BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 58

What is Going to Happen?

Luke 21:1-24

During the 1800’s there was little talk of prophecy. Since the early 1970’s it once again became a popular topic of discussion. Bookshelves in stores now have many books predicting the future. It is a subject that fascinates me. I have to realize that one can get caught up in the what ifs that everything becomes clouded by his or her perception of what the Bible has to say as opposed to how men might interpret it. For almost two thousand years man has speculated on the timing of Christ’s return. Even prior to that time Daniel gave man a panorama of history which included a calender of the events from the viewpoint of God. We have now fulfilled four hundred eighty three years of His time table. What none of us can possibly know is when the clock will start clicking for the final seven years preparing for the return of Christ to set up His kingdom.

Many of us are ill prepared for His return. We live everyday as if He is never going to come back. 2 Peter 3:3-4 tells us that those who are skeptics believe because everything has remained the same since the time of Jesus that they need not have to worry because they do not believe He will come back at all.

There many today live only for today with no future. I believe we should always plan for a future that is uncertain in this life but to live everyday as if Christ may come back any minute. Recently, I have experienced a situation in which a person who thought that she was going to live independently until a certain age and has spent her days living according to that premise. There was no plan B. Plan B would have said yes I might live a certain length of time but just in case my original plan falls through I have the resources to provide for that possibility. Plan for the future and live like it is the last day.

There was a church that had a huge contingency fund built up thinking that it was going to have a long future. The money just sat in the bank for years and years. What that church failed to take into account that because they did not use the money for ministries that would have made it a healthy church most of the members grew old. Many of the people who were the lifeblood of that church died and others became incapacitated and were no longer able to attend on carry on any type of ministry. As you would expect that church closed its doors. This is happening all over the world, not just this country. Churches do not plan for the future by reaching out beyond the doors and bringing new people into the fellowship. They are surprised when they can no longer carryon because of the lack of people. Churches like the individuals are to plan for the furthering of God’s kingdom but serve as it is the last day before the return of Christ.

Luke 21:1-4

It may seem strange that Luke would include this incident where he did in the narrative of the last week. However there is a connection to what had transpired previously and what was to come. At the end of chapter 20 Jesus had warned the disciples about living the lifestyle of the Scribes who made a mockery of even their giving because it was all to make themselves look good.

Jesus was watching those who brought their gifts into the temple. He saw the rich dropping their gifts in the temple. In contrast to them there was a widow who did not have much in the way of earthly goods but gave sacrificially. In the view of Jesus, even though the amount in comparison to the offerings of the rich her offering was greater because she gave it out of a sincere love for God. Man can even give a tithe but if it is not done with a right attitude is not laying up treasure in heaven. She was living as that day might be the Day of the Lord spoken about in Joel.

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1. Why did Jesus think about what the rich were doing? (Only gave out of the abundance of their wealth.)

2. What kind of attitude goes along with that kind of giving? (Only give out of obligation or for personal reasons as was the case at the end of chapter 20.)

3. How was what the widow did different?

4. How many of you think she went overboard? Why?

5. Which of these two groups were laying of treasure in heaven?

6. Why do you believe that was true?

7. When may have been a time when you made such a sacrifice?

8. What was your reason for doing so?

9. How was she living out the idea that the Great Day of the Lord might be any day?

Luke 21:5-6

The disciples were the ones actually speaking of the magnificence of the temple. Herod had begun building it in 20 B.C. Basically enslaving people to bring the huge stones needed to construct it. Even at the moment in 27 A.D. it had still not been completed. One commentator stated it was as if the disciples had to draw Jesus’ attention to the complex because He had not really focused on the building but on the people who needed to hear His message. As if to reinforce that idea Jesus shared with them that the Temple would be totally demolished.

1. What does these verses tell us about what impressed the disciples? (Man honoring objects. Herod had built it to gain the approval of the Jews which did not work. It was not truly to honor God but to bring needed attention to himself.)

2. What do you think of the idea that Jesus had not paid a lot of attention to the Temple?

3. What was His concern?

4. What does prophecy say to all of us? (Man made objects are temporary at best and do not really do anything to further the kingdom of God.)

Luke 21:7

Such a bold statement would have naturally raised the curiosity and concern of the disciples. They may wanted to know if His words were a part of His plan to become the long awaited Messiah. Their requests had three parts to it. They wanted to know.

• When would those events would take place that would bring about the destruction of the Temple.

• What signs would point to them happening.

• What signs would occur that would indicate His emanate return and the end of the age. This last one is found in Matthew 24:3

1. How did the disciples react as would be expected?

2. How would you respond if someone was to made a dramatic prediction that would totally alter your life?

3. What might some of that type of prediction be for you?

4. What was the significance of each of the things that the disciples asked? (In their minds they were all going to happen in conjunction with each other?

5. In what ways would you understand why they would have felt that way? (The Day of the Lord would usher in the return to prominence for the Jews.

6. Which is the most important of the three statements? Why or why not?

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Luke 21:8-9

The immediate concern Jesus had was that in whatever lay ahead for the disciples they keep focused on the truth. They were not be misled by men claiming to have the answers or pretending to be the Messiah. Throughout history there have been those who have set themselves up as a god and demanded allegiance. Jesus said that there would be things that might appear to be ushering in the end times but for them not be caught up in apocalyptic discussions. Wars and rumors of wars are not alone an indication that time is short. They are only one of many signs.

1. What was Jesus’ greatest concern for the disciples? (They not be misled by false teachings and leaders.)

2. How do we recognize if the message is true that we are hearing? (Look to God’s word.)

3. How could they have easily been misled? (They were living in uncharted territory. We have the full counsel in His word and look how often we can be swayed by others.)

4. Why are wars and rumors of wars not a conclusive sign of the end times? (They have been occurring since the beginning of mankind.)

Luke 21:10-11

To answer the question of what would be signs that tell man that the end of the age was at hand, Jesus laid out a horrific picture of the future. Only in the most recent days has man seen a proliferation of the events pictured here. Again Jesus laid out a series of catastrophic activities which included.

• Not the kinds of wars that took place in His day where one country might fight against another but whole nations pitted against one another such has been seen in the two great world wars and other ones since them. Not only could He have been talking about physical conflict but the distrust and hatred that one nation has for another but does not have the means to destroy them in armed conflict.

• There has been an increase in earthquake activity in recent years with predictions of even greater ones on the horizon.

• Plagues and famines with thousands of people dying every day.

• In the future man can be assured that devastating climate change will take place not because of what the doomsayers are saying today but it will be part of the end times.

1. Which of the signs mentioned by Jesus concern you the most? Why?

2. What part does man have in the climate change He mentioned?

3. What are the details you see in each of these that are taking place now and will continue to get worse?

4. Why does Jesus not give a specific time when they will occur? (We would see what is going on today where people use a problem for their own gains?

5. How are nations pitted against each other that has nothing to do with arm conflict?

Luke 21:12-19

So much for the distant future for the moment. Once again Jesus begins to deal with the things that will happen within the lifetime of most of the disciples. Remember James was martyred very early and John lived to an old age. He begins by telling them that they expect persecution for His sake. One of the lessons, even for followers of Christ today, is found in the words of Jesus. When a person is brought before any group or person who is an avowed enemy of Christianity he or she is to depend on the Holy Spirit for words to defend his faith. God has promised if man will hide His word in his heart then He will bring those words to his remembrance. As is seen in the Book of Acts those who opposed

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the Apostles, Stephen, Paul Appolos and others were not able to refute the truth which these individuals proclaimed to the known world. Their only weapon to try and stop them was the use of force in persecuting them. Jesus even went one step further. He announce that it would be some of the members of their own families who turn them into the authorities. Persecution for many of them would result in death because of the hatred the Jews had for Jesus and His followers. For those who were to go all the way would not lose life but would gain eternal life. It is important to understand that endurance in faith is crucial for those to obtain that eternal life.

1. Why was Jesus so blunt in His description of what the disciples might expect in their lifetime?

2. Who were some of the early examples of the persecution He described?

3. What lesson is in these verses for us today? (We can expect persecution which is beginning to increase in this country.)

4. What was His instruction to us in the way to handle those who are enemies of Christianity?

5. Why does the idea of endurance mean to one who claims to be a follower of Christ?

6. What does it take for a person to endure in his or her faith?

Luke 21:20-26

The Jews had rejected Jesus. The parable of the vineyard would become a reality in about forty years. In 69 A.D. Titus Vespasian surrounded Jerusalem In 70 A.D he was able to break into the city totally destroying. Homes were leveled along with the Temple. For the next nineteen hundred years Jews were barred from their beloved city. They were reluctantly allowed to return in 1948.

Jesus gave a vivid description of the horror of that time period. He referred to it as a desolation. Nothing would ever be the same. His included:

• Warnings to either flee from the city or to enter it

• Know that the full vengeance would fall on the city. It was a fact stated by Jesus.

• Pregnant and women with small children would suffer because they would find it harder to escape and were also held in such low esteem by men.

• Many would be slaughtered

• Finally Jews would be dispersed throughout the world as said above. They would not be allowed to return to Jerusalem.

• The spanning of history until the time of the tribulation when Jews will accept Jesus as the Messiah.

1. What brought about the judgment on the Jews that Jesus talks about in these verses?

2. What are the historical facts that we know from secular history? (The destruction actually occurred in 70 A.D. during the time of Titus Vespasian the Caesar from 69 AD until 79AD.)

3. How complete was the destruction of Jerusalem?

4. When will the time the Gentiles be complete? (After the tribulation. At that time the Jews will recognize Jesus as the Messiah.)

• It is important how you approach your giving. Is it out of your abundance or do you see it as part of your worship of God. He loves a cheerful giver.

• Remember that giving is part of storing up your treasure in heaven.

• The focus on material possessions is not important but the message of God’s word is life changing.

• Always be prepared for facing the enemies of God. Part of your arsenal is to be hiding the

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  word of God in your heart. From that reservoir God is able to draw out what needs to be said in the moment.

• Be prepared for the eminent return of Jesus that could come at any moment.

• Take time to study the signs of the events at the end of time.

• Always be ready give testimony for Jesus.

• Commit your life to Christ for the long term.

We have to learn to do church with a sense of urgency. No one knows, even with the evidence that is presented, when we will leave this earth or when Christ will return. Every day people are leaving this earth without the assurance of salvation. It is our responsibility to let them know that time is short for each of us and that they flirting with danger. We must take our responsibility seriously. Preparation should be made by all of us by study and prayer so that we know how to answer the questions that skeptics may ask.

We have been given all the tools that we need to carry out the ministries of the Church. If we neglect to use them then we will be held responsible for those to whom we can share the message. Over the years our church has made available the opportunity for the membership to learn The Real You. The presentations include finding out your spirit gifts, passions (desires and motivation), abilities, personality and experiences. God has uniquely equipped each of us for ministry. He will require of each us how we used our SHAPE. None of us are exempt. Because many of us have refused to find our gifts or use them the kingdom of God has suffered. Hopefully none us will be the cause of a person not finding Christ because we have not done everything in our power to serve Him.

Lesson 57

A Philosophical Debate

Luke 20:21-47

Maybe it has always been this way even in this country, but I do not remember when the government seems to continually overstep it boundaries. All one needs to do is turn on the news to see the latest fiasco brought on by our government. I don’t just mean the federal bureaucracy but down to the local level. As someone said recently, it does not seem that the government is working for us but we for the government. When the founding fathers set up this nation they made every attempt to make sure that there were limitations to how far those in leadership could go in carrying out their roles. What has happened today is a almost complete overturn of everything written in the constitution. From the right of free speech to the way we carry on business there are more and more regulations to hinder people from the pursuit of life, liberty and the happiness.

It truly concerns me that we are heading in the direction that every other empire has gone. Just to go down the list all of the major empires have fallen victim to corrupt and oppressive governing. The root cause has been the collapse of a moral society. Governments after all are just a reflection of the governed, whether it be a republic like us or a totalitarian dictatorship like China or Russia. All have the same characteristics eventually in their history. There are only a few things that governments are designed to accomplish. One of those is the protection of its people. Another is the freedom to achieve what leads to a better society. We are rapidly reaching a point where neither of these are being carried out for the people.

The church sadly is not exempt from the misuse of power by the government. In many place we now see the persecution of the church. It may be subtle in its present form but it is there none-the-less. Just look at the attacks on family values whether abortion or same sex marriages. We are being told by the those in authority not to exhibit our believes in tangible ways on public property. I could go on with a long list of violations of the first amendment which called for the government to keep its nose out of the business of the church. It is just the opposite at this point. We are told to keep our noses out of the business of running this country. When any nation turns it back on God as we have then dire consequences lay ahead for us. There needs to a separation of church and state only in the form of the church dictating the governing of the people by fiat. A nation cannot survive without godly people taking an active role in public life. In both instances of today’s lesson Jesus had to deal with people who had compromised with the world and corrupted the faith in God that was vital to their continuing as a nation. They did not understand how to be God’s chosen people because they did not understand His purpose for making the Jews His chosen people to influence the world and not be corrupted by it.

Luke 20:21-22

The men sent by the religious leaders sought to trap Jesus by asking a question that they believed did not have an answer without condemning a person. The underlying issue for them was whether Jesus supported His people or the Roman government. Having given up on the idea of catching Him in a theological misstep they now tried a new tactic which would get Him in trouble with the Romans. Their approach was to catch Him off guard by the use of flattering. It would appear that they truly wanted His advice because of His impartiality and the fact that He was a man of integrity. They asked Him was it legitimate for a Jew to pay the hated poll tax forced on them by a foreign empire as represented by Pilate.

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1. Why did the religious leaders change their tactics? (They had been unable to trip Him up to be able to accuse Him of blasphemy.)

2. Why did they begin with flattery? (Men will often make a mistake when they have received praise. Their will be down for what is to follow from unscrupulous men. Remember Darius in the book of Daniel?)

3. Why did they believe they had a fool proof way of catching Jesus? (The question could not be answered in a way that would bring condemnation either with the people or the Romans.)

4. What kind of questions have you been asked that seem to have no answer?

5. How did you handle the situation?

Luke 20:23-25

As usual Jesus knew what they were trying to do. He turned the tables on them by asking for them to show Him the coin about which they were speaking. They produced a denarius with the image of Caesar imprinted on it. He asked them about the inscription to which they replied validating that it was the emperor. The fact that they had a coin showed that they had accepted what it represented. They were using the services for which the coin was intended to support. Jesus stopped them by saying if you receive the protection and other services from the Romans then they have a right to expect you to pay for the roads, army, postal services which were beneficial to them.

1. How was Jesus able to see through what they were trying to do? (He knew their hearts which were deceitful above all else.)

2. What did it say to the people that Jesus asked them about the denarius? (He wanted them to show they had accepted the services represented by the coin.)

3. Why did Jesus not produce a coin? (He did not have one in His possession?

4. What is the message that we can gain from Jesus’ answer. (Those services that from which we gain benefit should be supported by the people. Those services should be limited however to those that cannot be provided by the individual like roads, the military and post office.)

5. What are some of the things provided by the government that you believe are necessary and unnecessary?

Luke 20:26

Their ploy failed. They had hoped to discredit Him in the presence of those there. It did not work. They were the ones caught in their own trap. The people stood in amazement of His ability to silence the religious leaders. They had no more questions to asked Him.

1. Why did their ploy fail? (They were using man’s tactics. Jesus spoke from the wisdom He had received from His Father.)

2. What happened to the reputation of those individuals that had asked the question? (They were the ones he were disgraced before the people.)

3. What example did Jesus set for us? (Speak according to God’s wisdom not our own.)

4. Why were the people amazed? (They did not believe anyone could stand up to the scrutiny of the religious leaders.)

Luke 20:27

When their subordinates were unable to trap Jesus, the Sadducees went to Him personally. They were the sect from which the high priest came. The membership of the Sanhedrin was primarily made up of

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that group of men. This was an important fact because they were the majority in that the court of law for the Jewish people and held the power to judge Jesus based on His words and actions.

Their belief system was based only on the first five books of the Old Testament which included Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. This limited view of God’s work in the life of the people did not allow for angels, miracles and the resur- rection of the dead. In the time of Jesus they had become the political as well as the religious sect of the Jewish people. They held their power as high priests by collaborating with the Romans. From this working with the Romans they had become wealthy men who were in charge of the money changers who had been confronted by Jesus . Knowing this it seemed strange that they would approach Jesus with a question that was outside of what they believed. By doing so they hoped to get Him to inaccurately interpret the teachings of one of those five books. They were about to taught a lesson in theology that was beyond what they had ever learned.

1. Why did the Sadducees believe they needed to confront Jesus personally? (The others had failed. They after all were of the family of the high priest.)

2. Who were those men and how did they come into the positions of power that they held?

3. How did Jesus view the high priests? (Did not have a high regard for them.)

4. What did the Sadducees hope to accomplish where others had failed? (In the interpretation of the Hebrew Torah or the Greek Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.)

Luke 20:28-33

The situation they brought before Jesus was based on the Levirate law given by Moses in Deuteronomy 25:5 that dictated that if a man should die that his brother take his wife and raise up children in his brother’s name so that his name would be perpetuated. According to the story the Sadducees told there was a man who married then died. All of his seven brothers took her as wife and all died childless. The woman then died. The Sadducees wanted Jesus to tell them to whom did the woman belong as wife in the resurrection. The whole idea to them was that what came after this life if it existed at all was just a continuation or what in existence today. Man would be just the same. Of course since they did not believe in the resurrection the question was as ludicrous as asking how many angels can fit on the head of a pin.

1. What was the Levirate law?

2. Why did the Sadducees use this particular law to prove their point? (Because they did not believe there was a resurrection.)

3. What did the question say about their concept of life after death?

4. What are some of the ridiculous questions or statements you have heard to discredit Christianity and the existence of God?

5. How would you respond to such statements?

Luke 20:34-36

If the Sadducees were seeking grounds to condemn Jesus He gave them the evidence that they needed. He gave them a glimpse of life in heaven which because of their unbelief would never experience. Only those who were and are worthy will be allowed into heaven. In heaven bodies will be changed. One of the reasons for marriage, procreation to keep the human race going will no longer be needed. Each person who makes it there will be like the created angels who do not need to reproduce themselves.

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1. What evidence did Jesus provide for the Sadducees that would have allowed them to judge and condemn Him? (His claim to know what heaven is going to be like.)

2. How is heaven, according to Jesu, going to be different that what is experienced here on earth?

3. Why will marriage no longer be needed?

4. What does it mean to be like the angels? (We will have bodies that no longer age or die.)

5. Who are the ones who are going to experience that reality?

6. Why would the Sadducees not be a part of that resurrected way of life?

Luke 20:37-38

Without saying anything directly to the Sadducees He told them that they were wrong not to believe in the resurrection. He reference the account in Exodus of the words of God to Moses which confirmed life after death. Moses called the Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. According to Jesus those words clearly point out that God is the God of of the living. Man is going to spend someplace alive for eternity.

1. How did Jesus show that the Sadducees were wrong in their interpretation of the Torah? (Moses called the Lord the God of the patriarchs.)

2. What gave Jesus the right to interpret that passage as He did? (He had been in the presence of those men after their earthly lives had ended.)

3. In what way was this speaking under His own authority and not that of man? (Who else but one who had experienced the things He mentioned would dare say what He did.)

4. Where do you plan to spend eternity?

5. Why do you believe that you are going to be considered as one of the worthy ones allowed into heaven?

Luke 20:39-40

Those who knew the law in and out were impressed by the words of Jesus. They know longer felt the need to keep questioning Him. He had answered all of the questions in a way that had confounded those trying to trap Him. They were no match for the man who spoke with such authority and therefore asked nothing else.

1. How do you react when in the presence of one who is an outstanding authority on a subject in which you are interested?

2. Why did Jesus even impress even the Scribes who knew the law better than anyone?

3. Why did they no long attempt to question Him? (They understood they were no match for His wisdom.)

4. How did they recognize that His words did not come from an earthly source? (He spoke of things that no man has ever experienced.)

Luke 20:41-44

Jesus then quoted them a familiar verse from Psalm 110:1. His purpose in sharing it was to clear up the misconceptions the people had about His role as the Messiah. He was not what they expected Him to be. For sure, He was the descendant of David which would qualify Him but He was much more than that. He was David’s Lord, his Messiah and his King also. More importantly to those within the hearing of His voice, He was the transcendent God who had come to earth.

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There was one other fact that He wanted them to understand . If the people were to believe in Him, it was not to be as a descendant of a man, even as great as David had been. They were going to have to acknowledge and follow Him as the Son of God come in the flesh and soon to die for them. Only by doing so would any of them experience the eternal life He came to offer.

1. Why did Jesu quote Psalm 110:1?

2. What did David understand that the people had missed? (Jesus was to be greater than David and one who he would worship and depend on for salvation.)

3. What was Jesus explaining to the people about Himself?

4. In what way was He giving proof to the religious leaders that they needed to condemn Him?

5. How did He couch His words so they could not be used as evidence? (He did not claim outwardly that position for Himself.)

6. What did Jesus imply that is relevant to us today?

Luke 20:45-46

While the people were listening He had one piece of advice that was meant particularly for His disciples. Once again He warned them not to be caught in acting like the religious leaders. One of the qualities that the Scribes lacked, that was so important for His followers, was humility. When He referred to the Scribes He was really speaking of any religious leader who took advantage of his position among the people. Everything that the religious leaders did was to draw attention to themselves from the way they dressed to being the center of attraction in the synagogues.

Possibly the most egregious actions was the accept money from even the poorest of the poor to support their lifestyles. Rabbis were supposed to provide for themselves by working at a trade. Paul set the example by taking a trade like tent making. A number of times he spoke of providing his own support.

Jesus condemned their actions in the strongest way.

1. What was the main quality flaw that the Scribes possessed?

2. How was that evident?

3. What were the actions of the Scribes, the teachers of the law, that Jesus spoke against?

4. Why was those actions a problem? (They set themselves above the people and took advantage of those they were to serve?

5. How did they take advantage of the people?

6. Why were the disciples to be different? (The focus was to be on Jesus and His teachings not the disciples.)

7. How do we sometimes fit the role of the Scribes?

8. What can we do to make sure that we are not accused of being like them?

• Pray before answering someone who confronts you with impossible and ridiculous questions about Christianity.

• Study to have a clear understanding what the Bible teaches about different issues. This is what is called systematic theology.

• Understand that the world is out to discredit the church so be ready.

• Make sure that you are solid in you own beliefs before addressing those who do not believe in Christ.

• Always live according to fact that you are the created and not the Creator. That is humility.

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I titled this lesson “Philosophical Debate” because it is important for the church to know the mindset of the secular society. They have all types of objections to the Christian faith that we must be able to address in a clear and consize way. Sadly for too long the church has allowed them to become stronger as we have become weaker in our defense of the teachings of the Bible. We can learn from the way that Jesus dealt with those who wanted to trap into arguments for which their was no answer. We have the word of God to our source of providing answers to the way we live. Jesus has given us a glimpse of the way His Father thought. We are to be as wise as serpents but as innocent as lambs in dealing with those at enmity with the church. 2 Peter which is a strong support for the way we handle today’s

society speaks of knowing what you believe but presenting it in such a way as to disarm the greatest critic of the church.

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Lesson 56

Real Authority

Luke 20:1-20

Most of us probably have a love hate relationship with the idea of authority. Everyone of us live under some type of it whether it is the government or the place we work. I guess because of my nature where I question so many things I have had my run in with those over me. This has been especially true when they have exhibited a lack of true leadership skills. I have a great respect for those I consider great leaders. If I could back in history it would have been interesting to work for George Washington for instance. His character qualities are something that I should strive to emulate. That is one of the primary reasons that I read biographies of those who lived at the beginning of the founding of this country.

There is another type of authority that comes into play. It has to do more with the truthfulness of the words that one says or writes. The best in man still reflects the truths of those who have gone before them. There are certain writers that I admire and read because I believe they are men of integrity and have thoroughly researched what they are presenting. They have lived out the words that they put on paper in their own lives. One point needs to be made even of the most prolific writer or speaker. Everything they present has been learned because of the knowledge or wisdom imparted to them by those who came before them. When I think of my own writing I know that there is probably not an original idea in my head that someone else along the way has not previously expressed. I am thankful to be able draw on their experiences and learning to develop my thoughts. The fact a person has been willing to dedicate his or her life to master a particular field of study humbles me. The work they have done allows me to benefit from their accumulated knowledge.

Many of you have heard me say that author so and so said or in a book I just read the author presented a particular defense of his own point of view. To keep learning I read those authorities that stretch my thinking who make me a stronger person. There has been only one person who did not have to depend on what others thought to teach the truth.

The church is certainly not exempt from the kind of abuse of power that we see in the Pharisees and Sadducees. For centuries the catholic church held its people in complete domination as one corrupt Pope after another used his power for personal gain. In recent years both the Catholic church and protestant churches have seen the moral failings of those in positions of authority. Man is fallible and needs to truly put himself under the authority and leadership of Jesus Christ. Any other path is a prescription for failure. George Barna did a survey a number of years ago that discovered that well under 50 percent of pastors believed the had the gift of leadership. Yet we put these men into that very position because they have been trained in some Bible Institution. We expect them to succeed in a position for which they may be ill equipped to handle. Today we will begin to see how men who had received the best training still did not know the truth they were suppose to be teaching.

Luke 20:1-2

It is interesting that the lawyers (Scribes), the Sadducees and other religious leaders did not see the procession into Jerusalem as grounds to get rid of Jesus. They needed evidence that would incriminate Him as a law breaker which would allow them to destroy Him. Their next tactic was to get Him to blaspheme the name of God by claiming to be His Son. To accomplish this they sent to Him a contingent of religious leaders

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to trap with His own words. They asked Him who gave Him authority to march into Jerusalem, overturn the money tables and teach the things He continued to teach. Their question came from their point of reference. They had been trained in the best of the Rabbinic tradition and He would have had a minimal education at best. His very teaching confounded them because like most today they could only quote what someone who was an authority had to say on the subject being discussed. Jesus did not need to depend on others because He was speaking under the authority of God.

1. Why did the religious leaders not see the ride into Jerusalem as grounds to bring charges against Jesus? (The journey was a picture of the Messiah coming but Jesus did not verbally make that claim.)

2. Why did the Pharisees in particular raise the question of Jesus’ qualifications? (They would not dare to teach other than what had been taught by the ancient Rabbi’s who they saw as authorities.)

3. What was different about the teaching of Jesus?

4. What are we to do to be well grounded in any subject? (Study as much as possible of what is written by those who are genuinely knowledgeable into a particular subject.)

5. What are the subjects that interest you the most?

6. Who do you consider authorities in that particular area? Why?

Luke 20:3-4

Knowing the motive behind the question Jesus did not answer their question. To have done so would have set up a confrontation that would have ended His life before the time set by the Father. As He had said many times before His hour had not yet come. Instead of answering them He posed a question to them which would determine His response. He asked them to explain where John the Baptist had gotten his authority since he also had not attended the Rabbinic schools. He wanted to know whether the baptism that he had performed was it divinely ordained or did John do it on his own.

1. Why did Jesus not answer their question directly?

2. What was the motive behind it?

3. Why did Jesus ask them about the ministry of John?

4. In what ways were Jesus and John the Baptist alike? (Their work was ordained by God and not man. Neither had the proper credentials to do what they were doing. In the eyes of the religious leaders they were disqualified because of their lack of education.)

5. Why did Jesus speak specifically of the baptisms performed by John? (That was his primary ministry to call people to repentance and point them to Jesus.)

6. What does Jesus method of dealing with those men tell us about the way we should respond when asked about our faith? (Sometimes we need to discern what the inquirer means by his or her question.)

Luke 20:5-7

The question presented a dilemma for the men. There was only one correct answer of course but they had to confer with each other about their decision. In their minds neither of the answers would have gotten them off the hook with the people or God. The two choices were:

• It was from heaven. To say that would beg the question why then had they rejected John’s call to repentance?

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• It was from man. Because the people believed that John had been sent by God they would stoned the religious leaders for misrepresenting him.

In order to protect themselves they pleaded ignorance. In other words they had no opinion one way or the other. It would be equivalent today of “taking the fifth amendment” to hide one’s guilt.

1. What quandary did this present for the religious leaders?

2. Why could they not bring themselves to answer the question truthfully?

3. What may have been some situations in which you have found yourselves in the same dilemma?

4. Why did the men answer as they did? (They were afraid of the people either way.)

5. When have you answered as they did?

6. How did you feel afterwards?

7. Did you do anything to correct your error? What? (Probably by asking these last three questions may have caused some of us to remember a time we would prefer to forget.)

Luke 20:8

Because they would not answer the simple question, Jesus felt no obligation to fall into the trap they had set for Him. Surely if they did not recognize John for who he was, they would not have accepted any explanation that Jesus might present to reveal Himself. He had already done enough in the three years of His ministry to convince anyone of His identity if had just chosen to be open to receive the gospel. They did not know John and as Jesus had told them before they did not know Him or His Father. See John 5:33-47

1. Why did Jesus feel no obligation to answer them?

2. What should have been the evidence that Jesus was who He said He was? (See John 5:33)

3. How did the religious leaders miss it?

4. Before you became a follower of Christ how did you ignore the evidence that was available to you?

5. What does it take to receive Christ and His good news?

Luke 20:9-15a

Immediately in Luke’s gospel Jesus launches into a parable which clearly pointed out the history of the Jewish people, especially the religious leaders of that day. God is represented in the man who planted a vineyard which symbolizes Israel. The vine-growers who were given the privilege of leading of His chosen people in the world. That list would have included men like Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon and the kings of Israel. Some of those men were righteous while others worship idols and led the people astray. The long period of time would encompass the time from Israel becoming His people until the time of Christ. Since God was the owner of the vineyard He rightfully would have expected His people to love and honor Him. Rather than producing the fruit of that relationship they turned their backs on Him in complete disobedience.

God sent His prophets to bring the people back to Him. They would not listen to the words from God and mistreated and killed the messengers from God. Finally, He had one more person to send. If anyone was to be respected and accepted as the messenger of God it surely would be the son. The vine-growers however decided to kill him thinking that by eliminating him the vineyard would be theirs to keep. The son in this parable was Jesus who the religious leaders and many in land rejected.

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The men did exactly as they had planned. They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. This is the picture of the crucifixion. Jesus was crucified outside of the city.

1. In what ways is this parable a picture of the breath of Jewish history?

2. Who were the different characters in the narrative?

3. If the parable was written today how do you think it would be written?

4. Why did the vine-growers want the vineyard to themselves?

5. Who are some of the vine-growers today?

6. In what ways are they still trying to crucify Jesus?

7. What can anyone do about it?

Luke 20:15b-16a

Jesus then asked a direct question to all who were standing there. He wanted to know what God would do with the religious leaders and the nation of Israel because of their deeds. The question was a rhetorical one. Obviously, there was but one choice the people would face the wrath of God. They would be destroyed and the vineyard itself would come under the rule of others. He also pointed to the new vineyard the church when speaking of it being given to others.

1. What does the question Jesus asked say about God’s response to a people who totally reject Him?

2. Why could He rightfully carry out the judgment? (They were judging themselves as we have seen by their history.)

3. What can we in the United States expect if we continue down the path we are traveling?

4. What can turn it around?

5. In what ways do you think it might be too late? (Snowballs do not generally get smaller when going downhill. We are fulfilling prophecy found in the New Testament especially as written in 2 Timothy and 2 Peter.)

Luke 20:16b

How could Jesus make such a statement. Surely God would not do anything to His chosen people. After all had He not spoken the covenant back in the days of Abraham and Moses. Once again Jesus turned to the word of God to answer them. He took the words from Psalm 118:22 and applied it to the Sanhedrin and Himself. He was the cornerstone which they had rejected. Without a perfect cornerstone the whole building would be out of line. The religious leaders did not believe that they needed anyone to tell them what to do. They therefore were casting aside the very One who could give them life. The first thing they had done was to trip over Him. He could not be avoided and kept getting in their way. Jesus then spoke of their final judgment and destruction. It was about forty years from that time that the city of Jerusalem was completely destroyed and the religious life of the Jews was forever changed.

1. Why did the Jews believe that nothing was going to happen to them?

2. In what ways do we have that same attitude today?

3. Why did Jesus use Psalm 118 to describe the situation? (It would point the importance of that stone by which everything was measured but was considered unfit according to the standards of the people.)

4. What was the clear picture to He painted for the people? (Judgment was to come.)

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Luke 20:19-20

The parable angered the religious leaders because they had understood that it had been about them. They wanted to arrest Him at that time but they were afraid of the people as they had been in their response to John’s authority. Their primary tactic was to send some of their associates to spy on Him. They were to try and catch him saying something that could use against Him. They had given up on seeking to trap Him in breaking some point of the law of the Jews. At that point they were attempting to formulate a case against Him that would get Him in trouble with the Roman government.

1. Why did the religious leaders want to arrest Jesus? (They understood that it was a clear representation of them put out where all the world could observe.)

2. Why were they afraid of the people? (Above all else they were self-preservationists. They were not about to do anything that would put themselves in a bad light and cause themselves injury.)

3. Why did they send others to attempt to trap Jesus? (Jesus knew them and their methods.)

4. Why had they given up on executed Him themselves? (They could find no fault with Him in regards to the Law of Moses?

5. Why were they so determined to get rid of Jesus? (He had called into question their authority and destroyed their credibility was the teachers of truth.)

• Remember there are two types of authority The one has to do with ruling over another. We may not have any choice because it happens in all organizations. The second has to do with someone who has great knowledge of a particular subject. This is the area where we are to take great care in choosing whom we decide to believe.

• Look at the testimonies of those who know an individual before deciding to follow them.

• Spend considerable time searching the Bible to determine if the teaching you hear is is correct.

• Use your mind in searching for the truth before committing yourself to Christ. Salvation is simple but not easy.

• Do not be deceived by those who declare themselves as experts. Remember that the old characterization of one is a drip under pressure. His assertions need to be tested to validate them.

As an example of the way a church should view authority can be found in the process that was used by our church to select the Elders that now compose the Elder Team. The church began by rewriting the by-laws to set in motion the change that allowed for a Elder led church. A number of sessions were held laying out the qualifications of the men who would be selected for that position. The church leaned heavily on the teaching of Paul in both 2 Timothy 3 and Titus plus Acts 6. The church then presented names to the deacons and the Pastor Search Committee. Each man was asked to fill out a detailed questionaire and was then interviewed by the above mentioned two groups. After the interviews five men were presented to the church for approval. The six elder was added when the Teaching Elder was called to the church.

I went through this process to show the diligence of the church to make sure that the men selected were in their minds were qualified to have authority to lead the church. Since that time the church still has the power to hold these men accountable. As important is the standard to which the men hold themselves and each other. We need to be ever diligent to make sure that our leaders always hold to the standards set by Christ.

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Lesson 55

The Road Less Travelled

Luke 19:28-48

One of my interests over the years is looking at myself and others to see how we carry out the purpose of God. A number of years ago I wrote a paper which I titled “Will, Process and Purpose.” In it I looked at how the will of God relates to actually doing what He called us to do. Wrong or right I took John 6:40 which reads, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day,” as the foundation upon which we carry out the purpose for our lives. What I have discovered is the purpose may be completely different from what we expected. Most of us think that it is what we have to do in the moment that makes a difference in our lives and others. This may not be true at all.

Many of us remember the shooting at Columbine High School. One name stands out against the backdrop of that horrible event. The life of Cassie Bernall was taken that day, but it lived on because of her story. Her faith in the face of danger has encouraged countless others over the years when facing struggles of their own. Just within the last month a sixteen year young lady died of heart disease. Her father wrote a glowing testimony to her faith and how she had touched so many lives. As hard to think about sometimes the purpose of God brings death so that others may have life. Fortunately, most of us have not been called to make that supreme sacrifice, but that very fact does not mean that we are free from God’s calling on our lives.

I titled this lesson “The Road Less Travelled” because quite often we drift through life never putting forth the effort to discover why God gave us spiritual gifts, heart, passions, abilities, a particular personality and experiences. Jesus in John 12:27 as much as He shrunk back from the horror of what He was about to face said, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” Jesus knew that He had come to earth to die for the sin of mankind. It is incumbent on me to find out and put into practice my place in His working out history to His glory.

There are few churches that reach everyone. Some are suited for young families, singles, baby boomers, or older members. One of the importances of discovering the vision for the church is to determine the group or groups which fit into the resources available to you. There was a book written a number of years ago by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger titled “Simple Church.” One of the warnings in that book was to not to attempt to do too many things but do a few things well. Many churches have yet to determine the purpose for which God has placed them in a strategic place and time for the furtherance of His kingdom. Sadly, those churches because they are made up of individuals who do not understand God’s call on their lives cannot give direction to the church. The Bible gives us a clearcut message and a command to share it with the world. Quite often we fail to even carry out this task and wonder why we do not grow spiritually or numerically. Jesus went to Jerusalem for the church knowing it would cost Him His life. What sacrifice are we willing to make to purposely carry that good news to the world?

Luke 19:28-29a

Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem headed for a collision course with the religious leaders and ultimately the power of Rome under Pontius Pilate. He had finished His teachings with those who

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were following Him. Now ahead there lay before Him a climatic end to His earthly life. It was to begin with a ride into Jerusalem that would proclaim to the world the fact that He was indeed the Messiah of the world. He would so by riding in on a donkey. Mount Olivet just north and east of Bethany and Bethphage would be where His trip into the city would begin. The town of Bethany would become His home base for the next few days. Bethany was about two miles outside the city and was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. It was from the vicinity of Mt. Olivet that He sent His disciples into Bethany to get the donkey upon which He would ride into Jerusalem.

1. Why did He feel free to make this journey? (He had finished teaching the crowds all that He was ready to share at that point in time.)

2. What did it mean for Jesus to continue on to Jerusalem?

3. What has been an event in your life that called for a decision that could bring hurt to yourself or someone you loved?

4. How did you handle it?

5. What kind of statement was Jesus about to make?

Luke 19:29b-32

Jesus then sent two of His disciples into the village of Bethany. His instruction was to locate a donkey colt which had never been ridden and bring it to Him. He told them where to find it and what to do if they were questioned about the reason for taking it away. Their answer was to be “ The Lord has need of it.” When they arrived they found everything as Jesus had said it would be. Some writers believe that this whole event had been set up by Jesus ahead of time. It may be true but Jesus had not been in that area for some time so how could it had been preplanned? It must be noted that to ride into a city on a donkey would signify the coming of a king not on a horse which would indicate war or conquest but as a king of peace and love. He was saying by His actions that He was the king although of a kingdom that the people did not understand.

1. Why did Jesus not go into Bethany Himself to retrieve the donkey colt? (It would delay His trip because the people would want Him to teach and heal them.)

2. How did He know that they would find the animal right where He said it would be? (Either as the Son of God He just knew or He had preplanned the event.)

3. Which do you believe is more accurate?

4. What do you think of the statement, “The Lord has need of it?”

5. What claim would He be making by riding into the city on a donkey?

6. What would this do to the thinking of the disciples? (It would fuel the flame of the conquering king.)

Luke 19:33-34

When they entered the village they found the situation just as Jesus had described. They proceeded to follow His instructions to the letter. Sure enough as would be expected the owners questioned them about what they were attempting to do. They gave the answer that Jesus had given them. The owners then allowed them to take the donkey back to Jesus.

1. How would you react if total strangers came up to you and wanted to borrow something from you?

2. What did the answer the disciples gave satisfy them?

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3. What were they expecting to happen at any time?

4. What in essence were the men doing? (They were making a sacrifice of the colt because they had no assurance that they would ever get it back again unless they followed the entourage to Jerusalem.)

Luke 19:35-38

As Jesus began His journey the people treated Him as a king. They not only put coats on the donkey so He would be more comfortable but laid their coats on the road to make travel smoother. Jesus crested the mount and began His descent toward Jerusalem. It was at that point that the people began to understand that something special was taking place and joined in with those surrounding Jesus as He travelled. They began praising Him, crying out with joy, shouting “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” which came from Psalm 118:26. Other accounts tell of the people going out along the roadside to cut down palm branches to lay in His path. All of this had been prophesied several hundred years earlier by the prophet Zechariah. (See Zechariah 9:9) Jesus accepted the adulation knowing that He was king, but also realizing how soon the praise could turn into jeers. John 2:24-25 tells what may have been going through the mind of Jesus during that short period of time. John wrote, “But Jesus, on His part was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.” Jesus alone knew what lay ahead for Him.

1. Who did the people think Jesus was at that moment?

2. Why did Jesus allow the people to praise Him?

3. What may have been the thoughts of Jesus as He viewed the whole scene?

4. Why did I use the verses from John 2?

5. What does it say about us? (We really do not know ourselves as well as we think we do.)

6. What may have been the occasion when cheers turned to jeers?

7. What does it show about man?

Luke 19:39

Not everyone was filled with joy at the scene playing out before them. Among the throng of people were some Pharisees. No doubt they were to spy on Jesus. When the heard the praise that was been heaped on their enemy, Jesus, they demanded that He get control of the crowd and quiet them down. What they really wanted was for Jesus to admit that the crowd had no reason to bless and praise Him. Jesus responded with a stinging retort. If the people did not recognize Him all of creation would be singing His praises. It was His moment to bring the people together to acknowledge Him as king even if at that time they did not understand the full meaning of that kingdom.

1. Why were the Pharisees among the crowd?

2. Why did they demand that Jesus stop the worship of the crowd?

3. When have been times when people have tried to rain on your parade because of your excitement and passion about your faith?

4. What was Jesus implying? (He could not or would not stop the praise of the people for what God was doing.)

5. What did He mean by speaking of the rocks crying out? (Man is not the only one who benefits from the work of God. Paul talks in Romans 8 about the release of all creation from the ravages and curse of sin.)

6. When confronted with the things of God who you are more like, the crowd or Pharisees? Why?

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Luke 19:41-42

Even though Jesus had anticipated that day the reality of what was to come for the nation of Israel and Jerusalem in particular broke His heart. He began to weep when He thought how different the history of the Jews might be if they had not rejected the One who bring peace to their lives. There would be no second chance to receive what Jesus offered the first time He lived on earth. They will have to wait to end of time before understanding that Jesus indeed was the Messiah.

1. Why did the reality of what was going to take place for the Jews impact Jesus so hard? (It could all have been prevented?

2. Why would the whole nation suffer? (For the most part they had rejected Jesus.)

3. What are some things that would cause you to weep because of decisions made?

4. What would have changed their future?

Luke 19:43-44

Jesus then became a prophet as He spoke of the future of the nation who had refused to hear His message. He spelled out what would occur in within forty years after His death. The nation would face destruction at the hands of the Romans. Their enemy would:

• Build barricades

• Surround them and hem them in

• Level to the ground the city

• Destroy the city so that not one stone would remain upon another.

All these things would occur because they had not recognized that God had come to earth and lived among them. This was especially devastating because the One who could have provided them the peace and salvation was there among them.

1. What prophecies did Jesus share with those around Him?

2. How was what He said going to affect many within the hearing of those words that day? (Many would still be alive less than forty years later.)

3. What do you believe about prophecy?

4. Which of them bother you the most? Why?

5. What had He offered them that they had missed?

6. What will happen if we ignore so great a salvation?

Luke 19:45-46

The first act of Jesus upon coming into Jerusalem was to drive out those who worth providing sacrifices for a price. This practice in itself was not wrong because the Levitical law spoke of those who lived to far from the city chosen by God to sell the animals in their hometown and go to the place where the tabernacle was and purchase what was needed to give an offering to God. What disturbed Jesus was the way it was being handled. Those providing sacrifices were charging exorbitant prices and refusing to accept the animals that had been brought along by the worshippers as fit for sacrifice.

Jesus quoted Scripture as His authority to cleanse the Temple. The quote is found in Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.

1. Why did Jesus cleanse the temple?

2. How do we sometimes change something begun as a needed service into a selfish endeavor?

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3. How did the sellers corrupt the system?

4. What care are we to take to be sure that we do not corrupt any thing God calls the church to do?

5. How are we to approach God’s church? (With integrity)

Luke 19:47-48

What He did on the first day was followed by His continuing teaching in the Temple. More than ever the religious leaders were looking for the opportunity to kill Jesus. The problem for the scribes and other leaders was that Jesus was more popular than ever. The people were “hanging on every word He said.”

1. What does it show about Jesus that He returned to the Temple every day to teach? (Nothing was going to happen outside of God’s timing.)

2. Why did the religious leaders desire to kill Jesus?

3. Why did they not carry out their desires?

4. After prophesying about the destruction of the Temple what would He still have to teach? (The same good news. Although the city would be destroyed there would still be many who would become His followers?

5. If those people could not get enough of Jesus’ teaching what does it say about the way we should view all Scripture?

• Be willing to take the road less travelled if it means to compromise your faith.

• Always make sure that the praise you give to God is genuine and not because everyone else may be doing.

• Remember to always speak the word of truth no matter the circumstances.

• Be prepared to meet opposition of Christianity with knowledge from God’s word.

• Remember that popularity is fleeting but the relationship with Christ gives real meaning to life.

We have to think about the climate of our church. What are we really like? What is the culture that is prevalent among us? What are the ministries that we consider priorities? To be effective we have to consider whether our focus is our God and how to fight the tendency to be just a place where we come to have a good time with our friends. Thankfully, Our church is one which trying to understand what it truly means to please God. It is a fact that the church that transforms life is the one which takes the gospel seriously. To do so takes dedicated people who are willing to go against the current direction of society and walk the road less travelled. It is so easy to allow the world to infiltrate the church. Followers of Christ are to be those who permeate the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christ began is road in Bethlehem and it ended up at Calvary.  He gave His all so that we could have life.  In the first couple of paragraphs I mentioned that Jesus told those around Him that the purpose for which He had come.  He did all that the Father ask Him to do.  Should we not consider what Paul said as a rallied cry of the way to do church.  “For to me, to live is Christ.”  Phil. 1:21 .  Are we to do less with the calling God has issued to every single one of the followers of Christ.