Luke Part 3 Week 14

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 20:41-44 

⁴¹ Then Jesus presented them with a question. “Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David? ⁴² For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand ⁴³ until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ ⁴⁴ Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” 

This presented to the listeners an understanding of the word “son.” Today it is often thought of as a direct descendant. In Bible times it referred to a descendant, even a distant one. Jesus was born in the line of the tribe of Judah, the same one as King David. Jesus was both the Messiah of Israel and a distant descendant of David.  

REFLECT 

Have you experienced different ethnic groups using terminology that you do not? What are some examples? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the different terminology used even in the United States of America. Rural people usually refer to the noon meal as “dinner” and the evening meal as “supper.” Those from non-rural life often refer to the evening meal as “dinner.” So as not to be confused when accepting and giving invitations, it is better to refer to the “noon meal” and the “evening meal.”  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 20:45-47 

⁴⁵ Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, ⁴⁶ “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. ⁴⁷ Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.” 

Jesus warned the crowds of not being misled by the hypocrisy of the teachers of religious law. These unbelieving teachers loved the public honor they received. They were guilty, however, of cheating widows out of their property. They also sought to impress people with long prayers. Because of their hypocrisy Jesus said “they will be severely punished.”  

REFLECT 

Do you know religious leaders well enough not to be misled by their lifestyles? 

RESPOND 

There is nothing wrong with a long prayer as long as it is not done to impress others. Regarding some being more severely punished than others, the Bible indicates this elsewhere. Followers of Christ will be rewarded according to their works (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Those who reject salvation in Jesus will also be judged according to their works (see Revelation 20:11-15). This indicates some unbelievers will receive more severe punishment than other unbelievers.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 21:1-4 

¹ While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. ² Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ³ “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. ⁴ For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” 

There is a difference between those who give out of their sources and those who give according to their sources. The widow gave two of the smallest coins, and Jesus said, “For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” In Jesus’ estimation, the widow had given more than all the rich people.  

REFLECT 

Let this be a lesson that it is not the amount you give but how much you have left.  

RESPOND 

The Old Testament had various tithes that needed to be paid. Such a rule is not given to those in the present Church age. For statements pertaining to present-day giving, see 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 8:10-15. Notice no percentage is stated; only principles to go by. 

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 21:5-6 

⁵ Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, ⁶ “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 

After Jesus referred to the widow’s two small coins, the disciples chose to talk about the wealth in their Temple. Jesus reminded them, however, of a future time when the temple would be completely destroyed. This occurred in A.D. 70 when Titus, the Roman General, besieged Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. What would the Jews do when that happened? It was the central place of worship for them. 

REFLECT 

This is a sobering reminder that the things of earth, no matter how special, will not last. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend and contrast the temporal with that which is eternal. See 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 as a basis for your discussion.  

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 21:7 

⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” 

What would you have asked after hearing what Jesus said about the temple being torn down? Would you not have wondered when that would occur? Would you not have also wondered what would be some indications when it was about to happen? The disciples were human also and they had the same questions. 

REFLECT 

Do you sometimes wonder about what will occur at the end of the age and how to know it is about to come? The Bible has many prophecies about those times. 

RESPOND 

Likely Jesus talked about these times more than once. Matthew 24 and Mark 13 describe similar events to what you read in Luke 21. These accounts seem to refer to some things that would occur before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 and events leading up to the return of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation.