26: The Problem of religious leaders (Luke 11:33 – 54)

They were blinded because they did not seek the glory of God. Therefore, they focused only on outward things, seeking human praise. Knowing the Scriptures without putting them into practice only accumulated their self-righteousness, which led them to reject the prophets and even Jesus. Their behavior seriously distorted the truth and blocked the way of salvation for others. Therefore, Jesus, in an unusually strong way, announced the coming judgment upon them: “Woe to you.”

👉 Read Luke 11:33 - 54

Q1. What is the reason that your body is in darkness? 

ANS: The lamp, eye, is unhealthy. 

When you don’t seek God’s glory but seek own glory, your eyes are unhealthy and your whole body is in darkness. Then, you cannot see dirty desires in your heart including greed and self-pride. 

Also, because it is dark inside, you would not care about inside but rather seek your righteousness from your outside as in verse 39.

Q2. The reason they should care about inside is because that God has also made our (     ) and evaluates it. And the cleanness of inside is shown as merciful act for those in (      ). We should keep the law that regulates our behaviors, and at same time not neglect (      ) and (      ) of God. Otherwise, we will be like (       ) that outside looks clean but inside full of dead bones that are ritually unclean.

The reason they should care about inside is because that God has also made our ( inside ) and evaluates it. And the cleanness of inside is shown as merciful act for those in ( need ). We should keep the law that regulates our behaviors, and at same time not neglect ( justice ) and ( love  ) of God. Otherwise, we will be like ( unmarked grave ) that outside looks clean but inside full of dead bones that are ritually unclean.

The Pharisees tried to keep their hands clean claiming as to serve God. However, they should know God gave us conscience and sees our hearts. Merciful God wants us be merciful like Him.

‘Justice’: It can also be translated as ‘judgment.’ It means that we must examine our lives and hearts from God’s perspective, who judges both our outward actions and our inward being.

Q3. Find related verses. Their outside looks holy but inside full of dirty things (v      ). They don’t try to do what they teach. (v         )  They claim to be serving God's word but persecute the prophet who delivered the word. (v             ) They are good at religion, but stingy in giving love (v      ) They loved to be honored and served by people (v      ) though they claimed to serve God. They didn’t enter true knowledge of God and eternal life, and prevent others who want to enter (v      ).

ANS: v44, v46, v47, v41, v43, v52

Building the prophets’ tombs showed that they approved of their fathers’ killing of the prophets because it continued the same attitude in a different form. When the prophets were alive and speaking God’s word, their fathers killed them to silence their voice. 

After their death, they built tombs and honored them as true prophets. It gives the impression that they themselves are standing with the prophets, and in doing so they quietly remove themselves from being the targets of the prophets’ message. It is like a pastor assuming that a sermon is not addressed to him. They welcomed the prophets, but they ignored their message.

Killing was to silence the prophet. Building was to ignore the message of God spoken through the prophet, for they assumed that the message was not toward them.

Q4. What was their response when Jesus had said these words?

ANS: they opposed him bitterly

As their ancestors killed the prophets, now, they tried to kill Jesus, the promised prophet.

Q5. Jesus said, this generation will be accountable for the sin of killing God’s prophets since the time of Abel. Why is this generation?

ANS: The final prophet, God’s very own Son, was going to be killed by this generation.

Final message is spoken. When they refuse it, there is no more patience and opportunity.

Q6. Why do you think Jesus has announced ‘woe’ to them? (44, 52)

ANS: They prevent the way of salvation from the people.

T.

C.