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Lesson 65

Hallelujah an Empty Tomb

Luke 24:1-50

I do not know if the good old days can really be called the good old days. There have always been problems that every generation has faced from world wars, depressions and recessions, famines and disasters. Depending on when a person has lived life has presented challenges. I can verify that in my own life. Because of what has occurred I personally would not want to be one who want to relive my life over again even with the thought that things might have been different the second time around. Most likely because of my personality nothing would have changed. With everything that is happening today it is better to live the days we have to the best of our ability.

The one area where in my life the good old days were just that. As I grew up in the church there I was not aware of all the discussion that goes on today about Jesus. I knew that there were those who were not Christians but it never dawned on me that it was because they doubted that Jesus was God and that He had lived, died, been buried and rose again from the dead. To me that information was an undeniable fact. My awareness of those who are in opposition to the teachings of the Bible began as an adult. It has become more important than ever for each of us to study apologetics and theology because atheists are more vocal and have the backing of so many in the academics and the media. More and more we can find books and articles being written to defend both camps. For me nothing has changed. I still believe that God’s record in His word is the absolute truth.

The more believers fail to uphold God’s word as infallible the greater the foothold non-believers will gain in education, the family and the church. So few today study the Bible so that they can give provide an adequate defense when speaking with unbelievers. Because we have been weak in sharing the truth found in the Scripture our young people are being misguided by teachers and professors. It is important that we believe and wake from our spiritual laziness before all is lost.

The death and resurrection of Jesus has greater evidence verifying it than many events that have taken place in history. We will talk about some of those today. Others are found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-9. Others outside the christian faith like Josephus the Roman historian speaks of Jesus in His writings.

Luke 24:1-2

The women who had followed Jesus had obey the command to keep the Sabbath holy. On the first day of the week, Sunday, they came to carry out the ritual of properly preparing the body of Christ for burial. The time the body would spend in the tomb would be one year when the bones would be removed and put into a box called an ossary. This would allow for the grave to be used over and over.

In the Old Testament Sarah, Abraham, Leah and Jacob were all buried in the same cave in the field of Machpelah (See Genesis 25:9)

Although Luke did not mentioned it the other gospels spoke of the the problem the women saw facing them. The Stone in front of the opening was extremely heavy and was in a groove tilted downward making it easier to cover the opening than moving it back up the incline. It is hard to imagine what the women expected to do. To their surprise when they arrived at the tomb the stone was not in front of the door. One writer wrote that it had actually it had been lifted from the groove and set to one side.

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1. Why did the women wait two days before coming to the tomb? (Nothing could be done on

2. What was the procedure of burial according to Jewish tradition? (See above)

3. Friday because of the lateness of the hour before Passover and the next day was the Sabbath

   when every Jew was to have a day of complete rest. To prepare the body of Jesus would have been seen as work.)

4. What was the dilemma the women faced? (The stone was to heavy for them to move.)

5. What would have been your first thoughts when you came to the tomb?

Luke 24:3-7

Their first action was to go into the tomb to begin the task making final preparations on the body. What they found to their surprise was an empty tomb. They like anyone else could not figure what had occurred. While they were trying to figure out the scene two men in dazzling clothing appeared to them with a message. Jesus was not there because He had risen. They went on to refresh their memories. Jesus had told them everything that was going to occur including be handed over to the Gentiles for execution, His crucifixion and His resurrection three days later.

1. When the women discovered the stone was gone what did they intend to do?

2. What did they discover in the tomb?

3. Why were they astonished?

4. Why was the message of the angels so important? (Refreshed their memories of the words of Jesus.)

5. Why is the message of the angels so important to you? (Reinforces the words of Jesus and declares the truth of them.)

Luke 24:8-10

Upon hearing the words of the angels they remembered all Jesus had said. Filled with all the sights at the tomb and the words they had heard they headed off to bring the news to the disciples who were still in hiding. Luke wrote that the first people who heard the news were Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary, the mother of James. It would strange for the women to be the recipient of such news. In that society their testimony would not even be accepted in a court of law.

1. Why did it take the words of the angels to jog the memories of the women? (Grief probably clouded their thought processes. They were also caught by surprise with the experiences at the tomb.

2. What was the first thing they knew they had to do? (Tell someone the good news.)

3. Why was it unusual for women to be given such important information?

4. What are some the things that you find hard to believe?

5. What do you say to a person who shares the information?

Luke 24:11

When the disciples heard the news they did not believe the women. It appears that they babbling. There may also been some prejudice against women existing among the disciples because of the culture. Their speech probably reflected their excitement about the news that they were sharing. It was also possible that the news beyond belief that anyone could raise from the dead.

1. Why did the disciples not believe them? (They may have been somewhat incoherent because

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   of their excitement.)

2. What was the main reason they had a problem with the words of the women? (It was difficult to rationalize the idea of someone rising up from being dead three days.)

3. When have there been times when you have been so excited that you could not describe the scene clearly?

4. Which of the two groups were justified in what they believed?

5. How difficult is it for you to accept message of the women?

Luke 24:12

Peter made an important decision that gave some credence to the story told by the women. Luke wrote that Peter went to the tomb to see for himself what had happened. John wrote that both he and Peter went to the tomb. They saw the evidence left behind by the risen Lord. His burial wrappings were still there undisturbed as Jesus had departed from them not needing them anymore. Peter then returns to his home and according to Luke does not return to be with the other disciples. It is possible he needed time alone to put all the pieces of evidence together. There is one more important fact to be gleaned from the text. The fact that Peter and John went to the tomb would discount the false statements by the enemies of Christ that the disciples had stolen the body. Why would Peter have gone to a place that He knew the body of Jesus would not be found.

1. What event gave credence to the story of the women?

2. What was the difference in the narratives of John and Luke?

3. What did Peter and John see in the tomb?

4. Why did he go home and not return to the place where the other disciples were staying?

5. How did the fact that Peter and John going to tomb give strong evidence that Jesus was indeed risen and the disciples did not steal the body as his enemies claimed?

6. How does this information help you to face those who claim that Jesus did not raise from the grave?

7. What did His enemies have to do to undermine Christianity? (Produce the body.)

Luke 24:13-16

While those events were taking place. Two men were returning to their home in Emmaus which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. They had been with the other disciples during the day. As they walked along they were discussing all that had taken place. Jesus suddenly came up to them and began walking along with them but they did not recognize Him. William Barclay once said that one of the reasons they did know Him was they were looking into the sunset not the sunrise. Like the others they could not comprehend the fact that a man could be raised from the dead. One other possible reason was they did not expect Him to be there waling along with them.

1. Why were the two men returning home? (As far as they were concerned nothing new was to be learned that day.)

2. In what ways were they like us? (We have a tendency to rehash today’s news over and over again almost as if we expect a different result.)

3. Why did Jesus appear to these two men? (To show the reality of His resurrection beyond a few of His closest followers.)

4. Why did they not recognize Jesus?

5. Why did they have trouble recognizing Him? (Not expecting Him.)

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Luke 24:17-18

Jesus began His conversation with them by asking what they were talking about. That question stunned them. There was a genuine sadness about them when they had to explain again all that had happened. One of the men, Cleopas had trouble understanding how anyone who had been in Jerusalem over the past several days and not understand what had happened.

1. Why do you think Jesus asked them what they were talking about? (He wanted to understand their mindset. If He were to share with them the good news would they comprehend it.)

2. Why were the men so sad at the question asked by Jesus? (They had to explain again the thing that was so hurtful to them.)

3. Why was Cleopas’ reaction understandable?

4. How would you react to someone who answered as Jesus did about a story that had been in the papers, magazines, social media and TV?

Luke 24:19-24

Still trying to determine what the men believed, Jesus asked again what are you talking about. Cleopas began paint a picture of what he thought about Jesus the Nazarene. He said

• He was a mighty prophet in word and deed before God and man.

• The Jewish religious leaders delivered Him to the Romans to be killed.

• The Romans then carried out the execution by way of crucifixion.

Like many all over Israel from Galilee to Judea the people had hoped that He was to be the redeemer of Israel. Three day had past since all of this had happened and nothing verifiable has occurred to the contrary. There was one glimmer of hope however that some of the women who had followed Jesus had reported that the tomb was empty and they had seen angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Cleopas then mentioned the trip by Peter and John to the tomb who found everything just as the women had told them. However no one had actually seen Him alive. It was obvious that they did not know at that time about the appearance to Mary and Peter that had occurred sometime that day.

1. What was accurate about there account?

2. What disappointment can you read into the words spoken by Cleopas?

3. What did he leave out of his narrative? (That Jesus had promised that He would rise up on the third day.)

4. Why did Cleopas leave it out? (Because it was the third day and there was no concrete physical evidence to be had.)

5. Why did Jesus allow him to continue? (To ready them for His disclosure.)

6. What was the conclusive evidence did they need to believe? (To see Him in person.)

Luke 24:25-27

Jesus admonished them because like the disciples they had not had enough faith to know that He would do exactly as He promised. Their loss had clouded their minds. Jesus told them everything that the prophets had spoken had to be fulfilled in Him. The Christ had to suffer before He could enter into His glory. From Genesis to Malachi He showed how He was the One about each of the authors had written.

1. Why did Jesus scold the men? (They above all people should have understood what the Scriptures had to say about the Messiah.)

2. Why did Jesus start with Moses in telling about Himself? (He was in the beginning with God and was active throughout the history of the Jewish people.)

3. What did these words mean to the men? (There was hope in a hopeless world.)

4. What assurance should this provide for us?

5. What does it not give us assurance of who Jesus is? (We do not take the time to search the Bible for the truths presented there.)

Luke 24:28-29

That must have been the most interesting journey known to mankind. The miles must have seemed as nothing as they listened to the words of Jesus from the inspired word of God. Jesus acted as if He planned to travel on that night. It is an example of Him not imposing on anyone unless invited. When they reached their home they invited Him to stay with them. To be sure they wanted to hear more. There were a couple of other reasons. First, was a practical one. Like today it was not safe for a man to travel alone at night. More importantly, hospitality was a way of life in the middle east at that time. He accepted their invitation and went in to dine with them.

1. What do you think that trip to Emmaus was like for the two men?

2. What were the things they were able to put out of their minds? (The world was not so hopeless according to the words falling from this man’s lips.)

3. Who is a speaker that you could spend hours hearing? (Why?

4. What can we learn from the fact that Jesus acted as if He was going to continue His journey? (He will never force His presence on anyone.)

5. Why would the men have invited Him into their home?

Luke 24:30-31

It was time for the revealing of who He was to those two men. When He went into the home and reclined at the table, He quickly took on the role of the host. As He had done at the Last Supper, He took the bread, broke and gave it to them to eat. It was at that moment that the spiritual blinders came off and they recognized Him. Immediately He disappeared. His work with them was complete for the time being.

1. Why did He take over the role as host? (He came to serve not to be served.)

2. Why did that one act help them to recognize Him? (It was the familiar act that He had done so many times before especially at the last supper.)

3. Why did He not stay with them any longer? (His work with them was complete. Besides if He had stayed the men would not have gone back to Jerusalem to share what they had experienced.

4. At what point do you feel you are ready to share the good news of Jesus with others?

5. If not why are you hesitant?

Luke 24:32

When Jesus disappeared the two men began to discuss the experience. Their works speak volumes to mankind today. Time in God’s word should set our hearts on fire with the message it has for man. If one does not sense the Holy Spirit working to change one’s life then it may be time to look at the relationship he or she has with the Son. The Bible should be the most exciting and challenging written

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word that one spends time reading. Remember it is the inspired word of God. It is the message of His grace from Genesis to Revelation. It is the word that those two men heard that night. With the living word right before them their eyes were opened to the truth of resurrection.

1. How did the two men view the experience they had just had?

2. When has been an occasion when you have been overwhelmed by God’s presence as you have read or studied His word?

3. If you have not what do you believe is missing?

4. What will do you do to change your life to fully accept what God is trying to do for you?

5. How much of the Bible speaks of Jesus?

6. How do you know?

7. In what ways do you want God’s word to become real to you?

8. What is important about this narrative about the two men?

Luke 24:33-35

They could not keep the good news to themselves. They got up after dark and returned the seven miles back to Jerusalem. They wanted to be with the other believers at that momentous time. More importantly they had a message to share. One can only imagine the excitement that night. Jesus had already appeared to Peter. To add to that news they were able to share what the had happened to them as they travelled and reclined to have a meal.

1. In what ways do you feel a kinship to the two men on that night?

2. How far are you will to go out of your way to share about Jesus?

3. What does our willingness to go say about our relationship with Christ?

4. When have been some of your greatest times of sharing God’s word with other believers?

5. What two examples does this narrative give about good times to discuss God’s Word?

I did not add practical tips to this lesson because I felt that this was the first of a two part lesson dealing with the last forty days of Jesus’ earthly stay from Resurrection Day to His ascension. His work was not complete until the time the Holy Spirit would come into the lives of the disciples. Let us continue on with the end of the chapter.

Lesson 64

Crucifixion

Luke 23:26-56

Funerals for the most part are not pleasant experiences. Even though we talk about a celebration time for those who have followed Jesus faithfully, it is still a time of separation and loss. The closer to the one who passes from this life are to us the harder it is to accept. The older I get the more I see my own family passing. My mother had eleven brothers and sisters. At this point there are just three of them left.

The saddest thing for a family to experience and I am right in that group is to realize that some of one’s love ones are going out into eternity lost. They cannot change where they are going to be because of decisions made in this lifetime. Knowing that for many in my family, because we are aging, the time was short I tried to share with them the importance of a spiritual relationship with God. Thankfully, I know that my mother is a believer and when she leaves this world she will go to be with Christ. The Bible tells us that He is delaying the return of His Son because He wants everyone who will accept Him to have the opportunity to do so. Being a compassionate God He does not desire for one single person to choose an eternity separated from Him.

Each person in my family has left a legacy of one kind or another. My hope is that what I leave behind in my children and grandchildren is a love for Jesus. The world makes it harder to do so, but I believe that I don’t have to know how God is going to work out their future. The one thing of which I am sure is God is always here if we will just acknowledge Him.

The Church, being the people of God, suffer losses in different ways. For some the departure of a beloved Pastor who is taking a new position somewhere else is a cause of grieving. There are those who mourn the loss of a Sunday School teacher who was so caring and even may have led them to the Lord. Everyone who has been faithful servants leaves a emptiness in the heart of one he or she has touched with his or her life.

The departure can be devastating if preparation has not been done to carry on the work by those remaining. A good leader prepares the church. A faithful servant leaves a legacy in the lives that have been changed. Although we will not look at that aspect in the lesson today, Jesus had prepared His disciples for his returning to the Father. Of course they could not see it in the midst of the grieving they were to experience in the next two days but they were well on the road to carry on His work.

Jesus had said in the Garden that the hour had come. We shall see how that hour truly was in the next two weeks.

Luke 23:26

The trial and brutality of that trial were over. Now Jesus was on His way to Calvary. The procession would have would taken Him and the other prisoners by the longest way possible. There were two reasons to do so.

• To provide an opportunity for someone to step forward and prove the innocence of the condemned

• To act as a deterrent to those who might think about committing any crime.

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By this point Jesus would have been beaten down physically to the point that He would have been unable to carry the cross beam of the cross which would have been strapped to His shoulders. When the soldiers saw that He could not handle the burden they pulled a man from the crowd to carry it the rest of the way to the place of crucifixion. Luke identifies him as Simon of Cyrene which is present day Tripoli, Libya. That may have been his only trip to Jerusalem during the passover and now he wound up carrying the cross of a criminal. There is no way to know for sure but sometime between his conscription and Jesus being nailed to the cross his whole attitude changed. Mark wrote that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21) Later Paul mentioned Rufus in Romans 16:13 calling him a “a choice man in the Lord.” Some scholars believe that Simon was Simeon called Niger. He was one of the founders of the church at Antioch. (Acts 13:1)

1. Why did the Romans march condemned criminals through the streets of Jerusalem the longest way possible? (See above)

2. What was one of the last disgraces a criminal faced? (Having to carry his own cross.)

3. What is important about Simon? (A man taken from the crowd became a follower of Christ, as well as his sons.)

4. How would you respond to be chosen for a demeaning task?

5. What are the things that you admire about Simon?

6. Why did Mark specifically mention Alexander and Rufus? (Evidently they well known in the Christian movement in the early church.)

Luke 23:27-31

Many were following him mourning because of what was about to happen. Jesus turned to them and told them they should be mourning for themselves because their future was to be horrific. Within the life time of those in the crowd, the Romans would completely destroy their way of life. They would experience famine and even resort to cannibalism before Jerusalem was destroyed. It would get so bad that it would be better for families not to even have children.

He finally told them that if the Romans were a party to killing the innocent Son of God, then they would have no problem bringing destruction to people who deserved it. They would face punishment because they defied and rebelled against the Romans who had dominion over them.

1. Why were the people who were following the possession mourning for Jesus? (They continued to admire Him. Many had probably been healed or believed in His teaching?

2. In what ways might they be in mourning for themselves?

3. What lay in the future for the Jews of Jerusalem?

4. Why would the Romans bring such destruction on Jerusalem? (They had rejected the Savior and rebelled against the Roman authority.)

5. How did Jesus compare Himself with the rest of the citizens including the religious leadership.)

6. What would Jesus say to us today if He were to be present with us?

Luke 23:32

Along with Jesus two others were going to be crucified. The difference was they were actually criminals who were to be punished for their illegal activities.

1. Why did Luke mention the two criminals at this point? (They would play a part in Christ’s crucifixion.)

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2. What was the difference between Jesus and those two men?

3. In what ways would you be guilty enough to be judged with the death penalty?

Luke 23:33-34

Luke does not go into a great deal of detail of the actual process of crucifixion. Again He mentioned the two criminals who were on both sides of Jesus. It appears that he believed it was important, because of his intended audience, to share the things that Jesus said on the cross and the actions of those around Him than the physical.

In the four gospels there are seven statements made by Jesus. Here is one of those statements. He prayed that God would forgive those who were crucifying and mocking Him. While He was saying those words the Romans were busy gambling for His clothes. What a contrast between the two.

1. Why did Luke bypass the physical part of the crucifixion? (Theophilus would have been very familiar with the methods used to crucify a person.)

2. What does it say about Jesus that He asked God to forgive those who were killing Him?

3. What were the Romans doing while Jesus suffered?

4. If someone causes you great suffering how would you react to them?

5. What would be the most difficult part of forgiving them?

Luke 23:35-37

Evidently those closest to the cross were His persecutors. They looked up at Him with an air of superiority. The crowd was:

• Sneering at Him

• Challenging Him to save Himself.

The Romans were:

• Offering sour wine which would increased His thirst.

• Calling for Him to save Himself

1. Who were those closest to the cross?

2. What were they saying to Him?

3. How did their words fit the prophecy that the hour of darkness belonged to them?

4. In what ways did the Romans join in to the mocking?

5. How do you handle yourself when the crowd begins to ridicule others?

Luke 23:38

In the face of all the ridicule Luke notes the placard that would have gone before Jesus as He made His way to Golgotha. It read “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Once the cross had been set in place it was now nailed to the cross. According to John the Jewish leadership was offended by the wording on the placard and requested that Pilate change it. It was Pilate’s one moment for revenge and victory over the leaders. He refused to alter what he had written. (John 19:21-22) It is amazing that in his attempt to put the Jews in their place he actually spoke the truth concerning Jesus.

1. How important was the information of the placard? (It identified the crime for which the person was convicted?

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2. Why would the Jews have a problem with the title, King of the Jews?

3. Why did Pilate use the title?

4. In what way did Pilate unwittingly speak the truth?

5. What is sad about what Pilate did? (He was not willing to stand up to the religious leaders when it really meant something.)

Luke 23:39-41

Luke then returned to the two criminals. One of them joined into the abuse of Jesus. The other man however rebuked him. In clear terms he let the man know that they were on the cross because they deserved to be punished for crimes committed. He recognized that Jesus was indeed was innocent.

1. What was the attitude of one of the criminals?

2. What was he to gain by joining in with the abuse?

3. How did the other man react to the first man’s words?

4. What did he recognize about Jesus?

5. What could either of the men expect to happen because of their sins?

Luke 23:42-43

He then turned to Jesus and requested that, Jesus, remember him when He came into His kingdom. He could not have understood the full implication of that request. Beyond his wildest imagination, Jesus promised him what he did not deserve. Upon their death the man would accompany Jesus into heaven. Those very words once again confirmed in the strongest way that Jesus believed Himself to be the Savior of the world and the Son of God.

1. What request did the man make to Jesus?

2. In the mind of the man what could it have meant? (Certainly not eternal life but Jesus remember his kind words.)

3. What did Jesus do that the man could not have expected?

4. What does His actions say to us? (That He provides salvation for all us who do not deserve it.)

5. What claims did Jesus make with His statement?

Luke 23:44-45

The last three hours of Jesus’ time on the cross were accompanied an unusual natural phenomena. The sky was darkened because the sun was obscured. Of religious significance, the veil was torn not from the bottom to the top but from the top to the bottom. God had torn down the curtain that spoke of the separation of man from God and also kept man separate from other men.

1. What was the first thing that took place that Christ’s battle with sin was coming to an end? (The sky became dark.)

2. What was the significance of the curtain being torn from top to bottom? (God did it thus signifying God removing all barriers separating man from Him.)

3. Why was it important for us? (We can now enter into the holy of holies where God resides.)

Luke 23:46

At about three o’clock Jesus spoke three of the last seven statements from the cross. In Luke Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5. His last act of faith is to totally give Himself over to the Father in death. He trusted that His Father

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is going to do all that He has promised and Jesus will rise from the dead. The matter was no longer in His hands. In Matthew Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 concerning the abandonment that He felt by His Father. Finally in victory He said in a loud voice, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He had accomplished all that God had called Him to do and it was over. He had won and satan had been defeated.

1. What were the last three statements on the cross? (Psalm 22:1; 31:5; John 19:30.)

2. What were the significance of each of them?

3. What does what occurred mean to us?

4. What should His absolute faith in His Father, even in death, mean to us?

5. Who was victorious on the cross? (Jesus and us.)

6. Why do we no longer have to fear the devil?

Luke 23:47-49

There were varied responses brought on by His death. The centurion did something totally out of character. He began praising God for what he had observed and declared the innocence of Jesus. In Matthew and Mark he even when further stating that Jesus was the Son of God. (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39) The crowds that come to watch returned home beating their chests in deep anguish at the loss of the man they believed was the Messiah. The final group who had followed Him loyally stayed at a distance from the cross seeing all of the events unfolding before them. Jesus was dead.

1. How did the death of Jesus affect those within view of the event?

2. Which of them expressed the greatest faith?

3. What did it mean for the crowds who had been watching?

4. What did it mean for the women and others who were His loyal followers?

Luke 23:50-54

Joseph of Arimathea did a brave thing. His actions would have certainly gotten him in trouble with the Sanhedrin. In spite of the possibility of facing ostracism He went and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Not a one of His followers had a right to claim the body because none of them were citizens of Jerusalem. Without the decision of Joseph who had become a disciple Jesus would have been cast out on the garbage heap to be burned with rest of the trash. Legend has it that Jesus was buried in Joseph’s own tomb. As was customary a large stone was then rolled across the door of the tomb. Luke did not go into the detail describing how the religious leaders demanded that the tomb be sealed and guards placed there to keep the disciples from stealing the body of Jesus.

1. What did Joseph of Arimathea’s actions show about him?

2. What would have happened to Jesus if he had not come forth?

3. Why could His followers not claim His body?

4. What showed Joseph’s real attachment to Jesus? (He buried Him in his own tomb.)

5. Why did they bury Him and not prepare His body for burial? (It was the day of preparation for the Sabbath.)

6. Why did Luke leave out the details that the other writers presented? (He only needed to show that Jesus was dead which Joseph and Pilate knew was a fact.)

Luke 23:55-56

Unlike the disciples who were no where to be seen at this point the women went with Joseph to the

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grave site to see where Jesus was laid. It was important for them to know because they were planning to prepare the spices and perfumes that would be use to give a proper burial for their Lord. The next day being the Sabbath they had to stay in their homes and could do nothing. This means that Jesus would have been dead from Friday until Sunday. To anoint His body at that point would not be a pleasant experience.

1. Why does Luke not mention the disciples at all during this time? (They were hiding away because of fear.)

2. Where would you have been during all this time?

3. What does this episode show about the women?

4. What were they intending to do?

• Consider if someone was walking before you with a placard (sign board) describing who you are. What would it say?

• From the very words of Jesus understand what you deserve and what He has done for you.

• Like the criminal beside Jesus make sure you have repented of your sins.

• Do not let anyone try to convince you that the Bible is not true regarding the death of Jesus. Evidence shows that He truly died for our sins.

• Be a strong witness to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.

• Do not let losses in your life destroy you but be strong to carry on the work begun by those who have gone on before you.

The church is always stronger than one person or group of people. Jesus left the earth with the full assurance that all of God’s promises would be fulfilled through His people. Jesus opened the door for the salvation of God’s people. He also left behind eleven frightened men who in just a short while would have the boldness and courage to take His message around the world. Whenever the Lord removes a person from the local body of His church, He will always provide those dedicated followers who will carry on His work. Sometimes a person may be removed by transfer or other reasons to help others grow. Each of us has a responsibility to prepare the next generation of believers. The last command in Matthew was for disciples to make disciples by baptizing them and above all teaching them God’s word. Jesus did not leave those behind to fail. They did not nor are we to be the generation that does. Luke 9:10 tells us to put our hand to whatever task we are given to move God’s kingdom forward and to not look back. Our faithfulness is the only thing that makes us fit for God’s kingdom.

Lesson 63

Trial Before Godless Men

Luke 23:1-32

At this moment I cannot remember a specific incident but I’m sure over the years I have looked for allies to build a case against someone. It is much easier to try to get someone on your side than to go to the person with whom you are having a problem and work it all according to Scripture. It is a pretty cowardly act to try to get someone else to do my dirty work. Sadly, in the eyes of man I might appear to be innocent when all the time I am the guilty party. I may be able to hide my guilt before man but God sees everything that I do.

I have learned, but do not always practice it as I should, to not get caught up in gossip. If I keep away from those who want to spread stories about others then I can honestly say that I do not know what some one is trying to say. The best offense in that case is to tell the individual that he or she needs to go to the person with which he has a problem and work it out. It is always best not to get into the middle of an issue. Someone is going to get hurt and it just might be me.

Too many churches have either split or suffered major damage to its reputation because the members participated in gossip. Ministers have been forced to resign when there are those in the body who decide he is not doing the job according to their criteria. The church has the ability to destroy reputations just through words. James was right when he wrote the “Tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity.” (James 3:6) Since the church is made up of individuals each with his or her own views, the problem of gossip is magnified. It is possible that an influential person could muster a large number of people to his or her perspective and cause tremendous damage to the spiritual life of the church.

All of us have seen this happened. What needs to take place is rather than division there be a unified spirit within the body. We need to begin looking for ways to come together to grow God’s kingdom rather than our own fiefdoms. Remember those who cause the greatest problems are those who have to have others to act as there agents. Most of the time there is no validity to the claims that are made.

Luke 23:1

Worldly men know how to overcome the obstacles in their paths. The Jewish religious leaders were no exception. In the last lesson they were left with the question of what to do with Jesus. He had given them the answer they had wanted to hear to prove His guilt when He said that He was the Son of God. At that point they came up with a brilliant plan which may have been in the works before the illegal trial of Jesus. They would take Him before Pilate the Roman governor for sentencing. This would of course would exonerate them completely before the people. They could could point to the fact that it was Pilate who had actually sentenced Him and carried out the execution of Jesus.

There was one problem remaining. What charges could they bring before Pilate. Surely for them to say that Jesus had admitted to being God would have caused him to chase them away from his presence. Since he did not believe in God in the first place what difference would it have made to him what Jesus called Himself. The only possibility for the Sanhedrin was to show there was evidence that Jesus would undermine the control the Romans had over Judea and possibly cause an uprising among the people. They above all could not tell the truth.

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1. What problem faced the Sanhedrin?

2. Why did they have the problem in the first place? (They would not accept Jesus as the Messiah and were determined to have Him eliminated from the scene.)

3. Why would they need Pilate’s help?

4. What would be the one thing that Pilate cared about? (Peace in Judea. Any mention of rebellion might cause the Roman government to recall him.)

5. In what ways did their action reflect the way men handle problems today?

Luke 23:2

Their argument before Pilate was full of lies. They claimed first of all that Jesus had told people not to pay taxes. Secondly, He was accused of making Himself the Messiah and a king. Pilate dismissed the first charge and did not even address it as an issue. It is possible he had heard of Jesus’ conversation with the religious leaders when He told them to give to Caesar what belonged to him. His question to Jesus even ignored the idea of being the Jewish Messiah. He was only interested in the claims that would affect his ability to govern the people. His inquiry included a thought the Jews had not included. He wanted to know if Jesus was the “King of the Jews.” In a way that position would not be a threat to him but more so to Herod. Pilate was used to have puppet kings in power in Judea.

1. In what ways was the testimony of the Jews different than the charges made against Jesus at His trial?

2. Why did the Sanhedrin switch from accusing Jesus of blasphemy to one of insurrection?

3. Why did Pilate ignore the charges of failure to pay taxes? (It was not as important as the idea that a new king might try to rise and cause trouble for him.)

4. Why did he add “of the Jews” to his question about whether Jesus was king? (Kings of the Jews presented no particular problem for the Romans.)

5. What do those who start rumors have to fear?

Luke 23:4-5

It is obvious that Pilate recognized that the Sanhedrin had brought Jesus before him on bogus charges. He wanted to let Jesus go free, but was soon overwhelmed by the clamor from the Jews. When the previous accusations did not work for them they came up with a new ones which were true but were twisted to appear as something would mean trouble for the peace and tranquility of the city. Yes the things Jesus did such as healing did excite the people. It is also true that everywhere He went the people hung on every word. They were not words that would cause rebellion but love and compassion on hope for a people caught up in hopelessness. The religious leaders tried to twist what Jesus was doing into that which suited their own purposes of controlling those Jesus was freeing from bondage of the law and tradition. One of the things they said seemed to provide the opportunity for Pilate to pass the buck. They told him that Jesus had actually started preaching in Galilee.

1. Why was Pilate willing to free Jesus?

2. Why did the Jews continue with the ranting? (They were determined to see Jesus executed.)

3. In what ways did the leaders twist what Jesus was doing and giving it the appearance of evil?

4. How do we sometimes twist the truth to suit our own purposes? (Taking words out of context.)

5. What had Jesus ministry truly been about?

6. What are we to do in the face of false criticism and gossip?

7. How do we sometimes pass the buck when involved in a situation?

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Luke 23:6-7

Pilate picked up on the word that Jesus was from Galilee. Galilee fell under the jurisdiction of Herod. Since it was the Passover Herod was in Jerusalem. Jesus was sent to Herod for judgment. As was mentioned above, it was a perfect opportunity for Pilate to avoid having to give the final verdict of whether Jesus would live or die. It also would keep him from further provoking the Jews with whom he had a very tenuous and volatile relationship because of some of his previous missteps.

1. Why was Pilate glad to hear that Jesus was from Galilee?

2. How did he see that fact as an escape from his dilemma?

3. Why was he so afraid to make a decision? (He would lose out with the people or the leaders which was the last thing he could not afford to have happen politically.)

4. What did he finally do? (Sent Jesus off to Herod.)

5. What are some of the ways you have tried to keep from making a tough decision?

6. What is the best approach to take when confronted with a difficult situation?

Luke 23:8-11

It is an amazing thing that for three and one half years Jesus had been teaching and performing miracles throughout Galilee and Herod had not availed himself of the opportunity to see Him not one time. Herod obviously was not among the people who he was supposing to be serving but had isolated himself and surrounded himself with those who would do his beckoning. Now away from the crowds Herod wanted his own private showing of the signs that Jesus could perform.

Jesus refused to participate in the sham masquerading as interest in the abilities of one claimed to be the Son of God. He did not respond to the questions thrown at Him or the continual barrage of accusations from the religious leaders, who may have thought they could get further with Herod than they had with Pilate. Since Jesus would not answer Herod could not condemn the man anymore than the Jews themselves. He was limited in the punishments he could carry out. Given the opportunity Herod and his men mocked Jesus put a purple robe on Him and sent Him back to Pilate.

1. What does Luke’s words say about Herod? (He had not taken the time nor was he inclined to get out among the people to whom Jesus was ministering.)

2. What does it say about his leadership?

3. What did he want Jesus to do for him? (Put on a side show to amuse him.)

4. What do you think of the way Jesus handled the situation?

5. What lesson can we learn from His actions?

6. Why did Herod send Jesus back to Pilate? (He could not find any reason to condemn Jesus.)

Luke 23:12

Herod and Pilate were in agreement. Jesus had done nothing to deserve death. Pilate saw in Herod an ally who given the opportunity did not undermine his leadership. For that reason two evil men became good friends from that point on.

1. About what were Herod and Pilate in agreement?

2. How could Herod have used the opportunity to disgrace Pilate?

3. In what ways were these two men alike? (Both evil, power hungry politicians.)

4. What sealed the friendship of those two men?

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Luke 23:13-17

It was critical for Jesus to be returned to Pilate. His own words indicated that He would be turned over to the Gentiles. (See Matthew 20:10; Mark 10:33; Luke 18:32) Pilate turned the tables on the religious leaders accusing them of making false assertions against Jesus. He was in the mind of Pilate not guilty of inciting insurrection. Even Herod agree to the innocence of Jesus having sent Him back to Pilate. It was Pilate’s intention to have Him scourged and then released.

1. Was it important for Jesus to be sent back to Pilate? (Scripture is very clear that Jesus would be executed by Gentiles. Herod was a descendant of Abraham although not of Jacob, therefore he would be seen as a Jew.)

2. What positive characteristics do you see in Pilate at this point?

3. How did he turn the tables on the Jews?

4. What gave Pilate the confidence to free Jesus? (Herod was in agreement with Pilate.)

5. What attempt was he going to take to pacify the Jews? (Scourge Him.)

Luke 23:18-22

Nothing was to satisfy the Jews short of the death of Jesus. They began to use one of Pilate’s ploys against him. He had begun the practice of releasing one of the political prisoners held by the Romans. They began to cry out for Barabbas who had been arrested for insurrection and murder. It is clear they were backing the governor into a corner from which he would not be able to escape without giving in to their commands. The release of a prisoner was begun to appease the Jews after Pilate had killed a number of them indiscriminately.

Pilate continued to attempt to turn Jesus loose. He could not understand how much hatred was being exhibited towards a man who he knew to be innocent. Once again he promised to punish Jesus hoping that it would satisfy their thirst for blood.

1. What was the state of the minds of the Jews?

2. What had happened to them at that point? (They had taken on a mob mentality where all rational thinking no longer prevailed.)

3. What did Pilate try to show them? (That all of their accusations were false and Jesus did not deserve the punishment they sought.)

4. When have you been caught up in a situation that took on a mob mentality?

5. How can you keep from getting caught in such an evil practice?

Luke 23:23-25

The voices raised in opposition became too strong for Pilate. He finally saw that the situation was getting out of hand and a riot may result as more and more joined in on the call for His death. Finally, he gave the answer they were seeking and pronounced the death penalty. The final blow came with the release of Barabbas. Luke wrote that Jesus was “delivered Jesus to their will.” In other words the evil plan of the Jews was endorsed by Pilate because of fear for his own political future. From that point on nothing more is heard of the man. He had served his purpose. Unwillingly he had fulfilled prophecy as was Judas.

1. Why is it that people give into the demands of those who are loud?

2. Why did Pilate allow himself to be intimidated by those individuals? (Their outcries may have

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been a prelude to riots that would have ended Pilate’s career.)

3. What was evidence that the crowd had prevailed? (Barabbas was released.)

4. Why did the word of God no longer mention Pilate? (He had served his purpose.)

5. What was his final act? (He turned Jesus over to His accusers.)

• Always be careful to never take part in gossip that can destroy the life or reputation of others.

• Always be prepared to testify for Jesus in the face of strong opposition.

• Look to Jesus as an example when you are accused of things that are not true.

• Watch out for those who declare themselves religious but then act like the world.

• Learn to love Christ more than you love your own life.

There is a series of fantastic books written a number of years ago by Lee Strobel. Each began with the title “A Case for.” He then went on to build a case for Christ, the Creator, Christmas, Faith and Easter and more. This is to be our purpose in the kingdom of God. If we spend our time promoting The Father, Son and Holy Spirit there will be little time to be involved in the controversies that infiltrate the Church. To know Christ in that way will keep us focused on what is important in our lives and gossip and starting rumors certainly are not part of what we are to be. In our lesson today we have seen how one little group of men through sheer determination was able to change the mind of a tough Roman governor which led to the condemnation of Jesus. Let us not forget how powerful words are. They can either be used for good or to bring about evil. Let it not be said about us that our words brought division in the church or to reflect badly on the name of Jesus.

Lesson 62

On Trial

Luke 22:54-70

One of the challenges all of us face at times is trying to explain something to a person and you just get them to understand what you are trying to say. I guess even worse than that scenario is trying to share with others who reject everything you are trying to tell them. I have reached a point in my life where I have decided the best offense is sometimes total silence. I have found myself in situations in which to try to defend myself would only escalate the intensity of the problem. One such incident occurred when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. At the same time the people in the Finance Office where I worked were in the process of learning a new purchasing software. There was one part of the program which I was hoping was going to make our job easier. The more I worked with it the more I realized that it was not doing what the company who had developed the software claimed it would do. I expressed my sentiments to the vendor representative, in what I considered an honest evaluation of the product. He promptly went to my management and told them I had hurt his feelings. Of course I was called on the carpet. When I realized it was a stacked meeting I chose not to present my side of the argument but to agree with them to go sit in the corner of my office and be a good boy. Nothing was to be gained by further discussion.

One other instance stands out in my mind. Once when I was working with the youth, three or four of us went out to visit in the home of a teenager who had not attended Sunday School in a while. While we were talking with the young man his father came out on the porch. Somehow the discussion turned to his spiritual condition. In my stumbling way I tried to witness to him only to be embarrassed by his answers to the questions asked him. He basically claimed to have never sinned. According to him he had never told a lie or stolen anything and the conversation went down hill from there. Sadly, the young man did not come back to church. The influence and attitude of his misguided dad must have made a lasting impression on him. For me it was frustrating because I knew the man was taking advantage of my lack of knowledge and I had no answer for him.

The church is facing the same kind of challenges today. It is more difficult than ever to witness for Christ. Once upon a time the general population trusted the word of God and accepted it as reliable source of the truth even they may have not attended Church. Many today do not believe the Scriptures are accurate at best or totally disregard it as having any value for society. Society therefore is drifting further and further away from the truth and has now set the church aside as irrelevant. With no basis upon which to begin conversations Christians face an uphill, but not impossible task of bringing people to the realization of there need for Christ. It is more important than ever for us to be prepared to answer the questions presented by the skeptics and out enemies of the Christianity. Remember we are in the race for the long haul and have to accept temporary roadblocks along the way. Jesus was about to face the next step in His march to the cross. The decision made in the Garden of Gethsemane would give Him the courage to proceed.

Before beginning I want to clarify what will be in the lesson. All four gospels provide the same basic structure while presenting the material in a different way. Hours could be spent in cross referencing and comparing them. We will cover the account given by Luke with a minimal number of references to the other accounts.

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Luke 22:54

With the disciples gone Jesus was all alone when those sent to find Him arrested Him. Luke wrote that He was taken to the home of the high priest. John inserted the information that before being taken to Caiaphas, Jesus was carried to the home of Annas. (John 18:13) Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas and the true power behind the high priests. In collaboration with the Romans he determined who would step into the role of high priest. Once He had been interrogated by Annas He was then led to the home of Caiaphas. Luke mentioned that Peter had not completed left the scene but was close enough that once Jesus was arrested he was able to follow at a distance. From Luke’s account it appeared that only Peter followed Jesus. In John 18:14 John wrote that the disciple whom Jesus loved, usually understood as John, was with him. He, because the high priest knew him, was able to gain entry for Peter into the courtyard.

1. Why was Jesus led to the home of Annas? (In all likelihood he would be the one who would determine the final outcome of the trial. No one would have bucked him because he was the true power in the sect of the Sadducees from which the high priest came.)

2. What other important piece of information do we need to know about Annas? (He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas and would have great influence over his son-in-law.)

3. Who were the disciples who actually followed Jesus from a distance?

4. What does that say about them?

5. What bold step did the two take according to John?

Luke 22:55

This may seem like an insignificant verse but for Peter it would become a defining moment. The men who had arrested Jesus were all in the courtyard to make sure that He did not escape and to see how the trial would turn out. Although Peter was there to be close to Jesus, he also wanted to learn the fate of His beloved leader and Lord. For all of the criticism of Peter’s pending failure, he was there in the midst of the enemies of Jesus. The man who had walked on water had walked into the most dangerous place for a follower of Jesus at that time.

1. What does this verse say about Peter?

2. Why was he and John there?

3. What do you think of the choice of these two men to go into the courtyard?

4. Why were the other people there?

5. What has been a difficult situation in which you have chosen to involve yourself?

6. How have you handled those times?

Luke 22:56-60

The time of which Jesus spoke began to occur for Peter. There were three accusations and three denials. They are:

• Servant girl in the light of the fire identified him as having been with Jesus. Peter denied it.

• Another person saw him and accused him of being as one of the disciples. Once again he denied being a disciple.

• Finally another man made a stronger assertion of Peter’s identity. He stated that Peter had been with Jesus and was a Galilean. Peter final denial was more vehement than these previous two.

At the moment Peter spoke his last denial, the rooster crowed just as Jesus had prophesied. One other

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needs to be made. Although Luke gives the impression that the language was very strong, Matthew and Mark said that Peter actually cursed as he deny Jesus. For a short period of time he reverted to the old rough fisherman mentality.

1. What do the denials say about Peter?

2. In what ways were the description presented by Luke different than Matthew and Mark? (They wrote that Peter cursed as part of his defense.)

3. How do you react when put under a lot of pressure?

4. How easy do you find it to revert to your pre-believer life?

5. How could the whole scenario been avoided? (Not to have put himself in a volatile environment.

6. What lesson can we learn from this event? (Be careful about placing yourself in a tenuous situation.

Luke 22:61

One can only imagine the sadness and pathos to be found in the look that Jesus gave Peter. Even though Peter had done just as Jesus had prophesied it still must have hurt Jesus deeply that His friend had succumbed to the pressure of the moment. It only took the look for Peter to remember the words of Jesus only hours earlier. He also had to think about his own words in which he assured Jesus that nothing would keep him from dying with Him.

1. What kind of feelings had to be in the look that Jesus gave to Peter?

2. What did Peter see in that look? (Sadness and possibly disappointment?

3. What else did Peter experience when Jesus looked at him? (Remembrance)

4. What has been a time when you would have been ashamed to have Jesus look at your heart?

5. How often do we give in to the pressure of the moment and deny our relationship with Christ?

6. To what lengths had Peter promised to go for Jesus?

7. What have you promised that you have failed to practice?

Luke 22:62

Peter responded by leaving the courtyard and went from there and weeped bitterly. His heart was broken because he had failed and disappointed His master. He would not have another opportunity before the death of Jesus to make amends.

1. What did Peter realize at the moment Jesus looked at him?

2. How did he respond?

3. What did weeping bitterly show about Peter? (A broken and contrite heart who repented of his actions.)

4. What are some things that you have said or done that you wish you could take back?

5. What have you done about them?

6. What did repentance provide for Peter? (Started him on the road of recovery and new opportunities to serve His Lord.)

Luke 22:63-65

At that point the illegal trial of Jesus began. He first of all was turned over to those who had been part of the group that arrested Him. They began to abuse Him with beatings and mocking Him. All this was

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done after they had blindfolded Him. Luke then wrote that they began to blaspheme as they ridiculed Him. This type of interrogation would be called softening up a person for what was to come. By this time Jesus had been up for at least twenty-four hours and would have been physically worn out.

1. Why would the men enjoy the treatment they were giving to Jesus? (He had been a thorn in their flesh.)

2. How did they treat Him?

3. What did it mean to blaspheme Jesus?

4. In what way did the mob mentality play a part in Jesus’ trial?

5. Who gave the orders for Jesus to be mistreated as He was?

6. What happens we are in a weakened condition?

Luke 22:66-68

The Sanhedrin made up of the chief priests and scribes then continued the illegal trial. It was illegal because trials were not supposed to take place at night which it did. Secondly, a person could not be condemned to death until twenty-four hours had elapsed. Jesus never faced His most powerful adversary. It is obvious that they had no grounds for arresting Him or put Him on trial. They were still looking for evidence to prove Him guilty. He was asked to admit that He was the Christ. To answer the question would have played right into their hands. If He did answer He would actually have placed a dilemma before them. They would have to accept an acknowledgment and believe in Him or reject Him as they had up to that point.

1. Why was the trial illegal?

2. Who made up the judge and jury?

3. What were they trying to get Jesus to do? (Condemn Himself.)

4. Did they really want Him to admit He was the Christ? Why or why not?

5. What dilemma would His answer have caused for the members of the Sanhedrin? (They would then have to either accept Him or continue to reject Him to their own destruction.)

Luke 22:69-70

Unlike Peter, Jesus could not deny who He was. He used one of His favorite titles to describe Himself. Going back to Daniel 7:13 it says one like the Son of Man approached the Ancient of Days. The religious leaders would have recognized that by using the title Jesus was claiming to being the Messiah.

Jesus then added to it by saying that He “will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” To clarify His answer, they to know if He considered Himself the Son of God. This time He was very direct and clear. He answer was, “Yes, I am” Even that would have been a claim to be the “I am.”

1. What could have been the response of Jesus? (Not to answer at all.)

2. What did He mean by using the title, “Son of Man?” (It was a title representing the Messiah found in Daniel 7:13. It was also used a number of times in Ezekiel to speak of one who represents God before the people.)

3. Why did He add the phrase, “Seated at the right hand of the power of God?” (It confirmed His claim to be Son of God.)

4. Again what dilemma did this present for the religious leaders? (How were they going to react to the claim?)

5. What does this mean to you for Jesus to make such a bold statement?

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6. How do you respond to it?

7. What kind of confidence does it give you when witnessing to others? (Jesus saw Himself as the fulfillment of prophecy.)

Luke 22:71

The question has been asked how would the men respond to the statement of Jesus. Luke very quickly gives the answer. They immediately declared Him guilty of blasphemy using Jesus’ own words to condemn Him. The question then became what were they going to be able to do with the man. Their problem was that even though they had the authority to execute a person for blasphemy to attempt to kill Jesus would have caused an uprising if not an outright revolt on the part of the people. Remember the entire arrest and trial had been carried out at night to keep the people from knowing what was going on.

1. The Sanhedrin had the verdict of guilt but what good did it do them? (Nothing at that point. It only convinced them even more that the troublemaker had to die.)

2. What was their problem? (To execute Jesus would have caused an outright revolt on the part of the people who loved and respected Jesus.)

3. What rights did they have? (To execute anyone accused of blasphemy but not Jesus.)

4. Why had the trial been held at night? (To do it out public view.)

• You must learn that not every place you go will be a Christian friendly environment so determine what your behavior will be.

• Learn that sometimes the best policy is to not share your opinions

• Understand that it is possible that your most trusted friend may fail you

• Be ready to forgive those who wrong you.

• Look at the two men who failed Jesus and realize that for every sin there is forgiveness if you are willing to confess and repent the sin.

• Be bold in your witness when asked about your relationship with christ.

• Be willing to accept the persecution or ridicule that comes with your commitment to Jesus.

The skeptics forget that the church is a place for sick people who are in different stages of healing. Jesus understood that that the spirit is willing but the body is weak. Thankfully for all of us patients He has the healing power to make us well. It begins with acceptance of each of us through grace as we admit our sinfulness and seek His forgiveness. Sadly there are those who are like the Sanhedrin who will never accept the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. They will do everything in their power to undermine everything the Church teaches.

We are to look to Jesus who was willing to face His adversaries with courage and humility. He let them have their day knowing the victory that was to come for the Peter’s of the world. He gave us the example of how to deal with the critics of Christianity. There was no arrogance or belligerence in facing his enemies only deep hurt for those who were so defiant. We are to be wise in our own encounters with the church’s critics. Let us to nothing to give any ammunition to accuse us.

Lesson 61

Dark Night of the Soul

Luke 22:39-53

There is a phrase that has been around since the sixteenth century. It was in a poem by St. John of the Cross. It first had to do with the struggle one goes through in his search for salvation. It now can mean any kind of situation that produces anguish for the one going through it. There have been two periods in my life that brought about great turmoil that did not seem would ever end. One of those instances had to do with a job situation. The company for whom I was working decided to let me go but kept me on for about six months. I even trained my successor and was moved to a different position in the organization which eventually led me into a job in Purchasing. At the time I was waiting almost daily for the axe to fall I was diligently praying for a something to come my way which would allow me to support my family. It seemed that the job market for people in purchasing and materials handling were none existent. The stress I felt was almost unbearable. I prayed to God to provide any kind of job and I would do it. It was as if God had stop listening to my pleas. What I could not know was their would be a position at the Foreign Mission Board opening up in a few months. While I did not think God was listening there were events taking place that would finally lead me to the FMB. I can tell you those were a long six months. God does not desert His children she just allows them to go through trials that will strengthen their faith. I give God all of the credit for the way He worked out the details when I could see beyond my hopeless situation.

Churches sometimes must go though a time of testing. It is often painful to see the people with whom you have worshipped and studied drift apart over differences of opinion. When the church begins to come apart at the seams one begins to wonder if God is working in the hearts of the people. People who have been friends for years no long speak to each other and many even leave the church with bitterness in their souls. God does not seem to be with the church because we become so focused on our own agenda that we do cannot see the direction God intended for the body to take. The struggle can do one of two things. The church can be completely destroyed or becomes stronger through adversity. Sadly, sometimes for a church to survive and grow there has to be a purifying process which means that it will have to take on a different look than it had prior to the work that God does in its midst to make it a viable dynamic fellowship again.

Luke 22:39-40

For a more detailed description of the last night of Jesus’ life read John 13-18. As was His custom Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives after the Lord’s supper. That action showed that He was not attempting to hide from the officials or Judas. He knew that Judas was familiar with His pattern and would know where to lead the Sanhedrin’s representatives. The disciples minus Judas followed Him there. Only Jesus knew what was about to happen shortly. He had one more command for them which again they could not understand at that moment. They were to be careful not to succumb to the challenges that were to face them in the next few days and lose faith or to act in a way that would reflect badly on Jesus in any way. It would have been so easy considering the pressures that were to come to turn their back on Jesus and His teachings.

1. Why did Jesus return to the Mount of Olives? (It was His custom to do so each night. Judas would also know of the place.)

2. Why did the disciples follow Him? (They were accustomed to following Him everywhere.)

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2. What did Jesus mean by commanding that they not allow themselves to fall into temptation?

   (The things they were about to face could easily turn them away from Jesus.)

3. What are some of the things that have tested your faith?

4. How have you handled them?

5. Why is it important to pray when faced with the challenges this world throws at you?

6. Why is it important to obey the commands of Jesus found in God’s word.)

7. What would have been the easiest thing for Jesus to have done? (Instead of going to the Mount of Olives just to head north back to Galilee.)

8. What lesson can we learn from His actions?

Luke 22:41-44

Luke leaves out the command for the disciples to stay put, keep watch and pray. Having left the other disciples He had Peter, James and John go with Him further into the Garden of Gethsemane. In His greatest of testing He wanted those closest to Him to be with Him for encouragement. He then left the three and went even further. The testing that was at hand had to be met head on alone. His words were not ones of disobedience. No man looks forward to the kind of mental and spiritual agony and the pain of death that Jesus was about to face. His cry to His Father was not to escape but to explore the possibility of accomplishing the purpose for which He had come. Knowing that there was only one way Jesus accepted His role in the redemption of man. That night was a time of deep anguish. His prayers were so fervent that He need the ministry of the angels to strengthen Him. He felt so deeply that He actually began to sweat drops of blood. This is a rare condition called Hematidrosis.

1. What did Jesus command the disciples to stay alert? (One reason would have been for their own protection when the soldiers came.)

2. Why did He choose Peter, James and John to go with Him?

3. What does the prayer of Jesus say to you? (Even for Jesus it was difficult to face the horrible things that were going to happen to Him. Not many people would willingly face the pain and suffering that He was going to experience?

4. What does the phrase “Not my will but yours” say to you?

5. When have you willingly submitted to God’s will even though it meant suffering for you?

6. Has there ever been a time when you have agonized over an issue in your life? When was the occasion?

7. What encouragement do you see in the account of the Garden of Gethsemane? (The angels came to minister to Jesus in His hour of need. He would need all the strength that He had to go through the events of the next day.)

Luke 22:45-46

Luke only mentioned one occasion when Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. In Matthew when He came to them the first time He spoke specifically to Peter. Peter had been the one who had boldly pronounced his total allegiance to Jesus. He had stated that he was willing to die with and for Him. Jesus words had to cut to the very soul of Peter. He was asked, “So you men could not keep watch with Me one hour?” In Luke Jesus said to them on the final trip back to them, “Why are you sleeping?” He then repeated the admonish for them to, “Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

1. Why does Luke only mention Jesus returning to the disciples one time while Matthew and Mark

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speak of three occasions? (Luke gave a summary of the Garden experience. The last visit was

the one that led up to the arrest of Jesus.)

1. In Matthew why did Jesus speak specifically to Peter? (He had made such bold claims but was not follow through. In fact in Matthew Jesus identifies the condition of mankind. “He said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41)

2. When have been occasions when you have boasted but have not followed through?

3. What does those instances say about you?

4. What do you feel for the men?

5. What do you feel for what Jesus must have felt at that moment?

Luke 22:47

The time for teaching was ended. Jesus had no sooner finished admonishing his disciples for their lack of concern for His situation when the crowd from the high priest arrived. Along with them was Judas. He knew where to find Jesus because he had been there with Him a number of times that week. As He approached Jesus he used the prearranged signal by giving Him a kiss. What was supposed to a greeting of friendship was given to betray Jesus. There was one other time in the Scripture when a kiss was used by one who meant to inflict harm to another person. In 2 Samuel Joab kissed his cousin Amasa and then murdered him. (2 Samuel 20:9) The signal would be needed to identify Jesus in the dark.

1. In what ways had Jesus’ words come to fruition? (The enemies of His ministry had come to arrest Him.)

2. How did Judas know where to find Jesus?

3. What is your reaction to a man that would be so brazen as Judas?

4. What can the rationale be for betraying someone who has your best interest at heart?

5. In what way is the actions of Judas and Joab the same? (They each acted to promote their own self interest.)

Luke 22:48

Once again Jesus reached out to Judas trying to pull him back from the destructive path he was taking. With the kiss Judas broke the final connection with Jesus and had turned his back on God. In a way Jesus wanted Judas to take a deep look within to see what had brought him to the point of betrayal. How could anything in this world be so important that he would turn his back on the Lord. At that point Judas disappear into the crowd. His work had been done. He will only be mentioned once again as he tries to return the money and then kills himself.

1. What was Jesus trying to do by asking Judas the pointed question? (Pull him back from the destructive path he was taking.)

2. What was the destructive path that he was on?

3. What happened to Judas after the infamous kiss?

4. What drives a person to turn his back on God?

5. In what ways have you allowed your own agenda to replace the calling of God on your life?

6. What have you done for those who you see drifting away from God?

7. Why are so many young people turning their backs on the church in today’s world?

Luke 22:49-50-51

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Misguided as the approached may have been the disciples suddenly came to life and wanted to protect their leader. Peter even went so far as to lash out with one of the two swords and cut off the ear of a

slave of the high priest. John gives his name. He was Malchus. Peter’s action may have been partly to save face after he had fallen to sleep and not been watchful while Jesus prayed in agony. No one can be sure what the men hoped to accomplish with one sword against an armed mob who would not be deterred from their mission to bring Jesus to the high priest. To stop the madness Jesus performed His final miracle by healing the slaves’ ear.

1. What some things that you have done on the spur of the moment that you regretted later on?

2. What did the disciples hope to accomplish?

3. What could have been the consequences of their actions? (All of them could have been killed including Jesus. That would have thwarted God’s plan for the salvation of man.)

4. What do we do that sometimes hinders God’s plan for a person’s life.?

5. What did Jesus do to stop the madness of the disciples?

Luke 22:52-53

Jesus then turned His attention to those sent to arrest Him. Although not mentioned in Luke, in all likelihood the disciples would have deserted Him by that time, just He said they would. See Matthew 26:31 and John 16:32. Their actions were also prophesied in Zechariah 13:7. The men who came to arrest Him were a very diverse group consisting of chief priests, Temple guards and elders. These were men of stature in the political system who wanted to make sure that the task was carried out successfully. Jesus asked a rhetorical question of the men. He basically was saying, why now, why such a show of force, why not when I was teaching everyday in the Temple. Of course He knew the answer. It was God’s timing for one thing. The other reason was the Jews did not have the power to execute Him and they were afraid of the people. That was the reason they came for Him at night. Looking a the circumstances from a narrow point of view their evil scheme seemed to be working. It was fitting that those fulfilling the work of the devil would do under the cover of darkness. They were afraid to carry out their plans in broad daylight because Jesus was loved by the people.

1. Why did Jesus turn His attention to those who had come out to arrest Him?

2. Where the disciples at that point?

3. Why was the contingent sent to arrest Him made up of men of some stature in the community

4. What stinging questions did Jesus have for the group of men?

5. In what way was the first question a rhetorical one? (Both He and the crowd knew the answer.)

6. What did He mean by the statement, “This hour and the power of darkness are yours?” (They were there to carry out the plans of those aligned with the devil.)

7. What does the situation look like at that moment? (The powers of darkness were winning and had achieved their goal.)

8. In your own life when has it appeared that the enemy has had the upper hand?

9. How did you react to those circumstances?

• You will face those difficult times in your life when it does not even seem that God is answering your prayers.

• Remember that even during those times that God is with you giving you the strength deal with all of life’s situations.

• If you do not already know it that no matter how close you are to someone they will inevitably fail you at some point.

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• One of the things that the Bible emphasizes is constant prayer. Remember that even in the most critical point in His life Jesus saw the need to bring everything to His Father.

• Learn how weak the body is even when the spirit is willing to serve God. Just look at the examples of the disciples on that last night.

• Use godly wisdom in making decisions. Rash choices will have devastating consequences.

The greatest enemy of the church is that which comes from within. The Bible continually warns of those who are false prophets and wolves who somehow make their way to the Body of Christ. We need to be vigilant in making sure that those individuals do not destroy the work of the Church. Examples are those who constantly criticize what is being done. Others use rumors and gospel to divide Christians. We are called to stay alert and watch for the enemy is near. Our focus is to always on Christ and His teachings. As I have said many times God’s Word is to be our guide. Recently, I have read of the fact that many young people are leaving the church because they do not see it as relevant in their lives. They are looking for positive and powerful truth from God’s word and are not finding it where they are. Let us make sure that we do not let them walk out into the darkness because of letting them sleep walk through their time in our watchcare.

Lesson 60

Remembering

Luke 22:1-38

This time of year seems to be a time for remembering. Some events are a matter of being on the calendar at a certain time every year. There is Easter, then Mother’s Day followed in June by Father’s Day. Of course for many young people Graduation Day is an important event that will lead either to beginning of work or off to college to prepare for the future. June also happens to be the month of the year when so many weddings take place. I remember mine quite well, I better have. I particular enjoy springtime because the whole world seems to come into full bloom giving us thoughts of new beginnings.

Others occur when one leasts expects them or that take special planning. They leave an indelible mark on our lives. It is those once in a lifetime events that leave a lasting impression. The details of the birth of our three sons and our grandchildren can brought to my mind’s eye at anytime. Of course the first thing that we do is to count fingers and toes.

Some of my fondest memories revolving around springtime occurred when I was a young person living in North Carolina. Folks living in Norfolk, Va may dispute what I am going to say but it seemed to me that there could never be as many azaleas in one city as there were in Wilmington, NC and its suburbs. Nostalgia never matches reality but to be there in those days was a very special time. I know that we cannot live in the past but it is fun to remember.

While it is good to remember it is also important for me not to live in the past. All that has gone on before is or should have been preparation for the future. I have come to learn that I am leave today doing those things for which God has equipped me. It has been an interesting journey so far. I look forward to what God is going to do for the rest of my life. No living on past accomplishments there too many things that lie ahead to be done.

One of the greatest failure of churches is living in the past. Churches that were once considered cutting edge and successful have been overtaken by time. Members only remember the past and do not plan for the future. I have said before that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. From that perspective we have to look to the future to continue what they began. Paul in Colossians talked of filling up the work of Christ. The ability to remember means at least we have the present. To attempt to hold onto the past or even the present paralyzes from accomplishing anything of value in the future. All of the writings in the Bible were pointing to Someone. When Jesus came He pointed His disciples to the days beyond His earthly ministry. See John 17. Our lesson for today is that what occurred almost two thousand years ago is a night to be remembered.

Luke 22:1-2

The die had been cast. The religious leaders had determined that Jesus was to die. They just had not figured out the would carry it out. They needed to do it in a way that did not provoke the wrath of the people. Therefore it had be carried out discreetly. It is interesting that they would want to execute Him at the time of the Passover.

It is obvious from Luke’s description that he was writing to Gentiles. While the Jews would understand

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that the Passover and the Feast of Unleaven Bread were in reality two different events. The Passover

would have occurred on Nissan 14 (Late March to end of April) Passover was a night of salvation of the Jews when all of the first born of the Egyptians were killed and the Jews were spared. The Feast of the Unleaven Bread came about because the Jews left Egypt in such a hurry that the dough did not have time for the leaven to take affect. The Jews therefore had to eat unleaven bread after their departure. Remembrance of the event became a seven day event still celebrated by the Jews today.

1. What had the religious leaders decided?

2. What does the fact that Jesus was to die at that important time of year signify? (He was the Passover Lamb for all of us.)

3. What occurred to started the continual celebration of the unleaven bread?

4. What does Passover mean to the Jew? (Celebration of the night the angel passed over the homes of the Jews that had been marked by Jews with blood on the door frames of their houses.)

Luke 22:3-6

The opportunity they had been seeking came through one of Jesus’ disciples. Judas came to the religious leaders with a proposition. He would turn Jesus over to them in exchange for money. They agreed on the amount of 30 pieces of silver. See Zechariah 11:12 where this act was prophesied. Luke only wrote that “ Satan had entered into Judas.” The real reason that he agreed to betray Him was that Jesus was not bringing about the insurrection Judas desired to rid the nation of the hated Romans. Some have said that his actions were to provoke Jesus to do what Judas wanted Him to do. Little did he know that all of this had been told long before in the Old Testament.

1. How did this act of Judas make it easier for the religious leaders to capture Jesus? (Judas knew the pattern of Jesus’ behavior and where He might be taken without a lot of disturbance.)

2. Why did Judas decide to betray Jesus? (He succumbed to the will of Satan. Jesus was not carrying out the plans of restoring to nation of Israel to its rightful place in the world.)

3. What is the importance of the thirty pieces of silver? (It was the amount prophesied about in Zechariah.)

4. Why would Jesus not be forced into doing what Judas wanted?

5. In what ways do we attempt to get Jesus to things the way we want them done?

Luke 22:7-13

The day when the Passover lamb was to be eaten came. This would be Thursday of Passion Week. Jesus was not about to leave anything to chance. With the number of people in Jerusalem for the feast He wanted to make sure there was a place for Him to meet with His disciples. He had made arrangements with a family Jerusalem to eat the Passover meal in their home. John and Peter were sent with the instructions to look for a man carrying a water pot. Since men did not fetch the water for the family he would definitely stand out from all of the other men. They were to follow that man and prepare the meal in the upper room of his home. Of course they found everything just as Jesus had described to them.

1. Why did Jesus not leave anything to chance in regard to the Passover meal? (It was to be an extremely important evening that He was to spend with His disciples.)

2. Why did He send Peter and John? (They were two of His most trusted disciples.)

3. Why does Luke not give more details about the preparation? (Once again we need to remember

   that he was writing to Gentiles who would not understand what all the different parts of the meal ment.)

4. How would they know where to go to prepare the meal?

5. Why would the man be easily recognizable?

6. What kind of instructions might we give today for directions?

7. What would indicate that the man was not a complete stranger to Jesus? (He was willing to open his home for the celebration.)

Luke 22:14-16

Immediately Luke indicates why Jesus went to such great lengths to make sure that a place be made available. After He arrived with the other disciples they all reclined in the custom of the middle east.

He explained to them that He wanted to share the meal with them because it would be His last on this earth. The next meal in which He will participate with the disciples is in heaven at the everything has been brought ot completion. This would also be the last teaching opportunity He would have with them before His death and resurrection.

1. What would indicate that Jesus had planned ahead for that night? (He knew exactly where to go?

2. What did it mean to recline at the table? (They lay on their sides with the feet extended away from the table.)

3. What would their reaction have been to His words? (We are not told but we can imagine it would have been one of shock and dismay.)

4. How was reality beginning to hit them?

5. What else did Jesus want to do that night besides tell them of His coming death? (It was His last teaching opportunity. See John 13-17 for details of what occurred at the supper.

Luke 22:17-18

The first cup mentioned was a regular part of the Passover Meal. Again Jesus added significance to it when He indicated that no longer would participate in the things of this earth but only when kingdom of God as come.

1. What is the significance of the first cup? (It was part of the Passover Meal?

2. What did Jesus mean by not participating in the drinking of the cup? (His time for departure from the earth of preeminent.)

Luke 22:19-20

With His next actions He instituted one of the two ordinances of the church, the Lord’s Supper. The other of course is baptism. He first took the unleaven bread and broke it and gave thanks. He then passed it among them to eat and said, “This is My body which I given to you; do this in remembrance of Me. After He had passed the bread He took another cup of wine and passed it among them to share. Once again He spoke words of prophecy and hope. They were to understand that the cup represented the new covenant that would come as a result of the shedding of His blood.

1. What are the two ordinances we celebrate in the Baptist Church?

2. Why do we celebrate the Lord’s Supper? (In remembrance of the sacrifice He made for us.)

3. What did the bread represent?

4. What does the wine represent?

5. Who should partake of the Lord’s Supper? (Those who believe that Jesus gave His body for us and shed His blood on the cross for our sins.)

Luke 22:21-23

Jesus then dropped the bombshell on them that they could not have anticipated. There was a traitor among them who was part of the fellowship they had experienced for over three years. Judas had so hidden his true identity that no one would have expected him to betray the Lord. The most disturbing part of the statement Jesus made was the fact that everyone of them wanted to make sure it was not them. (See Matthew 26:22-25) Their conversation seems to say that they could not trust any of the others around the table. Each man could have easily pointed his finger of accusation at any other man.

1. What was so disturbing about Jesus remark concerning His betrayer? (They thought they knew the other men?

2. How was Judas able to hide his true identity? (A man of hypocrisy can fool others but not the Lord?

3. What did the fact that they each asked whether it was him say about them? (If one could betray Him what were they capable of doing?)

4. What did the statement cause to take place? (Doubting of the others of the fellowship.)

5. Why did Jesus not openly name the man? (There was a good possibility he may not have made it out of the room alive. What Judas was going to do did not fit their agenda. For that fact nor had any of the words of Jesus done so either.)

6. How would you respond to the words of Jesus?

7. In what ways do you deny a true relationship with Him?

8. In what ways do you point your finger at someone else’s faults and not look at yourself?

Luke 22:24-27

It is hard to imagine that while Jesus was preparing them for His departure that they would be discussing who was the greatest among them. Jesus quickly squelch the conversation by telling them they are now to be like the Gentiles who lord it over others. In His kingdom the culture was to be turned completely upside down. To be great was to be the least and a servant among the group. In the eyes of the world the person who is invited to a meal and sits at the table is greater than the servant who takes care of the needs of others. Jesus said that they were to be like Him. He was the servant serving at the table.

1. How could the disciples begin arguing with each other about their statuses?

2. What was the point that they did not hear? (Jesus was about to leave them and all of their big ideas would be for naught?

3. In the economy of God who is great?

4. Why is that so? (Those who serve are those who are humble.)

5. What is wrong with the way the Gentiles relate to each other? (It is all built on position and power.)

Luke 22:28-30

Other than Judas all of the disciples had given up much to follow Jesus even when the religious leaders

were speaking out against Him. His next comment may have seemed confusing to them. He was not talking about an earthly kingdom where men were in control but the true kingdom of God that was to be ushered in by His death and resurrection. Those who stayed true to Him would sit down with Him as guests at His table. Along with that privilege would come the responsibility of judging the people of Israel.

1. How had His disciples shown their loyalty to Jesus?

2. What were the trials about which He spoke?

3. Where was the new kingdom going to be established?

4. What clues are we given that those events are still out in the future? (The responsibilities they were going to be given are only possible when a new order has been established.)

5. When can we expect for the new kingdom to be ushered in? (We do not and are not supposed to know.)

Luke 22:31-34

The near term future was going to be a rough one for Peter. God was going to allow him to be tested by the devil in a way that had never happened before in his life. It would take the prayers of Jesus to keep Peter from being completely lost. Once the testing time was complete Jesus encouraged him knowing that he would repent and be forgiven. He was then to provide spiritual leadership to the church. Peter must have understood that the testing would cause him to desert and turn his back on Christ. For them the very thought of that happening would have been devastating. He therefore asserted in the strongest way he could told Jesus that he was going to be by His side no matter what the consequences were to be even to the point of death.

Jesus had to say to Peter you really do not know yourself. Peter was going to deny Him. Jesus knew the kind of man that Peter was but also the kind of man he would become. It was important for him to face the truth about himself in order to guide others through difficulties that were unimaginable at that moment. Jesus even gave him the specific details of his failure. He would deny Jesus three times then the rooster would crow. Discussion was finished on that subject.

1. Why did Jesus allow for Peter to be tested? (Peter did not realize his own weaknesses and needed to face them before he could be useful to Jesus.)

2. Why was the testing to be so harsh? (Nothing else would have gotten Peter’s attention.)

3. What were the encouraging words Jesus left with Peter? (He would triumph over sin and the devil.)

4. What types of testing do you believe you have faced?

5. Why was it important that you be allowed to go through a time of testing? (Determine our faithfulness and usefulness to Christ.)

6. What are the words of encouraging words that have kept you going through difficult times?

Luke 22:35-38

There was one last piece of instruction for the disciples before they entered into the Garden of Gethsemane. They were to face an entirely different world than the one they had experienced during the three and one half years with Jesus. Even when He had sent them out before and had told them to take nothing with them they were still within the Jewish culture who would have provided for their needs. Now after His departure which had been prophesied, they would face a hostile world. They

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would need to make provisions for their travels because they would not be welcomed into the places they were going. Jesus even told them that He was to be treated as a criminal in His death. (See Isaiah 53:12. His reference to the sword was meant to let them know that they would need to protect themselves in a hostile world not to attempt to change it with violence. The comment by the disciples showed they misunderstood. What was two swords against overwhelming odds. Jesus was pretty much saying the emphasis is not to be on the weapons but on the fact that they would find themselves in many different environments.

1. Why were the disciples able to travel previously without extra provisions? (They were among their own people.)

2. What was about to change? (They were going to places that would be hostile to them because they were bringing the word of God.)

3. What did Jesus mean by buying swords? (He was pointing out the dangers they would face. He certainly would not have meant that those few men could conquer the world through the tools of war.)

4. What can we expect as we go about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ?

5. What kind of tools have you been given?

6. What did Jesus mean by referring to Isaiah 53:12? (If the Jewish leaders viewed Him as a criminal then the disciples could expect the same kind of treatment in the future.)

7. What kind of expectations do you have of your reception from others?

8. How does that affect the way you witness?

• Approach the Lord’s Supper with an attitude of humility.

• Do not live in the past but remember what Christ has done for you.

• Understand that it is only by the shedding of blood and having His body nailed to the cross that you will have eternal life.

• Study God’s word so that when testing comes you will have the foundation to face the challenges head on.

• Look at your life to make sure that it is one that desires to serve Christ and not oneself.

• Remember that you live in a hostile world. Be prepared to face it in the name of Christ.

There would be no church today without the work that Jesus did on the cross. We are here to share what we are to remember of what God has done since the beginning of time. Unless we take seriously what the Bible has to tell us then many people will be lost. We are commanded to meditate on His word and hide it in our hearts. The Bible even tells us that the word of God never changes. It has been the same since the beginning of mankind and will continue out into eternity. That is the message the world needs to hear. We have a responsibility to make sure that it is shared.

In the time of Christ there were men who memorized the entire Old Testament. The vast majority of men knew the first five books by heart. Let them be our example. Most of us will never reach that point but there are certain key verses that mean a great deal to us that can be passed on to others. If the church is to survive then the good news will need to be passed onto future generations.

Lesson 59

Signs of His Coming

Luke 21:25-38

There are two different instances in Psalms that speak of the importance that comes from the teaching of the word of God. Verse 9 of Psalm 119 asked a question that has been at the heart of why I continue to teach. The Psalmist wants to know, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” For him it must have been a rhetorical question because he immediately addresses the issue by stating that kind of living can only come by, “keeping it according to Your word.” God’s word is to be the foundation for all we do. Most of us in our lifetime have depended on godly individuals along the way to point out that truth to us. Teaching God’s truths were so critical in the mind of Jesus that He spent His last days on earth teaching and teaching and teaching.

The second part of the Psalms that comes as a result of solid teaching is what the psalmist expresses next. He said, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts. (Psalm 119:97-100) He finished up that portion by saying, “How sweet are your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:103-104)

It may seen strange to use the idea of teaching when part of the text today talks of the signs of the last days. All of God’s word needs to be open to us in order to be instructed in right living, warned and encouraged as each of us face an uncertain future. I see the signs as a warning to us to prepare for what lies ahead. So many of us will search out what God is trying to tell us on our own. We may however listen to those who are willing to study and teach His word.

I am in the process of reading a book titled, “Already Gone” by Ken Ham. He writes that by the time young people reach college age that sixty percent of them have already left the church many to never return. His premise is that we have not given them the biblical foundation that will cause them to want to continue in the church. This is a huge responsibility to make sure that this does not occur where we worship. A great deal of work has to be done on the part of all of us to make sure this does not happen. A major part of this is the way that God’s word is taught to our young people. We need to ask what is it that we are or not doing to keep young people active. For all of christendom whatever we are doing has not worked. If we know the gospel of Jesus is the only answer to life then how are we presenting it to young people to turn them into life long committed followers of Christ.

Sadly, even as we see the days of Jesus’ earthly life coming to an end, there were many who still did not understand how their relationship with Him would impact their future. Because there were the sixty percent who would walk away then destruction was to come within their lifetime. Then because of man’s rejection there would come even greater judgment in the last days. It is the responsibility of the church to make sure that His message is presented to all who are able to hear with understanding.

Luke 21:25-26

Jesus had just finished laying out before the disciples what was going to happen to the Jews in the not too distant future because they chose to reject Him. He now turns to those events that will occur at the

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end of history. They describe just some of the horrible conditions that will take place during the seven

years of the great tribulation. For whatever reason Luke does not go into as much detail as the other gospels in describing the events to come. One possible explanation may have been his intended audience. Remember this account was addressed to Theophilus the Roman official. He would not have been familiar with prophecies that would be found in Daniel for example. What He described was devastating enough. Jesus spoke of the whole universe in upheaval. Revelation spoke of the sun shining for only a third of the day. One can just imagine the chaos this will cause. Not only will all of nature be in an upheaval but the uncertainty on earth will cause men to be fearful of the future. When the great depression hit in 1929, which is minor to what is to come, there were people who jumped out of windows as fortunes were lost overnight. The thought of not having the wealth to which they had become accustomed and the embarrassment they would face life was more than they could accept. Time will not allow us to cover in one session all that is prophesied in John’s account in Revelation and the narrative of Daniel.

1. Why did Jesus share what was going to happen in the distant future? (All mankind would be warned of what was going to come to a godless world.)

2. What examples do we see of the kinds of things about Jesus spoke about taking place today?

3. Why would these things still not mean that Jesus is about to come? (These are signs to prepare the hearts of man with a timetable attached to them.)

4. Why is it important to be on the lookout for the signs? (We want to be prepared to meet Jesus when He comes.)

5. Why do people become so perplexed when disruptive events occur? (They have no trust in God.)

6. What do we call this time period? (The great tribulation described in Revelation.)

Luke 21:27-28

All of the things mentioned must occur then Jesus will return. Depending on one’s perspective this would be the return of Jesus to set up His kingdom on earth. All of the above must take place before He comes and binds Satan for a thousand years. For those who are converted during the tribulation they will be looking forward to that day with great anticipation. When it comes their final redemption from the terror through which they had gone will be complete.

1. What do the things spoken about by Jesus mean to you? (He is going to return.)

2. Who are the people who will anticipate His coming? (The Jews converted during the tribulation.)

3. What is not mentioned by Luke that will occur at that time? (Satan will be bound for a thousand years before being released for a short time.)

4. Why would the final redemption mean so much for the Jews? (They have suffered unspeakable atrocities like the Holocaust during Hiltler’s reign of terror during the second world war when he attempted to exterminate the Jews.)

5. Why do the followers of Christ need not be concerned about that time? (The church will be raptured ahead of the seven years.)

Luke 21:29-31

The parable Jesus then told was about the people who would be involved in the events of the end times. The outcome will of course be different. Throughout Scripture the fig tree has represented Israel. In

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this parable Jesus mentioned not only the fig tree but all the trees. Of course the events would impact the Jews leading to their salvation. The other trees represented all the nations of the world that

would play a part in the end time events. All of them should have been aware that the signs were pointing to what God was going to do that had been prophesied in the Scriptures just as one would recognize summer was coming because the trees had put forth leaves. Those Gentile nations would feel the full brunt of God’s judgment because they had continually rejected God through all of the plagues that He poured out on them during the tribulation. Not a single one turned back to God but purposely moved further and further away from Him.

1. What was the picture Jesus painted for the people? (The trees represented both Jerusalem and the Gentile nations.)

2. How could the people recognize that the putting forth of the leaves would be an example of God’s judgment? (Trees have produced leaves ever since the world began and sure as that was going to happen so would be the events surrounding the return of Christ.)

3. What would be different for the Jews? (They would come to Christ during the time of tribulation. The Gentiles had been given their opportunity prior to the rapture and the door of salvation was closed to them.)

4. What does this say to us? (We are to seize the opportunity to be saved before the door is closed on us.)

Luke 21:32-33

The generation spoken about was not the people hearing the words of Jesus. It represents the continuous generations of people who were just like those standing there that day. For hundreds of years man has been given the opportunity to come under the Lord ship of Jesus Christ and have refused to acknowledge His possible eminent return. For the last two thousand years God has given sign after sign which have been totally ignored. Now the present generation may be the one who will face the challenges of the coming day of the Lord. Only God knows the time of the arrival of Christ. The words of Jesus were guaranteed to still be in force and true even if heaven and earth are no longer.

1. Who is the generation about whom Jesus spoke? (The one like all of the others who have been part of history but will be here when all of the events mentioned take place?

2. What does this statement say about all of us? (We live as if these things will never happen and are thus oblivious to the signs of His return?

3. What did He mean about His word be permanent? (It is truthful because He spoke them.)

4. Why is that fact important to us? (We can be assured that what God has said about salvation and the end times are all true.)

5. Why would even want to doubt them?

Luke 21:34-35

Jesus mentioned three things that every person needs to avoid if he is going to fit to be a part of His kingdom. They include what He called:

• Dissipation which meant falling victim to a sinful lifestyle controlled by satan.

• Drunkedness. No one in this state has the ability to see or think clearly.

• Worries of life

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The day of the Lord will be a total surprise to them and they will be trapped in the judgment that comes as a result. The events that are to come are inescapable. It is important that each person be able to have a clear mind to recognize them as they are happening all around them.

1. What were the people to avoid if they wanted to be a part of God’s kingdom?

2. What do each of these mean?

3. What are the things that blind us to what God is doing around us?

4. To you which of the three is the most dangerous?

Luke 21:36

Jesus does however give a ways of escape. It will take constant vigilance not be entrapped by the total depravity that is going to come to the earth. Not only is man to keep alert, ready for what is coming but just as important is his constant prayer. The subject of his prayer is for strength to escape the time of the tribulation and find himself standing before Christ in His kingdom. To do so shows that ones commitment is to Jesus Christ.

1. What does it mean to stay alert?

2. When have you been caught sleeping during a critical point in your life?

3. What did it feel like to be caught doing so?

4. What was the other piece of advice Jesus gave?

5. Who are those who feel it necessary to pray? (Only those who believe Christ and are commited to Him.)

6. What will these two practices get you? (A place in His kingdom.)

Luke 21:37-38

Up until the very end of His life, Jesus never stopped teaching people about the kingdom of God. He had to know that it was dangerous for Him to be in the temple everyday but He knew that no one would stop Him until His hour had come to face death for all the people. It should be obvious that He did not want to miss a single opportunity to proclaim His life changing message. He did not want leave a single person outside of the Kingdom of God if one more word from Him might accomplish the task.

The fact that the people continued to come to Him showed that He was still very popular with them. It was the religious leaders that did not want to hear the words spoken by Him.

1. What was the work that Jesus was to be about in His last days?

2. Why did He continue to teach at the risk to His own life?

3. What was the message that was so important that He should spend His last days proclaiming it?

4. If Jesus was willing to keep teaching in the face of danger why are we so afraid to witness to others in His name in a relative safe environment?

5. What can others do to you that has not already been done to Jesus?

6. Why did the people continue to come and hear Him speak?

7. If He loved those people so much to keep on teaching what does it say about the love He has for us?

• Study God’s Word to understand the days in which you live. Jesus would not have told us about the signs of His coming if He did not want us to be aware of them.

• Pray that you will not be caught up in the ways of the world. Those who do will not find the peace of Jesus they so desperately need.

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• Be alert to those things that indicate that the world is moving closer to the time of judgment.

• Be knowledgeable about God’s Word so that you may warn others of the impending crisis that is surely to come.

• Live at peace within yourself because you have the assurance of salvation.

• No matter what may be going on around you always be prepared for the coming of the Lord or your passing into eternity.

• Those of you who are called to teach should never stop sharing God’s word until it is the last day.

Christ has given the warning to every man to be prepared for Christ’s second coming. The church has been given the word. We are to be like Ezekiel who was called to be the watchman who was to sound the alarm. There is no other source on the face of the earth other than the church to reach out with the good news of Christ. Only by proclaiming the news will people avoid the judgment to come. Paul tells us that the world will not come with out the message and it will not be accepted unless we tell it. See Romans 10:13-15. He is echoing the words of Isaiah spoken over seven hundred years earlier in chapter 52 verse 7.

Jesus spent His last days sharing the good news to all who would listen. He did not fear man but kept presenting His message. The church must never be afraid of what man can do to it, but should with boldness carry out the Great Commission and the command found in Acts 1:8. Are we to deny others from finding what we have found by cloistering inside the four walls. Jesus carried His message to where the people could be found. We are do the same.

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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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