Luke Chapters 1 - 10

  Study 1 - The Prologue (Luke 1:1–4) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT 

Solomon Northup was a free black man living in upstate New York until he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana. He wrote down his story of struggle and determination to fight his way back to freedom. His 1855 memoir was called Twelve Years a Slave. Northup’s book was made into a motion picture in 2013. 

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom from Mary­land. His 1845 account, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, made him one of the few African Americans to write a bestseller in the 19th century.  

Northrup and Douglass were freedom writers. They had to tell their stories of freedom. 

Luke was a freedom writer. A doctor by trade, he wanted to speak clearly about salvation. 

We are all looking for freedom from bad habits and twisted hearts. Luke is a fitting guide if we are on the move for good news in this “24/7 bad news” world. Luke wrote his letter to Theophilus, a friend to whom he wanted to give an “orderly account” of the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus. 

The good news always comes in a package marked “Open at your own risk.” The gospel always comes as a miracle—a surprise that human beings rarely see coming. The miracle of the gospel is that it’s too good to be true. But it is true, and it calls us to be active witnesses in the freedom story of the resurrected Christ. 

👉TEXT FROM ESV  
Dedication to Theophilus  
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 

2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 

3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 

4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. 
👈END OF TEXT 

INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 

This Gospel recounts the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. While Acts records the advance of salvation, in the name of Jesus to "the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8), Luke's Gospel invites us to be part of this worldwide spread of the Christian message by showing how Jesus brings salvation to the last, the lost, and the least. 

Luke’s Gospel describes a world turned upside down. Sinners are saved while religious leaders are exposed as frauds. “Outsiders” embrace Jesus while “insiders” reject him. The poor rejoice while the rich are “sent away empty” (Luke 1:53). Because such paradoxes can create doubt, Luke writes to assure us that Jesus represents the fulfillment of God’s saving purposes. 

No person has ever lived more faithfully than Jesus, yet no person has ever endured more suffering. As it points us to Jesus’ cross and resurrection, Luke’s Gospel prepares us to follow Jesus through hardship and humiliation, strengthened by faith in the God who exalts the lowly. 

Luke’s Gospel begins, and Acts ends, with a pointed reminder that the coming of Jesus fulfills God’s promises, expressed in the Old Testament, to redeem the world through Israel. As Luke’s genealogy of Jesus makes clear, everyone who is descended from Adam—all humanity—has departed from God. Only “repentance and forgiveness of sins” (Luke 24:47) can restore us to the fullness of life that God intends for his human creatures. God’s purpose is to raise up a king in Israel who can remove sin, defeat death, and pour out the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit on all who embrace his rule. Jesus is this messianic King, the greater “son of David” who brings God’s promises to completion, and through whom “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6, citing Isa. 52:10). 

Key Verse 
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) 

Date and Historical Background 

Luke was likely written in the early 60s, sometime after the events described in Acts 28 but before two major events that are not mentioned in Luke or Acts—Paul’s martyrdom in AD 64/65, and the destruction of the temple in AD 70. This means that Luke wrote within decades of Jesus’ ministry and death.

In Luke’s day, the Christian message spread throughout Palestine, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. The stability of the Roman empire enabled Paul and other Christian missionaries to travel extensively, preaching to Jews and Gentiles alike. Both groups had difficulty accepting the possibility that a crucified man could be the Savior of the world—Jews because crucifixion represented a divine curse, and Gentiles because crucifixion represented weakness and humiliation. Other questions were raised by the fact that many Gentile “outsiders” were embracing Jesus, while many Jewish “insiders” continued to reject him and his followers. Luke wrote, at least in part, to reassure readers that the message about Jesus is true, despite such paradoxes. Today, Luke’s Gospel continues to offer assurance to anyone who wrestles with the challenges of trusting and following Jesus. 

Outline

1. The Prologue (Luke 1:1–4)
2. The Infancy Narrative (Luke 1:5–2:52)
   1. The birth of John the Baptist foretold (Luke 1:5–25)
   2. The birth of Jesus foretold (Luke 1:26–38)
   3. Mary visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–56)
   4. The birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57–80)
   5. The birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:1–52)
3. Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus (Luke 3:1–4:15)
   1. John the Baptist prepares the way (Luke 3:1–20)
   2. Jesus’ baptism, genealogy, and temptation (Luke 3:21–4:15)
4. The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee (Luke 4:16–9:50)
   1. The beginning (Luke 4:16–5:16)
   2. The beginning of controversy (Luke 5:17–6:11)
   3. Jesus teaches the disciples (Luke 6:12–49)
   4. Who is this Jesus? (Luke 7:1–50)
   5. Jesus teaches in parables (Luke 8:1–21)
   6. Jesus is Lord of nature, demons, disease, and death (Luke 8:22–56)
   7. Jesus and the Twelve (Luke 9:1–50)
5. The Journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–19:27)
   1. The first mention of the journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–13:21)
   2. The second mention of the journey to Jerusalem (Luke 13:22–17:10)
   3. The third mention of the journey to Jerusalem (Luke 17:11–19:27)
6. The Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem (Luke 19:28–21:38)
   1. The Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28–40)
   2. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–44)
   3. Jesus cleanses the temple (Luke 19:45–48)
   4. The authority of Jesus challenged (Luke 20:1–8)
   5. The parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9–18)
   6. Paying taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:19–26)
   7. Sadducees ask about the resurrection (Luke 20:27–40)
   8. Whose son is the Christ? (Luke 20:41–44)
   9. Beware of the scribes (Luke 20:45–47)
   10. The widow’s offering (Luke 21:1–4)
   11. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (Luke 21:5–24)
   12. Jesus foretells the coming of the Son of Man (Luke 21:25–38)
7. The Suffering and Death of Jesus (Luke 22:1–23:56)
   1. The plot to kill Jesus, and the Passover meal (Luke 22:1–38)
   2. The arrest and trial (22:39–23:56)
8. The Resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:1–53)
1. The empty tomb (Luke 24:1–12)
2. Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35)
3. Jesus appears to his disciples (Luke 24:36–49)
4. The ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:50–53)

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Preparing for a study of Luke is not easy. It requires dedication and serious thought about familiar scripture. I have heard it said that the best way to help understand Luke's Gospel is to read it through, in one sitting if possible. Read quickly for an overall view, not stopping to ponder the details. Then read again in sections for specific meaning. As we approach the text for each week let us allow the truth of the scripture to come through with an appropriate attitude.

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 
 

Study 2 - The Infancy Narrative (Luke 1:5–2:52) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

As an older adult, it is fun to remember the special things kids say that has become part of my vocabulary. Like "lawn-sere-matt" for "laundromat" and "Yik-tat" for "lick that" when a cake is being mixed. Or the things kids do that come to mind frequently. Things like sitting on a tree branch while reading a book for most of the morning or spending hours setting up a ramp and jumping it with a bike.  

The memories of Jesus when he was young are recorded in this section of Luke. Look for the angel's instruction to Mary, the reaction of an old man in the temple, and how shocked the teachers in the temple were at the knowledge of the boy, Jesus.  

👉TEXT FROM ESV (excerpt for discussion) 

Birth of Jesus Foretold (Chapter 1) 

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 

28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 

29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 

30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 

33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 

34 And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" 

35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. 

36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 

37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 

38 And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. 

Jesus Presented at the Temple (Chapter 2) 

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 

28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 

29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 

34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 

35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." 

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 

37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 

38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

The Return to Nazareth 

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 

40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 

The Boy Jesus in the Temple 

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 

43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 

44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 

45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 

47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." 

49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. 

👈END OF TEXT 

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Luke sees his Gospel as a continuation of the Old Testament, and therefore as a reliable record of God’s saving deeds. God reveals himself in ways that human beings can clearly understand, whether through visions (Luke 1:22), angelic messengers, or the promises, prophecies, and instructions of the Old Testament. God makes himself known most clearly through the person, words, and work of Jesus, who is “a light for revelation” (Luke 2:32) to Jews and Gentiles alike. 

The holy Son of God came into the world at a specific time in history and for a specific purpose. If we consider our current culture, it appears that he does not fit in, but that is not the point. It is not that He should fit in, but rather does our culture fit into his plan. Christ becoming active in this culture does not happen by accident. It occurs as an act of will. First God's will is that Jesus is the chosen one of all time and second by the personal choice each of us makes to place Him first in our life.  

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

Study 3 - Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus (Luke 3) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

In Luke 3, Luke mentions seven people who were in power at the time John began his ministry. It’s important to understand this context. Power has a unique way of changing people. How they handle ­power affects their character. And these rulers used power to their advantage in destructive ways. 

Let’s highlight just a couple of the names Luke mentions. Tiberius misused power for his own purposes. According to historians, Tiberius’ reign was labeled as dreary and pessimistic. Tiberius’s rule was a time of power running amok, unchecked, and destructive. 

Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Gali­lee, used his influence as a ruler to take his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias. He had previously married the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea, for a ­political alliance, but he ousted her in favor of Herodias. This led to a later retaliation by King Aretas. 

Enter John the Baptist. His power source was the word of God. He came preaching “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” He spoke of reconciliation with God and the opportunity for a new start. This was a power for new beginnings, offered through God’s mercy. 

What is your source of power? Is it the gospel of Jesus? Are you sharing that power so that others may experience it too? 

(Luke 3:1–20) 

John the Baptist Prepares the Way 

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysaniasdz tetrarch of Abilene—

2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.

5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.

6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.

16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done,

20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened

22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,

24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josek, the son of Joda,

27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

28 the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,

36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan,
38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Notice how this section shows that Jesus’ ministry will benefit a wide range of people and not just those who are ethnically Jewish or outwardly religious. 
 
The idea of “fruits” John the Baptist cites as evidence of genuine repentance before God. (vs. 8-9) What does this suggest about the kind of kingdom Jesus has come to establish? 

 
  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

Study 4 - The Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-15) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

Being God, Jesus had written the Old Testament—partnering with human authors to compose it. And then, when he became a human child, he studied and learned it with other children from the teachers in the community at Nazareth. 

In our verses for today, we see that Jesus studied well. He was able to use the words of Scripture expertly! He used them to defend himself and define himself. 

In the first part of our text for today Jesus used three quotations from Deuteronomy to defeat the devil’s temptations. Tell these stones to become bread? No. “Man shall not live on bread alone.” Worship Satan? No. “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Test God’s love through acts of disobedience? No. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” 

In the latter part of today’s Scripture Jesus used words from Isaiah to define himself for the people of his hometown of Nazareth. He had become a preacher of good news, a ­rescuer of the blind and oppressed, and a proclaimer of the Lord’s favor. 

Jesus knew that God’s Word is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).  

Moses had to learn the same things as he prepared to lead God’s people. And we will be wise to use God’s Word in these ways also! 

Luke Chapter 4

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.

10 For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;

11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Three times Jesus responds to Satan with Scripture citations from the book of Deuteronomy. How do Deuteronomy 8:1–18 and Deuteronomy 6:10–19 suggest that Satan is tempting Jesus not simply to a one-time sin but to a mindset of self-reliance? How do these texts highlight the contrast between Israel’s failures and Jesus’ faithfulness? 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

Study 5 - Jesus' Ministry Luke 4:16–5:16 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

I once heard a teacher say, “I have asked my students, “Why was Jesus born?” Invariably they answer by leap-frogging over his life to his death: “Jesus was born to die so that we can be saved and one day enter heaven.” And these students are often surprised when I suggest that this answer, which is correct, is also incomplete and misses a lot of good news. Jesus, I explain to them, was actually born not only to die but to live! He was born to take on the mission of bringing the kingdom of God into this world. This kingdom is marked by love for God and neighbor, justice, peace, joy, and the ­restoration of peace.” 

In Luke 4 Jesus describes what it meant to be the Messiah (the “Anointed One”). Anointed by the Spirit, he had come to announce the presence of the kingdom of God, to speak good news to the poor, to announce freedom for the captives, release for the oppressed, and the year of the Lord’s ­favor, a year of Jubilee. That was his mission. 

It is important to accept the gift of Jesus’ offering his life for our salvation. And it is equally important to marvel at his life and to ask the Holy Spirit to anoint us too—so that we can follow him in his mission of justice and mercy. 

(Luke offers more proof that Jesus is the Messiah)

The beginning of Jesus' Ministry (Luke 4:16–5:16)

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ”

24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land.

26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.

27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this.

29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff.

30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.

32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,

34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!”

37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

Jesus Heals Many

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.

39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.

43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.

2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.

3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Jesus’ ministry assumes human inability: the poor have no resources to improve their condition; the captives cannot liberate themselves; the blind cannot open their own eyes (Luke 4:18). At the level of the heart, the same is true, for a thornbush cannot transform itself into a fig tree (Luke 6:43–45). But Luke repeatedly reminds us (Luke 4:36; Luke 5:17, 24) that Jesus has the power to heal both body and soul, doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God graciously provides for those who otherwise have no hope—a truth that characterizes every aspect of Jesus’ saving work.  
  

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

Study 6 - Controversy (Luke 5:17–6:11) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

This scripture shows that forgiveness is both costly and demanding. It cost God's Son his life to forgive the man's sins and tell him to walk. But the demands of forgiveness elicit different responses. The lame man accepted Jesus' forgiveness by obeying his command to walk and by praising God. The religious leaders, however, disbelieved in Jesus' authority to forgive and thus rejected Jesus, increasing their own debt of sin. 

Another response to Jesus "forgiveness came from the crowd to whom Jesus often preached. In contrast with the religious leaders, everyone in this crowd was amazed and gave praise to God." 

People accept Jesus with differing degrees of obedience. Unlike the leaders who rejected Jesus, "everyone" believed that Jesus forgave and healed the paralyzed man. All those people were in a healthy spiritual condition to continue developing their own relationship with Jesus. Others in that crowd may have met Jesus again, and he might have forgiven or healed them. Had they not believed when they saw Jesus forgive another person, they would have missed an opportunity to praise God or be open to Jesus? potential work in their lives. 

How have you seen God's forgiveness work in another person? Did it open you to other ways God might work in you? Are you ready to forgive another? 

The beginning of controversy (Luke 5:17–6:11) 

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.

18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.

19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners

27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,

28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.

30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

33 They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”

34 Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?

35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”

36 He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.

37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.

38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.

39 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’ ”

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels.

2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.

7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.

8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.

11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Jesus’ call to do good to those who injure or insult us is inescapably clear, but where will sinners find the strength to repay the curse with blessing? The answer lies in the love of our heavenly Father, who is “kind to the ungrateful and evil” (Luke 6:35). Strength to show mercy to others is found in God’s mercy to us (Luke 6:36). We see such mercy when Jesus answers those who persecute him not with “wrath” (Luke 4:28) or “fury” (Luke 6:11) but with words of patient warning (Luke 6:24–26). 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

Study 7 - Jesus teaches the disciples (Luke 6:12–49) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

It was time for Jesus to choose the ones who would be his apostles. He didn’t go through normal hiring practices of accepting resumes, conducting background checks, and interviewing potential candidates. Jesus used a better way: he prayed for God’s guidance in choosing his followers.  

The list was not promising. Making the cut, among others, was a hothead named Simon, a doubter named Thomas, a tax collector named Matthew, and a betrayer named Judas. Most would trust and believe in him. Some would deny him. All would abandon him. Jesus knew all that. And he was willing to grant them His power to represent Him. 

The word “apostle” means “one who is sent.” In other words, the apostles were chosen by the grace of God to be sent as his representatives to the world that needs a Savior. 

You and I are not chosen because of our pedigree, race, or spiritual grade point average. We are chosen to do things in his name that are beyond our imagination. The Master of the universe has asked the Father and the Spirit to fill us with radical obedience even when we often feel like running the ­other way. The King of kings has tapped us to be his witnesses. 

Jesus came to save sinners like you and me. He chose sinners as the best representatives of living by grace alone. We are his misfits in the world, sent to tell others about him. 

The Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:12–49) 

The Twelve Apostles

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,

15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,

16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Blessings and Woes

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon,

18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured,

19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Love for Enemies

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.

30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?

40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.

48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

The salvation that Jesus brings includes deliverance from God’s judgment (Luke 6:24–26, 49) through the forgiveness of sin (Luke 5:24). Luke repeatedly reminds us (Luke 4:36; Luke 5:17, 24; Luke 6:19) that Jesus has the power to heal both body and soul, doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God graciously provides for those who otherwise have no hope—a truth that characterizes every aspect of Jesus’ saving work. 
 
Jesus’ call to do good to those who injure or insult us is inescapably clear, but where will sinners find the strength to repay curses with blessing? The answer lies in the love of our heavenly Father, who is “kind to the ungrateful and evil” (Luke 6:35). Strength to show mercy to others is found in God’s mercy to us (Luke 6:36). We see such mercy when Jesus answers those who persecute him not with “wrath” (Luke 4:28) or “fury” (Luke 6:11) but with words of patient warning (Luke 6:24–26). 

FOLLOW-UP 

After the Israelites were delivered from slavery, and crossed the Red Sea, the first thing God did was to tell them how their lifestyle should change and how they should live. He gave them the Ten Commandments and other instructions. They had already been "saved" from slavery, so salvation was not contingent on following them. 

Exodus 19:4-6 - 

4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

Verses 5 & 6 tell of an important plan. Obey and keep, then you will be God's treasured possessions, a kingdom of priests. 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light". It is God's intention to prepare His followers, through obedience, to be examples/priests to the world, the people we meet every day. 

Here in Luke 6 we see Jesus explaining to his disciples the importance of living a specific lifestyle so that we can have a proper witness to the world. Consider verses 27-38 to find phrases like:

1. Love your enemies,
2. do good to those who hate you,
3. bless those who curse you,
4. pray for those who mistreat you.
5. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.
6. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
7. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
8. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
9. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
10. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
11. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
12. Give, and it will be given to you.

These are not commandments to follow, but actions and attitudes that prove we love God and want to be read to be his "priest" to the nations. 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖  

Study 8 - Who is this Jesus? (Luke 7:1–50) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

It was not always easy to see that Jesus was the Messiah. Even John the Baptist needed confirmation that Jesus was the promised one. 

To assure his disciples, Jesus quoted phrases from Isaiah 35, emphasizing that he clearly showed the mighty signs of God’s coming kingdom and that he had come as the Savior. 

Jesus fulfilled promises from the Old Testament. He fed multitudes of people just as God provided manna to the Israelites in the wilderness (see Exodus 16; Mark 6:30-44; 8:1-9). Jesus healed and even raised people from the dead, as the prophets Elijah and Elisha had done (see 1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 4; Luke 8:49-56; John 11). Jesus’ greatest act of healing took place at the cross when he paid the price for our sins (Hebrews 9:28; 10:11-14); “he took up our pain and bore our suffering” (Isaiah 53:4). 

Jesus is still among us to open our eyes and unstop our ears so that we can leap in gratitude and shout for joy. God still does miracles today. We just need to open our eyes to the wonder of creation. We need to unstop our ears to the wonderful testimonies of believers about God’s healing. We need to leap for joy that our sins are forgiven and shout this good news for others to hear. 

The Faith of the Centurion  (Luke 7:1–50)

1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum.

2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.

3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.

4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this,

5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.

7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.

12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”

15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Jesus and John the Baptist

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them,

19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ ”

21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.

22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.

26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

27 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.

30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?

32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’

34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.

38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.

46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.

47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Throughout the book of Luke evidence is given that shows Jesus to be the Messiah that was foretold in the Old Testament. These are more examples of that fact.

Luke 7:36–50 reveals the power source for radical obedience: love prompted by redeeming grace. The forgiven woman demonstrates love for Jesus in ways that far exceed normal expressions of hospitality (Luke 7:44–47). The more we appreciate our desperate need for forgiveness, the more we will love the Savior who forgives—and the more power we will have to express this love for him in deeds of service and obedience.

FOLLOW-UP 

As we study who Jesus is it is always good to remember how we first came to Jesus and the circumstances surrounding that action. It is also good to think about the ways Jesus has impacted your life in the past. The most important thing is how we think about Jesus at this moment and consider how he is impacting our daily lives. Being content in the knowledge of who Jesus is and what he is doing in our daily lives is a task we can accomplish with the help of the Holy Spirit. Consider these scriptures for more insight into "contentment".

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Timothy 6:6-9 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Genesis 33:11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Exodus 16:8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

2 Timothy 2:19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Psalm 103:1-5 Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 37:16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 22:26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!

Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP

Luke 6 tells of how the TOUCH of Jesus was able to heal physical needs. Today there is no physical touch from Jesus. The question is what "touch" is there in today's culture?

We are still reeling from the effects of Covid 19, dealing with the mental problems caused by loneliness. How does Jesus heal these effects?

Here is a current article from a secular writer who seems to be on the same subject of contentment and living a healthy mental life. It sounds almost biblical. by, Alex Mathers

Here are 6 unusual secrets of extremely happy and healthy people:

1. They stop searching.

A curious thing happens when we do as 99% of humans do, which is to search for happiness: we become unhappy. If we’re knowingly pursuing the illusion of ‘happiness’, we are unwittingly communicating to ourselves that we’re — you guessed it — not happy. The chase emphasizes the lack. When I reveal to my clients they already have everything they need to be happy, right here, right now — I always enjoy watching the relief wash over them. ‘You mean I don’t need to get rid of X to be happy?’ You can prioritize those things if you like. But you do it from a place of wholeness and innate happiness. When you approach life from happiness, you perform 100x better.

2. They can sense connectedness.

Recently, as I was sitting taking notes by the river, someone waved at me from a passing boat. Whether it was aimed at me or not didn’t matter. I waved back in acknowledgment of my understanding and confirmation that we were all connected. To sense the connection we have with all things is happiness. By creating the reality we want, we confirm it. If we see others as connected, we are connected. If we see ourselves as a victim or an island, we create that reality and we feel the depression of that reality. Seeing continual confirmation of your connection to other people, regardless of who they are, is a high-consciousness life hack.

3. They stop focusing on healing.

For those with significant mental health or other problems, some kind of therapy for some time can be necessary. But after a point, I believe that attention given to one’s ‘mental health’ is to your detriment. When we focus on fixing our perceived problems, we inadvertently emphasize our issues in the mind, thus enlarging them. Instead, we must focus on our work, developing our skills, creating value in the world, and helping others. That gets us out of our heads, away from our narcissistic self-obsession. When we do this, we realize the mental wellness that was there all along.

4. They prioritize light-heartedness.

The ‘happiest’ people by no means have ideal lives. No one does. Even the people you envy are dealing with stuff you don’t want. What happy people have in common is maintaining a continual need to keep things light. I’m not saying you should be the over-the-top insufferable pun joke-telling guy who smiles when things need to appropriately be more low-key. No. I’m talking about being light-hearted where appropriate and keeping the people around them lifted. Most people are focused on their miseries. Happy people transcend this and actively practice the art of light-heartedness.

5. They befriend the dark.

Want to know the quickest way to be continually miserable? Resist ‘bad’ stuff. Resist your inner shadow side. Refuse to accept the cruelty of human nature. Moan when it rains. You could never enjoy life if there weren’t darker moments. And you could never truly embrace human nature, or yourself, if you didn’t accept and acknowledge our darker elements. Happy people have accepted the horrors lurking in the dimly lit avenues of the world around us. They don’t reel off hundreds of affirmations with a forced smile hoping and praying the bad things get covered up like clown paint and disappear. Happy people are not deluded. They accept. They use their aggressive nature. They learn to love reality for what it is.

6. They're actively compassionate.

No one is born any less compassionate than the next person, even though it doesn’t seem that way as we mature. But we always have a choice. We can find things to like in other people. We can find reasons to love others (even if they choose to dye their hair blue). Compassion is part of what it means to be human. It isn’t to be deluded or a ‘hopeless optimist.’It is to open up to humanity and expect the best in others. It is to see ourselves in others. When we do the opposite, we become jaded and bitter, tighten around people, and fail to seize opportunities for healthy collaboration and mutual joy. We lose the most in the end.

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Study 9 - Ears to Hear (Luke 8:1–21) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

A good farmer was mindful to spread seed on good soil, or it would never take root and grow into a crop. Some of it could be trampled on or eaten by birds; some could fall on rocky soil or among thorns and then wither or get choked out. Only the seed sown on good soil would produce a fine crop. 

The same is true of the Word of God. God spreads his Word generously, even in unlikely places. Just as some seed never brings a crop, so also God’s Word sometimes bears no fruit. Some of us attend worship services but don’t really hear what God is saying—perhaps because we think we’ve heard it all before, or because we have been pressured to be there. 

What will it take for us to remove obstacles that keep us from hearing what God has to say to us? In years past some of God’s people took the time on Saturdays to prepare for worship on Sundays. Every Saturday evening, for example, some took a half hour to have devotions in preparation for the Sunday service. 

One easy thing we can do today is to pray before gathering with others to worship God. We can pray for the worship leaders and the person who will be preaching, and we can ask that God’s Spirit will speak through them. We can also ask God to open our hearts and minds and to wash away errors from our thinking so that we can hear what the Spirit wants us to hear. 

Women Accompanying Jesus  (Luke 8:1–21)

The Parable of the Sower

1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,

2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;

3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:

5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.

6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant.

10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd.

20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” 

(Paraphrase Jesus was saying that the bonds of fellowship in the hearing and doing of God's Word are even more important than the bonds of family.)

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

According to Jesus, we should “take care then how [we] hear” the word of God (Luke 8:18). In these verses, what are some marks of careful hearing of the word? What are some marks of careless hearing? 
 
What evidence do we have that the women of Luke 8:2–3 are hearing carefully? 

CERTAIN WOMEN WHO HELPED JESUS

Only Luke gives this glimpse of the part women played in supporting the ministry of Jesus. This must not be thought of as a small group. There were "many others" besides the three mentioned. These faithful women, from their own resources, ministered unto Christ and the Twelve.

Mary Magdalene … This means that Mary came from the town of Magdala, thought to be the same place as Magadan on the west side of the sea of Galilee, today called El-Mejael and consisting of some twenty residences, and pointed out as the traditional home of Mary Magdalene. It is built on the water’s edge at the southeast extremity of the sea of Galilee.<footnote>F. N. Peloubet, A Dictionary of the Bible (Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 1925), p. 379. </footnote>

"There is not the least bit of evidence, either here or elsewhere in the New Testament, that Mary Magdalene was an immoral woman."<footnote>Charles L. Childers, Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1964), 489, </footnote> The sevenfold demon possession and the serious physical or mental condition that accompanied such a condition do not suggest immorality; nor can the fact of her being included in this remarkable group of women who were permitted to accompany the Lord and the Twelve be reconciled with the allegation that this woman had been a prostitute. As Adam Clarke said:

There is a marvelous propensity in some commentators to make some of the women in scripture appear as women of ill fame. The opinion that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute is a vile slander.<footnote>Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Whole Bible (New York: Carlton and Porter, 1829), Vol. V, p. 417. </footnote>

There are seven Marys mentioned in the New Testament,<footnote>William P. Barker, Everyone in the Bible (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1966), p. 229. </footnote> but this was one of the most signally honored. She was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after the resurrection and was entrusted with the announcement that Christ would ascend into heaven.

Joanna … and Susanna … Nothing is known of these ladies, except what is said here. Joanna, whose husband was Herod’s steward, may have been wealthy; and it must be assumed that Chuza himself was friendly to Jesus, perhaps a disciple, indicating that the court of Herod Antipas contained followers of the Lord Jesus.

 
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

Study 10 - Fear versus Faith (Luke 8:22–56) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

I was talking to a friend a while back who was dealing with many health concerns. As he was about to undergo ­another major surgery, he said that while he was anxious about his health and didn’t want to die, he wasn’t necessarily afraid of being sick or dying. I asked why—and he said he knew that whatever happened, God was in control. 

A trembling woman who had been sick for many years approached Jesus. Then she touched the edge of his cloak and was immediately healed! While she was afraid to speak up about what she had done, Jesus assured her that her faith in him had made her well. 

A father whose daughter was dying fell at Jesus’ feet begging for his daughter’s life. He was afraid to lose her—and even more afraid when he heard that she was dead. But Jesus assured him that she would be fine. “Just believe,” he said, “and she will be healed.” 

Sickness and death are things that we all fear in one way or another. But as we look at these grim realities, we need to see them through the lens of Jesus’ sacrifice for us and God’s love for us. Sickness and death won’t go away until the Lord’s return, but we don’t need to fear them as we would if we did not know about God’s love for us. 

Jesus Calms the Storm  (Luke 8:22–56)

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.

23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.

27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”

29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission.

33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside,

35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.

37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.

41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house

42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.

43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.

44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.

48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother.

52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”

55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.
56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

Each of the miracles of Luke 8:22–56 highlights the distinction between fear and faith. Which characters in these accounts demonstrate fear, and what are they afraid of? In what ways are their fears appropriate or inappropriate? 
 
What is it about Jesus that comforts the fears of others—that is, how does Jesus call forth faith from those who might otherwise be overcome by fear? 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

Study 11 - Sharing the Ministry—and Destiny—of a Cross-Bearing King (Luke 9:1–50) 

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT  

Looking up to heaven, he gave thanks …​ Luke 9:16

I was catching the bus in Atlanta, and I thought I had the exact change to make my way downtown. I stepped in and dropped my change in the box, but came up short about fifty cents. I was out of coins to make up the difference. Before I could explain my way out, the driver waved me on, saying, “That’s your miracle for today.”

The bus driver was right. But, more importantly, the presence of Jesus is the miracle we miss when we think it’s up to us to make things happen.

The disciples had just returned from a mission on which they had done amazing things for the kingdom of God. They had healed diseases, driven out demons, and preached the message of Jesus with power. They were full of stories—and full of themselves. They had done all those miracles without the physical presence of Jesus.

Then, when the disciples saw that a huge crowd of people around them needed food, Jesus made a simple request: “You give them something to eat.” They quickly reduced the power of Jesus to mathematics: five loaves and two fishes equal starvation. But Jesus’ math worked this way: five + two + Jesus = miracle. Jesus took the gift of bread and fish and made a meal for everyone. He gave thanks to the Father, and he fed the people.

Jesus does this all the time​ when we give our meager resources to Jesus and let him work kingdom miracles.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve  (Luke 9:1–50)

1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.

4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.

5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead,

8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.

9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,

11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.”

14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”

15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down.

16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.

17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”

20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

Jesus Predicts His Death

21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.

22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.

29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.

31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.

38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.

39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him.

40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

43 While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”

45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.

47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.

48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

49 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”
50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

In Luke 9:1, Jesus entrusts the 12 apostles with “power and authority” to extend his ministry. How does Luke 9:3–9 indicate that these privileges will be accompanied by deprivation, rejection, and persecution? How should the miracle of Luke 9:10–17 encourage the apostles amid such difficulties? 
 
In Jesus’ day, the term “Christ” (Luke 9:20) was associated with kingship, and therefore with glory and power. How do Luke 9:26–35 and 9:42–43 confirm those associations? How do Jesus’ predictions of his own fate (Luke 9: 22, 44) alter this understanding? 
 
Jesus says that he will endure great suffering and death before he enters his glory. What implications does this have for all who follow and serve Jesus (see Luke 9:23, 48)? What factors keep Jesus’ followers from embracing those implications (see Luke 9: 45–50)? 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 

The above studies were completed Dec, Jan, Feb of 2023-24

Study 12 - Kingdom Priorities (Luke 9:51–11:13) 

Samaritan Opposition

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, He set his face to go to Jerusalem.

52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him;

53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.

54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them ?”

55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."

58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

59 To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

60 And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

61 Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home."

62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two  - Chapter 10 

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

2 And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.

5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!'

6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.

7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.

8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.

9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,

11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'

12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

16 "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

The Return of the Seventy-Two

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"

18 And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!

24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

26 He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?"

27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

28 And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.

32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.

34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'

36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"

37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."

41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer - Chapter 11 

1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."

2 And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread,

4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."

5 And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,

6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';

7 and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?

8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;

12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Think about this

After three years of teaching and healing to announce the good news of the kingdom of God, Jesus knew that it was time for him to go to Jerusalem. There he would enter the city as the promised Messiah, cleanse the temple, teach the truth about his Father (Luke 19:28-48), be arrested and beaten, die on a cross, and be “taken up to heaven.”

Jesus’ determination to endure all this so focused his journey that not even the inhospitality of a Samaritan village distracted him. When his disciples wanted to make them pay for their insolence, he instead rebuked the disciples and moved along to another village. As he put it, “the Son of Man [had] no place to lay his head.” Jesus knew he had nowhere else to go but to Jerusalem and the cross, and nothing would hinder him.

Because the goal of the Christian life is to crucify our passions with Christ, we need to, with great determination, keep our focus directly on Jesus and seek to follow him.

So let us keep our eyes on him who endured “opposition from sinners,” including the humiliation of refused hospitality. For our sake, he even “endured the cross.” Keeping focused on all he has done for us, we will not “grow weary and lose heart.” And, as he has promised, our crucified and risen Lord will be with us every step of the way. LUKE 9:51-58; HEBREWS 12:1-3

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

In Luke 9:62, Jesus declares that not all are “fit for the kingdom of God.” According to this section of Luke, what priorities characterize those who are fit for the kingdom? 

Martha is unable to focus on Jesus’ teaching because she is distracted by many anxieties (Luke 10:41). According to Luke 9:51–11:13, what false priorities might cause Jesus’ followers anxiety? How do Jesus’ teachings here set us free from such anxiety?  

What does the parable of the good Samaritan, including Jesus’ interaction with the scribe who tests him, reveal about the nature of the kingdom of God? In other words, when God’s reign is honored, what should life be like? 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖