Learning From Luke

(Luke 23:13-25). The cross of Christ reveals humanity at its worst, but God at His best. This episode explores the details surrounding the sixth and final phase of Jesus’ trial. When the voice of the people prevail, Pilate releases Barabbas and delivers Jesus to be crucified: the guilty goes free and the innocent pays the price. When we reject God’s will to follow our own, we stand, in a sense, with that condemning crowd—choosing our sin over our Savior and adding our voices to that terrible cry: “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!”

(Luke 23:8-12). When Pilate sends Jesus to Herod, the Lord stands silent before the wicked ruler who had sought to see Jesus for merely selfish reasons. Herod is not unlike many today who send Jesus away after they lose interest and Jesus fails to provide what they want. Herod’s encounter reminds us that Jesus is not a curiosity to entertain us but a King to whom we must listen, believe, and submit.

(Luke 23:1-7). As Jesus stands before Pilate to be judged, the Roman governor declares Jesus to be innocent three different times.  When the evidence is examined and the accusations are weighed, the verdict remains unchanged, and it still echoes through the pages of Scripture today: “I find no fault in this Man.” Yet, Pilate compromises his convictions and Jesus pays the price.

(Luke 22:63-71). That question is the climax of Luke chapter 22. It is not merely the question the Sanhedrin asked Jesus—it is the question every generation must answer. Before this chapter ends, every reader is forced to decide whether Jesus was telling the truth or whether He deserved the condemnation He received.

(Luke 22:47-53). In the dark shadows of the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus confronts the arresting party who seek to capture Him under the cover of darkness.  What are some lessons to takeaway from this “hour” and “power” of darkness?

(Luke 22:39-46). Before there was a glorious crown, there was a gruesome cross. Before brightness of resurrection morning, there was the darkness of the garden of Gethsemane. What lessons can we learn from one of the most sacred and emotionally moving scenes in Luke’s gospel?

 (Luke 22:35-38). After Jesus commands His disciples to sell their garments in order to buy swords, they respond by revealing two swords. What was the Lord trying to teach them and why would He say that two swords were “enough”?

 (Luke 22:31-34). Before Peter denies the Lord, Jesus gives the apostle a sobering prediction—a prophecy that would ultimately lead him back to the Christ. But Jesus also will manifest His care and concern for  the faith of His followers when He lets Peter know, “I have prayed for you.”

(Luke 22:21-30). As Jesus approaches the cross and prepares His apostles for His impending death, astonishingly, they focus on themselves. In this episode, we discover how Jesus turned the world’s definition of success upside down as He redefines true greatness.

(Luke 22:14-20): As we study this passage, Jesus’ words draws our focus on two themes that rise naturally from the text: the pattern and the purpose of the Lord's Supper. Many discussions have centered on the mechanics of communion, while others have focused exclusively on its meaning. But Scripture emphasizes both. The Lord gave His disciples a pattern to follow and a purpose to remember. When either is neglected, something important is lost.