Zion Luke Study

 Luke Chapter 23 It is in Luke 23 that we read about the final trial and crucifixion of Jesus.  The man who gave his life for others now goes to his death on the cross.  Yet, even though his death he still loves and care for all people.  He forgave those who were killing him, he saved a criminal from eternal hell, and he commended his Spirit to God in the prayer that parents prayed with their children every night. Be sure to read through Chapter 23 before you listen to the video, just to take in the whole of Luke's story of the death of Jesus. Here's the video: And if you're an old timers you might remember Anne Murray singing The Old Rugged Cross!

Luke Chapter 22 So much is happening in Chapter 22.  It begins with the chief priests and elders looking to find a way to put Jesus to death, but they were fearful of "the people."  Then, in 22:3, Satan entered into Judas.  Remember how the Spirit of God has a substantive quality?  It's the same with Satan's spirit "entering" into Judas.  Remember how, at Jesus' temptation that Satan departed until an "opportune time?"  Well, now is the opportune time for Satan to "enter into" Judas. Jesus celebrates the Passover, and reconstitutes that meal into the Last Supper, and then things move quickly.  The disciple argue, Jesus goes to Gethsemane, is betrayed, arrested, and put on trial.    Tomorrow we experience the death of Jesus in Chapter 23, but for now, just spend some time on Chapter 22.  Here's the video: Here's a wonderful a-cappella version of In Christ Alone - it doesn't have words, but just let the harmony wash over yo

 Luke Chapter 21 In Luke 21 we have Luke's apocalypse, similar to Mark 13 and Matthew 24-25.  These words about the dark end of times encourage us to do one thing - to look for the Son rather than interpret what we think are current "signs." Back in Jesus' time they thought that Jesus was going to usher in God's Kingdom to restore Israel to its universal prominence.  They thought the death of Jesus would bring that, in fact, in Acts 1:6 they asked if Jesus was going to bring about the end of time right then, to which Jesus responded that he didn't know when the end of time would be; neither do the angels, but only God the Father knew that. Those are important words to remember when we hear people reading the tea leaves and saying that our current context fulfills what the apocalyptic portions of Scripture foretold.  But that's what people have thought through every difficult time in history, and it's never need the end.  Instead of reading tea leaves,

Luke Chapter 20 In Luke 20 we again see some themes that have developed over Luke's Gospel.  Jesus, after cleansing the Temple, now teaches "the people" in the Temple and telling them the Good News of the Kingdom.  Still angry, the religious leaders tried to entrap Jesus in a question about his authority, and Jesus turns the question on them.   Jesus then tells a parable against the religious leaders with the imagery of a vineyard in which they would have seen themselves, and turns the tables on them even further.  And he negates a question that the Sadducees asked him, and suddenly they were not able to ask him any more questions, because they feared "the people." The move of the religious leaders is now reaching a fevered pitch, and soon Jesus would go to trial. We only have a few days left, so be sure to read the chapter before each lesson to get the most out of it!   Here's the video:  Here's a wonderful song by Kari Jobe - You Are For Me.   Enjoy!

  Luke Chapter 19 Luke 19 tells of the final ministry of Jesus before he enters into Jerusalem in 19:28.  Remember the pivot verse of 9:51 when Jesus "set his face" to go to Jerusalem?  Well, he finally arrives there. The chapter begins with the delightful story of Zacchaeus, which brings together some themes that were developed in Chapter 18.  Then Jesus tells the parable of the pounds, reminding his disciples (and us!) that it matters what we do with what God has entrusted to us!  As he enters into Jerusalem with the text we often use on Palm Sunday, he goes to turn over the tables in the Temple of those who were selling things to profit themselves. And all the crowds (the people) were spellbound by what they heard (19:48).  Surely Jesus was someone they wanted to know more about! Here's the video: Here's a song I hope you like!  Jesus, Your Mercy.

Luke Chapter 18   Luke 18 is a chapter where we see the importance of who it is that is the target of the teaching.   It begins with a parable about prayer, told to the disciples.   In 18:9 the focus changes to those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.”   In 18:18 it’s the people (the interested crowds) to whom Jesus says about letting the children come to him.   In 18:28 Jesus responds to a question by Peter, and in 18:31 Jesus talks to the Twelve Apostles, apart from anyone else.  As the chapter ends, Jesus enters Jericho and a large crowd follows him and he heals a blind man sitting by the side of the road, and after the healing, “all the people” praised God. It’s just interesting how the audience changes, which I hope is instructive in what we’ve learned about Luke so far.  Listen in: And here's a newer version of Holy, Holy, Holy that I think you'll really like!