Jesus: Our Sovereign King and Call to Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus as Sovereign King

As Jesus transitions from His ministry in Galilee to His journey towards Jerusalem, this movement is not merely a change in location but a profound declaration of His identity as the Messiah and King. This journey signifies a pivotal moment in His ministry, emphasizing His role as the sovereign ruler who demands our full allegiance. Jesus is not just a means to eternal life but the King of Kings who calls us to recognize His authority over every aspect of our lives. This recognition requires us to shift our perspective, seeing Jesus not as an addition to our personal agendas but as the central figure who guides and directs our paths. [34:20]

"And he said to them, 'The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.' On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered." (Luke 6:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been treating Jesus as an addition rather than the central authority? How can you begin to realign your life to reflect His sovereignty today?

Day 2: Clearing the Heart's Throne

The stories of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus present a stark contrast in responses to Jesus' call. The rich young ruler, despite his adherence to the commandments, could not part with his wealth, revealing the idol that occupied his heart. In contrast, Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, willingly repented and made restitution, demonstrating a heart transformed by Jesus' call. These narratives challenge us to examine what occupies the throne of our hearts and to clear it for Jesus alone. True discipleship involves removing idols and allowing Jesus to reign supreme in our lives. [36:30]

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you." (Proverbs 4:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that competes with Jesus for the throne of your heart? What steps can you take today to begin letting go of this idol?

Day 3: Allegiance to the True King

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah by riding a donkey, symbolizing His kingship and the peace He brings. This act of entering Jerusalem on a donkey was a bold declaration of His identity as the King, challenging the existing political powers. The Galilean disciples recognized this and declared their allegiance to Jesus, defying earthly authorities. This moment invites us to consider our own allegiances and the idols we may unknowingly place on the throne of our lives. [49:38]

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9, ESV)

Reflection: What earthly powers or influences are you tempted to place above your allegiance to Jesus? How can you actively declare your allegiance to Him in your daily life?

Day 4: Holistic Discipleship

Our discipleship must extend beyond personal spirituality to public engagement, reflecting Jesus' teachings in societal and political contexts. Jesus' teachings often challenge societal norms and political structures, urging us to prioritize His kingdom values. This holistic approach requires us to engage with the world through the lens of Jesus' teachings, advocating for justice and mercy in all spheres of life. We are called to be active participants in the world, embodying the values of the kingdom in every area of our lives. [59:39]

"Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place." (Jeremiah 22:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate Jesus' teachings on justice and mercy into your interactions with others today? What is one specific action you can take to reflect His kingdom values in your community?

Day 5: Confronting and Removing Idols

Jesus' teachings challenge us to confront and remove any idols that compete for the throne of our hearts. These idols can take many forms, from material possessions to societal norms that conflict with kingdom values. We must be willing to examine our lives and identify the areas where we have allowed these idols to take precedence over our allegiance to Jesus. This process requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to surrender all to Him. [01:04:55]

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one idol in your life that you need to confront and remove? How can you begin this process of surrender and realignment with Jesus' teachings today?

Sermon Summary

As we journey through the Gospel of Luke, we find ourselves transitioning from Jesus' ministry in Galilee to His pivotal journey towards Jerusalem, marking the path to the cross. This shift is not just geographical but deeply symbolic, as it underscores Jesus' role as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of Kings. The Gospels present Jesus not merely as a means to eternal life but as the sovereign King who demands our full allegiance. This is a call to recognize Jesus as the ruler of our lives, not just a convenient addition to our personal agendas.

In Luke 16, Jesus emphasizes that we cannot serve two masters, highlighting the necessity of choosing Him above all else. This choice is illustrated through the story of the rich young ruler, who, despite his adherence to the commandments, could not part with his wealth to follow Jesus. In contrast, Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, willingly repents and makes restitution, demonstrating a heart transformed by Jesus' call. These narratives challenge us to examine what occupies the throne of our hearts and to clear it for Jesus alone.

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He enacts the prophecy from Zechariah by riding a donkey, symbolizing His kingship and the peace He brings. The Galilean disciples recognize this and declare Him as their King, a bold act of allegiance that defies the existing political powers. This moment invites us to consider our own allegiances and the idols we may unknowingly place on the throne of our lives.

In our contemporary context, this call to allegiance extends beyond personal spirituality to our public and political lives. We are reminded that Jesus' teachings often challenge societal norms and political structures, urging us to prioritize His kingdom values. This holistic discipleship requires us to engage with the world through the lens of Jesus' teachings, advocating for justice and mercy in all spheres of life.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus' journey to Jerusalem marks a significant transition in His ministry, emphasizing His role as the Messiah and King. This journey invites us to recognize Jesus as the sovereign ruler of our lives, not just a means to eternal life. [34:20]
2. The story of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus illustrates the challenge of clearing our hearts' throne for Jesus. True discipleship involves removing idols and allowing Jesus to reign supreme in our lives. [36:30]
3. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfills prophecy and symbolizes His kingship and the peace He brings. This act challenges us to declare our allegiance to Jesus above all earthly powers. [49:38]
4. Our discipleship must extend beyond personal spirituality to public engagement, reflecting Jesus' teachings in societal and political contexts. This holistic approach requires us to advocate for justice and mercy in all areas of life. [59:39]
5. Jesus' teachings often challenge societal norms and political structures, urging us to prioritize His kingdom values. We must be willing to confront and remove any idols that compete for the throne of our hearts. [01:04:55]
** [64:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to the Journey
[02:15] - Jesus as King
[05:00] - The Rich Young Ruler
[10:00] - Zacchaeus' Transformation
[15:00] - Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem
[20:00] - Prophecy Fulfilled
[25:00] - Allegiance to Jesus
[30:00] - Holistic Discipleship
[35:00] - Engaging with Society
[40:00] - Challenging Societal Norms
[45:00] - Removing Idols
[50:00] - Jesus' Teachings and Politics
[55:00] - Final Reflections
[60:00] - Benediction and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 16:13 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
Luke 18:18-23 - The story of the rich young ruler.
Luke 19:1-10 - The story of Zacchaeus.

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Observation Questions:

In Luke 16:13, what does Jesus mean when He says we cannot serve two masters? How does this relate to the concept of allegiance discussed in the sermon? [34:20]
How does the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-23 illustrate the challenge of choosing Jesus over worldly possessions? What was the ruler's response to Jesus' invitation? [38:43]
Compare the responses of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus to Jesus' call. What actions did Zacchaeus take that demonstrated his repentance and transformation? [46:00]
What is the significance of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem, and how does this fulfill the prophecy from Zechariah? How did the people react to this event? [49:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

Why do you think Jesus emphasizes the impossibility of serving two masters in Luke 16:13? How does this principle apply to modern-day idols that might compete for our allegiance? [34:20]
What does the rich young ruler's sadness reveal about his priorities and the condition of his heart? How does this story challenge our understanding of discipleship and sacrifice? [38:43]
In what ways does Zacchaeus' response to Jesus' presence demonstrate a heart transformed by grace? How does his story illustrate the concept of restitution and repentance? [46:00]
How does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey challenge the existing political and societal norms of His time? What does this act teach us about the nature of Jesus' kingship? [49:38]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: Are there any "masters" or idols that you find yourself serving alongside Jesus? How can you begin to clear the throne of your heart for Jesus alone? [34:20]
Consider the story of the rich young ruler. Is there something in your life that you would find difficult to give up if Jesus asked you to? How can you work towards a heart of surrender and obedience? [38:43]
Zacchaeus made a public commitment to change his ways and make restitution. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek forgiveness or make amends? What steps can you take this week to do so? [46:00]
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a bold declaration of His kingship. How can you declare your allegiance to Jesus in your daily life, especially in situations where it might be challenging or counter-cultural? [49:38]
The sermon emphasized holistic discipleship that extends beyond personal spirituality. How can you engage with societal and political issues through the lens of Jesus' teachings? What specific actions can you take to advocate for justice and mercy in your community? [59:39]
Reflect on the pastor's analogy of the chair. What are some practical ways you can ensure that Jesus has the full "chair" in your life, without sharing it with other priorities or distractions? [36:30]
How can you incorporate the teachings of Jesus into your public and political life without aligning with a specific political party? What does it mean for you to be non-partisan but not apolitical in your faith journey? [01:04:55]

Sermon Clips

It's really important to understand that this is a big moment in which Jesus is revealed as the Messiah from God, the Son of God, and the King of Kings. And as we seek to understand the story, it's important for us to understand that when we hear that word, the King, or the King of Kings, Jesus as King, that the Gospels are not presenting Jesus as like a free ticket to heaven. [00:31:21] (31 seconds)

And eternal life is one of the fruits of us entering into the kingdom and receiving Jesus as King. But sometimes we are tempted to reduce Jesus to some small role in our lives in which, hey, He's a quick add-on that gets us a ticket to heaven. But the Gospels proclaim Jesus as King, King of our lives, King of every realm, King of all creation. [00:32:01] (26 seconds)

And they tell us the story of Jesus. Jesus is an amazing King. He has this huge, huge heart, and He welcomes anyone into the kingdom. He surprises people with those that He is welcoming into the kingdom. He's even a kingdom that would stoop. He's a king that would stoop to serve, to wash disciples' feet. He's a king who would suffer and even die on behalf of His subjects. [00:32:40] (25 seconds)

Always will you choose Jesus as master. He will not stand for an idol in your life. He will not share the throne of your heart with an idol, with lust, with material wealth, with an earthly king or leader. No one else can sit on the throne as co-ruler of your life. That's true of the universe. And it's true of our hearts. [00:33:54] (31 seconds)

The role of discipleship, we keep talking about discipleship, what it means is for us to grow into disciples of Jesus. It means slowly but surely, through challenge and heartache and growth, we remove things from the chair and we invite the Lord of the universe to sit and reign alone on the throne of our lives. [00:36:35] (27 seconds)

The rich young ruler says, Hey, I want eternal life. I want the benefits of this kingdom of God that I hear you keep talking about. I want the benefits of that. I want some of that eternal life. And I have been a good boy all my life. I have kept the commands. I have a spotless, more reputation. Oh, Lord, give me that eternal life. [00:40:06] (22 seconds)

And Zacchaeus receives this act of, like, love, to be called by name, to come to his house. And before ever being prompted, he recognizes he has some junk on his chair. He knows Jesus is not going to approve of how he obtained that wealth by cheating the other Jewish people, by marking up the taxes, by all that kind of extortion that went along with that, all those things. [00:46:00] (26 seconds)

And Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a son of Abraham. For the son of man came to seek and save the lost. Repentance, a changed heart, changed priorities, changed interaction with neighbors. He's going to make things right with his neighbors. Christ now on the throne ruling his life. [00:48:14] (30 seconds)

And the Galilean disciples who have seen the miracles of Jesus, they recognize the symbol. They're like, oh, my gosh, look at him. He's riding this donkey. This is a claim. They recognize it's a claim to the throne. And they react immediately to ratify his claim and declare Jesus to be their king. This is what they do. [00:53:25] (22 seconds)

And you're going to hear this pointed out by the Pharisees. The people already have a king. Okay? The people of Galilee have Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. Like he's the king. Okay? And then you have, also you have Caesar who rules through Pontius Pilate. So Caesar is king of the southern part of Judea. So we've already got kings. [00:56:47] (27 seconds)

The goal is never to be political. The goal is always to proclaim Christ as King, Christ as King above all, Christ alone as Lord, and then just to help you see, you might have something on your chair, and just give you an opportunity to remove the idol from your chair. It's going to look different times at different weeks. [01:09:30] (20 seconds)

So I come over here, and we had some scriptures in which Jesus was challenging the rich young ruler, and Jesus was challenging Zacchaeus. Hey, take some stuff off your chair, okay? And there's a lot of times when Jesus talks about money, and those are not, those are not the easiest weeks, okay? Because a lot of people are like, oh my gosh, the church is talking about money, and you're like, ah, I don't want to scare people away. [01:10:10] (21 seconds)