“Luke / Acts Week 24 – June 10-14”

Monday, June 10, 2024

Monday – Luke 19:41-44 Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
1. Amid the joyous shouts of the Jesus’ triumphal entry, Luke alone records the Savior’s tears. What causes Jesus to weep as He rides into Jerusalem?
2. The people are cheering Jesus’ arrival as their conquering king who will expel the Romans, but how did they misunderstand “the things that make for peace”? Why would Jerusalem be destroyed by Rome (cf. Luke 19:14, 27)?
3. As you picture this scene and its place in the gospel of Luke, elaborate on the character Jesus reveals through His tears for Jerusalem.

Tuesday – Luke 19:45-48 Jesus Cleanses the Temple
1. Having received the people’s praise, Jesus enters the temple and drives out the merchants. How different is the temple here from what it is supposed to be (cf. Isa 56:3-8; Jer 7:1-11)?
2. Are there similar activities or attitudes in the church which get in the way of God’s purposes? What can you do to help eliminate them?
3. This episode ends with the people “hanging on His words.” Once again, it’s not Jesus’ actions but His words that intrigue the crowd. Why do you think this is the case? Is that the case for you? How so?

Wednesday – Luke 20:1-8 The Authority of Jesus Challenged
1. We see quite an interesting interaction here between Jesus and some religious elites. How would you describe the attitude of those confronting Jesus?
2. Jesus is seen teaching the people from the temple. What does the temple represent in the Old Testament (2 Chron7:1-3)? What might that mean to Jesus’ audience as He is filling this role?
3. Jesus chooses to terminate the interaction after their response to His question, and He redirects attention to those listening to His teachings. How can we apply Jesus’ approach here to interactions we may have with those seeking to usurp the authority of Christ?

Thursday – Luke 20:9-18 The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
1. Many times, Jesus’ teachings and parables are related to a recent interaction. How do you think this parable relates to Jesus’ interaction with the priests, scribes, and elders in the previous reading?
2. The owner of the vineyard sends servants at harvest time, but the tenants mistreat them. Why do you think the owner sends multiple servants instead of confronting the tenants directly?
3. Jesus refers to Himself as the “rejected cornerstone” (see Psalm 118:22) in concluding this parable. What does this symbolize about Jesus’ role in God’s plan for us?

Friday – Luke 20:19-26 Paying Taxes to Caesar
1. The same group from v. 1 attempts to set another trap – “Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” Why do you think they would ask such a question?
2. Jesus implies the denarius (by extension taxes) is Caesar’s because his image is on it and Caesar had it made. By analogy, what is Jesus saying about our more important obligations to God (cf. Gen 1:26)?
3. Practically speaking, what does it look like to “Render to God the things that are God’s”?

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