftheopportunities,theeducation,thepossessions,andtheabundanceyouenjoy.

Writedownsomeofthethingsthatyouhavebeengiven:

WhatisGodrequiringofthemuchhehasgivenyou?HowmightweholdoneanotheraccountabletothemessageofJesusinthisverse?

Studies in Luke�0 Five

DarrellBockcommentsonthispassage:

Eschatology(teachingaboutthefuture)intheBibleexistsnotsomuchtoinformusofthedetailsofthefutureastoprepareustoserveGodfaithfullytoday.(Bock,p.355)

Howdoweservefaithfullyinlightoftheseverses?


• AcknowledgeGodastheultimateMaster,theonewhocreatedtheworld,calledustocareforit,andwillonedayreturntoclaimit.AcknowledgeJesusastheonewhowillreturntojudge.Asyoudoso,considerthefollowinglinesaboutJesusfromtheApostles’Creed,ahistoricstatementoffaith:

He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

• Consideralsothefollowingverses:

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2Peter3:10-12)

• Confessthewaysinwhichwe,likePeter,havefallenasleep.Confesswaysinwhichourmindisonearthlythingsratherthaneternalthings.Nameyourearthlyneeds,prayforthem,andaskGodforgracetobeafaithfulsteward.

• PrayforGodtotransformusfromweakandsleepydisciples,intopowerfulmenandwomenofGodthesamewayhetransformedPeter.

• AskJesustoteachyoutostayawakeandpray!

• PraythatyourindividualhomegroupmemberswouldbefaithfulwiththegiftsandresponsibilitiesentrustedtothembyGod.(12:48)

• PraythatunreachedfriendsandpeoplegroupslocallyandabroadwouldhearthemessageandbereadyforChrist’sreturn!

��Studies in LukeSix

STUDYSIX:Luke13:1-9

Trouble, Repentance and Judgement

SirIsaacNewton’sfirstlawofmotionindicatesthatobjectsthatareatrestwillremainatrestunlessacteduponbysomeoutside

force.Therefore,anobjectthatisinmotionmusthavebeensetinmotionbysomethingelse.Putmoresimply,Where there is smoke, there is fire.

Yet,whenitcomestotherealmofsinandsuffering,theselawsofphysicsbreakdown.Inthefirstpartofthispassage,JesusconfrontsaNewtonianmentalityinthefaceofgreatsufferingandchallengestheassumptionsthataccompanytheeventsinquestion.

ReadLuke13:1-5.Writedownanythingthatstandsouttoyou,alongwithquestionsorinsightsyoumayhave.

ThespecificeventsathandarenotknownoutsideofthismentioninLuke’sgospel.Thetwocalamities—one,ahorrificatrocityperpetratedbyPilateandtheother,apparently,anaturaldisaster—haveshockedthepeopleofIsraelandleftthemtodrawtheirownconclusionsastowhatthesesignsmightindicate(see12:54-56).Clearly,theircollectivereasoningseemstobethatgreatsufferingfollowsgreatsin.

HowdoesJesusrespondtosuchthinking?

Jesustellshisaudiencetorepent.Whatthoughtsorimagescometoyourmindwhenyouthinkofrepentance?Aretheypositive?Negative?

�� Studies in Luke Six

Jesustakesaquestionaboutsufferingandsinandturnsitintoanopportunitytochallengehishearerstorepent.Repentanceisn’talwaysfashionableinthecontemporarychurch,butitisapersistentthemeofJesus’ministryinLuke’sgospel.Howcanthechurchingeneral,andweasindividualChristians,reclaimthecentralityofrepentanceinourevangelism?Whatisatstakeifwedon’tholduprepentanceascentraltothegospel?

WhatdoesJesusmeanwhenhesaysthatapartfromrepentance, you will all likewise perish(13:3)?IshesuggestingthattheycanexpectthesametypeofgrislydeathatthehandsofPilateorasimilarfatebywayofnaturaldisaster?Ifnot,thenwhatishegettingat?

Jesusleveragestheopportunityaffordedbythesetragediestoremindthepeopleoftheevengreatertragedyawaitingallwhorefusetorepent:ultimatedeath.Jesus’pointisthattherealityofmortality—thereminderofphysicaldeath—oughttomakeeachpersonconsiderthegreaterrealityofimmortalityandthepromiseofspiritualdeathforthosewhoareunrepentant.

TheBibleisclearthatphysicaldeathisaconsequenceofsin(seeGenesis3:19;Romans5:12;6:23;1Corinthians15:21-22).But,thisplaysoutinacorporatesenseratherthanindividualsense.InAdam,allhavesinned.Therefore,inAdam,alldie.(seeRomans5:12-14,1Corinthians15:21-22)

Thoughweoftenliketodrawcleanconclusionsandsettleforstockanswers,Jesuswillnotallowhishearers—thenornow—tofallpreytoaNewtonianmentality.Notallsufferingcanbeneatlyanddirectlytracedtoindividualsin(seeJob,John9).Rather,sinceinAdamwecanallexpectphysicaldeath,itspresenceshouldn’tsurpriseus,butrathermotivateustocontemplatethegreatertragedyofspiritualdeath.

Howshouldthebiblicalviewofdeathinformourengagementwiththeculture?HowcanChristiansspeaktruthandhopewithloveinthefaceofdeath?Haveyouseenthisdonewell?Poorly?


Associallytabooasitmayseem,Christians—thosewhoknowtheonlytruestoryofhope—musttakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesaffordedbydeathtospeakoftheOnewhoovercamedeathand,someday,willreturntojudgedeathasthefinalenemy.

Afterconsideringthetragedyofultimatedeathandtheneedforrepentance,Jesusturnshisattentionnowtotheurgencyofhiscall.

ReadLuke13:6-9.Again,writedownthethingsthatstandouttoyou,questionsyouhaveofthepassage,oranyinsightsyoumayhave.

Whatconnectiondoyouseebetweenthisparableandthemessageaboutrepentancethatimmediatelyprecedesit?

TheparableoftheunfruitfulfigtreeisuniquetoLuke,anditsmostimmediateapplicationistothenationofIsrael.ThethemeofproducingfruitwasnotanewonefortheJews.InLuke3:8-9,JohntheBaptisthadconnectedrepentanceandfruit:

Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Here,JesuspicksuprightwhereJohnleftoffandincreasesthesenseofurgency.Thelandownerhasbeensearchingforfruitformanyyears,butseeingnone,hasgrownwearyoftheunfruitfultree.Thevinedresser,however,asksforadditionaltime,andlaysouthisplantoprovidemorecare,hopingtobringaboutthedesiredresult.

InwhatwayshaveyouseenGodtendtothesoilofyourheart?Whatcircumstancesorpeopledidheusetoprepareyourheartforrepentance?

�� Studies in Luke Six

Jesus’pointseemstobethatGod,inhispatience,hasdelayedthecomingexaminationofhispeopleandtheresultingjudgment,buthewillnotdelaylong.ThewiseresponsewouldbetorepentandturntoGodbyacceptingandbelievinghisChosenOne.Sadly,thenationofIsraellargelyspurnedthisofferofmercy.

Thepromiseofjudgmentshouldserveasamotivationforholyliving.Takesometimetoreadandsavor2Peter3:8-15.

HowdoesthepromiseofChrist’scomingencourageyoutowardgodlyliving?Inwhatwayscanyourhomegrouphelpyoutoleadalifeofholiness and godliness?



• ReadRomans5:12-21together.FinishbypraisingGodforforgiveness,grace,andhope!

• Ponderthebrevityoflifeandtheinevitabilityofjudgment.Readoutloudthe4versesbelow,andtakeamomentofsilencetoreflect.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.(Psalm90:12)

As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. (Psalm103:12)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.(2Corinthians5:10)

…Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…(Hebrews9:27)

• ThankGodthatforthelifewehaveandthespiritualopportunitieswehavebeengiven,thatwemightstillhavetimetorepentandserveHimwholeheartedly.

• AcknowledgethatGodisthepotterandweareHisclay,andthatHisjudgmentsarejust.

• Prayforeachother,thatGodmightleadyoutorepentance,whereveritisneeded.Praythatyouwouldthrowoffeverythingthathindersandthesinthatsoeasilyentangles.Praythateachofyouwouldbereadyforthedayofyourdeath,andreceivearichwelcomeintoHiseternalkingdom.

• Prayforaspiritofrepentanceandholinessinourchurchandchurchesofourarea.

• PrayforindividualsyouknowwhohaveyettorepentandturntoGod.

• Prayforrepentanceamongthenations,particularlyinplacesthathaveexperiencedwarornaturaldisaster.ConsiderplaceslikeHaiti,Japan,Afghanistan,Indonesia,andIraq.PraythattheresultofthesedisasterswouldbeturningtotheonetrueGodinsteadofturningtobitternessorfalsegods.

��Studies in LukeSeven

STUDYSEVEN:Luke13:22-35

The Narrow Door

AsJesuswasmakinghiswaytowardJerusalemsomeoneaskedhimaprofoundquestion:Lord, will those who are saved be

few (13:23)?

Thispersonwasaskingifattheendofhistoryeveryonewillbesaved?WillGod’sgracehavethelastwordinthesensethateventhosewhorebelagainstGodinthislifewillbesavedinthenextlife?Orwillonlyafewpeoplebesaved?

Thesearequestionsthatbeguileandtroublebelieversineveryera,includingtheeraofJesus.ThetwosectionsofLukewewillcoverinthisstudyprovidearemarkablyclearanswertothesequestions.

Withtheaboveinmind,readLuke13:22-35.Thispassagefallsintotwoparts.Eachsectionisaresponsetosomethingaskedorsaid.

13:24-30containJesus’answertothequestionabouthowmanywillbesaved.

13:31-35recordJesus’responsetoagroupofPhariseeswhowarnJesustofleefromHerod.

MakesomenotesthatsummarizehowJesusanswersthequestionputbeforehim.WhydoyouthinkJesusanswersHerodashedoesinverses32-35?

13:24-30

13:32-35

�� Studies in Luke Seven

The Narrow Door (13:24-30)

ThisfirstdialoguewithJesuswouldhavebeenshockingtothosepresent.First-centuryJewshadtheconvictionthattheywereallchildrenofGod,theywouldallbesaved.ItwastheGentileswhowerelost,unlesstheyhadconvertedtoJudaism.TheMishnah,acollectionofJewishwritingssummarizesJewishthinkingwell:

AllIsraeliteshaveashareintheworldtocome,foritiswrittenThy people also shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the land forever; the branch of my planting, the work of my hands that I may be glorified.Andthesearetheythathavenoshareintheworldtocome:hethatsaysthereisnoresurrectionofthedeadprescribedintheLaw,and[hethatsays]thattheLawisnotfromHeaven,andanEpicurean.(Sanhedrin10.1)1

Inotherwords,thosespeakingwithJesusweresuretheyweresaved.Noworries,noheadaches.Thequestionconcernsoutsiders.Willanyofthembesaved?Whenweunderstandthis,theanswersJesusgivesinourpassagearestunning!

13:24-30Lookovertheparableandanswerthefollowingquestions:

WhatphraseorsentencedoyouthinkwasmostoffensivetothoselisteningtoJesus?Explainyouranswer.

JesusreferstoenteringtheKingdomofGodthroughthenarrow door.Jesus’wordsarestartling,manywill seek to enter and will not be able.Whynot?

Compareverses25and27intheNIVandESV.Whatistheresponseofthemasterofthehouse?

RobertGundryexplainsthemaster’sanswer. In that culture, to know someone you had to know where the person was from. Not to know his or her place of origin was not to know the person him- or herself.(Gundry,p.294)

Howwouldthemaster’sanswertothoseknockinghavebeenunderstoodbyJesus’originallisteners?

1 CitedinHughes,2,p.96.


DoesJesus’parableactuallyanswerthisperson’squestion?Explain.

Whathappenstothosewhodonotenterthehouse?

Whattwosurprisesarefoundinverses29-30?

Howdoesthisparablespeaktoyoupersonally?ThinkaboutyourownfaithinJesus.WhenyoubecameaChristiandidyou(ordoyounow)havethesenseofenteringthroughanarrow door.

13:24saysstrive to enter through the narrow door.Thewordstrive,agonizomaiinGreek,isthewordfromwhichwegettheEnglishwordagonize.JesusisreferringtotheeffortweexerttoyieldourselvestoGod.AsAlexanderMaclarenputit,We are not saved by effort, but we shall not believe without effort.1

Describeyourownefforttoenterthroughthenarrowdoor.Sharethiswithyourhomegroup.

Respondtothefollowingquotation:

ThepassagetoHeavenisnotthroughthegreatportalofapalace,butanarrow,lowdoorthroughwhichonemusthumblysqueeze.(Hughes,2,p.97)

1 CitedinHughes,2,p.98.AlexanderMaclarenwasa19thcenturyScottishpreacherandcommentator.

�0 Studies in Luke Seven

CompareJohn6:27-29.Here,Jesusactuallyspeaksoftheworkofbelieving.Whatdoesitmeantothinkofourbelievingasaformofwork?

ThissectionbeganwithsomeoneaskingJesusaboutthenumberofpeoplewhowouldbesaved.Jesus’answeremphasizesnotthenumberofthosesaved,butthetimeofsalvation.Hesays,clearly,therewillbeatimewhenitistoolate,whenthedoorisshut.JesusmakesthesamepointthatthewritertotheHebrewsmakes,…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…(Hebrews9:27).Itwouldbeprofitableforeachofustoaskourselves,Have I entered the narrow door?

The Forsaken City(13:31-35)

InthissectionsomePhariseeswarnJesustofleebecauseHerodwantstokillhim.ThisisHerodAntipas,thesonofHerodtheGreatwhotriedtokillJesuswhenhewasborn.ThisistheHerodwhokilledJohntheBaptist.

13:32-33 WhatdoyoumakeofJesus’initialanswertothePharisees?NoticehowthisfitsintoJesus’determinationtogotoJerusalem(seeLuke9:22,9:31,9:51,9:53).

13:34-35 containsoneofJesus’morefamouslines,O Jerusalem, Jerusalem.

What,specifically,doesJesussayaboutJerusalem?

Theseverseshavebeencalledapathetic soliloquy.Jesus’wordsaresimultaneouslytender,terrifying,andfilledwithpromise.


Tenderly,JesussayshehaslongedtocareforJerusalem,thatis,forthepeopleofIsrael.Heusestheimageofamotherhenprotectingherchicksunderherwings.ThisisnotthefirsttimewefindthisimageofGodcaringforhispeopleintheScriptures.Consider:

Psalm17:8

Psalm36:7

Psalm57:1

Psalm63:7

Psalm64:4

Psalm91:4

HowdoesthisimageoftheprotectivewingsofGodspeaktoyoupersonally?Whendoyoufindyourselfhidingunderhiswings?

Terrifyingly,JesussaystoapersonifiedJerusalemyour house is forsaken.LiterallyJesussays,Your house is being left to you.ThisisthefulfillmentofJeremiah22:5,

But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

JerusalemwillbedevoidofGod,uninhabitedbyGod’sSpirit!Disasterwillbetheresult.Jesus’prophecyofdoomwasfulfilled,literally,inA.D.68-70whentheRomansrazedthecitytotheground.RejectingtheMessiahhaddireconsequencesfortheinhabitantsofIsrael.

Whatlessonorlessonscanwegleanfromthisterrifyingprediction?

�� Studies in Luke Seven

Promisingly,Jesusdoesn’tstopatthebeginningofverse35.Hegoesontosay,

And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’

JesusquotesPsalm118:26totheeffectthatinthefuturetheinhabitantsofJerusalemwillwelcomehimasLordandMessiah!Interpretationsofthiscrypticpromiseaboundandwewillnotwrestlewiththemhere.Inthemeantime,letusbeamongthosewhoenterthroughthenarrowdoor.AstheapostlePaulwrites,…now is the day of salvation(2Corinthians6:2)!


• GivethanksthatGodhasmadeawaytobesaved,andhasrevealedtousthenarrowdoor!

• ThankGodforJesus,whoistheonlynameunderheavengiventomenbywhichwemustbesaved.(Acts4:12)

• PraiseGodthatinHismercyandpatience,Hehasgivenustimetoenterthroughthatnarrowdoor.PraiseHimthatnowisthetimeofGod’sfavor,nowisthedayofsalvation(1Corinthians6:2)

• Prayforourchurchandthechurchesofourarea,thatwewouldnotbecontentwithculturalChristianitybutinsteadstrive to enter through the narrow door.PraythatthosewhoareChristiansinnameonlywouldbestirredtorepentanceandrealfaith.

• Prayforindividualsyouknowwhohaveyettoenterthroughthenarrowdoor.Perhapsforsomewhoonceseemedtohaveenteredbuthavewanderedfromthefaith.

• ThankGodthatmanywillcomefromeastandwestandnorthandsouthtotaketheirplacesatthefeastinthekingdomofGod.(13:29).Prayforthewesternchurchtonotbepridefulinitsspiritualhistory,buthavehumilityandgratitudeforGod’sworkamongthenations!

• Prayforthenationsoftheearth,thatthegospelwouldspreadandmanywouldenterthroughthatnarrowdoor.PraythatGodwouldsendlaborerstotheharvest!

• Read13:34-35again,andaskJesustoblessusbygatheringusasahengathersherchicks,andenablingustotakerefugeunderHiswings(Psalm91:4).TellGodyourneedsandconcerns,andconsiderrepeatingPsalm91:4aasalitanyinresponsetotheseindividualrequests:

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.

��Studies in LukeEight

STUDYEIGHT:Luke16:13-31

Rich Man, Poor Man, Heaven & Hell

Jesushadalottosayaboutmoney.Hespokeoftenofitseffectonpeople.Jesuspointedoutboththedangerandblessingof

moneyinourlives.Inaddition,Jesuswasboldinhiscondemnationofthosewhotrustinormisusetheirwealth.InourstudyofLuke16:13-31webegininthemiddleofachapterwheremuchoftheentirediscussionhasbeenconcernedwithriches.

ReadLuke16:13-31slowly.WearestartingourstudyafewversesbeforetheparableoftherichmanandLazarus(verses19-31).Beforegoingoninthisstudywritedownsomeofyourinitialthoughtsandquestions.Whatpuzzlesyou?Whatareafewmainpointsthatareclear?Howisthisparabledifferentfromotherparableswehavestudied?

Theshortunitfoundbeforeourparable,verses13-18,canbedifficulttounderstandbeingplacedinbetweentwopassagesthatclearlydealwithmoney.Verses13-14serveasthebridgebetweentheparableofthedishonestmanager(16:1-12)andtheparableoftherichmanandLazarus(16:19-31).

Jesuswilloftenendaparablewithanaxiomorconcludingprincipleashedoeshereinverse13.Whatistheconcludingprincipleinverse13thatsummarizestheparableofthedishonestmanager?Tryputtingtheideaofthisverseintoyourownwords.

HowdoesJesusconnectthePharisees(v.14)withthissummarystatement?

�� Studies in Luke Eight

Inverses16-18wecometoasectionthattalksabouttheLaw and the Prophets(OldTestament),the kingdom of God,andthenrighttodivorce!Onasurfacereadingmostofusscratchourheadsandsay,What is going on?DarrelBockgivesussomehelpinunderstandingwhytheseversesareinsertedbetweenthesetwoparables.

Jesus’remarksaboutmoneyraisetheissueofhisauthority,sincethepresenceofthekingdomraisesthequestionofthesourceandallegiancesofone’svalues.Thekingdomexposesdividedloyalties,foroneserveseitherGodorMoney(vv.10-13).Idolatriesarerevealedbyitspresence,andGodhatesthem(vv.14-15).Akeytosuchvaluesistotalintegrity,whichiswhytheexampleofthedivorcepledgegetsnotedinverse18.Thehingeisverses16-17,wherethearrivalofthekingdomislinkedtothepreachingofJesus.HehastherighttocallonpeopletoexaminehowtheyuseresourcesandtoreflectonthenatureoftheirwalkwithGodintermsofintegrity.(Bock,p.425)

BeforemovingontolookattherichmanandLazarustakeamomenttoconsiderthisbriefstatementondivorce.1ThiscommentisinsertedbetweenthesetwoparablesmostlikelytoillustratetheimportanceofpersonalcommitmentsandintegrityinthenewKingdomera.Whatpointdoesthisillustrationmake?WhydoyouthinkLukechosetoinsertithere?

WhyisdivorceinconsistentwiththeChristianlife?

The Rich Man and Lazarus(16:19-31).2

Theparablebeginswithaveryvividcontrastbetweenthesetwomenthatsetsthestagefortherestofthestory.Trytogetapictureinyourmindofthesemen.

Describetherichman.Whatdowelearnabouthimandhischaracter?Whatdoweknowabouthishouse?Whyisthecolorpurplementioned?

1 Thepointofthispassageisnottoprovideafulldiscussionofdivorce.OtherpassagesintheNewTestamentdoconsiderthegroundsfordivorceandit’simplications.SeeMatthew5:31-32,1Corinthians7:14-16.

2 BiblescholarsoftendiscusswhetherornotLuke16:19-31isaparable.ItdiffersinseveralregardsfromotherNewTestamentparables.Itisnotaboutarepeatableeverydaysituationbutratheraspecificstory.ItistheonlyparableinLukethatnamesanyofitscharacters.Forthepurposesofourstudywewillfollowtheleadofmanyscholarswhodoconsiderthisaparable,albeitauniqueone.


NowdescribeLazarus.Whatdoweknowofhiscondition?

Eventually,bothLazarusandtherichmandie.Oneofthelessonsoftheparableisthatdeathisthegreatequalizer.Howdotherichman’spossessionsandstatushelphimintheafterlife?

Consideryourownlifeforamoment.Writealistofsomeofyourmostvaluedpossessionsinthislife(house,car,clothes,sportsequipment,jewelry,investments,etc.)Whichoftheitemsonyourlistwillyoutakewithyouwhenyoudie?Whatistheobviouslessonfromthesetwodeaths?

Whatquestionsdoesthisparableraiseforyouabouttheafterlife?Whatdoestherichimageryoftheparablesuggest?

Theparableclearlyteachestwofinalstatesforthesemen.Howdoesthestorydescribethesetwodestinations?WhatlanguageisusedtopaintthepictureofHadesandAbraham’s side?

richman=Hades (hell)

Lazarus=Abraham’s side1

1 Abraham’s sideisliterallyAbraham’s bosom.ThisunusualandinfrequentlyusedphrasedrawsattentiontoAbrahamasthefatherofallwhohavefaith(Romans4:1-5)andpointstothewelcomingofLazarustothefellowshipofotherbelieverswhoarealreadyinheaven.

�6 Studies in Luke Eight

Weshouldbecarefultonotpressthedetailsofthisstory.Nevertheless,wedogetanunmistakablepictureofheavenandhell,oftwoultimaterealities.FormanythisisatroublingteachingintheBible.Howshouldwerespondtothosewhoaretroubled?Howdoyourespond?

WhatshouldthisconversationbetweenAbrahamandtherichmanteachus?HowshouldthisconversationmotivateusinourrelationshipswiththosewhoareestrangedfromGodandhavenofaithinJesus?

ThisisnottheplacetodoacompletestudyofwhattheBibleteachesaboutheavenandhell.Ourparablecanandshouldstandonitsown.However,sincewearestudyingthegospelofLuke(andthelifeofJesus)itisimportanttorememberthatJesushadagreatdealtosayabouthell.ManywhoarenewtoreadingtheBiblearesurprisedbythisstartlingtruth.InadditiontoourpassagehereinLuke16,ponderafewoftheseotherstatementsofJesus.

Matthew8:10-12

Matthew10:28

Matthew25:41-46

Luke12:4-5

WhatdoestherichmanaskofAbrahamconcerninghisfivebrothers?

WhatisAbraham’sresponse?

Howdoyouunderstandthephraseinverse26,a great chasm has been fixed?


Bockpointsouttheironyofthesituation.

Thereisironyinthisreply.WhatAbrahamrefusesforthebrothersisaccomplishedforthereadersoftheparablebywarningsissuedforthem.Wehearapersonintormentwarnustorespondwithcompassiontothosearoundus.Inthisparablethegravespeakssothatwemighthear.(Bock,p.434)

WhatisthepointofAbraham’sresponsetotherichmansrequestinverses30-31?WhatisthevalueofhavingMoses and the prophets?

Whiletheparablegivesanegativeillustrationofthelackofcompassiononthepartoftherichman,itisdesignedtohaveusconsiderhowwerespondtopeoplelikeLazarus.Whatdowelearnaboutcompassionforthepoorfromthisstory?1

Gatherupyourthoughtsfromthisparable.Whatareoneortwobiblicalprinciplesthatyoucanapplytoyourlifethisweek?Bepracticalinthinkingabouttheapplicationofthisstorytoyourlifesituation.Whatchangesinattitudeorlife-styledoesthisteachingofJesuscallyouto?

1 SomereadingthisparablemaywonderifitisteachingthatGodjudgesusbasedonwhatwedo.Bockexplains.One troubling aspect of a text like this is that it appears that God’s evaluation of us is based on works. But this is not the way to understand the text in light of the entirety of Scripture. The ethical call of God reveals what he expects of people. Other portions of Scripture reveal the way God enables us to accomplish this calling and to reflect his will.(Bock,p.435)

�� Studies in Luke Eight


• AcknowledgethatGodisworthyofourentireallegiance.ConfessyourdesireandintentiontohavenoothergodsthatcompetewithHim(16:13).TellGodtheemptinessandfutilityofservinganyonebutHim.Considerreadingscripturesthatdeclarethis,suchastheexamplesbelow.

The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. (Psalm 16:4)

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1Timothy 6:10)

But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but they cannot see… (Psalm 115:4-5)

• Repentofthewaysinwhichourheartsaredivided.Confessourattractiontomoney.Confessanyothersinsthatdrawourheartsawaytoothergods.Inresponsetotheseindividualconfessions,considerrepeatingPsalm86:11asalitany:

Give us an undivided heart that we may fear your name.

• Prayforanundividedheartinourmarriages.PraythatGodwouldprotectusandkeepusfromdivorce.(16:18)

• PraythatmoneyandcomfortwouldnotkeepusfromheavenasitdidtherichmaninthestoryofLazarus.PraythatGodwouldhavemercyonanyofuswhoarefollowingthepatternoftherichman.Askforgivenessforthewaysinwhichwehavereceivedourcomfortonearthinsteadofwaitedforheaven.Prayforourchildrenandthegenerationgrowingupinourchurch,thattheymaynotbeseducedbywealthbutdevelopGodlyhabitswithrespecttomoneyearlyintheirlives.

• AskGodtoopenoureyesandheartstotheLazaruswhomaybelaidatourgate(16:20).

• AskGodtorevivetheWesternchurchwithacompassionforthelessfortunate.PraythatGodwouldbepleasedtouseourmoneystobringmercy,justice,andgoodnewstothepooraroundtheworld.Prayforradicalgenerositytoovercomeconsumerismandaddictiontocomfort.PraythatourgivinghabitsandourchurchbudgetwouldbeafragrantandpleasingofferingtoGod.

• Prayforourfriends,family,andneighbors,thattheymayhearthescripturesandrespondtothem.Praythatwemaybeinheaventogetherwiththem,ratherthanseparatedbythegreatchasmthathasbeenfixed.(16:26)

��Studies in LukeNine

STUDYNINE:Luke17:1-19

Christian Duty

Duty.Obligation.Responsibility.Thesearenotwordsthatfree-spiritedAmericansgetexcitedabout.We’dmuchprefer

everythinginlifetobeunrestricted,anddreamofaworldwherepeoplepractice random acts of kindnessoutofthegoodnessofourownhearts.Unfortunately,intherealworldoffallenpeople,weattimeshavetoforceourselvestodothethingswewishwedidnaturally.Ittakesdiscipline,andattimes,asenseofdutytoliveoutourfaith.Today’stextpresentsuswithsomeaspectsoftheChristianlifethatJesusexpectsfromhisfollowersasamatterofduty.

OurstudythisweekinLuke17comesintwoparts:inverses1-10,wehaveasectionofJesus’teaching,andthenin11-19,amiraclestory.Wewillfindthethemesofthefirsthalfdemonstratedinthesecond.Readverses1-10,andasyoudowritedownanythingthatsticksouttoyou,anyquestionsyoumayhave,theunifyingthreadsthatemerge.

Thissectioniscalledbysomeagreatest hitsofJesusteaching,asmanyhaveahardtimeseeinganycohesivenessinJesus’teachingsintheseverses.

However,thelargercontexthelpsustoframeourpassagealittlebit.Jesusseemstobeconcernedtosay,Don’t be like the Pharisees!HethengoesontocriticizepracticesthatareusuallyidentifiedwiththePhariseesinLuke:Lack of regard for the ‘little ones’ and sinners in their midst, faithlessness, and a heightened, problematic concern for recognition and status. (Green,p.611) Aswemovealonginthisweek’sstudy,keepinmindlastweek’spassageandotherthingswehavelearnedregardingJesus’interactionswiththespiritualauthoritiesofhistime,andhowasdiscipleswearecalledtolivedifferently.

�0 Studies in Luke Nine

Temptation to Sin (17:1-4)

Inthisfirstsectionwegettwowarnings:tobecarefultogivenooffenseandtotakenooffense.(Wilcock,p.166.)Thefirstisahauntingwarning:woetotheonewhocausesanothertosin.ThephraseinGreekhasalotmoremetaphoricalunitythanwhatweseeinEnglish.Itsaysliterally,

It would be impossible for stumbling blocks not to come but… It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck … than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Itisquiteahauntinghypothetical:tohaveabigrocktiedaroundyourneckandthenbethrownintothesea!Andyet,Jesussaysstumblingblocksaresuretocome.Howcanthisbe?Whatisthepointofhiswarning?

Havetherebeentimesinyourlifewhenafellowbelieverwasastumblingblocktoyouandcausedyoutosin?Havetherebeentimesinyourlifewhenyouwerethatstumblingblock?Explain.

Clearly,Jesusdoesnottakesinlightly.Jesusmovesquicklytotheflipsideofthingswithhisinstructiononhowtoengagewithsinfulbrothersandsisters.Lookattheorderofhowthingshappeninverse3.Howshouldthisinformthewayweaddresssininthelivesoffellowbelievers?Whataretheimportantelementstomaintainingholyrelationships?Whoarethepeopleinyourlifethatyouneedtoforgive?Howhaveyouexperiencedrebukeand/orforgivenessinyourlife?

Someofusarebetteratrebukingthenweareforgiving;othersarebetteratforgivingthenrebuking(evenifthereisnorepentance);andstillothersarebetteratjustdistancingourselvescompletelyfromconflict.Lookagainatverse4asJesustightensthescrewsevenfurther:youaretoforgiveevenifsomeonesinsseventimesadayagainst you.Nowit’spersonal!Andyetwearecalledtostillforgive.Whatisthegoalofallofthisrebuking,repentingandforgiving?


Believersaretobeincommunity,pursuingholinesstogether,butmaintainingforgivenessasahallmarkofourrelationships.

Increase our Faith! (17:5-6)

Jesus’teachingonrelentlessforgivenesselicitsaresponsefromthedisciplesthatmanyofusmightshare:Lord, increase our faith!

Butwhatistheresponsethatthey–andwe–getfromJesus?

Themustardseed(foritsmeagerdimensions)andthemulberrytree(foritsdeepandstrongrootsystem)werebothreferredtoproverbiallyinthefirstcentury.Jesuscontraststhemtosaythat just a smidgen of faith would be sufficient to give rise to practices even more extraordinary than those he has just outlined. (Green,p.613.)

HavetherebeentimesinyourlifewhenthesimplecommandsofChristseemedimpossible,andyoufeltinneedofextraordinaryamountsoffaith?Howwerethosetimesresolvedinyourlife?

HowcanwereconcilethesetimeswiththisteachingofJesuswithoutbeingunrealisticoroverlysimplistic?

We Are Unworthy Servants(17:7-10)

Jesus’apparentrebukecontinueswithaseriesofrhetoricalquestions.Lookatverses7-9again.WhatisJesusgettingatwiththesequestions–whatisthepoint?WhatdoesJesussuggestthattheymightbeaskingfor?

�� Studies in Luke Nine

ReadLuke11:42-44,18:9-14,andMatthew23:1-7.HowdothesepicturesofthePhariseescomparetowhatweseeinverses7-9?

Inverse10,Jesusconcludeshisrhetoricalquestionswithsomeinstructiononhowwearetogoaboutlivingoutourfaith.HowmightthisshapethewayyouthinkaboutlivingoutthecommandsofJesus?

RespondtothefollowingquotebyDarrelBock:

A‘servant’respondstoGodwithoutquestionasamatterofduty.Thistext,however,shouldnotbeleftbyitselfwhenitcomestothethemeofservice,forGoddoeshonorfaithfulservice(see12:37).Thebalanceisimportant,becausetheservantneedstoappreciatewhathisdutyis,whileGodisclearthatservicewelldoneishonored.Godrewardsthosewhoservewithoutthoughtofreward.(Bock,414.)

Healing of the Ten Lepers (17:11-19)

Weturnnowtothesecondhalfofourtext,andtothecuriousplacementofthismiraclestorywithinalargersectionofJesus’teaching.Readverses11-19andwritedownanythingthatsticksouttoyou,questionsyoumayhave,orpotentialconnectionstotheprevioustenverses.

Thereareseveraldifferencesmentionedinthispassagebetweentheonewhoturnedbackandtheothernine.Compareandcontrasttheonetothenine,whatarethesimilaritiesandwhatarethemaindifferencesweseefromthetext?


InthesefewversesweseeJesusdemonstratingforustheverythingshehadjusttaughtandtheorientationweshouldhavetowardshim.Justaswearetobegenerouswithourforgiveness,knowingthatonlyonewouldturnbacktoglorifyGod,Jesusneverthelessshowsmercytoallten.Furthermore,asRobertGundrypointsout,In 17:7-10, a slave isn’t deserving of thanks for merely obeying orders. Here, though, Jesus [theMaster] is deserving of thanks; for he’s in charge, as a slave isn’t; and he has healed the lepers out of sheer grace, not out of duty.(Gundry,p.308.)Finally,theSamaritanleper(ortheforeigner,asJesuscallshim)demonstratesaleveloffaithweshouldhave.1

WhatcanwelearnfromtheSamaritanLeper?Howmightthegraceofthe MastertowardsusequipustolivethewayJesusdescribesinthefirsthalfofourpassage?

Inconclusiontothisweek’sstudy,ponderandrespondtothequotebyC.S.LewisonourChristianduty:

Meanwhileofcoursewearemerelytuningourinstruments.Thetuningupoftheorchestracanbeitselfdelightful,butonlytothosewhocaninsomemeasure,howeverlittle,anticipatethesymphony.TheJewishsacrifices,andevenourownmostsacredrites,astheyactuallyoccurinhumanexperience,arelikethetuning:promise,notperformance.Hence,likethetuning,theymayhaveinthemmuchdutyandlittledelight;ornone.Butthedutyexistsforthedelight.Whenwecarryoutour“religiousduties”wearelikepeoplediggingchannelsinawaterlessland,inorderthatwhenatlastthewatercomes,itmayfindthemready.Imean,forthemostpart.Therearehappymoments,evennow,whenatricklecreepsalongthedrybeds;andhappysoulstowhomthishappensoften.2

MaywefindjoyinourdutyasChristiansthisweek!

1 Theendofverse19inGreekliterallyreads,your faith has saved you.Whilecommentatorsandtranslatorsdebatewhatthemeaningorrenderingshouldbe–theyneverthelessacknowledgethattheSamaritan’sfaithresultsinadifferentkindofhealing/savingthanthecleansingreceivedbythenine.

2 C.S.Lewis,Reflections on the Psalms, p.97.

�� Studies in Luke Nine


• AcknowledgethatGodisGodandwearenot.Heisworthyofourgratitudeandworship(17:16),whilewearemerelyHisunworthysubjectsandservants(17:10).

• ThankGodthatthoughweareunworthyandsinful,HeisaGodofforgiveness!

• RememberhowGodhascleansedyouasHecleansedthe10lepers.PracticebeingliketheoneleperwhoreturnedtothankJesus,andthankHimspecificallyforhowHesavedanddeliveredyou!

• Confessoursins,andperhapswayswehaveledothersintosin.Dothissilentlyfirstandoutloudasappropriate.Examineyourownheart,andconfessanyunforgivenessthatisthere.

• Prayforourchurchandthechurchesofourarea,thatwemaybecomemoreholy.Namespecificareasofsinourchurchesneedtobecleansedfrom.

• Prayforthelittleones(17:2)amongus–thegenerationgrowingupinourchurch.PraythatnoneofuswouldcausethemtosinormissthekingdomofGod.Prayforholinessamongallouryouthworkers,andforGodtokeepusfromscandal.

• PraythatourministriesandmissionarieswhoworkwithchildrenwouldbringthemclosertoGodratherthancausethemtosin!YoungLife,GoletaHomeworkClub,ConvergeWorldwide,SportsOutreach,Querencia,andChildEvangelismFellowshiparejustafewexamples.

• Askthatourchurchasawholeandthegenerationgrowingupinitwouldnotadoptthespiritofentitlementthatpervadesourculture,butwouldadopttheunworthyservantposture(17:10)andthethankfulleperposture(17:16),trustingGodtoliftusupaswehumbleourselvesbeforeHim(James4:10).

• Praythatourchurchwouldbewiseandskillfulinbothrebukingsinandextendingforgivenesstorepentantsinners(17:3-4).Prayfortheeldersastheywrestlewithchurchdisciplineissuesfromtimetotime.

• Finally,exercisethemustardseefaithyouhave(17:6),byprayingbigandboldprayersasahomegrouptoconclude.ConsiderbeginningsomeofyourprayerswithLord, I believe…Forexample,Lord I believe that you will build your church in the Muslim world. I believe you will turn persecutors into preachers, just as you did with the apostle Paul.InadditiontoLuke17:6,considerrepeating1John5:14asalitanyinresponsetoindividualprayers:

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Studies in LukeStudy Three Interrogation and Warning 13 10/3-6 10/9 Luke 11:53–12:12 ... Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ... It’s hard to love a hypocrite.

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