Luke 17-19

Luke 17

Temptations, Forgiveness, Faith 

• Jesus is still talking to the disciples at this point 
• Says temptations will come, but do not take the bait! 
• Better for severe judgment than causing others to stumble
• On forgiveness: forgive repeatedly (even 7 times in a day)
• Apostles ask for more faith and Jesus says faith like a mustard seed is powerful

Unworthy Servants 

• Jesus talks of a servant does his duty and works hard
• However, the master is not obligated to thank him
• Our obedience is expected, not earning us favor

Ten Lepers Cleansed

• Jesus is in Jerusalem
• Ten lepers cry for mercy
• Jesus sends them to priests to be cleansed
• As they go they are healed
• Only one returns: a Samarian
• Jesus asks “Where are the nine?” And commends his faith

The Coming of the Kingdom

• Pharisees ask when kingdom comes
• Jesus says the kingdom is not observable in obvious ways, but the kingdom is “in your midst” (within you) 
• The Messaiah’s future return will be like lightning – sudden and visible
• Warnings! do not look back (like Lot’s wife) and be ready
• People will be left behind

Luke 18

Parable of the Persistent Widow 

• Widow seeks justice from unjust judge
• He finally responds because she continually persists
  • keep praying and do not lose heart
  • God will bring justice
• Jesus is not comparing Himself to the unjust judge, rather showing us how to continually be in prayer

Parable of Pharisee and Tax Collector 

• Two people went to temple to pray: Pharisee and tax collector 
• Pharisee is proud, self-righteous
• Tax collector is humble, asks for mercy
• Jesus:
  • humble are justified
  • proud are not justified

Let the Children Come 

• People bring children to Jesus
• Disciples rebuke them
• Jesus welcomes the children
  • “…whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Rich Ruler 

• Rich man asks about eternal life
• Keeps commandments
• Jesus tells him to sell all and follow
• He becomes sorrowful – it is hard for rich to enter heaven
• Verse 19 was confusing- And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone”
  •  Charles Spurgeon says “You come to Me asking about what good thing you can do to inherit eternal life; but what do you really know about goodness?” “The argument is clear: either Jesus was good, or he ought not to have called him good; but as there is none good but God, Jesus who is good must be God.” 

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

• Jesus predicts:
  • suffering
  • death
  • resurrection
• Disciples still do not understand

Blind Beggar Healed 

• Near Jericho, a blind man cries out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy”
• Crowd tries to silence him
• Jesus heals him
• He:
  • follows Jesus
• glorifies God

Luke 19

Zacchaeus (only included in Luke!)

• Zacchaeus was chief tax collector and rich
• He climbs tree to see Jesus
• Jesus calls him by name and says he will stay at his house
• Zacchaeus repents and restores what he took
• Jesus says “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost”

Parable of the Ten Minas 

• Jesus tells a parable because “they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately”
• Nobleman gives servants money
  • 10 minas
  • 1 mina ≈ 100 days’ wages
• They invest while he is away
• Jesus also mentions the citizens hate the nobleman 
• On return the
  • faithful are rewarded
  • unfaithful are judged (the servant that did not invest and the citizens)
• stewardship and accountability

Triumphal Entry (19:28–40)

• Jesus enters Jerusalem 
• Tells disciple to get colt which He will ride
• Crowd praises Him as King
• Pharisees object to the praise
• Jesus says stones would cry out if they were silent

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 

• Jesus sees city and weeps
  • they do not recognize Him
  • judgment coming

Cleansing the Temple 

• Jesus enters temple and drives out sellers
• Declares the temple is a house of prayer, not den of robbers
  • Isaiah 56:7 Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?” 
• He teaches every day at temple
• Leaders seek to destroy Him
• People are attentive to His words

Application

We see in these chapters the importance of humility, childlike faith, and persistence is. Jesus wants us to draw near to Him, and gives us many parables in how to enter His kingdom. We must fight against temptations such as wealth and pride.