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43: Be ready and Stay alert for His return (Luke 21:25 – 38)

The disciples wanted to know about the signs of the last days. Maybe they wanted to escape the disasters or to be well prepared. However, rather than telling us how to avoid such disasters, the Lord tells us that we will face persecution and that these times will instead provide us with an opportunity to be His witnesses. It is the time of redemption, and we should be alert to stand before Him. 👉 Read Luke 21:25-38 Chapter 21 can be analyzed as followings. Please fill the blanks. 21:1–4 People are impressed by the offerings of the rich, but the Lord values the offering of the poor widow more, because she gave her life. 21:5–6 The magnificent and glorious temple? It will be destroyed. 21:7–9 The disciples wanted to know the signs of such disasters. Perhaps they wanted to prepare themselves for the tribulation and have more control over the situation. Jesus’ answer (8-9) works as a brief introduction to the following details (10-26). Here are two points: 1) Don’t be misled by...
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42: Widow’s offering & the Destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (Luke 21:1 – 24)

This chapter contains an apocalyptic message about the near future—the fall of Jerusalem—and the far future—the return of the Son of Man. Jesus tells us how to gain our lives. 👉 Read Luke 21:1-24 Q1. By what criteria did the poor widow donate more than everyone else? Answers 👉 She out of her poverty put in all she had to live on. Following is a literal translation of verse 4. "For they all offered their gifts out of their abundance (περισσεύοντος overflowing abundance), but she, out of her deficiency(ὑστερήματος, lacking), put in all the life(βίον, living, not life(ζωή) as in ‘life or death’)  she had."  Jesus doesn’t mean that the widow gave 100% of her possessions while the others did not. She made her livelihood more difficult by giving, whereas the others could give without experiencing any difficulty in their daily lives. They did not risk their livelihood, but she did by giving the two coins she needed to buy that day’s meal. She brought herself as an offeri...
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41: Marriage and resurrection & David’s son and Lord (Luke 20:27 – 47)

The religious leaders failed to recognize Jesus as the Christ for three reasons explained in Luke 20. They were blinded by their ignorance of Scripture (failing to understand that God is not the God of the dead but of the living), by their desire for their own authority and glory (going beyond challenging Jesus' authority to seeking His death-their challenge against God's authority over life, and loving to be honored by people-taking glory that belongs to God), and by the mysterious identity of Christ (being both David's Son and David's Lord). Because of these, they were unable to recognize who He truly was. 👉 Read Luke 20:27-47 Q1. The Sadducees denied the resurrection because it would conflict with the Levirate marriage law (marriage with the dead brother's wife). What was Jesus' answer to this? (two, vv34-36, 37-38) Answers 👉 They don’t marry at the resurrection God is the God of the living, not the dead. The Sadducees' question was based on the...
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40: Authority of Jesus & Ten tenants & Paying Tax (Luke 20:1 – 26)

This chapter contains the final disputes with the religious leaders and shows their disqualification.  👉 Read Luke 20:1-26 Q1. When Jesus cleansed the temple, religious leaders came and asked what authority he had. Jesus asked them back, ‘John’s baptism, was it from heaven or from people?' Jesus implied that both Jesus’ authority and John’s authority have the same origin. They said they didn’t know where John’s baptism came from. What blinded their eyes? (5-6) Answers 👉 Seeking self-righteousness.  Their concerned more about their reputation than the truth. If they had admitted their sinfulness and accepted John’s baptism, they would have believed the gospel of Jesus: salvation through forgiveness.  When John preached a baptism of repentance in the wilderness, the religious leaders largely ignored him. Since they did not consider themselves sinners, they paid little attention to his message. Some may even have viewed his ministry as beneficial, expecting his cal...
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39: Blinded Welcome of the King (Luke 19:28–48)

Jerusalem welcomed Jesus as her King, yet did not understand what He had come to do—to bring them peace with God. This was hidden from their eyes, so they would crucify their King.  👉 Read Luke 19:28-48 Q1. What words did His disciple say to the owner of the colt that he let it go?  Answers 👉 The Lord needs of it. It is not sure whether Jesus pre-arranged it or miraculously the owner moved at that moment, Jesus wanted to declare that He was entering Jerusalem as the Messianic King, acts with that kind of authority. In the ancient Near East, kings could requisition animals or services for official purposes. Luke's wording, "The Lord needs it," fits this theme well. The owners' compliance foreshadows the recognition of His kingship. "The crowds were willing to welcome Jesus as King, but they did not understand the kind of King He was. The leaders, however, were unwilling to accept Him because they did not recognize that He was the promised Messiah. Both...
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38: Zacchaeus & the ten minas parable (Luke 19:1 – 27)

This passage, Jesus’ teaching is somewhat different from people’s viewpoint. People often assume that God comes to seek the righteous, but Jesus came to save sinners. At first glance, it may seem harsh that the master took away the mina from the servant. Yet, both episodes reveal the same truth: misunderstanding God's heart and failing to trust His purpose can hinder us from following Jesus. 👉 Read Luke 19:1-27 Q1. What is the reaction of the people to Jesus visiting the house of Zacchaeus? What is Jesus' answer to that? Answers 👉 They complained that Jesus went to be the guest of a sinner.  Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost. V5: Jesus intently looked for Zacchaeus and stayed at his house. Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus. Jesus came to seek and to save Zacchaeus.  When Jesus personally visited Zacchaeus, he was moved and gave away his possessions. When we encounter Jesus' grace, we are changed and repent. Zacchaeus' response contrasts with th...
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37: the Wealthy ruler & Disciples & Blind man (Luke 18:18 – 43)

Everyone in this passage were exposed to the truth of salvation. The wealthy ruler became sad on hearing how to inherit eternal life. The disciples could not grasp the meaning of the cross when Jesus had revealed the salvation plan. Yet the blind man alone, by faith, approached Jesus and received his sight and glorified God. 👉 Read Luke 18:18-43 Q1. A wealthy ruler thought he could inherit eternal life through his works. That is why he asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do...?” Knowing his viewpoint, Jesus said, “No one is good except (     ) alone.” He meant that no one is (      ) enough to be rewarded with eternal life. Only (     ) provides life to us. Although this man was pious and had kept the (        ), he did not have confidence about his salvation. That is why he came to Jesus. Jesus finally answered him what he needed to do: “Sell (     ) that you have and give the (      ) ...
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36: The praying widow & the prayer of a tax collector & a child enters the kingdom (Luke 18:1 – 17)

This passage illustrates what faith looks life. 👉 Read Luke 18:1-17 Q1. What is the lesson of the parable of the persistent widow? (1) Answers 👉 To pray always and not to lose heart, The Bible explicitly says the purpose of this parable. We are not to focus other voices from the parable; e.g. God delays to answer our prayer just like this judge. Q2. By comparing God to the unjust judge, we can see how much well God listens to our prayers. What are the reasons? Answer 👉 This judge is unjust and not fearing God (2, 4) but our God is just and righteous. The widow was no one for the judge but because of keeping coming the judge granted her request. However, we are chosen by God and He answers our prayer speedily, not reluctantly.  Faith is to wait for God’s final justice when Jesus returns. Will you stand in faith while His return is being delayed though he had said he would come quickly? Note that God would give justice (in other words, His Kingdom) to us, not so...
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35: The coming of the kingdom & the coming of the Son of Man (Luke 17:20 – 37)

This passage corrects some misunderstanding regarding the time of His kingdom. 👉 Read Luke 17:20 - 37 Q1. The Pharisees expected to see a visible and undeniable sign of God’s kingdom. Such expectation could mislead us too. What is Jesus’ answer for this? Answers 👉 The Kingdom doesn’t come with visible signs. The Kingdom of God is in your midst. God’s kingdom comes in our heart first. Its full and visible manifestation will happen when Jesus returns. Q2. Jesus’ return will be unmistakably clear. When He comes, there will be no ambiguity about His appearing (vv.   –    ). However, before His glory is revealed, His suffering must first take place (v. 25). His coming will also be sudden, interrupting ordinary human life in the midst of daily routines (vv. –     ). On that day, for the situation will be urgent, do not set your heart on the world or turn back to what is left behind, or you lose your life (vv.  –   ). Salvation...
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34: The Marks of Faith (mustard seed): Forgiving(7times), Worthless servant, and Grateful (9 of 10)(Luke 17:1–19)

Having exposed the Pharisees' blindness, pride, and self-righteousness in Luke 14–16, Jesus now describes what His disciples should be like. Rather than focusing on themselves, they are to care for others by forgiving those who repent and to live before God with humility and gratitude. Such willingness to forgive, humility of self-denial, and grateful attitude are the marks of faith. 👉 Read Luke 17:1-19 Q1. For Jesus’ disciples, It looks like not to make others stumble because of you is as much important as you don’t sin. These are two commands given in 1-4. We are to be careful not to cause one of (                 ) to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! Don’t stop (               ) your brothers. Answers 👉 These little ones, forgiving. We often focus on ourselves and think we are ok as long as we stand in faith regardless of others’ spiritual condition.  ‘little ones’: they are prone t...
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33: The Unrighteous Manager & foolish Pharisees & Lazarus story (Luke 16:1 – 31)

“Make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out, you will be welcomed into the eternal homes.” (16:9) 👉 Read Luke 16:1-31 Q1. This is one of the difficult parables to comprehend. For such a text, we should focus on the conclusion of Jesus (v. 8-9) rather than evaluate the servants' behavior by ourselves. What will be Jesus' message to us in our present life? (4, 9) Answers 👉 ANS: Make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth. As he prepared for life after dismissal with what he had. We must use the resources given to us now to prepare for life after death. Use perishable and temporary possession to buy unperishable and eternal assets.  Even if he had the legal proxy to adjust debts, doing so to bail himself out at his master's expense was a breach of fiduciary duty. It was morally compromised. We’d better focus on the master's (and Jesus') observation of the man's shrewdness, not his ethics. Verse 9 is...
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32: The Parables of the Lost: The Sheep, the Coin, and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1–32)

These parables reveal the Father's heart for His lost children. Notice that they belonged to Him before they were lost. 👉 Read Luke 15:1-32 Q1. In this chapter, Jesus responded to the Pharisees' complaint with three parables. Why did the Pharisees complain about Jesus? Answers 👉 ANS: Jesus welcomed tax collectors and sinners. Do you and your church welcome the homeless and the poor? Q2. The first two parables (vv. 3–10) proclaim this message: "There will be more joy in heaven over (   ) sinner who repents than over (    ) righteous people who do not need to repent." In both parables, the owners lost something and later found it. Their reactions are similar. What were their reactions? (Notice the expressions that show how diligently they searched for the lost and how greatly they rejoiced when they found it.) Answer 👉 One, ninety nine. The owners' reaction when it was lost (vv. 4 & 8): They searched diligently for the one that was missing. ...
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31: Healing on Sabbath & Seeking honor in Banquet & Counting the cost (Luke 14:1 – 35)

This passage tells reasons of our failures in believing Jesus: not knowing God’s intention in the law (especially Sabbath), seeking human honor, and limitation of un-resolved heart. 👉 Read Luke 14:1-35 Q1. How did Jesus legitimize His healing on Sabbath?  Answers 👉 ANS: If any of you had a son or cow in a pit, wouldn't you rescue him on the Sabbath? Jesus exposes their double standards and lack of love: they would rescue their own sons on the Sabbath, yet force others to wait until the next day for healing. By asking whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath, Jesus addresses a major contemporary religious debate. Rather than engaging in legalistic arguments, Jesus highlights a fundamental truth: the spirit of the law is love. His point is clear: "Your conscience naturally dictates saving your own son on the Sabbath; why do you forbid saving your neighbor? If you love your neighbors as yourselves, you would instantly know the right action to take on the Sabbath.” ...
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30: A Growing Seed & the Narrow Door & Rejection in Jerusalem (Luke 13:18 – 35)

This section shows the mysterious nature of the Kingdom. The kingdom starts with a small seed but will grow big, yet many will fail to enter it. It will be suprise that the Jews fail to enter, while the Gentiles are brought in. It also reveals their blind rejection—even to the point of persecution—especially in Jerusalem, the chosen city. 👉 Read Luke 13:18-35 Q1. (vv.18–21) What properties of the kingdom of God do the two parables explain? Answers 👉 ANS: It is growing: A person or a community must continue to grow spiritually. If there is true life, growth will follow. In the process of sanctification or in ministry, we must learn to wait with patience. We should not flip-flop based on what is seen. Rather, we must remain steadfast under the guidance of the Word and the Holy Spirit. Q2. (vv.22–30) “Exert every effort to enter through (             ). Many will try to enter and will not be able to, because when the Master (   ...
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