This week we
will continue to study the Gospel of Luke.
(1) These messengers from the religious leaders gave a rather detailed description of the character of Jesus. Examine yourself in light of Jesus’ character and reflect on how you may imitate Jesus in the following ways:
a. Speaking and teaching what is right
b. Not showing partiality
c. Teaching the way of God in accordance with the truth
(2) If these religious leaders could describe Jesus as such, why then did they not believe in Him?
(3) Why would they think that such a question or issue might give them the excuse to hand Jesus over to the authorities (meaning the Roman government)? Did they not expect their Messiah to overturn the Roman Government?
(4) Without reading Jesus’ reply, come up with your own reply to their question about “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” (Remember, like most Caesars who were ruthless and violent, Tiberius who was the Caesar in Jesus’ time, was also slothful, self-indulgent, hypocritical and greatly despised by historians, not to mention being a foreign occupying ruler of the Jews.)
(5) If the “image” on the coin confers authority to Caesar, what “image” confers God’s authority on earth?
(6) Since what belongs to Caesar really belongs to God, how does Jesus’ reply speak to our relationship with the government of our land? (Refer to Dan. 2:21 and Rom. 13:1.)
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
The Sadducees are believed to be a priestly class that elevated the Law of Moses above all other OT scriptures, and since the Law of Moses does not touch on the resurrection, they “say there is no resurrection” (See COBTAEL, Vol. IX, 236)
(1) Read 2 Timothy 3:16. What might be the danger of elevating one book of the Bible over the rest, and in the case of the Sadducees, how do they suffer spiritually by their denial of the resurrection?
(2) Do the Sadducees really want to know the truth or are they simply trying to prove their point?
(3) Do you detect a similar attitude in you at times?
(4) The Sadducees are quoting from Deuteronomy 25:5-10. What is the intention of the Law of Moses in this respect?
(5) In their opinion, why would such a case (which is probably hypothetical) make “resurrection” improbable?
(6) What kinds of mistake did they make? (See Jesus’ comment in Mk. 12:24.)
(7) Reflect on Jesus’ words in vv. 34-36:
a. What is the difference between this age and the age to come?
b. Who are worthy to be part of the age to come?
c. Do you belong to the age to come? How then should you live out this reality? (See Col. 3:1-4)
(8) Let’s learn from Jesus’ interpretation of Exodus 3:6. What is the context of this statement? What is the main purpose of this statement by God? How does Jesus interpret it?
(9) How does Jesus’ interpretation of the Scriptures differ from that of the Sadducees?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(1) In silencing the Sadducees over their challenge against resurrection, Jesus surprisingly received the commendation of the teachers of the law. Do you know why these scribes who intended to arrest Him (20:19) would commend Jesus for a change?
(2) However, Jesus now turned His rebuke against these scribes as well. How then did Jesus show them the truth of what they said of Him in v. 21?
(3) According to Mark 12:35, it was the scribes who taught that “Christ is the son of David”. Now Jesus appeared to be challenging them with the words of David in Psalm 110:1.
a. Based on common sense, if someone is called the son of David, must he then be a human being?
b. But if David is to call him, Lord, who then can this person be?
c. What then is Jesus trying to clarify to them?
d. If they choose to be the enemies of Jesus, what would be the outcome according to this Psalm?
(4) V. 45 is an interesting verse in that Jesus was addressing the disciples "while all the people were listening" and that group included the teachers of the law. Why didn’t Jesus address the teachers of the law directly?
(5) As “teachers” of the law, what had been entrusted to them? What might be their equivalent in today’s church?
(6) Reflect on the following instances of conduct of the teachers of the law. Describe each one with respect to:
(i) Why would they do it
(ii) What
kind of sin was involved
(iii) What might be the equivalent in today’s church
a. Walking around in flowing robes
b. Loving greetings in the marketplaces
c. Having the most important seats in the synagogues
d. Having the places of honor at banquets
(7) It appears that because of the spiritual status they commanded, they were entrusted with the care of the widow’s estate and often the invocation prayers at certain occasions:
a. The teachers of the law "devour widows’ houses". Did they know that this was, in fact, an open secret?
b. Why did they think that their prayers had to be lengthy?
c. What would be the result of their deeds?
(8) As Jesus was addressing His disciples, in what aspect(s) might you likely sin like the teachers of the law?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
Note:
In the Maccabean period the scribes were prominent leaders of society; they were now an institution. “Scribe” became a title for a learned guardian of the Law. According to Ben Sira, a scribe was also a wise man who had comprehensive knowledge.
21:1-4–The Widow’s Mites
(1) In general, our tithing
to the Lord, should come out of a recognition that:
Which do you think represents the heart of the widow? (Note that the temple did provide something like a soup kitchen for the poor, but would it then diminish the action of the widow?)
(2) Why was her offering so special to Jesus?
(3) How should the widow’s offering affect your offering?
(4) If you were responsible for the counting of the weekly offering in the church, how does this story change your attitude toward counting of small change?
21:5-7–The magnificent temple
(5) The disciples heard Jesus’ prophecy about the temple back in 19:44, so what did their remark here mean? (See Mk. 13:1 for details of their remark.)
(6) What was Jesus’ immediate reply?
(7) What did the disciples understand as the significance of the destruction of the temple? (Read Matt. 24:3 as well to see to what did they relate this event to.)
(8) Given the understanding of these disciples, did the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Titus in AD 70 represent the fulfillment of this prophecy? Why or why not?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
With the help of King Herod, the temple at Jesus’ time was still under major restoration. Though it might not be as imposing as the first temple, it was adorned by marble columns that were 40 feet high. In addition to these beautiful stones, there were other decorations like the golden vine at the entrance portal which had branches as tall as a man. (Josephus, Ant.)
(1) Matthew adds that the disciples were relating the destruction of the temple also to Jesus’ second coming and the end of the age. (24:3) In light of this, what was Jesus’ immediate reply as they asked for signs? Why?
(2) Jesus said many would come in His name and say, “I am he.” (21:8)
a. In the last 2,000 years, do you know whether there have been those who claimed that they were Christ?
b. Why did people believe in them and follow them?
c. How do we know that they were not Christ?
(3) After this warning, Jesus did give us signs leading up to “the end”. The first one is about wars:
a. Why should we not be frightened by the news of wars and revolutions? Would you?
b. How do “wars and revolutions” differ from “Nation ris(ing) against nation, and kingdoms against kingdom”?
c. If you lived during the time of WWI or WWII, how might you interpret your time? What is the lesson we can learn from the two World Wars concerning this prophecy of the signs of “the end”?
d. How then should you face the news of wars?
(4) Apart from the sign of warfare, Jesus gave signs concerning (i) earthquakes, (ii) famines, (iii) and pestilences.
a. What marks the earthquakes of “the end” from normal times?
b. Are you alarmed by the news of an earthquake? (Go to sites like www.emsc-csem.org and get an idea of how widespread earthquakes are on a daily basis. You will be amazed.)
c. What marks the famines and pestilences of “the end” from normal times?
d. Compared to earthquakes, do famines and pestilences make much impact today?
(5) In addition to warfare, earthquakes, famines and pestilences, there will be signs from heaven:
a. How unusual will they be? (See v. 25 as well.)
b. Have we seen any such signs yet?
(6) So, judging from all of the above, which signs have already happened, which signs are imminent and which signs have yet to occur?
(7) Is the Lord’s coming near? Why or why not?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
In response to the request of the disciples, Jesus told them signs that would lead to “the end”. Now, He turned His attention to something that would be more immediate. With these words, “But before all this”, their focus should be on the following:
(1) The first focus is about the persecution of believers. Although the immediate setting was in the “synagogues”, it would spread beyond there (v. 12).
a. What will these persecutions “result in”?
b. V. 16 points out that persecutions will extend to our families. Have you experienced or know of someone who experienced persecution at home?
c. There is a report that there are more martyrs in the last century than any time in the history of Christianity. Name five countries that you know are persecuting believers today. Pray for them now (if you have access to the internet, take time to visit www.persecution.org today).
(2) How would you reconcile these two statements?
a. V. 16: “They will put some of you to death."
b. V. 18: “But not a hair of your head will perish.”
(3) How then should we face persecutions? (See also vv. 14-15)
(4) The second focus is on Jerusalem, in particular. Read today’s Meditative Reflection together with vv. 20-24:
a. How does the historical event of AD 70 help you understand this prophecy, in terms of:
- Its severity (v. 23 in particular)
- Being a punishment for their sins (v. 22)
- Its total destruction (v. 20)
b. Do you think the event of AD 70 totally fulfilled Jesus’ words? Why or why not? (See Zech. 14:1-3 as well.)
(5) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(1) Jesus ended His response about the signs of “the end” with signs from heaven which are elaborated in Mark 13:24-25 (and also foretold in Isa. 13:6-10; 34:4). Consider them together and answer the following questions:
a. What will happen to the sun?
b. What will happen to the moon?
c. What will happen to the stars and heavenly bodies?
d. What will happen to the sea?
e. What will be their impact on the people of the world?
(2) How different will these signs be from the previously mentioned sign?
(3) What will happen at the time of these signs?
(4) How will Jesus return? (Also see Dan. 7:13-14; Acts 1:9, 11)
a. What impact will it have on the people of the world?
b. What will it be like for believers?
(5) “When these
things begin to take place” (v.28)
a. Take a look at the signs foretold from v. 10 onwards and list those signs that have already begun to take place.
b. Using the fig tree and all the trees as an analogy, how close is summer (i.e. the Lord’s return) as far as you are concerned?
c. What then should you do according to v. 28? What is meant by to “stand up” and to “lift up your head”? What is its opposite?
(6) “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away, until all these things have happened” (v.32). In order to understand this statement, it may be helpful to turn to Luke 17:22-25.
a. According to Jesus, would His disciples get to see His coming during their lifetime?
b. Was Jesus killed in their generation?
c. If “this generation” refers to the disciples’ generation, should they be able to see His coming?
d. Therefore, “this generation” is more reasonably interpreted as the entire “generation” or “period” that began with Jesus’ incarnation to His coming again — the consummation of His plan of redemption. Would you agree? Why or why not?
e. What then is the purpose of v. 33?
(7) “Dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life” (v.34)
a. What are the signs that we are being weighed down with these things?
b. What will these things do to our spiritual life?
c. What will these things do to our waiting for the Lord’s return?
(8) How can praying and watching help us avoid such traps?
(9) How can you put such advice by the Lord into practice?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?