Bible Reading
Luke 20:1-8 “One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
[30:11]Luke 19:11-26 “As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
[35:41]Luke 19:28-40 “And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
[36:59]Observation questions
- What had Jesus been doing in the temple just before the chief priests, scribes, and elders challenged His authority? [44:17]
- Who were the groups that came to question Jesus, and why does their combined presence make this confrontation especially significant? [47:13]
- What two possible answers do the leaders consider about John’s baptism, and what consequence do they fear with each answer? [50:41]
- After Jesus declines to answer their question directly, what does He continue doing in the temple? [53:50]
Interpretation questions
- Why does Jesus respond to the leaders’ question about His authority by asking about John the Baptist’s authority? What does their answer reveal about their willingness to follow the truth? [51:27]
- The leaders say they do not know where John’s baptism came from, though they are mainly concerned with protecting themselves. How can careful or uncertain-sounding words sometimes hide unbelief or resistance to God? [53:19]
- Why would Jesus’ cleansing of the temple and continued teaching there feel like a direct challenge to the religious leaders’ control? [43:50]
- How do the rejected king in Luke 19, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and this confrontation in Luke 20 fit together to show that Jesus is truly King even when people reject Him? [55:06]
Application questions
- Jesus has all authority whether or not people recognize it. In what areas of life is it easiest to treat Jesus’ authority as optional—such as relationships, money, time, work, habits, or plans for the future? [01:03:33]
- The leaders were more concerned about public opinion and self-preservation than honestly answering Jesus. When have fear of what others might think made it difficult to obey, speak truthfully, or identify openly with Christ?
- It is possible to affirm that Jesus is King while still trying to rule one’s own life. Where might self be trying to sit on the throne right now? What would surrender to Jesus look like in one concrete decision this week? [01:00:07]
- Are there things God has made clear that need to be given up, but that are being held onto as “for me”? What makes those things difficult to release to Jesus? [01:00:23]
- Jesus remained King despite the opposition of powerful religious leaders. How can this truth bring courage when obedience to Christ feels unpopular, costly, or misunderstood? [01:04:50]
- What could help the group begin each day with the reminder, “Jesus is King of my life”? How might that reminder shape the way decisions and conflicts are handled? [01:04:14]
