Listen to our Recent Sermons

In Luke 22:54-71 we see more responses to Jesus. Peter denied, others mocked, and some accused. Through all of this we are also able to observe Jesus's response. When given the chance, he doesn't defend himself. In a way, he provides the testimony that brings about his conviction. In a theological sense Jesus is on trial for us. He stands on trial where we ought to be standing. The judge becomes judged so sinners can be rescued from judgment.

The betrayal of Jesus in Luke 22:47-53 reveals both the pain of betrayal and the sovereignty of God. Judas’s act of betrayal underscores the deep emotional wound caused when trust is broken, especially by someone close. Yet, in the face of this treachery, Jesus responds with compassion, healing the ear of the servant and demonstrating that his kingdom is not advanced through violence but through sacrificial love. Even as the forces of darkness appear to prevail, Jesus acknowledges their limits, declaring, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” This evil moment unfolds under God’s sovereign plan, turning betrayal and suffering into the means of redemption. Jesus’s response challenges us to face wrongdoing in the same way, while his acknowledgment of God’s control assures us that no trial or evil act lies outside God’s redemptive purpose.

In Luke 22:35-46, Jesus begins by telling his disciples to rely on God’s provision, while reminding them that all of their needs will be supplied. He goes on to say that he will be falsely tried as a transgressor or criminal, even though he is sinless. This is a reminder that these false accusations and his ultimate crucifixion were all part of God’s plan. This led the disciples to want to use swords against these accusers, to which Jesus urged them not to. We then see Jesus going to his customary place of prayer, the Garden of Gethsemane, to ask the Father if there was a way to spare him from the suffering and death. Even though Jesus was in great anguish and literally sweated drops of blood, he ultimately submitted to the will of God the Father. Finally, he used his time of praying as a teaching moment for the disciples to remain vigilant in prayer so as not to enter into temptation.

The teachings of Jesus in Luke are often countercultural. In Luke 22:24-34, Jesus reveals how the worldly view of greatness contrasts with his own; those who are great should be as the youngest and servants at heart. Jesus not only taught what it means to be great, but modeled it by laying down his life for his people. These passages exalt Christ’s example of greatness (to be followed), diminish the worldly view of greatness (to be avoided), and reveal the failure and limitations of human leaders (to be acknowledged). 
While pride often prevents us from serving others, looking to Christ’s example of humble service can help overcome this obstacle. In what ways can we be servant-minded followers of Jesus this week?

Palm Sunday is all about the fact that Jesus is King. But what does the kingliness of Jesus consist of? Luke 19 and John 13 give us three vignettes about the kind of King we have in Jesus. In Luke 19:34-41 we learn we have a king who weeps. In Luke 19:45-46 we learn we have a king who has anger, because he wants us. And in John 13:1-5 we learn we have a king who loves us to the end. In all of your efforts for true love and for the deepest kind of friendship, in all of your efforts to find a genuine and true leader you can follow, Jesus is the one you ultimately seek. Jesus is everything you need and all you want. He is a lion and a lamb.

In Luke 20:41-21:4 Jesus asks a question of his own to invite his adversaries to give deeper reflection to who the Messiah really is. When Jesus quotes from Psalm 110 he reveals the Messiah is much more than simply a descendant of David. He is the Lord over all who will overcome the worst of our enemies - sin and death. When he warns his disciples not to become like the Scribes he demonstrates he is the better ruler. The Scribes were looking for too little in a Messiah. They couldn't see that in Jesus God had given them a beautiful King. A king who gives instead of takes. A king who sacrifices himself instead of exploiting others for gain. A king who gives his life so others might live. Is this the Jesus you know? 

In Luke 20:27-40 the Sadducees confront Jesus about a core doctrine of the Christian faith — life after death. In this third confrontation in the Temple, Jesus responds to an influential group who twists the Scriptures to make a particular belief look ridiculous. A few lessons we can learn as we confront scoffers in our day are: (1) be biblical, (2) be gentle and respectful, and (3) be direct. Christians should respond to those who misinterpret the Bible by being well-grounded in Scripture, confident in both Jesus’ and Scripture’s authority, convinced of the truth of the resurrection, and characterized by gentleness and respect in all discussions.

Without the resurrection, concepts of judgment, accountability, and eternal life lose their meaning. The call is to trust in the authority of God and to present the truth boldly and lovingly, ensuring that our defense of the gospel remains rooted in Scripture.

Big Idea: One is to give to God what belongs to Him—oneself.

Summary: In Luke 20:19-26 the religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus by spying on him and pinning him down with an ‘either-or’ question. Through the issue of “tribute” tax they hope to condemn Jesus either to the Romans politically or the Jews religiously. The king without a coin asks to borrow one so he can teach us something we all tend to miss. Jesus wisely responds to their ‘either-or’ question with a ‘both-and.’ This passage is not primarily about what is owed to the state, but what is owed to God (much like the vineyard owner and the fruit that was rightfully his - Luke 20:9-18). The real questions is this: “Since you have the image and likeness of God inscribed on you, have you given to God what is his?”

Next Steps: Consider the following questions as you read the Scripture and listen to the sermon:

• What does this section mean?
• What does it teach about God?
• What does it teach about Jesus and the gospel?
• What is my next step as a follower of Jesus?

In Luke 20:9-19 Jesus tells a parable of a master who owns a vineyard, cares for it, and leases it to tenants. When he sends messengers to them to gather what belongs to him, they mistreat, shame, and beat them. When he finally sends his son to collect what belongs to him, thinking they would honor the heir and not kill him, the tenants murder the son. Jesus asks a riveting question, “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?”

From Jesus’ teaching we learn about the forbearance and patience of God in the face of judgment (Romans 2:4), the goodness of God when we overlook his care (Isaiah 5:4), and God’s love for us even while we are still sinners (20:13; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8). We also come to find out that the stone the builders rejected (Christ Jesus) has become the cornerstone, and eternal life hinges on him (1 Peter 2:6). This is a reference to Christ’s resurrection. Peter quotes Psalm 118 (the very Psalm Jesus quotes in 20:17) in Acts 4:10-12 after the cripple man was healed: “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

In Luke 19:45-20:8 we learn about a cleansed temple and a questioned Savior. Jesus throws the sellers out because the temple was supposed to be a place to worship and communion with God; not a busy marketplace of big business. This shows us it's possible to be busy about religious things and still miss what's most important -- worship of God from the heart. When the religious leaders questioned Jesus's authority they reveal their own hardheartedness and blindness to the many demonstrations of divine authority he had already given. Do you see and believe who Jesus really is?

In Luke 19, Jesus enters Jerusalem as the promised Messiah (Zechariah 9:9), and his coming as King brings joy or calamity, depending on how he is received.

In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus tells a parable about a throne claimant who goes away and returns as king. Luke tells us the reason for this parable was twofold: he was approaching Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. Two major themes surface: (1) Jesus’ authority as king, and (2) the accountability of all to him. If faithfulness is rewarded by an an evil tyrant king, how much more will that be true for the Prince of Peace?

After Jesus tells this parable, he enters Jerusalem as king (19:28-40), but not a king of war and slaughter, but one of peace (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 9:6). Jesus looks over the city and weeps, for he knows their rejection of him as king will result in the desolation of Jerusalem within just a few decades. They neither knew the things that made for peace (v.42) nor the time of their visitation (v.44). The king has suddenly appeared at his temple (Malachi 3:1; Luke 19:45-46).

We will not have peace with God, peace with others, peace in the world, or peace within our own heart until Christ becomes our peace (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:13-14).