Luke 22.39-46 – Sweat and Blood

In Gethsemane Jesus expresses the full weight of the vocation to which he was called; in the prayer itself we see Jesus’ intense agony and both his fundamental dependence on God and commitment to doing his Father’s will, even if it means the giving of his life.  Heaven responds not by granting Jesus his request for another way, but by giving him the strength to face what God has called him to do.  The disciples fail however to understand either what he was doing or saying.

• What do you think Jesus’ prayer to his Father reveals about him?

• Can you take both your pain and your need to God in prayer?

• What current temptations might you need to pray about?

• In what ways does it reassure you that as you turn to God in prayer he will strengthen you for what he has called you to do?  

Luke 22.1-38 – The Last Supper

To give his followers (both then and now) a way of understanding and remembering what was about to happen to him, Jesus doesn’t teach a theory; he uses a meal – the bread symbolising his broken body, the wine his shed blood and the call to ‘remember’, the Passover (Exodus 12) as Israel looked back at the Exodus.  Now however, God would act to save his people not simply from Egyptian slavery but from slavery to all evil and even death itself.  Jesus’ own death would enable Israel and the whole world to ‘escape’.  And notice here how the blend of celebration and betrayal mirrors the triumph and tragedy displayed in the cross.

• What difference does it make to your life today to know that the powers of evil and death have been defeated?

• What do you think is happening when we remember Jesus in this way?

• What does re-enacting this meal mean to you?

• In what ways might you be able to ‘serve’ others today?

Luke 21.5-38 – Reading the Signs

Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem in A.D.70.  In speaking about Jerusalem and her destruction a pattern of events emerges like those associated with Jesus’ own second-coming at the end of the age.  But in the short term, the nation of Israel is headed for dangerous and testing times.  Her rejection of Jesus will be painful and costly – not least for his followers.  But Jesus invites his followers to face this future patiently with hope and confidence, knowing that he will give them what they need.  If they stand firm, they will win life.

• In what ways is your faith currently being knocked, tested or challenged?

• Are you able to hear today Jesus’ words, ‘stand firm, and you will win life’?

• Think of someone you know who is struggling in their faith.  Ask God to give them patience, hope and confidence.

• How does the return of Jesus and the associated promises of judgment and a final vindication of his followers make you feel?

Luke 20.41-21.4 – Seeing the King

Having silenced his enemies Jesus asks a question to reveal the error in Jewish thinking as to the identity of the long-awaited Messiah.  The Jews of Jesus’ day thought merely of a human king; one who would ascend to Israel’s throne and rebuild their Temple, rule with justice, fight their battles, and bring Israel’s pagan enemies into submission.  But the true Messiah is so much more.  Jesus is not just ‘the son of David’ he is David’s ‘Lord’; the son of God who shares his fathers’ throne – a position which demands a response not of outward show or mere performance, but of humble and self-sacrificial giving.

• Do you see Jesus as David did?

• Are there any areas of your life which need to be (re)submitted to the lordship of Jesus?

• Can you think any ways in which your Christian faith has become a ‘performance’?  If so, ask God for his forgiveness and for a heart like that of the poor widow.

• In what ways can you follow the poor widows’ example in living out your faith?    

Luke 20.1-40 – The Controversial King

Having cleansed the Temple, Jesus continues his confrontation with the Jewish religious authorities by addressing matters of human pride, civic duty and the interpretation of scripture.  And woven throughout the dialogue is an affirmation of who Jesus is: he is the anointed Messiah, the one who’s way was prepared by John the Baptist; he is God’s own beloved son, sent to proclaim a message to his fathers’ people; he is rejected by those people, given over to Caesar and killed; and on the third day he is raised from the dead.  This is a summary of the Gospel.

• In what ways can you make it known that Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and on earth?

• For a first-century Jew, what do you think it would mean ‘to give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s’?

• What does it mean for you today to give to God what is God’s?

• ‘He is not the God of the dead, but of the living’.  In what ways does knowing this bring you hope today?

Luke 19.28-48 – The King has Come

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.  This is the climax of his story and the end of his journey.  Jesus comes as the fulfilment of the hopes and dreams of Israel; as God’s anointed Messiah who would bring peace and glory to earth from heaven.  But he comes not by seizing power, nor does he give any indication that he is a king of power.  Instead, he arrives riding on a humble animal, shedding tears over the state of Jerusalem – tears which flow from a heart of love, and which ultimately, in the clearing of the Temple, pass judgment on the city that has chosen to ignore the moment when Israel’s God was arriving in its midst.

• Why do you think Jesus entered Jerusalem the way he did?  (see Zechariah 9.9-13)

• Some rejoice in Jesus’ arrival, others do not understand, and still others reject him.  How will you respond to Jesus today?

• In what ways might God be asking you to ‘weep’ over the state of our city?  Turn any thoughts into prayer.

• Can you sing a song of praise to Jesus?

Luke 18.31-19.27 – To See or Not to See

Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is almost complete, but the disciples are still struggling to understand the truth about Jesus and his kingship.  Yet whilst the disciples can’t see, a blind beggar now can, and a chief tax-collector who ‘wanted to see’ gets to meet Jesus face-to-face and experiences the salvific presence of God.  Wherever Jesus is, there also is the new life and mercy of God’s kingdom; a kingdom however that at once arrives with a warning and promise of judgment.

• As Jesus asked the blind beggar, so today he asks you: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Take some time to consider this and bring any thoughts to God in prayer.

• What are you prepared to do to make sure that you ‘see’ Jesus?

• In what ways are you joining in with Jesus’ mission ‘to seek and to save’ the lost? 

• How does the judgment of God’s kingdom make you feel?