Luke Part 2 Week 16

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 11:29-30 

²⁹ As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. ³⁰ What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God.” 

Notice how direct Jesus was in addressing the crowd. He called them an “evil generation.” Matthew records in his gospel what the sign of Jonah was (see Matthew 12:39-40). Jesus said that what happened to Him would be a sign to people He was sent by God.  

REFLECT 

Are you content with having the Bible as your proof that Jesus was sent by God? Or do you need to see some sign to prove it? 

RESPOND  

Join with a friend in reading 1 Corinthians 1:20-25. The apostle Paul told that the Jews were seeking signs and Greeks (Gentiles) were seeking wisdom. Notice what Paul did instead of what they wanted. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 11:31-32 

³¹ “The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen. ³² The people of Nineveh will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.” 

The queen of Sheba did not see any signs. She was impressed with the words of Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:1-9). Also, the people of Nineveh did not ask for a sign. They repented (changed their minds) because of what Jonah preached (see Jonah 3:3-5). Jesus declared Himself to be greater than Solomon and Jonah, but the generation He was speaking to would not repent. 

REFLECT 

Think about the people in the past who have seen many signs but refused to believe in Jesus. 

RESPOND  

The Bible contains a record of those who had seen many signs but refused to believe in Jesus. An example is John 12:37-40. Because they turned their backs on God, He turned His back on them. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 11:33-36 

³³ “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. ³⁴ Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. ³⁵ Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. ³⁶ If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” 

Jesus referred to a lamp that produces light and then related the meaning to the physical eye. Some do not have a healthy eye so they do not see clearly. The Pharisees thought they saw light but what they saw was actually darkness. They believed in a works-salvation that could save no one. Jesus came announcing that only those who believe in Him have forgiveness of sin and eternal life. 

REFLECT 

Do you realize that even though good works have their place, they come after salvation, not as a means to obtain salvation? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about when and where to emphasize good works. Verses often used to show that good works have no part in obtaining salvation are Ephesians 2:8-9. Then notice what verse 10 says that follows those two verses. Good works follow salvation.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 11:37-38 

³⁷ As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. ³⁸ His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. 

The Pharisees had added to the Old Testament law. They taught a detailed ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. It was totally unnecessary and Jesus refused to do it. This amazed his host who practiced the Jewish customs. What would the host say now? 

REFLECT 

Think of the customs you follow today. Do they come from the culture you have grown up in or from the Bible? Where do you go in the Bible to support the customs you follow? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the difference seen in the apostle Paul’s life after he trusted in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. As a Pharisee he had practiced their rituals, but after his salvation he wrote Colossians 2:16-17 about not judging others regarding diets or special days.  

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 11:39-41 

³⁹ Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! ⁴⁰ Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? ⁴¹ So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.” 

This is what Jesus answered the Pharisee about the hand-washing ceremony of the Jews. They were more concerned about outer cleanliness than inner cleanliness. By giving gifts to the poor they would demonstrate that they were clean on the inside. Giving gifts would not make them right with God but it would at least show they had concern for loving others. 

REFLECT 

Do your outward activities demonstrate your inner concern for the Lord? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about what are evidences that a person is a believer in Jesus. Examine Galatians 5:22-23 and ask if that fruit is seen in the person’s life—or in your life.