Luke 19:45-46 Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
 
THE Jerusalem temple had several courts, or places where different groups of people assembled. One was for Gentiles. Although Gentiles could not worship with the Jews, they could come to the Gentile Court to hear the Scriptures taught. In the evangelical church, we might look at this as our outreach ministry to teach our unchurched neighbors.
    What then would happen to our outreach if it became focused on the culture, more about business and politics than God? Would non-Christians enter church and essentially hear the same things they heard from the world? Would there be room for the gospel if merchants came to sell their goods in your church and people came to buy? Even more, what if you invited people to come to your church to learn of Jesus, but, instead, these newcomers learned they had to change money into a certain currency with an unfavorable exchange rate, so their offerings would be accepted? How do you think people would respond, too, if a church official told them, “To worship here, you need our version of the Bible. You can only buy it here, and it costs $100.” Your outreach ministry would quickly die. Even worse, your guests remain separated from the Living God.
    In essence, that’s what Jesus confronted. The temple’s Gentile Court had become a marketplace to sell animals for sacrifice, to exchange currency into the accepted form and to do all forms of business. The sellers and the buyers distracted and prevented many who truly desired worship in this place. This temple economy filled the temple authorities’ pockets. There was no room to speak of God.
    Is it any wonder Jesus passionately acted against this apostasy, this sin against God’s Word? Once again, Jesus stridently acts to restore and revive the true temple worship. The business of the temple then and the business of the church now must be about the work of God.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray we remove the culture from your church to receive your Word into our hearts. I pray all who enter your sanctuary know that it is your house. Amen.

Luke 19:41-44 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
 
THE glorious parade is completed. Jesus has affirmed he is the long-prophesied Messiah. Even the stones will cry out this truth if the Jews do not.
    Then we come to this agonizing moment. “Jesus showed compassion on Jerusalem, but He also foretold that days would come when it would lie in ruins. Jesus rejected Jerusalem because Jerusalem rejected Him. He wept over the city because its people did not understand the significance of what was going on that day - that national acceptance of Him on that day would bring them peace. Because the people did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them, the city would be totally destroyed. Roman soldiers did this starting in  A.D. 70.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 2000)
    Oh my! Is this not a lesson for all our nations, our churches and our households? In this age of great conflict throughout each aspect of our cultural structures, we long for peace. Who will bring us peace? He is the Lord of Heaven and earth come down to compassionately call mankind to himself. He is the God of Creation who made all things good. He is the King, who being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:8-10)
    Oh, what peace we would have in our families, churches and nations if we would but worship the King, who so loved the world.
 
Prayer: From Psalms 80:18b-19 “Revive us, and we will call on your name. 19 Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” In Jesus’ name and the Spirit’s power we pray. Amen

Luke 19:39-40 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
 
ONE main reason the Pharisee sect (religious group) was formed in Israel about 300 years before Jesus’ life on earth, was to preserve the Lord’s laws against foreign influence. Israel was controlled by various pagan leaders who were often deliberate to remove the One True God from Israel. Pharisees served a vital role to teach and follow God’s law. The synagogue system was developed for this purpose, so Jews would have a place of learning each Sabbath.
    But we have seen that as these men learned God’s law, they eventually became too focused on themselves. They became blind to the Lord God, even as he stood in front of them.
    Still, these legal experts often helped keep peace in Israel. They became the Jews’ representatives to the Greek rulers, to Rome’s rulers and to the various kings such as Herod the Great, who ruled in Jerusalem when Jesus was born.
    The Pharisees’ challenge was enormous and even life-threatening. For example, they had also witnessed false Messiahs ride into Jerusalem as Jesus did. Then they saw Rome crush those rebels and deliver grim retribution on their followers.
    The reason to know this is to understand the Pharisees’ motives here. As they said, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” perhaps they were urgently desiring peace in the streets to protect the Jews and their own lives. With the slightest provocation, the Romans could quickly move against Jesus and his disciples.
    But Jesus had come not to disturb Rome, but to force the Pharisees to confront their values. Do they continue to defend their own culture? Or do they submit to the Lord of Lords? Even on that day, they could not accept Jesus as the fullness of the law they rigorously defended.  
    Once more in response to their deaf ears and blind eyes, Jesus declared he is the Son of the Living God. This was not the day to be quiet. Nothing will stop the Lord God on his appointed purpose. If he needed rocks to speak for him he could make it happen. 
    Let’s remember how the Pharisee system began with godly intentions to preserve God’s commands. Then remember how they turned the law’s freedom into religious bondage. Their fears and pride bound them to their own system. Fearfully focused on earthly government, they would not declare the King of Heaven had come.
    Our world is encompassed with fear, isn’t it? Why? Are we putting too much faith in our political structures? Do we have too little faith in God’s kingdom come?
 
Prayer: Lord God, I don’t want a rock to speak for me. I want to stand up and declare you are Lord of heaven and earth. Amen.
 

Luke 19:35-38 They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
 
THIS is the well-known Palm Sunday celebration. Jesus has come to Jerusalem. Great excitement filled the pathway from Bethany into Jerusalem’s east gate as “the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.”  Many of God’s chosen people had witnessed the will of heaven come to earth in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God. These witnesses happily expressed their anticipation of an earthly salvation from oppressive foreign rule. Hope was real!
    Hear the hope: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”  How could one be quiet when the Promised One of long ago had this day come? For more than 800 years, faithful Jews had even against harsh reality, hopefully prayed these words and more from Psalm 118, expressing faithful fulfillment of God’s promises:
 
Psalms 118:20-30 This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
 
Jesus’ disciples – not only the Twelve but all who had learned his preaching and witnessed his miracles – saw Jesus that day as the Holy Scripture come in the flesh.
    Today we can faithfully use these words with even greater hope in our hearts to anticipate a new, eternal day God will make for all his children. Jesus has now entered heaven’s gate to prepare a place in the Father’s house for us. We have seen through the gospel witness the great miracle of his resurrection, ascension and eternal reign at the Father’s right hand. May we always remember: “His love endures forever.”  and joyfully expect the promised “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
 
Prayer: I give thanks to you, Lord, for your love endures forever. You are the eternal God who has called us into heaven’s peace. Amen.

Luke 19:29-34 As Jesus approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
 
THIS scripture reveals three aspects of God. First, see God’s omniscience. This means he knows all. Jesus knows there is a donkey colt tied at the entrance to Bethany. Second, see God’s planning. Even to this seemingly small detail, God has planned for this colt to be created and in place for his purpose.
    Third, see God as commander. He must be obeyed in the simplest to the largest tasks he gives to you. He commands the disciples to a specific action. Even though Jesus had been walking for the three years of his ministry, he has now commanded something new. They, in turn, readily obey to prepare for Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem.
    Yes, I have heard people ask of this account, “Are they stealing the colt? Is Jesus, as a man, pridefully presuming he can have anything he wants when he wants it?” But let’s remember. As we mentioned in previous lessons, Jesus is very popular among the Jews’ general population. People such as the colt’s owner would be eager to help when he heard, “The Lord needs it.” The man would have been honored to offer his possession to help the Lord. Consider how you would respond if someone you honored said, “I need your car.” Most of us would generously help such a friend or high-ranking person. Jesus’ reputation has prepared the colt’s owner to generously help the Lord.
    In summary, from eternity past the omniscient God planned for the disciples and the colt’s owner to obey his command as a stepping stone to your salvation. 
    Now consider your response. Are you listening to the details your omniscient Lord has planned for your life with him? Through the Bible, your gifts and people in your church encouraging you, do you hear the Lord say, “Untie your fear and your uncertainty. Come follow me. When someone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ Tell him, ‘The Lord has sent me.’”
    Each time the Lord speaks, we must faithfully listen and obey. He has plans for his kingdom. They include you if you listen and go, even when he’s telling you there is something new you must do.
 
Prayer: Humble my heart, Lord. Grow my love for you that I would untie from my life the bonds that keep me from serving you. Amen.
      
 

uke 19:12-27 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what they had gained with it. 16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them – bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
     
THE 17Th-century commentator Matthew Henry summarizes this parable: “To those who work to increase the grace (gifts) they have, God will impart more; those who neglect the grace will see it decline. They should expect that God should do so. too.” And I will add: Those who reject God face death.
    Please know this does not say our work will save us. But Jesus declares our work – our way of living – is the evidence of our faith. Various levels of faith will lead to greater or lesser “investment” of our gifts. Rejecting God outright will lead to destruction.
    Perhaps the most difficult verse is 27 “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them – bring them here and kill them in front of me.” In 70 AD, God judged the unbelieving Jews when he sent Rome to destroy Jerusalem. In a like manner, the King will return to judge you and me. Do we live in our faith, diligently using his gifts to us or not? To the faithful believers he will say, “Well done.” To the unbelievers he “will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:23)
    This is a hard saying from Jesus. We become very uncomfortable to hear these words because God’s judgment is seldom taught. Yet, we must receive God’s Holy Word in faith. Our Lord is gracious. He lovingly gives to you the means to faithfully and joyfully invest our lives for his glory.
    What, my friend, will he say to you?
 
Prayer: Lord, your sure words call us to firm obedience. May I joyfully use your gifts to build the kingdom of God. Amen.

Luke 19:11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.
 
NOW remember. Jesus is going to Jerusalem. In fact, Jericho is very close to Bethany, from where Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. But before he goes to his appointed destiny, Jesus once more teaches his people regarding God’s eternal kingdom.
    You see, the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. They believed it was time for revolution. The Jews crowding around Jesus were not interested in starting a church. They hungered to see their Messiah start a new government. Their expectations were immediate. Jesus had demonstrated power over death. He could put the religious establishment in their place. No Roman law could outwit this rabbi from Nazareth. He had proven his wisdom and worth. The kingdom of God was about to come to earth.
    But the kingdom would come much differently than the Jews believed. This error is a large chasm between God and his people. The Jews’ lack of understanding the kingdom of God will keep the Jews from seeing their King then, and it keeps the Jews from their king today.
    This is why you must diligently pursue the Bible’s truth. God’s Word is the only authority that defines God. As the courts of law require a witness to speak “the whole truth and nothing but the truth” we must know God’s court of justice requires we know the entire truth.
    Our world is full of people who attempt to form God into less than he is. People will take a word, or phrase or verse from the Bible to prove a point. But they do not look at the entire point. For example, let’s look at John 3:17-18 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
    Verse 17 sounds wonderful – and it is! But many have distorted this to prove that Jesus saves everyone. But verse 18 gives us the entire truth: Condemnation comes to those who reject Jesus. Salvation comes to those who believe.
    The Jews rejected the full truth of God, even though he personally came from heaven to personally demonstrate and speak kingdom truth. Diligently seek the full knowledge of the kingdom of God. What you know will make an eternal difference.
 
Prayer: Lord, reveal to me the ways I misunderstand you. Give me wisdom and humility to be willing to learn. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.