Shifts
In this chapter we see several huge shifts taking place. This chapter has several different things going on, but serves as a transition in the book. Remember Luke is writing this book to a person and he’s writing a work of literature. So many times we get caught up thinking that the Bible is just stories that are glued together. In doing that we forget that the author is doing something not only by which stories he tells, but by how he arranges them.
In this chapter we see shifts in:
Location: The action of the story moves from being on the way to Jerusalem, to Jerusalem.
Message: In the story Jesus gives his last call to come and follow me, and shifts to speaking of the coming judgment (both his and Israel’s) as the primary content of his message.
Intensity: The celebratory worship of Jesus moves from crowds being amazed to frenzied crowds (both in celebration and murderous intent), the Pharisees begin to boil over, and as we read we get a general feeling that the story is reaching a climactic point.
Kingdom Perspective: The shift from when and what it is to faithfulness in anticipating its coming.
You can either go through this study guide day by day, or sit down and wrestle through it in chunks. We tried to break it down for people who wanted to go through it daily as well as those who love sitting down and wrestling through it in a setting.
Monday: Reflect on Yesterday’s time together. Is there someone you need to confess to? Pray for? How will you live in light of the gospel presented yesterday? What could Jesus require that you would not give up?
Read through Luke 19 in one sitting.
Tuesday: Questions to Interpret Luke 19.1-10
1. Look back over the past few chapters. How do we see Zack (yes I’m calling him Zack) living out what Jesus has been calling people to with regards to money?
2. Compare and Contrast Zack with the Young Ruler of 18 in the following areas:
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Rich Ruler |
Zack |
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Life before Jesus |
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View of Wealth (before and after Jesus) |
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View of the Poor (before and after Jesus) |
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Life after Jesus |
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3. What do you think Jesus is saying about kingdom economics in this story? How should money be used? What does your posture towards money say about your heart?
Wednesday: Luke 19.11-27
Here we get a parable from Jesus. Remember that:
1. Parables have an audience
2. There are usually one or two main points to the story
1. When and Why Does Jesus tell this story? (side note: the kingdom of God could also be called the reign of God, notice how that ties in at the end of the story)
2. What different characters do you see developed in the story?
3. How does this story make you feel? What surprises you? Talk about that with someone from your MC.
4. What do you think the main point of the story is? What are the implications of that for your life this week?
Thursday: Luke 19.28-40: Going up to Jerusalem
Jesus is finally arriving in Jerusalem. We have seen that it is going to be the center of suffering and pain, but that it will also be the center for the salvation of all. What does that mean? We’ll have to keep reading to find out.
1. Read through these verses twice, do it once out loud with inflection. What pops out at you?
2. Look at the prophecy that was being fulfilled: Zech. 9.9 (have fun finding it in the prophets.) Now process through this event in light of what you know from the True Story. What was taking place? (Creation, Rebellion, Israel, and now the anticipation of redemption.)
3. Spend some time Journaling how you feel knowing that salvation was coming to everyone. How does Jesus fulfill what your heart is longing for?
Friday: Luke 19:41-44
We see Jesus weeping over the city. These aren’t fake tears for people to see, but the expression of a heart broken by sin and it’s devastating effects on people Jesus loves.
1. How do you see Jesus indictment of Israel tying back to the statement of v.14?
2. Spend some time reflecting on our City and the brokenness of it. What areas stir your heart most?
3. Get together with someone from your MC and pray for this city, this country, this world to come under the reign of our good God! What do you feel compelled to pray for?
Saturday: Luke 19.45-48
Jesus clears out the temple here. This event is also recorded in Matt 12-13, and Mark 11.15-18.1
1. How does this encounter shape your view of Jesus?
2. How do you see the tears from 41-43 and the actions of this passage fitting together? Will you take the tearful protest you have at sin (in your life, city, and world) and declare and demonstrate the gospel in the midst of it?
3. I don’t want to push the metaphor too far, but in this passage we see Jesus clearing out the temple to make it a place of ministry again. What are the implications of this for your life? Take some time to journal through how idols may be cluttering your heart and keeping you from being a person of ministry.