Luke: God's Kingdom

By St Bart's Anglican Church

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’

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· Religion & Spirituality

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The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.

Luke: God's Kingdom episodes:

March 10, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 20 - Luke 19:8-10
Reflection
The reaction of Zacchaeus in today’s reading is quite astonishing! His
response to meeting Jesus is to acknowledge him as Lord and repent. I would
have really loved to have been a fly on the wall at this dinner table. I’d
love to know what they were talking about and what was going through
Zacchaeus’ mind. Unfortunately, we aren’t given this information! All that
we are told is that upon meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus had a total change in
life.
At the table, he suddenly gets up and calls Jesus ‘Lord’. He acknowledges
that Jesus is now going to have some rule over his life. He must have had
some acknowledgement of his sin and realisation that Jesus is someone worth
living for. Secondly, he proclaims that he is going to give to the poor and
give back four times as much to everyone he has cheated. This is an
incredible act of repentance! He isn’t doing this to earn salvation or to
earn righteousness but as a response to having salvation from Jesus. We see
that in verse 9, Jesus pronounces that salvation has come to his house and
that Zacchaeus is indeed part of God’s people and no longer outcast.
Zacchaeus may have only wanted a glimpse of Jesus when he climbed that
tree, but now he is receiving so much more. He receives Jesus and receives
forgiveness which leads to his repentance. And this is exactly why Jesus
came.
Some common worldly views of Jesus may say that he just came to show us a
better way or to show good morals. While these are important, that isn’t
why he came! Jesus tells us that he came to seek and save the lost. He came
to seek and save people like Zacchaeus, he came to seek and save people
like the thief on the cross, and he came to seek and save people like you
and me. Like Zacchaeus, our response should be repentance and faith. MC
Questions
What is Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus?
Why did Jesus come? What should our response be to him?
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you that you didn’t leave us in our sin but that you
came to seek and to save people like us. Keep us from self-reliance, help
us to say no to ungodliness, and help us to live our lives to your praise
and glory. Amen.
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March 09, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 19 - Luke 19:5-7
Zacchaeus doesn’t go unnoticed by Jesus. He may have wanted to be
inconspicuous and unnoticed by the crowds but Jesus sees him. And then
Jesus does something quite radical. He doesn’t just acknowledge Zacchaeus
or comment on how strange it is of him to climb a tree, no, Jesus invites
himself over to Zacchaeus’ house! He tells him to come down from the tree
with haste, to come down quickly and says that he must come to his house.
Uninvited guests are one thing but how incredible would it be to have Jesus
come to your house! Zacchaeus thinks the same thing and welcomed Jesus
gladly. He has sought out Jesus and now has welcomed Jesus in. Now,
remember who this is. This is a tax collector, an outsider, someone who the
Jewish people and leaders didn’t like, and Jesus invites himself over to
his house. Jesus doesn’t just go and have a chat with Zacchaeus or invite
Zacchaeus for a quick coffee and catch up but he goes to his house. And
this doesn’t go unnoticed by others.
Notice in verse 7 that everyone there saw it and they grumbled. Why?
Because this is controversial! They thought that Jesus was supposed to be
on their ‘side’ and condemn all those who work for the Romans, the last
type of person that he should be relating to were the tax collectors, but
he does. Jesus doesn’t fit anyone’s expectations. Jesus doesn’t conform to
any societal norms. Jesus does the will of the Father and that is to seek
and to save the lost. If that means inviting himself over to their house
and others complaining, so be it. If that means being rejected and dying
the most shameful death on our behalf, so be it. He is the forgiving King.
MC
Questions
What is Jesus’ action when seeing Zacchaeus? Why was this so controversial?
What do we learn about the character of Jesus in this section?
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the compassion and love of Jesus for everyone. Help
us to have the same love of Jesus for all, that others may come to know you
and come to repentance and faith because of our witness. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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March 08, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 18 - Luke 19:3-4
Reflection
These days when a celebrity comes to town or to a city, news of it spreads
like wildfire. We often get helicopter shots of the place that they are
staying on breakfast TV, if they’re shooting a movie we might see pictures
of them walking onto the set, or we might hear of people’s interactions
with them on the local news radio. Now, the news about Jesus got around
quickly and it certainly got around to Zacchaeus! Zacchaeus is really quite
intrigued about who this Jesus person is. He wanted to see him, wanted to
catch a glimpse of him but as we know, he couldn’t because he was short.
Now, we aren’t told exactly why Zacchaeus was seeking Jesus. Perhaps he had
heard about Jesus’ compassion for the outsider, perhaps he had heard about
other tax collectors who had come to Jesus, or perhaps he was looking for
the salvation that Jesus’ offered. We’re not sure, but we do know that he
was motivated. He was so motivated that he went and climbed up a tree to
get a glimpse of Jesus. I’m not particularly adventurous, so it would take
a whole lot of reasons for me to climb a tree but Zacchaeus was willing to
physically expend himself and also look like a bit of a goose to see Jesus.
Jesus must have really meant something to Zacchaeus. Even before meeting
him, even before hearing him preach, Jesus must have had some kind of
impact that made him seek him above all else. I wonder if you can remember
the first time you heard about Jesus or the first time you really sought
out Jesus. Remember the passion, the zeal, the questions, and the relief?
Sometimes, we can overcomplicate things and forget what meeting Jesus is
really like. But let’s take Zacchaeus’ lead and seek Jesus intently and
intentionally afresh. MC
Questions
What inhibited Zacchaeus from seeing Jesus? What did he do to overcome this
blockage?
What can inhibit you from seeing Jesus? How could you, with God’s help,
overcome this inhibition?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to seek Jesus all the days of our lives. Please
refresh us, renew us, and guide us in the hope of Jesus day by day. In his
name, Amen.
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March 07, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 17 - Luke 19:1-2
Reflection
Poor Zacchaeus has had a bit of a bad wrap in history. If you’ve been in
Christian circles a while, you’ve probably heard the song which begins,
“Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he!” Over this week,
we’re going to be looking afresh at this story which is more than just a
nice Sunday school song, but an amazing display of Jesus’ compassion and
forgiveness for then the most outcast in society. We’ll also see the
response of one who has been forgiven.
Now we are told that this man, apart from being short, was not just a tax
collector but a chief tax collector. Tax collectors at that time were often
Jewish people who worked for the Roman authorities collecting money. The
Roman governor would set a certain amount that he was to receive, but then
the tax collector could charge however much they wanted without regulation
or any repercussions from the authorities. Whatever more they charged, they
could keep!
However, there were social repercussions. Firstly, they were seen as
betraying the Jewish nation because they worked for the Romans. Secondly,
they were seen as betraying the people because they charged over and above
the set amount. As a result of this, they were outcast from society. There
was no chance or opportunity for redemption. They were disdained, hated as
despicable and greedy people. But as we’ll see throughout this week, this
won’t stop Jesus talking to him, relating to him, or even visiting his
house! And we’ll also see that no one, not even a tax collector, is beyond
forgiveness and reconciliation with God. MC
Questions
What have you heard or been taught about this incident between Jesus and
Zacchaeus?
What was the status of the tax collectors in Jewish society in the first
century?
Who are the people who are the outcasts in society today?
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you that you have come to us in Jesus and that no one
is beyond your forgiveness and compassion. Help us to recognise this and
see how we can love those on the fringes of our day today. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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March 05, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 16 - Acts 3:1-10
Reflection
In many ways, it was just another typical day. Peter and John were headed
up to the temple at the usual time to pray. A lame man (who was unable to
walk), as was his daily practice, was also being carried to the gate of the
temple to ask for help. But something amazing was about to happen! For upon
hearing the request for help, Peter and John didn’t simply slip by but
looked straight at the man for his attention! They didn’t have any money to
offer, but they had something much greater to give! Prayer. And so boldly,
by the authority of Jesus and not their own, they prayed that the lame man
would walk. And instantly, we’re told, the man’s feet and ankles became
strong, and the man was healed! And his reaction? To praise God! Why?
Because it was by God’s authority that the Apostles prayed and it was by
God’s power that the man was healed!
This was not just another typical day! How amazing that Peter and John
stopped. How amazing that they were willing to be shaped by Kingdom
priorities! How amazing that they prayed in God’s strength and not their
own. How amazing that God answered their prayer in such a way. How amazing
that the lame man could recognise with such a clarity exactly what had
happened and who was behind it all. And how amazing that the man continued
to praise God, with his praise becoming a witness to all who were present.
What a great joy it is when God interrupts our agenda - even the best ones
- with opportunities to trust in him and give him praise. May we live with
such Kingdom sight that we not only see who Jesus is clearly, but that we
may also see how he sets the priorities for us every day on all of our
frontlines. AL
Questions
Why does it matter by whose authority the disciples prayed?
Do we still praise God when our prayers are answered in unexpected ways?
How do you seek out God’s Kingdom agenda every single day?
Prayer
Almighty Lord, we thank you that you do answer prayers in accordance with
your good purposes. Please help us to trust in your authority and not our
own. Please help our lives to be characterised by praise so that many might
be pointed to you and your saving grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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March 04, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 15 - Ephesians 1:15-19
Reflection
Having ‘Kingdom Sight’ begins first with having clear sight of Jesus. In
fact, as Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, one of his great desires
(and accordingly great prayers for them!) is that the eyes of their hearts
may be opened in order that they would grow in their understanding of the
hope in Jesus to which they are called. It’s a great prayer and one that we
should not just be praying for ourselves, but continuously for one another.
We should also be praying for opportunities to share and show the Good News
about who Jesus is. Time-and-time again, research in Australia shows us
that most people don’t actually know much about who Jesus is. What an
amazing opportunity we have to let people know wherever he has placed us on
our frontlines.
But of course, we should not just be praying that people would come to
understand who Jesus, but that their hearts would be prepared to receive
that Good News and put their trust in him. When it comes to putting trust
in Jesus, it’s also the condition of our heart that matters.
As you serve God on your various frontlines this week (take a moment to
name them), how can you help people to see Jesus more clearly? As a witness
for Jesus, is there anything in your behaviour (e.g., how you speak, act,
or treat people) that might be hindering people from seeing clearly who
Jesus is? AL
Questions
Who are the people whom you are praying to see Jesus clearly?
Do you think that there is anything in your heart that gets in the way of
knowing Jesus better or taking a step closer to him?
How can you be growing in your clarity of who Jesus is? (Try to think of
some practical ways to grow in your sight of Jesus.)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please open the eyes of my heart that I might see the hope
to which you have called us in Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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March 03, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 14 - Luke 18:35-45
So far in the Gospel of Luke, all sorts of surprising people seem to
understand who Jesus is. Now, as Jesus approaches Jericho, it’s a blind man
who demonstrates great trust in Jesus by calling out to him for mercy. Note
that it must have been a persistent cry (just like the story of the widow),
for even when he is rebuked and told to be quiet, he keeps on shouting out
to Jesus!
Significantly, as the blind man cries out he’s using a title (‘Son of
David’) which implies that Jesus is the Messiah. How did the blind man
know? Had he heard about what Jesus had been saying and doing? We simply
don’t know, however, what’s evident is that whilst the blind man might be
physically blind, he has demonstrated a clear vision of who Jesus is. Even
more, by healing the man, it’s implied that Jesus is accepting the title
which has been attributed to him. Note that when Jesus, healing the man (in
response to his request to see), says “your faith has healed you,” it’s not
about the strength of the man’s faith, but who he is expressing faith in.
The blind man recognised who Jesus is, and accordingly chose to but his
trust in him.
Whilst there’s no doubt that there was physical healing that day, we should
also take heed that blindness is not only a physical condition endured by
some but a spiritual condition susceptive to all. True vision is seeing
Jesus clearly and coming to put our trust in him as Lord. AL
Questions
Do you think you’re ever in danger of being spiritually blind? How might
you pray for help from God?
Why is having true vision of Jesus so necessary?
Are we ever in danger of failing to recognise Jesus for who he truly is?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please help us - in the power of your Spirit and in
conviction of your Word - to see who Jesus is clearly! May we be so
compelled by a clear vision of Jesus, that we accordingly put our trust in
him alone. Where there are areas of our lives in which we are spiritually
blind, please help us to see clearly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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March 02, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 13 - Isaiah 53:1-5
Reflection
Today we once again take the opportunity to reflect on some of the key ways
in which Jesus’ death fulfils that foretold by prophets centuries earlier,
especially that concerning the suffering servant. Psalm 53 is just one of
many psalms which speak of God’s suffering servant through whom salvation
will come. In just the first five verses alone, we note several important
things about the nature of the long-awaited Messiah for God’s people.
First (verse 1), we witness that the message of the Messiah is good news!
Second (verse 2), that the Messiah’s beginnings would be humble - there
would be nothing particularly royal in his upbringing or in his appearance.
Third (verse 3), that ultimately the Messiah would be rejected and despised
by humankind. Fourth (verse 4), that the Messiah would not suffer for his
sins but for the sins of others. Fifth (verse 5), that it would be through
his suffering, that we would be saved. How incredible that in just these
five verses alone, that so much of the identity of Jesus, the reception he
received, the shape of his death, and the purpose of his suffering are
succinctly foreshadowed! This should cause us to not only have great
confidence in the faithfulness of God but also in the critical nature of
Jesus’ saving work on the cross.
Take some time out today to give thanks to God for his faithfulness,
especially that it’s through Jesus that God’s promises are fulfilled. AL
Questions
What aspects of Jesus’ life and death are foreshadowed in Psalm 53?
If you had to summarise the circumstances and purpose of Jesus’ death to
someone who had never heard about it, what would you say?
How does the faithfulness of God make you want to live differently?
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for your faithfulness and your saving purposes in
Jesus that were foreshadowed through the prophets. Please help me to
respond to your faithfulness by putting my trust in you and reflecting your
obedience in my life. Please help me - in the power of your Spirit - to
live obediently every day on every frontline. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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March 02, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 12 - Isaiah 52:13-15
Reflection
Just as Jesus had indicated in Luke 18:31, the death that he would have to
endure had not only been predicted centuries earlier but was the very
fulfilment of that which was written by the prophets. That means that
Jesus’ death was not an accident nor a failure, but part of God’s glorious
rescue plan for the world.
In fact, as evidenced in Psalm 52:13-15, the degree to which Jesus’ death
fulfils the prophets is extraordinary! As the psalmist tells of the Lord’s
servant being lifted up, we see that fulfilment in his appearance (i.e.,
“disfigured”), people’s reactions (that they were “appalled”), the purpose
of his death (i.e., that it would be through his death that people would be
“sprinkled”, that is cleansed from their sin), and even the reception of
the good news (i.e., that they will see and come to understand). There can
be no doubt that Jesus’ death (and of course his resurrection, too) is the
result of his obedience to God’s unfolding salvation plan for the world.
That of course would not become clear to the disciples until they witnessed
Jesus’ resurrection, but we can delight in that news today!
Whilst at first glance the suffering and glory of the servant seem
something of a paradox or a contradiction in terms, we can be confident
that there is no contradiction at all. How so? Because it is in God’s mercy
that Jesus would be exalted on the cross in order sin and death could be
defeated. Jesus’ death was victory and his resurrection is vindication.
Whilst we, of course, look upon Jesus’ death with great sorrow because it
was our sin that put him there, we also can be full of thanks that it is
because of Jesus’ death that we can be set free. AL
Questions
How does the very nature of Jesus’ death being foretold centuries earlier,
give us confidence in God’s rescue plan for the world?
What was the purpose of Jesus’ death?
Take some time today to give thanks for Jesus’ obedience and willingness to
go to the cross for each and every one of us.
Prayer
Lord, how we thank you that it was always your plan to rescue us even at
great cost to yourself. Please help us to grow in confidence in the Good
News, turn in repentance to your Son, and share this Gospel with the world.
Amen.
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February 28, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 11 - Luke 18:31-34
Reflection
The time of Jesus’ arrest, ‘trial’, and death is drawing closer. However,
as is increasingly evident, the disciples still do not understand the
horror that Jesus must face in order that we can be saved. And so, on their
way up to Jerusalem, Jesus takes the twelve aside and again predicts his
death and resurrection.
The disciples don’t understand - the meaning of what Jesus is saying to
them is ‘hidden’ from them. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they were
somehow being prevented from understanding by God, but more likely that
they were blinded by their expectations of what God’s King would do. It’s
hard to know what exactly they were expecting, but it’s clear that they
must have been expecting Jesus to overturn the Romans in some way. Whether
or not their hearts are too hard to hear what Jesus is saying, or that
they're simply in denial of what Jesus has been warning them about, the
disciples have failed to understand and will be completely shocked by what
they are soon to witness. As events unfold, crushed by unmet expectations,
they will disown Jesus, flee from the scene, and hide.
Are we ashamed by the crucified Jesus? Do we recognise the absolute
necessity that he had to die for us? Sometimes we can think that we are
better than the disciples, but it’s especially in those moments that we
must remember that we’re just as sinful and fragile as they were. What we
ultimately need can only be made possible through Jesus and that’s
precisely what Jesus has achieved. AL
Questions
1. Why was it necessary for Jesus to suffer and die?
2. Why do you think the disciples struggled to really understand what Jesus
was warning them would happen?
3. In what way can you be deaf to what God is saying?
Prayer
Saving God, we thank you so much for Jesus’ resolve to go to the cross and
save us even at great cost. Please help us to recognise the extent of what
Jesus has done for us, that we may look to him with thanks and be saved. In
Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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FAQs about Luke: God's Kingdom:

How many episodes does Luke: God's Kingdom have?

The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.