Luke 17

 

God’s forgiveness has no end

 

1 Then he said to the disciples, It is impossible that offences not come: but woe/cries of grief to him through whom they come! 2 It would better for him if the millstone of an ass were put around his neck and he was thrown into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Be on your guard! If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turns again to you, saying, I repent; you are to forgive him. 5 And the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this black mulberry tree, Be rooted up and planted in the sea; and it would obey you. 7 Which of you having a slave plowing or shepherding says to him when he comes in from the field, Go, sit down to eat? 8 Won’t you say to him, Prepare me something to eat, and gird yourself and serve me until I have finished eating and drinking; and afterward you may eat and drink? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did what was commanded him? I don’t think so. 10 So also you, when you have done all those things that are commanded you say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done what we ought to do.

 

  • Romans 10:17… faith come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

His kingdom is within us

 

11  And as he went to Jerusalem he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 When he entered a certain village ten leprous men met him who stood far off: 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said to them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner? 19 And he said to him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole. 20 And being questioned by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation: 21 Nor will they say, Look! Here! Or, look there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22 And he said to the disciples, The days will come, when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. 23 They will say to you, Look here! Or, Lookthere! Do not go after them, or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes out of the one part under heaven, shining to the other part under heaven; so also will the coming of the Son of man be in his day.

 

  • Zechariah 14:4 And his feet will stand in that day on the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives will split in the middle of it toward the east and toward the west, and there will be a very great valley; and half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
  • Micah 4:3 And he will judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations far off; and they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation will not lift up a sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.

 

He suffered for us

 

25 But first he must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation. 26 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of man. 27 They were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 And as it was in the days of Lot; they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; 29 But on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 This is how it will be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he who is on the housetop and his goods in the house, do not let him come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, do not let him return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever will seek to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed; the one will be taken, and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together; the one will be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men will be in the field; the one will be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said to him, Where, Lord? And he said to them, Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

 

  • Eagles are the nations gathered to tear apart Israel in the last days of the tribulation.
  • The suffering He spoke of was for us.
  • Jesus never did anything wrong, ever.
  • Throughout eternity past, His earthly life, and all of eternity future, He is the flawless Son of the Almighty God.
  • His death was payment for all the wrongs of mankind against our Holy Father God.
  • Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high
  • Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases. 4 Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies

 

                                               Luke 18

 

God is patient over us and speedily avenges His own that cry out to Him

 

1 And he told them a parable to this end, to always pray and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge who did not fear God or respect man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. 4 And he would not for a time: but afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God or respect man; 5 Yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she wear me out. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says. 7 Will not God avenge his own elect, who cry to him day and night, being patient over them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

 

  • Romans 10:17 … faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

He exalts the humble

 

And he spoke this parable to those relying on themselves that they are righteous, and despised the rest. 10 Two men went up to the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, greedy, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself will be humbled; and he that humbles himself will be exalted.

 

  • 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time

 

He receives and blesses little children

With Him all things are possible

 

15  And they also brought infants to him so that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, and said, Allow the little children to come to me, and do not prevent them: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Truthfully I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will in no way enter into it. 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good teacher, what can I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good, except One, God. 20 You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth. 22 Hearing these things, Jesus said to him, You still lack one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he became very grieved: for he was exceedingly rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very grieved, he said, How hard it is for those with riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

 

  • Jesus revealed a great truth to the rich ruler. We can send our wealth on ahead of us where it will last forever by selling possessions to help the poor.
  • Matthew 13:22 He that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
  • Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt, and where thieves do not break through or steal

 

He blesses mightily

 

28  Then Peter said, Look, we have left all and followed you. 29 And he said to them, Truthfully I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, 30 Who will not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come life everlasting.

 

  • They left the details of life that God had given them, to follow the Source.
  • Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

All will be accomplished regarding Him

 

31  Then he took to him the twelve, and said to them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and insulted, and spit on: 33 And they will scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he will rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: this saying was hid from them, neither did they know the things which were spoken. 35 And as he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passes by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And those that went before rebuked him to be quiet but he cried out much more, Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought to him: and when he drew near, he asked him, 41 saying, What will you have me do to you? And he said, Lord, that I may see again. 42 And Jesus said to him, See again! Your faith has healed you. 43 And immediately he saw again, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

 

  • Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 

                                                 Luke 19

 

Jesus is for all; He came to take back to God what was lost

 

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, who was the chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he tried to see Jesus who he is; and could not for the crowd, because he was short. 4 And he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was going to pass through that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him and said to him, Zaccheus, hurry, come down; for today I must stay in your house. 6 And he hurried, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured saying, He went in to lodge with a sinful man.

 

  • Romans3:23 all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

 

8 And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I will restore it to him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said to him, This day salvation has come to this house, for he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man has come to seek and to save what was lost. 11 And as they heard these things, he spoke and added a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 12 Therefore he said, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, Occupy until I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded the servants to be called to him the ones he had given the silver so that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first saying, Lord, your pound has gained ten pounds. 17 And he said to him, Well done, good servant: because you have been faithful in a very little, you have authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came saying, Lord, your pound has gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, You be over five cities.

 

  • A pound was about 3-6 months wages. 10 pounds was 2 1/2 years wages.
  • Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him a thousand years.

 

20  And another came saying, Lord, behold, here is your pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared you, because you are an exacting man: you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow. 22 And he answered him, Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow: 23 Why then did you not give my money to the bank, that at my coming I might have exacted my own with interest?

 

  • Matthew 12:37 by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

 

24  And he said to those that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that has ten pounds. 25  (And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds.)

26 For I say to you, That to every one that has more will be given; and from him that has not, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27 But those, my enemies not desiring that I reign over them, bring here, and kill them before me.

 

  • God has made all things available to everyone who seeks (Matthew 7:7). If one does not have it is because he did not seek it.
  • Psalm 21:8 Your hand will find out all your enemies: your right hand will find out those that hate you.

 

28 And having said these things he went in front, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29 And when he came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 saying, Go into the village opposite you, entering you will find a colt tied, on which no man has sat: untie him, and bring him here. 31 And if any man asks you, Why do you untie him? You say to him, Because the Lord needs him. 32 And those that were sent went their way, and found as he had said to them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, Why do you untie the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord needs it. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their garments on the colt, and they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he came near the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed is the King that comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

 

  • God promised the Savior beginning in Genesis 3:15.
  • Israel was the custodian of God’s revelation to man.
  • God told them in Daniel that exact date.
  • Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on that exact day with the crowd shouting ‘Hosanna, Blessed is He that comes…’

 

39  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said to him, Master, rebuke your disciples. 40 And he answered and said to them, I tell you that if these hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. 41 And when he came near, seeing the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, If you knew, even you, even the least in this your day, the things which belong to your peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, that your enemies will raise up a rampart about you, and surround you, and keep you in on every side, 44 And will raze you, and your children within you; and they will not leave in you one stone on another; because you did not know the time of your visitation.

 

  • In verse 11 Jesus had given them the parable that the kingdom of heaven being like a man going into a far country to receive a kingdom who doesn’t return for many days.
  • By this he had told them that the kingdom wasn’t now but later. The cross had to come first. Sin had to be paid for in full or the kingdom would be full of sin.

 

45  And he went into the temple, and began to cast out those that sold there, and those that bought; 46 And said to them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but you have made it a den of thieves. 47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people were lusting to kill him, 48 And did not find anything that they might do: for all the people hung upon him, listening to him.

 

  • Jesus words against Israel’s leaders were mild compared to what they were doing.
  • Annas was the crime boss of Jerusalem. He didn’t just extort the hard earned livings of the people, he did it at the temple when they came to worship God. It was called Annas’ bazaar.
  • His priests found fault with the sacrifices brought by the people, declared them unfit, and then offered them an ‘acceptable’ sacrifice at huge personal profit.
  • How wonderful the Lord is compared to these evil crooks.
  • Ezekiel 34:11 Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered… and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. … and will bring them to their own land, and feed them on the mountains of Israel by the rivers… 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and their fold will be on the high mountains of Israel. They will lie down there in a good fold, and in a fat pasture 16 I will seek what was lost, and bring again what was driven away, and will bind up what was broken, and will strengthen what is sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

 

 

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SUMMARY: Luke 17-19

 

  • God’s forgiveness has no end
  • His kingdom is within us
  • He suffered for us
  • God is patient over us and speedily avenges His own that cry out to Him
  • He exalts the humble
  • He exalts the humble
  • He blesses mightily
  • All will be accomplished regarding Him
  • Jesus is for all; He came to take back to God what was lost