Day 59

Luke 12:1–12 (NIV)

¹ Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ⁸ “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. ⁹ But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Helpful Information

vs 10- blasphemy of the Spirit is not so much an act of rejection as it is a persistent and decisive rejection of the Spirit’s message and work concerning Jesus. When a person obstinately rejects and fixedly refuses that message or evidence, that person is not forgiven. Marshall sees it as a warning to opponents not to deny the Spirit’s work and argues that 12:8–9 deals with apostasy, while 12:10–12 deals with outsiders. Nolland (1993a: 679–80) says it well: blasphemy against the Spirit is “the denial or rejection of the manifest saving intervention of God on behalf of his People.… The one who hardens himself or herself against what God is doing as he acts to save places himself or herself beyond the reach of God’s present disposition of eschatological forgiveness.”Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Jesus talks a great deal about how we see God and how God sees us. What makes the difference in how we are treated by God?

Can we know when a person has no chance of knowing God?

How does Jesus prepare us for the persecutions we might face as a Christian?

Notes

While Jesus became an enemy to the leaders the people are still flocking to see him.

First Jesus warns the disciples about Pharisees games and watch out for them leading people astray. It just takes a little bit of wrong direction (yeast) to cause many to stumble.

vs 2-3, the hypocrisy of individuals will be revealed. No matter how much you think it is hidden it will be clearly known. No matter how good at pretending you are God knows the truth of each one.

vs 4-5 based on Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees and knowing the events to come (9:22-23) Jesus states what he very soon will live out. What he says as a message he will soon live out in his own life. (he is no hypocrite!)

What type of fear is Jesus talking about? Does he want us to be afraid of God as a criminal would be afraid of the police? No, it is understanding that no matter what this world does to you, it does not decide your fate. Therefore don't live your life in fear of rulers and leaders. Live your life understanding that who you answer to is God and He alone. So it is best to live your life based on God's way not anyone else’s. You do have God to fear if you do it the wrong way because He will be your judge.

vs 6-7 As to help us understand what it is to fear God Jesus also talks about God's care for us. Sparrows were the cheapest meat around and could be afforded by the poor. Yet God cares for them. He also knows details about you that you never will, not to harm you but to show you how much he cares! If God cares for a cheap bird then he surely cares for you! Those that persecute you , even kill you do not have the final say. God Does!

vs 8-9 But how God responds to us is based on how we respond to Him. The scene Jesus is talking about is a court scene. If you deny Jesus in this earth's courts then Jesus will deny knowing you in the heavenly realms. Jesus is acting as prosecutor, judge, and defender in the heavenly court. (see Isa 1) How you treat him decides whether Jesus will stand for you or against you at judgment.

vs 10 - one may reject Jesus for a time (think of Peter and his denials, or Paul and his persecution of the Christians) but there is still hope for them to see and respond correctly. But it is possible to go so far away from God that he cannot draw you in through the Holy Spirit working in your life. You allow no access to God's word. (Luke 8:12)

Who this type of person is will be unknown to us, only to God.

From our point of view we have to act like all have an opportunity to receive God no matter what they say about Jesus before. God can change them until they die or reach judgment. (Who would have thought Paul would be given an opportunity to receive Jesus as savior)

vs 11-12- Jesus final point to his followers. Don't worry as you are brought before the courts of this world for your faith. God provides. The Holy Spirit will give you what you need to respond. Why because God cares for you. (think of the number of times this happened in the bible. (Dan 3:16-18, Acts 7, Gen 41:16-ff, Exodus 4:11-12)

Day 58

Luke 11:45–54 (NIV)

⁴⁵ One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” ⁴⁶ Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. ⁴⁷ “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them. ⁴⁸ So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.

⁴⁹ Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ ⁵⁰ Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

⁵² “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” ⁵³ When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, ⁵⁴ waiting to catch him in something he might say.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the difference between what Jesus asks us to do and people who live by the law asks us to do?

How does what Jesus says in verses 49-51 come true in Jesus’ life?

Is there anything you do that keeps people away from God?

Notes

vs 45- So far Jesus indictments have been against the Pharisees. But some of the lawyers (ones who interpret how to follow the religious laws for today) are also there at the meal. Now one of them speaks up. What Jesus says to them also attacks us and what we do. The two groups though separate, worked together on deciding how to live the law.

vs 46- Jesus doesn't give them any slack either. He accuses them of so burdening the people with trivial and confusing interpretations of the law that they cannot follow God. (think of tax code in US) Not only do they do this, they also refuse to help! (if you cannot figure it out then too bad) Instead of leading people toward God they are leading them away from Him! Think of Matt 11:28 -30 for Jesus' view of handling belief in God.

vs 47-48 Jesus doesn't actually mean they are building tombs of the prophets. It is way of saying they put a great deal of honor in commemorating the prophets but in reality they are following what their forefather did in killing or persecuting the prophets because the prophets were not saying what the people wanted to hear. Jesus saying you would kill God's messengers today like your forefathers persecuted and killed the prophets of their day. (Think of the foreshadowing of Jesus’ statement. They will kill Him)

vs 49- God's wise choice was to send people to speak for Him but the people refused to listen (8:10-15) Jesus says You still refuse to listen (you are doing the same thing they did) and therefore their punishment will be your punishment. You are just as guilty as others who led the people astray (Ezek 34) (see 20:9-18 for parable with same point)

vs 50 - 51 You guilt runs as deep as time. Things haven't changed from the killing of Abel til today. You are guilty of all of it. It is all a rejection of God's message. We still are before we become a follower.

vs 52- Not only do the leaders choose to not follow God they also take opportunity away from those who want to enter. They are an obstacle to faith!

Why was Jesus so blunt? First he had to try to wake the leaders up from their complacency and their rush to hell. Second Jesus shows concern for all those that these leaders are hurting by their false teaching

vs 53 The most obvious reaction is that of these leaders. It is clear that they would oppose Jesus if they don't see their wrongs.

Day 57

Luke 11:37–44 (NIV)

³⁷ When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. ³⁸ But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. ³⁹ Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰ You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹ But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

⁴² “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. ⁴³ “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. ⁴⁴ “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it.”

Helpful Info

Not about physical cleansing but for spiritual cleansing

Jewish tradition made a point of such a practice (Gen. 18:4; Judg. 19:21). Such washing, though described in the OT, was not prescribed. Jesus chooses not to follow it here, even though he is in a Pharisee’s house. This is no neutral matter for the Pharisee or for Jesus, given what it signifies for both. For the Pharisees, the issue is ritual purity before God; for Jesus, it is additional burdens to God’s revelation. It is significant that the host says nothing about what he is thinking and yet Jesus responds to his thoughts. Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

vs 44-Nothing spread ritual impurity as severely as a corpse; Pharisees believed that one contracted impurity if even one’s shadow touched a corpse or grave. Inconspicuous tombs (or limestone ossuaries) would be whitewashed each spring to warn passersby to avoid them and so to avoid impurity, but the Pharisees lack this telltale warning sign. They are impure on the inside, but look religious on the outside.Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Why did Jesus act the way he did in the Pharisee’s house? Why was it not rude?

What do I put too much importance in when it comes to the outward? Are there rituals that that I put too much importance in, placing them on a level God never intended?

What do I put too little importance in when it comes to the inside?

Notice the importance Jesus places on not being the cause of others to sin? What does it say to us?

Notes

On two other occasions Jesus has been invited to home of Pharisee to eat 7:36, 14:1. Both times the events around the meal cause the differences between Jesus and the Pharisees to show up. This time it is the meal itself and the conversation that cause the division to be shown. Jesus this time is telling the Pharisees they are wrong about everything.

It is highly unusual for a guest to act this way at a host house. The conversation shows that Jesus cannot put up anymore with the harm the Pharisees are causing, not only to themselves but also to others. Remember Jesus remarks concerning the care of little children Matt 18:6. Jesus is trying to stop these he is talking to from doing tremendous harm so the rules of hospitality do not apply. Luke makes this clear by using "Lord" as the way he refers to Jesus beginning his comments in vs 39

vs 38 -39 see helpful info- washing hands had become a ritual of the Jews. Jesus doesn’t follow it and can see the surprise of the others around the table.

Jesus then extends the question of true purity not only to hand washing but to the other ritual of cleaning outside of plates, bowls, etc.

40-41 True purity isn't in keeping a ritual; it is in what is inside you. With both barrels Jesus now attacks the evil in the Pharisees approach to faith. They are all about procedures and customs and have long ago forgotten what these things were meant to point to.

Purity is important, even Jesus isn't saying the outward cannot be done. But never should the outward things be taken for what is important, the heart, the love, the justice inside an individual is what is needed to be truly pure! Caring for the poor is what Jesus brings up as what they need to be focusing on. (always an issue of indictment for God's people Isa 1:17, 3:14)

What do I put too much importance in when it comes to the outward?

What do I put too little importance in when it comes to the inside?

vs 42- in a strange way this is one of the rare verses where Jesus talks about tithing. Tithing involved not just money but also crops and animals. Deut 14:22-29. Jesus uses the example of the Pharisee being so concerned that they even measured out a tenth of their herbs for the tithe! Jesus saying great to tithe but remember why you tithe. It is about an attitude of justice and love! Jesus point the Pharisees doing what can measured but not doing what comes from the heart. similar to the outside cup issue.

Easier to follow a law than to show love!

vs 43- Then he comes to the arrogance of the Pharisees. They want to be noticed for how Godly they are. They take the seats of honor in synagogue and stand in the marketplace so everyone has to pay homage to them. Sign of respect to a superior to greet them first. Pharisee go around in flowing robes so everyone know who they are. (Mark 12:38-39)

Remember humility. 14:7-11

Final condemnation is what really concerns Jesus. Bad enough that Pharisees go wrong way but they also by their false religion cause others to follow and become unclean

Be careful how you lead! Don’t get caught up in little things so that you forget the big picture. Pharisee so concerned about breaking the law of God that they forgot what the law’s intent was.

Day 56

Luke 11:33–36 (NIV)

³³ “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. ³⁴ Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. ³⁶ Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Are there times in your life when you hide the light of Jesus so others do not see it? Why?

What are your eyes focused on?

How do people see the light of Jesus in your life? What can you do better for people to see Jesus more clearly in how you live?

Notes

8:16 is repeated here but this time with a new focus. With the question of how to respond to Jesus being asked in the last sections Jesus is giving the answer.

What do you do with what I have taught? It is not intended to be hidden or not used. It is intended to light up your life and light the lives of others. That they may see the source of the light (1:78-79, John 1:4, 3:19-21, also see Matt 5:14-16) Jesus is the ultimate source and he now proclaims himself so that everyone can see Him.

vs 34-35 Jesus cannot have the light go in you. You have to decide how you receive the light. (that's the eye)

If your spiritual eyes are healthy then you see Jesus' light and it comes in to your whole body. It completely changes you. But you can also choose to let in the wrong things and they can and will corrupt your whole body.

What comes in will come out. You put Good in Good will come out of you, you put bad in Bad will come out of you. Key is your eye. How you view the world.

vs 36- your life when lived the right way will be lit for others to see, you will reflect what Jesus has taught you, and give chance for others to see the true light

Day 55

11:27–32 (NIV)

²⁷ As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” ²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

²⁹ As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. ³⁰ For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. ³¹ The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here. ³² The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Why does Jesus deflect the comment of the woman in verse 27 and change it to something else? What does it say about what our focus should be on?

What makes this generation that Jesus is talking to wicked?

What does it mean that Jesus will be a sign as Jonah was to the Ninevites?

Where is the generation we live in, in comparison to the generation of Jesus?

Notes

The story shows while good intentioned, the crowd still doesn't get the fact they must decide about Jesus. This lady appears to see Jesus as a prophet; not God himself.

vs 27-28- it is true that Mary was blessed (1:28-29, 42, 48) so why does Jesus change the focus? Did a similar thing in 8:19-21. Why? Jesus not saying Mary didn't receive a blessing rather He is pointing to the fact that anyone can receive the blessing of God by listening and doing what God is saying through Him. Note: based on the criteria of Jesus, Mary is blessed

Hearing and obeying is a reoccurring theme in Luke (6:46-49, 10:39-42, 9:35, 9:23-26, 8:11-14)

vs 29-32 Jesus answer to vs 16- about those looking for sign

crowds increase- just because the crowds are growing doesn't mean they get it.

wicked generation- remember what Jesus said to the towns He spoke in the most often. (10:11-15 Sodom would have responded) (also see 9:41) Now Jesus says it in a more general way. The Jews do not accept the proof he has already offered. They always wants more. Jesus saying enough! He then says the Ninevites and the queen of the South (Sheba) will condemn this generation. Note both groups were not Jewish. Nineveh was about to be destroyed because of the evil they were doing. But when Jonah preached they listened and repented. Jonah 3:6-10. Queen of Sheba came to Solomon because of his wisdom and left amazed at God. 2 Chron 9:1-8

Jesus point they had less information and signs than this generation but they accepted God's message. Jesus is vastly greater than Solomon or Jonah yet this generation does not respond! see John 1:10-12

vs 30- Jesus does say they will have one more sign. Just as Jonah was a sign to Nineveh so Jesus will be (future tense) to this generation- What does it mean? Jonah escaped death so will Jesus is one possibility (three days in whale vs 3 days in tomb) Matt 12:39-41 clarifies the meaning

death- 3 days- resurrection- proclamation of repentance being available

Point of this section is they have all the information they need to make a decision, it is time to do so!

day 54

Luke 11:14–26 (NIV)

¹⁴ Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. ¹⁵ But some of them said, “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” ¹⁶ Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

¹⁷ Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. ¹⁸ If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. ¹⁹ Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

²¹ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ²² But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.

²³ “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

²⁴ “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ ²⁵ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is different in how this crowd is treating Jesus compared to others he has been around?

What does Jesus’ answer about not being from Satan say about Jesus power?

In verses 24-26 Jesus talks about it not being enough to take away evil. It must be replaced with good. Are you doing this in an area you are struggling in?

Notes

Jesus is once again driving out demons, The crowd is once again amazed but his time there is an undercurrent of objection being raised. Actually saying Jesus is doing this to fool you, to get you to listen to him when he really is from Satan. Luke does not say who is suggesting it; Matthew says it is the Pharisees Matt 9:32-34. Others are wanting a sign that Jesus is from God. Once again we see Jesus causing people to make a decision 2:34-35

Beelzebub, is just another name for Satan, viewed as the prince of demons- Assumes that Satan also has a kingdom that he tries to establish.

vs 17- Jesus refutes this belief that he is from Satan with reason.

1st- can a kingdom that fights itself (having a civil war) last? If I am driving out demons then I am hurting Satan’s cause. Note this assumes Satan is in control of demons

2nd -vs 19- if I drive out demons by Satan what does it say about people you approve of and how they drive out demons. Are they from Satan also? Go ask them by what power they drive out demons. They will tell you it is the power of God

3rd- vs 20- If how I drive out demons is by God then it tells you I am from God. More than that it tells you my words are true. Therefore God's kingdom is coming, in fact is here. The proof is in the miracles I do.

vs 21-22 Jesus continues his argument. Showing it is by God's power he does this.

strong man, fully armed, guards his house.- This strong man may refer to a roman commanders house in the city. It would be well guarded, stocked with weapons. But also could simply be a well-to-do person with power to protect his things.

Point is it takes someone stronger to overtake the man's defenses and take the house. Jesus making the point that I am stronger than Satan. No matter how great he thinks he is he will be defeated. Proof is I can overthrow demons and he cannot do anything about it.

Not only does Jesus win the battle he also shares the spoils.

vs 23 Jesus now pointed asks the crowd. Your choice- do you believe in me or not? Do you believe that I am from God or not? If you do not believe in me then you are against me (assumption based on what he has said is that you also would be against God) If you don't work with me (Just a thought, isn't great that we are included in his work) then you are trying to destroy the work of God.

The implication is to those who say Jesus is not from God but rather from Satan, they are the ones who actually are doing the work of Satan. They are scattering the flock of God Matt 9:36

vs 24-26- Jesus warns that just removing demons is not enough. You have to replace it with something good, implying you need belief in Jesus. Otherwise all you have done is opened yourself to more evil coming into your life.

Using Jesus example of the strong man's house, We are not strong enough to defeat Satan on our own and keep him out of our house (lives) . We need Jesus defending the house!

You cannot fix yourself. You have to have faith in Jesus. Without it you are doomed!

Remember how the miracles of Jesus also require faith in Him.