Luke Study Wrap-Up: Themes Given Special Emphasis in the Gospel According to Luke

1. God’s Plan of Salvation is Being Fulfilled in Christ

a) Lk 1:54-55, 68-79, 2:29-32 – the hymns in the infancy account by Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon

(e.g. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…” Lk 1:68-69)

b) Lk 4:18-30 – Jesus’ declaration in the synagogue – “the Spirit of the LORD is on me…” “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

c) The Greek word that is translated either “must” or “it is necessary” is used constantly by Luke to describe what Jesus has to do to fulfill God’s mission:

- Jesus has to be in His Father’s house (Lk 2:49)
- He has to preach the good news of the kingdom in many cities (4:43)
- As a prophet, He must die in Jerusalem (13:33)
- He must suffer and then die on a cross (9:22, 17:25, 23:37, 24:7)
- He must rise from death (24:44-47)

2. Salvation Is Emphasized as The Center Of God's Plan In Christ

a) Luke is the only synoptic gospel account writer to use the noun “salvation” (8 times), and He uses the verb “save” more than any other N.T. book (though this is due in part to the sheer length of Luke’s account)

b) A lot of emphasis is given on Christ’s forgiveness of sin (1:77, 5:17-26, 7:48-50, 24:46-47)

c) and Luke alone has this key statement from Christ concerning His mission: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Lk 19:10)

3. Gentiles As Recipients Of Salvation

a) implied in Luke’s genealogy (Lk 3:23-38), which goes all the way back to Adam
b) in a rebuke to Nazareth’s townspeople, Jesus speaks of God’s mercy to the widow in Zarephath, and Naaman the Syrian (Lk 4:24-27)
c) Jesus acknowledges a centurion as having a faith greater than anyone in Israel (7:1-10)
d) Luke makes a Samaritan “the hero” – in one instance, through the famous parable (10:30-37) and in the other, through the re-telling of those whom Christ healed of leprosy – with only the Samaritan returning to give thanks (17:11-16)
e) much more about the inclusion of Gentiles is spoken of, of course, in Luke’s “sequel” to his gospel account – the Acts of the Apostles (e.g., Acts 10; 28:25-29)

4. Outcasts Of Society As Recipients Of Salvation, And Special Objects Of Christ's Compassion

Constantly throughout Luke’s account, we see Jesus reaching out to the marginalized of society:

a) to the poor – 1:46-55; 4:18; 6:20-23; 7:22; 10:21, 22; 14:13, 21-24; 16:19-31; 21:1-4
b) “sinners” (i.e. anyone who didn’t conform to all of the Pharisees’ laws): 5:27-32; 7:28-50; 15:1-2; 19:7
c) women (not typically given the dignity to even be spoken to at that time – Jn 4:27): Lk 7:36-50; 8:1-3, 48; 10:38-42; 13:10-17; 24:1-12
d) tax collectors (despised especially at that time): Lk 3:12; 5:27; 7:29; 15:1; 18:10-13; 19:2

…and He desires His disciples to give priority in their ministry to the marginalized as well (Lk 14:12-14)

5. "Counting The Cost" As Christ's Will For His Disciples

a) “if anyone would come after me…” – 9:23-27
b) there is no looking back – 9:57-62
c) “if anyone comes to me and does not hate…” – 14:25-27
d) the necessity to estimate the cost (Jesus’ two illustrations) – 14:28-33

6. Prayer As Christ's Will For His Disciples

a) Exemplified the importance of prayer in his own person – 3:21-22; 6:12; 9:18; 9:28-29; 22:32
b) Jesus gives His disciples specific instruction, and encouragement, on prayer – Lk 11:1-11; 18:1-8; 22:40, 46

7. Watchfulness Against The Danger Of Riches, And Embracing Good Stewardship, As Christ's Will For His Disciples

a) “woe to you who are rich…well-fed…” (6:23-24)
b) the seed that falls upon the thorns is “choked by life’ worries, riches and pleasures” (8:14)
c) the parable of the rich fool (12:13-21)
d) “whoever can be trusted with very little….”; “no one can serve two masters” (16:10-13)
e) the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31)
f) Jesus’ words about the widow – giving out of one’s wealth vs. giving out of one’s poverty (21:3-4)
g) “Sell your possessions….provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out” (12:33-34)
h) “use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves” (16:9)

8. Watchfulness For His Return As Christ's Will For His Disciples

a) “"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet…..” (12:35-40)
b) “Who then is the faithful and wise manager…?” (12:42-48)
c) “For the Son of Man in His day will be like the lightning…” (17:20-37)
d) the parable of the ten minas – the importance of being faithful with what you’ve been entrusted (19:11-27)
e) Jesus tell His disciples of the signs marking the end of the age (21:5-38)

References:

D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament: Second Edition. Zondervan: 2005, pp. 219-221.

John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible. Word: 1997, p. 1505.

The ESV Study Bible. Crossway: 2008, p. 1938.

Luke 24:36-53 - Christ's Appearance to His Disciples, and His Gospel Commission

36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (NIV)

Observations

1. Jesus' resurrection is a bodily resurrection, not a "disembodied spirit" resurrection (vv. 36-43).

Many non-Christian religious movements, or pseudo-Christian cults (such as the Jehovah's witnesses) declare that Jesus rose from death only in a disembodied spirit. But what Luke endeavours to show in his typically matter-of-fact way - by reporting Jesus' invitations to his disciples to touch him and give him something to eat - clearly denies this. The apostle John, in his gospel account, also records how Jesus convinced the twelve, and - in particular - "doubting Thomas" (Jn 20:19-29) of his bodily presence, by inviting him to touch him. John's later testimony confirms how essential the bodily aspect of Jesus' resurrection is to his life-giving Lordship: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life" (1 Jn 1:1).


All too often we look upon Christ's resurrection only - or, at least, primarily - as something that verifies the truth of Christianity and of who Christ is. Indeed, Paul does make mention of this (1 Co 15:12-19). But what we tend to overlook is something that Paul goes on to talk about in the very same chapter - namely, that Christ's bodily resurrection is a guarantee that those who trust in Him will also be resurrected in their own bodies (1 Co 15:20-23; 35-57).

Wayne Grudem speaks of how Christ's resurrection, and ours, confirms the delight God takes in all He's made:

"It is important to insist on the resurrection of a real, physical body...because this provides a clear affirmation of the goodness of God's physical creation. We will live in bodies that have all the excellent qualities God created us to have, and thereby we will forever be living proof of the wisdom of God in making a material creation that from the beginning was "very good" (Gen 1:31). We will live as resurrected believers in those new bodies, and they will be suitable for inhabiting the "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pe 3:13). (Grudem, Systematic Theology, 1994, p. 835)

Reflection question #1: How often do you meditate on the fact that the church will not just be in "heaven" with the LORD, but that we will have new bodies like His, and dwell in a "new heavens and new earth"? What kinds of joy does this cause you to feel?

2. Jesus reminds his disciples that His resurrection was according to God's plan, by showing how the Old Testament pointed to His suffering, rising and commission.

The LORD mentions three particular sources in verse 44:

a) the Law of Moses (Exodus - Deuteronomy): numerous scriptures that alludes to Christ's work can be found in Exodus 1 to 15 (suffering, and then deliverance) and Leviticus (sacrifices that require the shedding of blood)

b) the Prophets (Isaiah - Malachi) - examples are Isaiah 53:4-12 (Christ's suffering - "...he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities"); Jonah 2:6 ("you brought my life up from the pit") and Isaiah 49:6 (Christ's commission - "I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.")

c) the Psalms - examples are Ps 22 ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") and Ps 16:10 (Christ's resurrection -"...nor will you let your Holy One see decay.")

Reflection question #2: What other Old Testament passages, themes, or passages that anticipate the work of Christ are ones you find particularly memorable? Why?

3. Knowing the meaning of the Scriptures, and proclaiming the One who is its grand subject, can only be possible through the LORD's enabling power.

"Then he (Christ) opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (v. 45) This statement does not suggest that the Scriptures are incomprehensible and "require assistance" from God to be understood; rather, it teaches that the problem of sin has, among other things, darkened people's understanding enough so that they can't discover the full meaning of many passages - particularly in the way they relate to Jesus - without divine intervention. "Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live." (Ps 119:144; see also 1 Co 2:14)

"I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (v. 49) What the Father has promised is the Holy Spirit, as is made clear from Jesus' words in John's gospel account. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (Jn 14:26) He will also "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (16:8).

Not least of what the Spirit provides the disciples is great strength, as Luke records at the beginning of the book of Acts: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:8). All of these provisions of the Holy Spirit remind us that, in and of ourselves, we are completely inadequate to fulfill the task of making Christ known to others (see also Jn 15:5; 2 Co 3:5-6).

Reflection question #3: Do I tend to overlook the role of the Holy Spirit in helping me to live as a disciple of Christ, and make Him known to others? What kinds of things can help me remember how essential He is for my spiritual life?

4. The necessity of turning from sin, and the blessing of being forgiven of sin, are two essential components of the gospel message.

”repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (v. 47).

It is not likely that the matter of forgiveness would ever be absent from any attempted gospel presentation, but it can be easy for even sincere believers to leave out the matter of repentance, especially when they are faced with the prospect of offending the unbelievers whom they’re speaking to. After all, the underlying idea behind repentance (the turning away from one’s idols – Ezek 18:30-31, 1 Thes 1:8-10) is the lordship of Christ, and the right He has to rule over every facet of a person’s life.

But repentance is essential to conversion (Lk 13:1-5; Acts 3:19-20; 17:29-30); one cannot accept Jesus as Saviour without bowing down to Him as Lord. Therefore, a failure to mention repentance in one's gospel presentation really amounts to no gospel being proclaimed at all.

5. The LORD's victory over death, and His authority over all heaven and earth, should lead to praise of the people.

"While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God." (vv. 51-53)

Paul enlightens us on some of the ways we are to praise God: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. " (Eph 5:19-20)

Luke 24:1-35 - Christ's Resurrection: the Fulfillment of God's Plan and Purpose

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words. 9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. 13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him. 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19"What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (NIV)

Observations

1. Even Christ's disciples are slow to take Him at His word and believe what He says.

a) the women - "they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus (and) they were wondering about this..."(vv. 3-4) They had to be reminded, by the angels, of the words that Jesus spoke earlier about His approaching death. This shows that they had not previously been paying attention to all of his words. Neither, really, had Peter, as evidenced by verse 12: "he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."

b) the eleven remaining disciples - "But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense." We shouldn't think that our age is the only one in which skepticism over miracles is found. And to think this statement came from the disciples themselves, who had already witnessed countless miracles of Christ, not least of which had been the raising of a widow's son (Lk 7:11-17) and the raising of Lazarus (Jn 11:38-43)! The disciples' words towards the women provide a good rebuttal to the ignorant claims of many in our day that the disciples were wishful thinkers who made up the "myth" of Jesus' resurrection because they wanted to believe it, against all reason.

c) the travelers to Emmaus - since Cleopas and his traveler (possibly his wife) were "downcast" - because the events surrounding Jesus did not turn out the way they expected - they were "amazed" when learning of the fact that the women "didn't find his body" (v. 22). As a response, Jesus rebukes them for being "foolish" and "slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (v. 25). They, like the women, had not paid attention to God's word - although what is emphasized here is how little they had studied what the Old Testament had said about the coming Messiah. What is especially noteworthy in this account of the Emmaus travelers is how false ideas - and the expectations that arise from them - can greatly injure the faith God wants us to have. It seems as though Cleopas and his companion expected Jesus to be a political Messiah that would free the Jews from the Romans. At very least, they thought He would set up His kingdom right away. The kind of faith that holds to false expectations will be greatly shaken.

So what we find in this passage is something rather alarming: even when the greatest event in human history has occurred, where Jesus is "declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead" (Rom 1:4, compare with verse 3), some of His very own people have trouble believing it. What Luke reports here should be somewhat reassuring to us, because when we flounder in our faith, we tend to contrast our weaknesses with the strengths of the "early church". But in this passage we find that the "early church" was, in some ways, not that different from us at all! Still, we need to take Jesus' displeasure - as expressed in His rebuke to the traveling companions - very seriously, and ask ourselves to what degree we find ourselves in the shoes of these characters. Those who have placed their trust in the Lord are commanded to remember His words (Deut 8:11; Ps 119:141) and believe that He has all power and authority to bring His words to pass (Rom 4:18-21; Isa 55:10-11; Mt 28:6).

Reflection Question 1: What things do we need to be on the alert for, that can hinder our faith in Christ? What kinds of things can strengthen it?

2. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's design and purpose - as expressed by Jesus Himself, and by Old Testament teaching.

a) by Jesus Himself - "Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Indeed, Luke records that Jesus made this prediction four times while in Galilee (Lk 9:22, 44; 17:25; 18:32-33) and one more time in Jerusalem (22:37).

b) by Old Testament teaching - "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them (i.e. the travelers to Emmaus) what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." (v. 27) There may have been many passages that Jesus used from the Old Testament - passages which spoke either clearly or subtly about the coming Messiah. Some of these were likely passages that Luke himself refers to all the way through his gospel account. As
Darrell Bock says:

"Though this passage only gives a general inference to the promises in the Law and the Prophets, the specific texts in view have been noted throughout Luke. Consider Isaiah 40 and its promise of a forerunner (Luke 3:4-6), Isaiah 61 and its proclamation and realization of deliverance (Luke 4:18-19). Psalm 118 and its call to receive one who comes in the Lord's name (Luke 13:35) and its warning that the rejected stone will be exalted (Luke 19:38), Psalm 110 and its promise of a shared rule with God and an exaltation to come (Luke 20:42-43), and Daniel 7 and its picture of the Son of Man coming on the clouds (Luke 21:27)." (Bock, NIV Application Commentary: Luke, p. 616).

Reflection Question 2: What other passages, themes, images, etc. that you know from the Old Testament provide a "preview" of Christ? How do they do so?

Reflection Question 3: In what way does God's plan and purpose for His people resemble His plan and purpose for Christ? How does this affect the way your view your life on this earth?


Other Observations from this passage:

The resurrection is reported by Luke in every bit of a matter-of-fact way as everything else in his gospel account. (There is absolutely no change in tone, or anything else, that would suggest that the resurrection is some fanciful idea that is made up by Luke. And His report of the disciples' initial skepticism only confirms that he is reporting what he has investigated.)

The LORD is with those who talk about Him, even when their understanding is feeble, and they earn a rebuke as a result. (The fact that the LORD walked alongside two people who were discussing Him should remind us of His statement from Matt. 18:20: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.")

The LORD loves to be entreated by His people. (Jesus is more than willing to accommodate those - such as the travelers to Emmaus - who desire His company. Recall what He says to the Laodicean church in Rev. 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.")

Luke 23:26-56: Jesus' Last Words on Calvary; the Aftermath of His Death

26As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30Then they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" ' 31For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Observations

A. The real tragedy related to Jesus’ death is not mourning for Him upon reflection of it, but to misjudge Him and to be judged accordingly.

”do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.” (v.28) When we compare what Jesus says to the women from verses 28 to 31 to what He speaks of earlier in 19:41-44 and 21:20-24, we can infer that He is making one last prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

The words of Jesus to the mourning women – particularly verses 29 and 30 – may sound very harsh on the surface, but there’s no evidence to suggest that these women were truly disciples of Jesus. They may even have been only “professional” mourners, since these were often a fixture of “wailing” ceremonies following a Jew’s death (see Matt. 9:23-24).

”For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (v. 31) This is a strange statement, to our ears anyway. Several interpretations have been made of it; the following quotation provides what I believe to be its likely meaning: “This was probably a common proverb. Jesus’ meaning seems to be this: If the Romans would perpetrate such atrocities on Jesus (the “green wood” – young, strong and a source of life), what would they do to the Jewish nation (the “dry wood” – old, barren, and ripe for judgment?” (MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1564).

Jesus, even in the midst of His impending death, knew of the joy set before Him and so willingly endured the cross (Heb 12:2). Not long after this, He would be reunited with God the Father (v. 46, Jn 20:17) and sit at His right hand (Heb 12:2).

But Jerusalem, because she “did not recognize the time of God’s coming” to her, will be “dash(ed)…to the ground”, without even children being spared (Luke 19:41-44). This judgment is sobering, not only because of what it means in itself, but also for the picture it provides of the judgment God will bring, at the end of time, upon all who reject Jesus – both Jews and Gentiles (Rom 2:8-9; 2 Thes 1:8-10).

Reflection question: How often do you reflect on the attribute of God as judge? Why is it essential for us not to lose sight of this?

B. Jesus’ compassion for sinners is unwavering.

v. 34 – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” – even at the very moment of his crucifixion, Jesus shows more concern for the lost state of sinners than for His own plight. It may have been that this prayer was used by God to bring massive numbers to faith on the day of Pentecost, during Peter’s address to the crowds (Acts 2:14-41). Already we can see some indications of repentance on the part of many people who are watching Jesus in His final hours (vv. 47-48).

v. 43 – “I tell you the truth – today, you will be with me in paradise” – the brief account of the penitent thief (vv. 39-43), which ends with this promise of Jesus, demonstrates that it’s never too late for someone on the brink of death to come to faith, by the power of God. Of course, such an individual must show the marks of repentance of faith, which this thief did: he acknowledged his guilt (v. 40), declared Jesus’ faultlessness (v. 40), proclaimed Jesus’ lordship by referencing His kingdom (v. 42), and showed humility by asking only to be remembered (v. 42).

Reflection question: Am I growing more and more like Christ in the way I view people, especially in yearning for the redemption of those who don’t know Him?

C. Words of hostility and hatred toward Jesus can sometimes have an ironic flavour which still gives glory to God.

“Save yourself and us” – v. 35, 36, 39 – while these words were spoken with mere mockery, the LORD was pleased to bring them to fulfillment: Jesus did indeed, in a short time, raise Himself from the dead as He predicted back in Jn 2:18-22; and He then provided – and continues to provide, to this day – salvation for all who call upon Him (Lk 19:10, Rom 10:12-13; 1 Tim 1:15).

D. There are always seemingly ordinary individuals who deserve special attention for their faith-driven courage, because they break ranks with the world and are thus used by God for special purposes.

Continuing in his trend to turn the attention of his readers toward ordinary individuals, Luke the doctor puts the spotlight on Joseph of Arimathea. Luke wants us to take notice of the fact that “he had not consented to (the Council’s) decision and action”. Though history books likely would have never mentioned him, this man is singled out in Scripture for the courage that comes from faith. Thus God was pleased to use him to do the essential task of burying our Lord’s body in a freshly-cut tomb (v. 53).

Luke 23:1-24: Pilate, Herod and the Jews: A Study in Fallen Human Nature

1Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."

3So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

4Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

5But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."

6On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. 9He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."

18With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" 19(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

22For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

23But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24So Pilate decided to grant their demand. (NIV)

Observations

A. Here we see one way in which the world hates Christ: the false accusations that are brought against him.

The assembly knew that they couldn’t convince Pilate that Jesus was a criminal because He claimed divinity, so they tried to accuse him on political grounds. Notice how on the first and third charges (i.e. subverting the nation and claiming to be a king), there are kernels of truth, but they are couched in such a way as to mislead unsuspecting leaders like Pilate. As for the second charge – that Christ opposed the payment of taxes to Caesar – it was outright lie. Remember how Christ said in Luke 20:25: “…give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

B. In Herod, we see an example of how fickle unconverted people can be towards Jesus: initially glad because of something He appears to “offer” to them, and then contempt towards Him if He doesn’t deliver.

Herod was initially glad to see Jesus, because he hoped He’d perform a sign. When Jesus (presumably) didn’t deliver one – and did not even answer any questions, Herod’s contempt was revealed by the way he ridiculed and mocked Jesus, along with his soldiers.

Reflection question: What does Jesus say elsewhere – particularly in Matthew 12:39 and 16:4, about the character of the person who demands signs and wonders? Why does such a person revealed to be such through his or her demandingness?

C. In Herod and Pilate, we also see an example of how two enemies can become friends: through their common opposition to the truth.

It is not clear, to be sure, just how or why Herod and Pilate became friends, but it’s easy to conclude that there was something about their common indifference to Jesus that brought them to have an affinity with one another.

D. In Pilate, we see how the fear of man, and the quest to continue in power, can so easily lead one to capitulate to the demands of others.

Although Pilate says three times in this passage that he finds no basis on which to charge Jesus, any serious conviction he may have had easily gives way before the shouting crowds. One of the last things that many political leaders want is unrest.

But if Pilate thought he was “washing of hands” of guilt, he was wrong. It is clear from the believers’ prayer in Acts 4 that he, as well as Herod, share the responsibility – along with the Jewish leaders and crowds, and other Gentiles – of condemning Jesus to death (Ac 4:27-28).

”Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” (Prov 29:25)

E. Hatred of Christ has no basis in reason; it cannot ultimately be traced to the mind, but to the heart.

Even though Barabbas was guilty of the very thing that Jesus was accused of – i.e. inresurrection (to say nothing of murder), the crowd wanted him to let go and have Jesus be condemned. It’s hard to conceive of any greater example of the blindness and illogical character of sin.

Regarding these crowds especially, Paul’s words to the Romans are most appropriate: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Rom 1:21)

Yet, we who know Christ were once no less guilty of such folly and darkness; we can count ourselves among the crowds. “….that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Co 6:11)

Luke 22:54-71 - Peter's Sorrow and Jesus' Declaration

54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."

57But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

58A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."
"Man, I am not!" Peter replied.

59About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."

60Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

63The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" 65And they said many other insulting things to him.

66At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67"If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us."

Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

70They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You are right in saying I am."

71Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips." (NIV)

Observations

1. When it comes to the matter of being faithful to Jesus, His disciples have no grounds for self-confidence.

Contrast Peter's cockiness ("I am ready to go with you to prison and to death" - 22:33) with his inability to stay awake (v. 40, 46), and, of course, his three-time denial that he knows Jesus (vv. 56-60).

It was not Peter's spoken desire to suffer with Jesus that was problematic; after all, the Apostle Paul says to the church in Rome that in order for them to share in Christ's glory, they must be willing to share in His suffering (Rom 8:17). The problem, rather, was that Peter thought he was capable, in and of himself, of doing so. He failed at this time to understand what the Apostle Paul would later realize - that only God can give His people what He requires of them:

"...We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." (2 Cor 1:8-9, emphasis added)

"we are (not) competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (2 Cor 3:5, emphasis added)

Reflection question: Do I often find myself thinking that I can do God's work in my own strength? What consequences have I experienced as a result of such thinking, and how have these served to teach me humility and dependence on the LORD?

2. What the LORD predicts comes to pass.

What Peter did was exactly what Christ had predicted back in verse 34: "Jesus answered, 'I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.'"

Although this truth is illustrated in a sobering way here, with the fall of Peter, it should be cause for great encouragement for us - especially as it relates to what Jesus says about His soon-to-be rule at the right hand of God (v. 69) and, as a result, His coming in glory (Matt 26:64).

3. By accepting His shameful treatment at the hands of the guards, Jesus shows His great love to sinners, and leaves an example for His people of what it means to submit to authority.

Regarding how verses 63 to 65 show Jesus' love to sinners, J.C. Ryle comments:

"Our Lord's calm submission to insults like those here described, shows the depth of His love towards sinners. Had He so willed, He could have stopped the insolence of His enemies in a moment. He who could cast out devils with a word, could have summoned legions of angels to His side, and scattered those wretched tools of Satan to the winds. But our Lord's heart was set on the great work he had come on earth to do. He had undertaken to purchase our redemption by His own humiliation, and He did not flinch from paying the uttermost farthing of the price. He had undertaken to drink the bitter cup of vicarious suffering to save sinners, and "for the joy set before Him He despised the shame," and drank the cup to the very dregs. (Heb. 12:2.)" (Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke)

Regarding the example that Jesus leaves for His followers in these same verses, the Apostle Peter himself elaborates on this in one of his letters to the church: "Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God....To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Pet 1:21-23, emphasis added)

Reflection question: What are some modern-day possibilities, in our culture, of how we as Christians might experience unjust suffering from those in authority? How can we show submission when this happens?

4. Jesus confirms that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Son of Man.

The following quotation expresses well what titles of Jesus we are reminded of when He and the council communicate with each other from verses 66 to 71:

"'Son of God', 'the Christ' (the Messiah; v. 67), and 'Son of Man' all refer to Jesus, emphasizing different aspects of his person and role. 'Son of God' points to Jesus' unique relationship to God and (when rightly understood) his equality with God the Father in his very being. The term 'Christ' indicates that Jesus claimed to be the Son of David, the Messiah. 'Son of Man' points to the person identified in Dan. 7:13–14, who will rule the kingdom of God." (ESV Study Bible, pp. 2008-09)

Reflection question: Why is it important for us to know the meanings of these titles for Christ, and take them to heart?

Reflection question: What other names are given to Jesus throughout Scripture? How does each of these names/titles encourage you?


Next week: Luke 23:1-24

Luke 22:39-53: Jesus’ final prayer and Judas’ betrayal

39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

45When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

47While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns."

Main Points

A. Christ's disciples need to be on the alert when opportunities of temptation present themselves, by asking God to be rescued from them.

"Pray that you will not fall into temptation." "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

Verses 40 and 46 provide one of the first indications we get in the book of Luke that the life of a disciple of Jesus, while on this earth, must necessarily involve a spiritual battle. Other places in the New Testament reinforce the fact that this battle is fought against Satan (Eph 6:10-20), the world (1 Jn 2:15-17) and one's own flesh (Mt 26:41; Jas 1:13-15).

God has promised His people that He will always provide a way for them to stand up under temptation (1 Co 10:13). However, this does not them give them warrant to be passive. They must avail themselves of the means God uses to provide a way of escape: knowing the Scriptures and using them as a weapon (as Jesus did toward Satan in Mt 4:1-11 and Lk 4:1-13) and, as this passage and Matthew 26:41 make clear, prayer.

Reflection Question: is my life characterized by a tendency to give into temptation rather than flee from it? If so, what does this reveal about my habits in using the means of grace that God has given me?

B. Jesus provides His people with an example for how we are to pray in times of difficulty.

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (v. 42)

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray." (James 5:13)

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." (1 Jn 5:14-15)

If the Son prayed to the Father with the view to submit to His sovereignty above all else, how much more must we.

Reflection Question: Do my prayers reveal a desire for the glory and will of God above everything else? Or do they assume that God is some "genie" who is obliged to give us, and/or owe us, whatever we think we need?


C. One of the roles of angels is to serve Christ, and, by extension, His people.

"an angel from heaven appeared to Him, and strengthened Him." (v. 43)

Angels' service to Christ is, in part, a reflection of their worship of Him: "And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." (Hebrews 1:6).

And yet, the ministry of angels extends to Christ's people too: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb 1:14)

Reflection questions: How can we make too much of angels? Too little of them?


D. The fact of Jesus' request to God the Father, i.e. that the "cup" may pass from Him, combined with his physical condition at the time of this prayer, ought to provide a sobering reminder to us of just what he had to suffer to free His people from the penalty of their sin.

"How can we account for the deep agony which our Lord underwent in the garden? What reason can we assign for the intense suffering, both mental and bodily, which He manifestly endured? There is only one satisfactory answer. It was caused by the burden of a world's imputed sin, which then began to press upon Him in a peculiar manner. He had undertaken to be "sin for us"--to be "made a curse for us"--and to allow our iniquities to be laid on Himself. (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Isaiah. 53:6.) It was the enormous weight of these iniquities which made Him suffer agony." (Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke)

Reflection questions: As opposed to merely doing so around the time of Good Friday, do I make a point throughout the year to think about the unimaginable pain it must have caused Jesus to anticipate, and finally suffer, the wrath of God for my sin, and the sin of the whole world throughout history? What does His suffering reveal about the pure wretchedness of sin? Do I
undergo a deeper repentance as a result?

E. The most evil acts may be done under the guise of love to Christ.

Judas kissed Jesus (vv. 47-48) even as he was about to hand Him over to the authorities.

F. The love that Christ's people have for Him often proves to be remarkably fickle.

The disciples follow Jesus into the garden; yet they fall asleep just moments later. One of them defends Jesus by cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant, yet all of the disciples flee just moments later. Jesus anticipates such unfaithfulness and wavering commitment (remember last week - Lk 22:34; also Jn 16:32), but He remains faithful and committed to complete the work He starts in those who know Him (Lk 22:31-32; Phil 1:6; 2 Ti 2:13; Heb 7:25).

G. God may permit evil to triumph for a time, though such time will not last.

"But this is your hour—when darkness reigns."

"The devil could not touch Job's property or person until God allowed him. He could not prevent Job's prosperity returning, when God's designs on Job were accomplished. Our Lord's enemies could not take and slay him, until the appointed "hour" of His weakness arrived. Nor yet could they prevent His rising again, when the hour came in which He was declared the Son of God with power, by His resurrection from the dead. (Rom. 1:4) When He was led forth to Calvary, it was "their hour." When He rose victorious from the grave, it was His." (Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke)

Reflection question: What implications - both sobering, and hopeful - can you draw from Jesus' statement in verse 53 for your own Christian life?


Next week: Luke 22: 54-71