LUKE 21
JESUS DESCRIBES FUTURE DESTRUCTION AS A WARNING TO THE DISCIPLES
Jesus watches as people give to the temple collection box. Rich people put in large amounts of money, but a poor widow is only able to contribute two small coins, worth about a penny. He tells His disciples that her gift is the greatest because she gives in poverty, and her donation requires a greater sacrifice.
As the disciples admire the temple's beauty, Jesus warns of a future time when it will be destroyed. The disciples ask when this will occur, and He says there will be a time of war and unrest before the temple’s destruction. Jesus warns the disciples that many will come after Him, claiming to be the Savior, but only Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus continues to warn the disciples, telling of a time of wars and persecution. Nations will rise against each other, and kingdoms will be at war. Famine, illness, and terror will occur throughout the land as signs from heaven. The disciples will face opposition, and many will be imprisoned. Jesus encourages them to use this obstacle as an opportunity to be witnesses and share the hope of God. He promises that the disciples will receive divine wisdom, allowing them to overcome their adversaries. Although the disciples will be persecuted for their faith, He encourages them to endure. Despite the alarming nature of His message, Jesus tells the disciples that they do not need to be fearful or anxious.
Jesus foretells the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Warning the disciples, He tells them that the time of desolation will be near once armies surround the city of Jerusalem. Jesus mourns for the city and tells of Jerusalem's impending defeat.
Jesus briefly shares details of His return, describing the seas roaring with waves, heaven being shaken, and miraculous movement in the sun, moon, and stars. When these signs occur, those who believe in Him will be redeemed. Just as the fig trees bear fruit in a certain season, the timing of the return will be revealed through signs. Although the earth will eventually fade away, the words of Jesus remain true forever.
Jesus warns people to watch themselves and be mindful of drunkenness and despair. He encourages them to pray, asking God for strength in difficult times. The time referred to in this passage is often referred to as the “end times,” but for God’s people, it will be the start of eternal life!
LUKE 22
THE LAST SUPPER + BETRAYAL OF JESUS
As Passover is approaching, the chief priests and elders gather with Caiaphas, the high priest, and plot together to arrest and kill Jesus.
Influenced by Satan, Judas, one of Jesus’s disciples, goes to the chief priest to ask how much they would pay for Jesus’s capture. Betraying Jesus, Judas turns over His location for the promise of money (Psalm 41:9).
In a large upper room, Jesus gathers the disciples to celebrate Passover. He institutes the Lord’s Supper, more commonly known as communion, breaking the bread and pouring the wine, describing it as His body broken and His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. He instructs the disciples to do this in remembrance of Him.
During the meal, Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray Him. Troubled by this, each disciple questions if they would be the one to betray Him. Continuing to argue, the disciples question who among them is the greatest. Jesus corrects them, saying the one with the most authority should act as if he is the least important, and those who lead should be like servants.
After the Passover meal, Jesus foretells that Peter, His disciple, will deny knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Peter assures Him that he will not deny Him, even if it costs him his life. Although Satan influences Peter, Jesus prays that his faith will be strengthened.
Jesus explains to the disciples that He is appealing to the Father's will and fulfilling the teachings of the prophets. He entered the garden of Gethsemane to pray. Worried and sorrowful, Jesus asks God to remove the dreadful fate awaiting Him. Submitting to God’s will, He understands that His death is necessary. In great distress, Jesus’s sweat becomes like great drops of blood.
While they are in the garden, Judas arrives with a great crowd of priests and religious leaders, carrying swords and seeking to arrest Jesus. Judas identifies Jesus, kissing His face as a sign to the priests. The crowd seizes Him, taking Him captive.
One of the disciples uses his sword to remove the ear of one of the men taking Jesus captive. Jesus touches the ear of the man arresting Him, and he is healed. He shows mercy and compassion to the very people who want to kill Him.
Just as Jesus said, Peter is approached three times and questioned about his relationship to Jesus. Three times, Peter denies knowing Jesus. Remembering what Jesus said, Peter weeps at his denial of Christ.
Jesus is taken into custody, where He is blindfolded, beaten, and mocked. Jesus goes before Caiaphas and his council, put on trial for blasphemy. When questioned about His claims, He confirms that He is the Son of God, seated at God’s right hand.
LUKE 23
JESUS BEATEN, MOCKED, + CRUCIFIED
After being taken captive, Jesus is handed over to the Roman Governor, Pilate, who questions His identity. He confirms that He is the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah. When the priests and religious leaders make further accusations, Jesus remains silent, fulfilling Isaiah 53:7. Pilate finds no guilt in Him and does not understand the reason for His arrest.
Facing opposition from the religious leaders and crowds, Pilate sends Jesus back to King Herod in Jerusalem. King Herod and Pilate have been in conflict, but they find common ground in believing Jesus is innocent.
Attempting to spare Jesus, Pilate recalls that during Passover, one prisoner is allowed to be set free. Instead of freeing the innocent Messiah, the crowd cheers to free Barabbas, a criminal guilty of acts of heinous violence and corruption.
When Pilate asks what he should do with Jesus, the crowd adamantly shouts, “Crucify Him!” Because of the fervor of the crowd demanding to kill Jesus, Pilate relents and allows Him to be handed over.
The soldiers walk with Jesus toward the outskirts of the city, where He is to be crucified. He is so weak from being beaten that a man named Simon has to assist Him in carrying the cross where He would soon meet His death.
The site of Jesus's crucifixion is within the same mountain region where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22), holding a powerful connection. In both instances, God provided a substitute sacrifice. Just as a ram replaced Isaac in the Old Testament, Jesus becomes the sacrificial lamb for humanity, fulfilling God's plan for redemption.
By His hands and His feet, Jesus is nailed to the cross and lifted up. The soldiers throw dice to divide His clothing between them (Psalm 22:18). The people mock and berate Him, asking why He could save others, but not Himself. While experiencing the most excruciating form of death, Jesus prays, asking God to forgive the people who are killing Him, for they do not know the gravity of what they are doing.
Seeing His faith and humility on the cross, the criminal hanging next to Jesus recognizes Him as the Savior. The man asks Jesus to remember him when He arrives into God’s kingdom. Jesus responds, telling him they will be together in paradise that very day. Despite his inability to respond to Jesus’s sacrifice or live a more righteous life, the criminal is welcomed to the kingdom, showing that salvation is given by faith through grace alone.
During the crucifixion, the sky fills with darkness, showing the physical and spiritual significance of Jesus’s sacrifice. Trusting the Father’s will, Jesus yields His spirit to God, allowing His death on the cross.
Joseph, one of Jesus’s followers, asks Pilate for His body, wanting to bury Him properly. Joseph takes the body, wraps it in linen clothing, and puts Jesus in a tomb protected by a large stone.
Luke 23:42-43 – And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
LUKE 24
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS + THE GREAT COMMISSION
After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, most likely the mother of Jesus, visit the tomb to anoint Jesus’s body with spices. Wondering how to open the tomb, the women realize the stone has already been rolled away.
As they enter the tomb, they are met by angels who speak to them, saying, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Reminded of the words of Jesus, the women remember His prophecy of His death and resurrection. He did exactly what He said He would do!
After seeing Jesus's empty tomb, the women run to tell the disciples, but the disciples cannot believe the news. Peter immediately runs to the tomb to see for himself. Looking into the tomb, he sees the linen cloths that wrapped around Jesus’s body lying by themselves, and he marvels at this sight.
Jesus appears to two disciples as they walk toward the village of Emmaus.
Jesus walks beside them, but they do not recognize Him. He asks why they are in despair, and the two men ironically explain Jesus's innocent death to the resurrected Jesus Himself.
Jesus questions their faith and their knowledge of Scripture, saying, "Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Starting with the books of Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interprets all the Scriptures concerning Himself.
When they arrive in Emmaus, the disciples invite Jesus to stay with them, still not having recognized Him as the resurrected Savior. When He is at the table with them, He blesses the bread, breaks it, and gives it to them. At this moment, their eyes are opened, and they recognize Him. He then disappears from their sight. Reflecting on what just occurred, the disciples realize that their hearts burned within themselves as Jesus shared the fulfillment of the Scriptures with them. The men return to Jerusalem to share with the other disciples that “the Lord has risen indeed!” and their recognition of Him during the breaking of the bread.
As the disciples talk about His return, Jesus stands among them and says, “Peace to you!” The disciples are startled by His arrival and assume they are seeing a ghost. To console the disciples and prove His identity, Jesus shows them His hands and feet, allowing them to touch Him and feel His physical presence. He sits down with the disciples and shares a meal with them.
Jesus explains that He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures, including the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, opening the disciples’ minds and giving them understanding of the Scriptures. In His final instruction, known as the Great Commission, Jesus invites the disciples to share the Gospel with all people.
After sharing this message with the disciples and blessing them, Jesus returns to heaven. The disciples continue to worship Jesus and return to Jerusalem with great joy and faith.