Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke

Details: Parent Category: Bible Resources; Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke

Notes on Luke 23.33-43 November 24

We have read a lot about the kingdom of God in Luke’s gospel. We have heard Peter declare that Jesus is the Christ, the King. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, the tension increased. So did the opposition to Jesus. Now, at last, Jesus, whom many thought was God’s king, is being executed.

Luke tells the story so that we understand that this is a story about the King. At least six times the story refers to the King or to the Messiah (which refers to the same person).
The rulers, the soldiers and one of the criminals all sneer at him. Even the charge against him, which is written above him, is a kind of mockery.

But one of the criminals thinks there is more to Jesus than what most people can see. He still holds out hope that Jesus will become a king. He wants Jesus to remember him. And Jesus makes a promise to him.

Details: Parent Category: Bible Resources; Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke

Notes on Luke 21.5-19 November 17

Jesus has finally reached Jerusalem. In this last week before he is killed he spends a lot of time in the temple.

The temple was rebuilt after the exile in Babylon under the leadership of Haggai and Zechariah. The first temple was built by Solomon and was very good. When the Babylonians captured Jerusalem they destroyed the temple. When temple that was rebuilt after the exile in Babylon it was not so good. However much later Herod the Great had made many improvements to it. People were impressed by how good it looked.

Some of the disciples were also impressed by it (21.5). But Jesus said it would be destroyed again (21.6). [In fact the Romans destroyed it in AD 70.]

The disciples want to know when this will happen.

But Jesus doesn’t tell them.

Details: Parent Category: Bible Resources; Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke

Notes on Luke 20.27-40 November 10

There are two pieces of background information that will help us understand this story.

The Sadducees were a group of Jews who did not believe in angels or in the resurrection. Many members of the Sanhedrin were Sadducees. They usually opposed Jesus.

The man brother must marry the widow (20.28). The law of Moses said that if a man died without having any children, his brother must marry his widow. The purpose of this was so that the brother who died would have descendants and his family would continue (Deuteronomy. 25:5- 10).

In this story, the Sadducees give an extreme example to try to show that the idea of resurrection is impossible. The story is about a woman who is married to seven brothers, one after the other. Each of them dies without having any children. So she must marry the next brother. But, in the resurrection, whose wife is she?

Jesus gives two answers. First he says that in the age to come, in the resurrection, people will not marry. Nor will they die. They are like the angels (which the Sadducees did not believe in). They are God’s children, they are children of the resurrection. This means that the Sadducees’ question is mistaken. They do not understand about the resurrection.

Details: Parent Category: Bible Resources; Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke

Notes on Luke 19.1-10 November 3

Last week we looked at a story about a rich man. Jesus said that it was very difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (18.25). This week we meet another rich man. This man finds salvation (19.9). What is the difference?

Zacchaeus is a tax-collector, in fact a chief tax-collector. This means he is probably an experienced contractor who has been collecting taxes on behalf of the Roman authorities for some time. But he is not very tall, and he wouldn’t be very popular. So he cannot get to the front of the crowd to see Jesus. But he is resourceful. He climbs a tree because he wants to see who Jesus is.

Who is Jesus? Zacchaeus finds out over lunch. Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ house. And Zacchaeus is very happy to have Jesus visit. Others in the crowd are not happy. They don’t think Jesus should visit “sinners”. But we know already that tax-collectors and sinners are just the people Jesus does want to meet (15.1).

Zacchaeus says he will give half his possessions to the poor, and repay anyone whom he has cheated. The rich man in the previous story was told to sell all his possessions. What is the difference? That man loved his wealth more than he loved God. This man is different. He is just rich and selfish. Now he says he will change his attitude and be both honest and generous.

Jesus says he has found salvation. Although some others think he is a “sinner” he is also a son of Abraham. God’s blessings are meant for him too.

The difference is that the Son of Man (Jesus) has come to look for the lost and to save them. The rich man in the other story came to the one who could save him but refused the salvation. This man accepts it, and shows it by his repentance.

He is no longer lost.

Dale

Details: Parent Category: Bible Resources; Category: Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke

Notes on Luke 18.15-30 October 27

There are two stories in today’s passage.

18.15-7: This story is connected to the previous story about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus finished that story by saying that whoever humbles himself will be exalted (18.14). This story is about the most humble people – babies.

Jesus finishes this story by saying “.. anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” (18.17).

People (mothers probably) are bringing their babies for Jesus to touch. They want him to bless their children. The disciples don’t like this. Luke does not tell us why the disciples didn’t want the children brought to Jesus. We can imagine some reasons why we would want to keep them away: They interrupt what Jesus is saying to the adults. They are not as important as the adults. They do not understand what Jesus is saying. They have to wait till they grow up to join in with the adult religion. And I suppose we can think of other reasons to keep them away.

Page 1 of 3

Notes on the Gospel readings from Luke