It was brought to my attention, and I totally agree, that we should be discussing as we study. So, this week we are studying Luke Chapter 19. I don’t want to miss discussing it together on this blog. So, Today and Tuesday I wanted to open the conversation about Chapter 19, and then on Wednesday we will open the conversation about chapter 20 so that we can begin discuss as we work thorough our study.
In Chapter 19, Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem. The last several chapters have made a point of noting that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, and now He is finally here. The King has entered the city. The people rejoice. What happens next is rich with lessons for all of us, and I am anxious to hear what the Lord has been teaching all you Ladies from this section.
We do hope that all of you can join us on Tuesday morning from 9:30 -11:30am. We cherish your presence and your input. However, we know that for some it’s just not possible for you to be with us in person, but we know that you are with us in spirit.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Yay! First comment!
Thanks Sue, for posting Chapter 19 early. I hope this task hasn’t been overwhelming for you. It is so encouraging to be able to experience unity during the week while we wait for Tuesday mornings.
It’s comforting to know we’re all experiencing the same concepts from God’s word.
In this chapter my favorite part was when the Pharisees were annoyed with the disciples of Jesus and told Jesus to rebuke and silence them.
Jesus, always with the perfect words to say, “Even if they were silenced, the very stones would cry out.”
AWESOME!!
~Sadie
October 6th, 2009 at 7:36 am
So, girls…What did you think? I disagreed with the wording of one of our questions regarding Zaccheaus. Come this morning to hear my objections and to share your thoughts!
Love, sue
October 6th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Making connections in my mind …
I found this to be interesting, again it just impressed on me the importance of looking at scripture in context.
I thought it interesting to contrast the response of Zacchaeus to Jesus in Chapter 19 with the response of the rich young ruler in Chapter 18.
The rich young ruler
18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
Zacchaeus (I loved Zacchaeus’ persistence, like the widow, how we are to pray, and the blind man in Chapter 18)
19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
* The rich young ruler was told that he needed to give up his idol, money. Zacchaeus (who was very wealthy) knew that he needed to give up his idols and volunteered.
*Zacchaeus knew that he was a sinner (just like the tax collectors prayer in Luke 18:9-14), just like the rich young ruler thought he was justified because he kept the law (just as the Pharisee thought).
* Zacchaeus rejoiced, the rich young ruler was sad.
* Jesus commended Zacchaeus & even said that salvation had come to his house. Jesus lamented for the rich young ruler that it was impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God,
But take courage, that which is impossible for man is possible with God. A few verses later we see the rich Zacchaeus come to God!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Sue, I’m glad we were able to hash out your concerns in the first question about Zacchaeus.
I do think the author of the study intended for the question to be about his heart’s response after Jesus called him but I do think the proceeding verse about Zacchaeus “seeking to know who Jesus was” shows evidence of a previous “calling” or election…
What a mind bender!
~Sadie
Good stuff Lisa!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:56 am
As Jesus steadfastly sets his face towards Jerusalem, we have followed his progress and learned lessons about persistence, priorities, and grieving for the lost. Luke’s recurring theme of persistence in seeking Jesus was re-enforced by the story of Zacchaeus, the short tax collector who climbed a tree to see who Jesus was. We were inspired by his spontaneous response to Jesus calling. He immediately repented and vowed to repair the damages he had caused over the years. Next, Jesus tells a parable demonstrating the importance of investing wisely in the work of the Kingdom. Jesus’ grief for the lost generation in Jerusalem reminded us that we, too, must understand the serious nature of the kingdom work. The happiest moment came when Sadie reminded us that Jesus gave the perfect comeback to the critical Pharisees when Jesus said that the stones would rise up and praise Jesus if the people did not.