Recap

So far in Luke, we've read through the introduction, Jesus' ministry in Galilee, the journey to Jerusalem, and started Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem. We noted how this book was written with the book of Acts to be one continuous story. We also looked at how, for Luke, the kingdom of God is centred on uplifting the marginalised and outcasts and bringing salvation and repentance, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We read the two miraculous conception stories of John and Jesus who would both fulfil Old Testament prophecies. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, announced to shepherds by angels, showing God's desire to reach the poor and outcasts. At twelve, Jesus is in the temple, focused on God's work. He is later baptised and resists the devil’s temptations in the wilderness. Throughout, people are filled with the Holy Spirit to fulfil their roles. John the Baptist taught the importance of repentance and caring for the poor.

Jesus began his ministry by declaring his mission to those on society’s margins using Isaiah 61:1-2. After being rejected from the synagogue, he liberated people from demons and illness, demonstrating his power by filling fishermen's nets and calling his disciples. He healed a leper and a paralysed man. In all these he showed his care for the marginalised.

Jesus then taught his disciples the values of his upside-down kingdom, where the needy are blessed, and the self-reliant are warned. His many miracles, from healings to feeding 5,000, led to Peter recognising him as "The Christ of God." Jesus revealed his coming suffering and was confirmed as God's chosen when three disciples witnessed his transfiguration.

We began the journey to Jerusalem and focused on what it means to be a disciple. Lacking faith, the disciples failed to cast out a demon and argued over greatness, threatening violence when rejected. Through them, we learn what not to do when following Jesus.

Jesus reclaimed his kingdom by sending out seventy-two disciples. He taught love for God and neighbour, as shown in the parable of the Good Samaritan and the example of Mary at his feet. He warned of final judgement, urging consistency in life and trust in God.

Then, at a banquet, Jesus challenged religious leaders' pursuit of status. He urged them to bless others and focus on building meaningful relationships. God's kingdom seeks the lost, not wealth.

Turning to his disciples, Jesus encouraged them to avoid causing others to stumble. They are called to forgive,and grow their faith through faithfulness. He healed ten lepers, with only a grateful Samaritan returning to thank Jesus. In contrast, a wealthy man couldn’t face losing his wealth. The outcasts embraced the kingdom while the proud rejected it.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, we return focus to Jesus as king bringing his kingdom. He reminded his disciples that he was going to Jerusalem to die. On the way, a blind beggar recognised Jesus as the promised king.

In Jericho Jesus redeemed a tax collector Zacchaeus just by eating a meal with him. Jesus then shared a parable about a king expecting his servants to be faithful with what he has given them, much like Jesus expects his disciples to be faithful.

Jesus entered Jerusalem as its king. There he wept at the destructive path these religious leaders had set themselves on. He started his ministry in Jerusalem by casting out those who had turned the temple into a marketplace. We then read as the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders grew.

Luke 21-22

Once more Jesus points out how someone who is poor gives generously while the rich are stingy with what they give.

Then at the temple, some of Jesus’ disciples comment on how beautifully crafted the temple is. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to warn his disciples of the path Jerusalem are about to set themselves upon.

There will come a time when this great temple is laid bare, when armies will surround Jerusalem and destroy it. Just as it has happened before, “They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).

But Jesus paints a much broader picture than just the fate of Jerusalem. There will also be times of great warfare, as nations and kingdoms battle. There will be times of famine and disease.

And in the midst of it all, there will be a conflict between those that are for Jesus and those who are against him. Those that are against him will persecute his followers, capturing them and even killing them. But even with this, Jesus encourages his disciples (or challenges them, depending on how you look at it). “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” (Luke 21:13).

Jesus tells them to trust him in these moments. He will give them the things they need to say, and he will help them endure. Finally, at the point where chaos seems at its worse, with distress and suffering, and even heaven itself being shaken, then Jesus will return. He will come with power and victory, to redeem those who have followed him. 

With the mention of sun, moon and stars, and heaven shaking, Jesus is preparing his disciples for a cosmic battle that is to come. He points to a fig tree and notes that you can tell what season you are in by looking at the leaves of the tree.

In the same way, as conflict builds, the disciples are to remember they are participating in this cosmic battle. Many of them would see the destruction of the temple with their own eyes. These reminders are to help keep them on track. They are to watch themselves so they don’t become complacent.

In this prophecy, Jesus has declared war. He has acknowledged that he has come to do away with the kingdoms and powers of this world, and this is the final straw for the religious leaders. They plan to have him killed, and recruit Judas to be the one to betray him.

And so we reach the final twenty-four hours of Jesus’ life. We read through very familiar themes and stories by this point. Jesus gathers his disciples. He establishes the practice of communion, the bread as his body and the wine as his blood. These things are to be regular reminders of Jesus’ sustaining life and cleansing sacrifice. The disciples argue about who is the most important, and Jesus reminds them they are called to be servants.

Jesus takes his disciples out to the Mount of Olives and goes off to pray on his own. He begs God to take away this cup, but then commits himself to doing God’s will. This cup draws on judgement imagery in the Old Testament. When God’s people rejected God, he would leave them to their own destruction, which was often described as them drinking the cup of God's wrath (see Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15, Zechariah 12:2).

Jerusalem seems determined to drink from this cup again, but Jesus is willing to drink it for everyone else. Everyone willing to follow him. After this, Judas appears with a crowd of guards, Jesus is arrested and Peter denies Jesus three times. Jesus is taken before the religious leaders who judge him guilty of blasphemy. The penalty for this? Death.

Psalm 119:33-64

We are continuing on with Psalm 119. This psalm isn’t attributed to anyone in particular and falls into the category of wisdom psalm. Each stanza has eight verses each, and each verse within a stanza starts with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. With twenty-two stanzas, we have a different stanza for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In many ways, this psalm can be seen as the A-B-Cs of Biblical wisdom.

Psalm 119:33-40 - He (ה): Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes

Psalm 119:41-48 - Waw (ו): As the Lord loves me, I love his commandments

Psalm 119:49-56 - Zayin (ז): The words of the Lord are my comfort

Psalm 119:57-64 - Heth (ח): The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words

The psalmist again asks the Lord to teach them his ways. Note the importance of this. The psalmist would already have access to much of the Lord’s teaching through the early forms of the Torah and other writings. But the psalmist recognises these alone are not enough. They need the Lord to bring his teachings and guidance to life. To apply it to the psalmist’s life and heart.

They ask the Lord to teach them his ways and give them understanding. To lead them in the right path and turn their heart and eyes towards the right things. All of this is because the psalmist recognises their own selfish desires could pull them away from what God says and lead them to disgrace. The psalmist wants to know that God won’t abandon them but will keep leading them back to him.

In the next stanza (Psalm 119:41-48) they as for the Lord’s steadfast love to be with them. In return, they will love and delights in the Lord’s commands. They will keep them, walk in them, and speak of them to others. The psalmist with meditate them.

Then echoing the fourth stanza (Psalm 119:25-32), stanza seven (Psalm 119:49-56) acknowledges that the Lord’s words are a comfort in times of distress. When arrogant people accuse them, or wicked people oppose them, it is the Lord’s promises that give the psalmist life. The psalmist sees God’s word as their home and place of comfort. It is because of these teachings that the psalmist has been blessed.

In stanza eight (Psalm 119:57-64) the psalmist reaffirms their commitment to the Lord. They promise to keep the Lord’s word, turning their feet to keep in step with them, and hurrying to keep them. Even when the wicked seek to trap them, or they are in the middle of darkness, they will continue to hold on to them.