Gospel Meditation

Luke 20:19–26

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Members of the religious establishment, consisting of the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees (Matthew and Mark include the Herodians), these groups that were most often opposed to each other, band together in an attempt to trap Jesus and see then that the Romans deal with Him.

2.         These antagonists were watching Jesus carefully, hoping to find a way to bring charges against Him. Already these had gone to Judas Iscariot and enlisted him to find a way to arrest Jesus.

3.         Now, only two or three days before Jesus would be arrested and then crucified, Jesus’ enemies ask Him if it is right to pay tribute, or a tax, to Caesar. The Romans were severe about this and monitored this closely.

4.         Jesus asks that a denarius be shown to Him, and the  Roman coin, and probably with the likeness of Tiberius, the current Caesar, on one side of the coin, and with “Pontifex Maximus” on the reverse side. 

5.         He then says to give to Caesar what is required, yes paying the tax, but give to God the things that are God’s.

6.         If Jesus had said “No” to paying the tax, the authorities would look at Jesus as a traitor and law breaker. If Jesus had said “Yes” to paying the tax, many of the Jewish people would be angry at that, especially the religious authorities who would have lost the most.

7.         Jesus’ antagonists became silent at that point.

The Gospel Meditation

Luke 20:9–18

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Only a day or two remains before Jesus will be crucified. Many Jews are listening to Him teach and preach at the Temple in Jerusalem. Here is a parable in which Jesus describes what will take place in years to come.

2.         The parable concerns a man who planted a vineyard, hired others to care for it as he left the area for a lengthy period of time. Later on the owner of the vineyard sends a servant to those who are caring for it to receive some fruit from the vineyard.

3.         The first of these servants sent is beaten and sent away by the tenants of the vineyard. A second servant is also beaten and treated badly. And even a third servant is wounded and sent away.

4.         Finally, the owner of the vineyard sends a beloved son, whom the owner hopes will be welcomed. But no, this son is cast out of the vineyard and killed.

5.         This tragic event results in the owner coming and destroying the tenants and giving the vineyard to others.

6.         Those hearing the parable protest, and then the owner of the vineyard quotes Psalm 118:22, which speaks of a stone that is rejected, which nevertheless becomes the chief stone, even the most important stone, the cornerstone, which will bring horrible judgment upon the tenants of that vineyard.

7.         This parable is understood to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. And this may be seen as a last-ditch effort on Jesus’ part to warn His fellow Jews of what is about to unfold in their future history.

Gospel Meditation

1 Timothy 1:18–20

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.   The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee, is writing to young Timothy, this is the first of two epistles (letters). He starts off with a warning about false teachers troubling churches. The problem seems to be those who are still clinging to the Law of the Old Testament.

2.   Paul admits that formerly he had been a “blasphemer” as he had strongly opposed those who acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Others were now doing this as well and causing grief among those early believers.

3.   Paul knows Timothy will be, and likely was already, having to face the same from people like Paul had been. He writes to encourage him then, that he “wage the good warfare.” Indeed, it was warfare, demonically inspired, and what was then remained and remains today.

4.   When someone who acknowledged Jesus as the Christ yet does not hold to the faith and “a good conscience,” these make “shipwreck of their faith.” Paul names two such persons, obviously somewhat well known to both Paul and Timothy, a Hymenaeus and an Alexander.

5.   Paul goes so far as to say that he “handed” them over to Satan with the hope that these two men would correct their views and ways and return to being true Christians. This handing over is a way of saying the two men were put out of their congregations.

April 24, 20

Luke 19:28–40

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.              The final week, often referred to as The Passion Week, of Jesus’ ministry begins with His entry into Jerusalem. He comes in on a young donkey, a colt, that had never been ridden. Many think Jesus had arranged for the colt to be available via his friends who lived in Bethany, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, just 2 miles from Jerusalem.

2.              Two of Jesus’ disciples, no names are provided in any of the Gospel accounts, throw their ‘cloaks’ or outer garments, on the back of the colt, then put Jesus on the animal.

3.              Descending from the Mt. of Olives (Olivet) heading for Jerusalem not more than 2 miles distant, a whole multitude (meaning lots) accompany Him into the city rejoicing with shouts of praise. Their words state that these disciples understand that Jesus is the King or the Lord’s Messiah.

4.              Among the crowd are some Pharisees who shout out to Jesus that He must “rebuke” His disciples (students). In response, Jesus says that if these follower of His would not do so “the very stones would cry out.”

5.              As this large group nears Jerusalem, as the city came into view, Jesus began to weep, and amidst the weeping He is heard to express sorrow for what would come to the city since it would experience utter devastation, to the effect that the destroyers “will not leave on stone upon another.” 6.              This “word of knowledge” came to Jesus, and it would be fulfilled forty years later (or one generation) away. And so, it would at the conclusion of a four-year war with Rome, the city would be destroyed, along with the Temple, in 70 A.D.

Gospel Meditation

Luke 19:1–10

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         The old city of Jericho had been replaced, mostly through Herod the Great, who died about four years before the birth of Jesus, and it was a magnificent built. Only 14 miles away from Jerusalem, the road to it was well travelled and at Jericho would be a taxing booth or table.

2.         A wealthy and chief tax collector was one Zacchaeus, a Jewish man, who would have been greatly despised by most others. He must have heard about Jesus, and when learning that He was passing through the town, wanted badly to see Him.

3.         Being small of stature, he climbed upon a sycamore tree (a fig mulberry tree, branches low to the ground) because he could see over the crowds lining the path Jesus and His disciples were walking on.

4.         Jesus spotted Zacchaeus, called him to come down and invited Himself and His disciples to come to Zacchaeus’ house. When the locals saw this, Luke tells us “they all grumbled” because being a tax collector, he would he hated.

5.         Zacchaeus, a terrible sinner in the opinion of others, announced that he would give half his goods to the poor and promised to give back fourfold to anyone he had cheated.

6.         Jesus thereupon announced that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house, and He affirmed that he was a “son of Abraham.”

7.         Jesus then said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Zacchaeus was one of these.

Luke 18:31–43

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         On His way to Jerusalem with His disciples, along with throngs of others going up to the city for Passover, Jesus, and for the third time, says that He will be given over to the Gentiles who will mistreat Him and also kill Him. Not only that, but that He will also rise from the dead. But they did not understand Him.

2.         Crossing over the Jordan River, they come to the city of Jericho. (There were two sites for the city, the old one built by the Jews and also a newer city built by Romans.)

3.         Now a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, which was common, and there were likely many more doing this hoping for offerings from the pilgrims headed toward Jerusalem. (Matthew speaks of two beggars.)

4.         The beggar, upon hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me,” a messianic term used by Jews in that era. Jesus stopped and had the blind man brought to Him.

5.         The man pleaded for Jesus to heal him, and Jesus did so and said to him, “your faith has made you well.” And that faith would be that not only could Jesus heal him but that He was the promised Messiah.

6.         The man now became a follower of Jesus and those who witnessed it gave glory to God.

Gospel Meditation

Luke 18:15–30

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Likely numbers of times parents brought their children to Jesus so that He might bless them (with a touch). In that era, children were often a burden to parents.

2.         Jesus invites children to come to Him, and such is the way we must come into the

kingdom of God.

3.         Then a rich ruler sought Jesus out. Maybe the head of a synagogue or even a member of the Sanhedrin (70 of them ruled over by the high priest).

4.         It seems that he desired to have eternal life and must have thought Jesus could show him the way.

5.         Jesus lists 5 commandments, these called the Second Table of the Law, and the ruler says he is completely obedient and observant of these laws. (see Exodus 20)

6.         Jesus then tells him to sell all he has and give it to the poor, and then become His follower.

7.         The ruler declines however, too high a price to pay for him, and Jesus states how difficult it is for those who are wealthy. Using hyperbole, to help make His point, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.

8.         Those who heard Jesus’ words wondered who then could be saved. Jesus says only God can do this saving work.

9.         Those who leave all worldly goods behind–perhaps referring to forgives and peace–will receive much more here on the planet, and then even eternal life.

Luke 18:1–14

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Say or sing the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         The opening parable, about a persistent widow, is intended by Jesus that His followers make prayer a central part of their lives and thus not give up to despair.

2.         In the parable there was a judge who was essentially an atheist and uncaring. There was a widow, obviously poor and powerless, who continually approached the judge and asked his help. The judge refused at first, but after a while, due to the constancy of the widow, he grants her request.

3.         The intent of the parable is that for Jesus’ followers (His elect), they are to continue in prayer and God will give them justice, answering their prayers.

4.         Secondly, a Pharisee and a tax collector, are at the Temple praying. The Pharisee does not really pray but boasts of how superior he is in comparison with a despised tax collector, who is obviously Jewish.

5.         The self-righteous religious Pharisee boasts of how wonderful he is while noting the despised tax collector. With five “I’s” the Pharisee lets God know how different he is from the tax collector.

6.         This man, standing a good distance from the Pharisee, beats on his chest in his misery, and asks for forgiveness identifying himself as a “sinner.”

7.         That “bad” man went home “justified,” that is, forgiven of his sin. Not so the Pharisee.  

Gospel Meditation

Luke 17:20–37

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Pharisees ask Jesus as to when the kingdom or reign of the Messiah would begin, and Jesus says that it will come but without it being seen.

2.         Instead, the kingdom of God was already present, and indeed, was right in front of them.

3.         Then to His own disciples, Jesus says that they will desire to see the Son of Man, meaning Himself, but they will not see Him, thus referring to the ascension, His return to heaven.

4.         But others will come claiming to be the Christ; these are to be rejected. A day is coming however when they will see Him. Yet, before that time, He will be rejected, meaning the cross.

5.         In fact, life will go on as normal, but as in the days of Noah and Lot, speaking of the great flood and Sodom being destroyed, He will return or be revealed as the Messiah.

6.         People will seek to preserve their lives meanwhile, but they will lose them, yet those who will lose their lives, by means of following Jesus as the Christ, these will live. Here is an allusion to the reality of heaven and hell.

7.         Indeed, life on the planet will continue, and it will be clear and plain when the Kingdom of God does in fact appear.                                 

Gospel Meditation

Luke 17:11–19

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         It is thought that Jesus, with His disciples, were on the Galilean border with Samaria and Jesus, instead of traveling south through Samaria, headed east to cross the Jordan and proceed south along the Jordan River on the way to Jerusalem.

2.         In an un-named village, 10 lepers, standing at a safe distance from Jesus and companions, loudly called out to Jesus to have mercy on them.

3.         Leprosy, very contagious and without a means to treat it, meant a slow miserable and painful dying. Lepers were not allowed to mix with the general population and were forced to live apart, usually in caves and forests.

4.         Jesus, without seemingly coming near them, told them to show themselves to the priests. There was a procedure conducted by the priests to declare a formerly ill person with leprosy to be able to enter back into his or her community. We find these arrangements in Leviticus 14.

5.         Though all were healed of their leprosy on their way to find the priests, only one returned to thank Jesus and this was a Samaritan. By the way, it would be quite unusual for a Samaritan to be with Jews.

6.         Jesus told the now cured former leper to rise, go his way, because his faith had made him well.

7.         Our key point is that the leper did what Jesus said to do, and then came back giving thanks to the Healer.