Luke Part 3 Week 9

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 19:24-25 

²⁴ “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ ²⁵ ‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’” 

When the servant had shown no profit from what the nobleman had given to him, the little he had was taken from him. It was given to the one who had the most profit from his investments. As occurs today, the people complained then about this not being fair.  

REFLECT 

Can you count the number of times you’ve heard the expression, “That’s not fair.” It is first said by children and often repeated by adults.  

RESPOND  

Join with a friend to read Romans 3:21-26. This passage reveals how the holy and just God could be fair in offering salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 19:26-27 

²⁶ “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. ²⁷ And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’” 

In His story Jesus told how the king reacted when he was accused of unfairness. When the king referred to “those who do nothing” he was referring to the one who did not attempt to gain more value from what he had been given. His order to have his enemies executed should not be made to have some theological significance. It is a story that should not be pressed in every detail.  

REFLECT 

Is it being made clear that one’s doctrine should not be based on a story or parable? As with any illustration, it can have a major and minor point but should not be understood that every point is doctrinally significant.  

RESPOND 

One author has commented, “Don’t make a parable crawl on all fours.” He meant that not every detail in a parable, or story, has some deep theological significance. For instance, if you wish to read about salvation, rather than going to a parable, go to books such as Romans and Galatians for clear understandable points.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 19:28-31 

²⁸ After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. ²⁹ As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. ³⁰ “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 

The scene now shifts from the story Jesus told to His continuing trip on to Jerusalem. As He came to the Mount of Olives He told two of His disciples to go into a village and take a young donkey. The disciples were concerned about its owner asking why they were taking the colt. Jesus told them to say, “The Lord needs it.”  

REFLECT 

Would not you have had the same question the two disciples had? What do you think the owner would answer?  

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading Zechariah 9:9 to see that Luke 19:30-31 was preparation for fulfilling that prophecy. Discuss how the events you see in the world today could also be preparation for the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus’ return is closer than ever before.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 19:32-35 

³² So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. ³³ And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” ³⁴ And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” ³⁵ So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. 

Luke, the author of the gospel, does not give background information to explain whether the owners knew that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps these owners knew about Him in the past, but Luke does not say. The owners agreed to let the colt go and the disciples brought it to Jesus. They threw “their garments over it for him to ride on.”  

REFLECT 

What do you do when you are asked a question about something the Bible does not comment about? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about how to answer questions the Bible does not. You could mention for the person to think about how big the Bible would be if God answered every question we have. You could also point out that God has given us enough information for us to have confidence in Him. As some have said, “If we knew all the facts as God knows them, we would agree with His actions.” 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 19:36-38 

³⁶ As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. ³⁷ When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. ³⁸ “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 

The followers of Jesus are excited as they approached the area that began the decline down the Mount of Olives. They “began to shout and sing as they walked along.” They had seen many miracles performed. They recognized Him as “the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” They exclaimed, “Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 

REFLECT 

How do you express your admiration to Jesus when you think of how great He is? 

RESPOND 

The word “worship” comes from an Old English word “worth-ship.” Any time you are thinking about the worth of the Lord, you are worshiping. This could be when you are listening to others praise God, singing a hymn yourself, or when you are reading or listening to the Bible, the only book He has inspired.