LUKE LESSON 53
We will begin this lesson in Luke 22:24 "And there was also a
strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest."
It is such a shame there is a power struggle even in God's
church. These disciples were no different, they wanted to be the
greatest in Jesus' sight.
Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles
exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon
them are called benefactors."
These benefactors (workers of good) were really demanding and
ruled hard over their people. They held themselves in high esteem.
Luke 22:26 "But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest
among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that
doth serve."
Jesus is trying to teach them humility and, also, trying to teach
them to not regard themselves higher than others. Don't try to rule,
be willing to be ruled over.
Luke 22:27 "For whether [is] greater, he that sitteth at meat,
or he that serveth? [is] not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among
you as he that serveth."
Jesus is showing them here that even though He is their leader,
He is serving them at tables. Jesus' followers are actually His
servants and, yet, the Master is serving them.
Luke 22:28 "Ye are they which have continued with me in my
temptations."
Jesus is explaining how dear they are to Him. They know Him
better than anyone else on earth. They have seen the enemy come
against Him so much, and yet He is without sin.
Luke 22:29 "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath
appointed unto me;"
The Lord, here is telling the apostles that He is turning the
followers of Jesus (Himself) over to them. Jesus started the church,
they must take the reins and keep it going.
Luke 22:30 "That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom,
and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
This is a promise Jesus is making the apostles for their rewards
in heaven and His 1,000 year reign upon the earth. He is saying,
when we get to Heaven, you may sit at My table with Me. What a
wonderful promise. He goes even further and says, I am putting you
ruler over the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:31 "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:" Luke 22:32
"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou
art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Jesus loved Simon Peter. Satan undoubtedly got permission from
God to tempt the disciples, like he got permission to try Job. These
disciples did not remain with Jesus when it appeared they might be
crucified with Him. They ran. Peter was possibly more severely
tried, because he was the rock Jesus said He would build His church
on. Trials come to make us strong, and that is what happened
eventually to Peter, also. Jesus prayed for Peter's faith not to
fail. Peter would be powerful in helping the others.
Luke 22:33 "And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with
thee, both into prison, and to death."
Peter felt at this moment as if he would never leave the Lord.
Peter was ready to fight to the death, if necessary. Remember, he
had his sword which he cut the soldier's ear off with. Peter would
not understand Jesus seemingly letting them win.
Luke 22:34 "And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not
crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest
me."
This had to come as a blow to Peter. He did not believe, that
under any circumstances, he would deny Jesus. Nevertheless, the Master
said it. He even said he would deny Jesus three times. We say we
would not have denied Him. We have never been put to that hard a
test. We do not know what we would do.
Luke 22:35 "And he said unto them, When I sent you without
purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said,
Nothing."
When Jesus had sent them out before, it was during His popularity
on earth. The disciples were anointed to cast out demons, heal the
sick and preach the Word. They were well respected and had need of
nothing.
Luke 22:36 "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a
purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath
no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Times have changed. They must prepare to minister without Jesus.
Persecution of Jesus' followers was as certain as His death on the
cross. Jesus is saying to them that there will be hard times.
Whatever they can do for themselves, do it. They would be persecuted
for being His followers.
Luke 22:37 "For I say unto you, that this that is written must
yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the
transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."
It had been prophesied about Jesus' death, burial, and
resurrection, and God does not lie. The Scriptures must be fulfilled.
He was reckoned a transgressor for our sins. He took on the sins of
the world. Chapter 53 of Isaiah predicts just that. Jesus explains to
the apostles one more time that now is that time.
Luke 22:38 "And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords.
And he said unto them, It is enough."
Spiritually, I am sure these two swords symbolize the Word of
God. We do know that Peter had a sword though. Perhaps, literally
and spiritually, two are enough.
Luke 22:39 "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the
mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him."
Jesus loved to go to the mount of Olives to pray.
Luke 22:40 "And when he was at the place, he said unto them,
Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
Jesus knew the disciples would be sorely tested before this was
over. There is strength in prayer, and that is what Jesus told them
to do. Prayer changes things.
Luke 22:41 "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast,
and kneeled down, and prayed,"
Even though this is God the Son, He is housed in flesh which
suffers pain the same as we do. Jesus found it necessary to pray.
This should show us the importance of prayer in our lives.
Luke 22:42 "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup
from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
Until we, too, can say not my will, but thine Lord, we are not
where we need to be. Jesus wants to be our Saviour, but He must be
our Lord, as well. Jesus' flesh was weak, but his Spirit was willing.
Luke 22:43 "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven,
strengthening him."
This is a terrible fate awaiting Jesus in the flesh. This angel
(ministering spirit) has come to strengthen Jesus in the flesh, so His
flesh will be in harmony with His Spirit.
Luke 22:44 "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and
his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the
ground."
The fate of the whole world lay upon Him. Worse, perhaps, than
the pain was the knowing that He would take on His body the sin of the
entire world, and that the Father would turn His head from Him. The
dread is so terrible is why the sweat was like drops of blood.
Luke 22:45 "And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his
disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,"
This sleep seems to be to keep them from praying. They were
sorrowful, and perhaps, at a loss for what to do. Sleep can sometimes
be an escape from problems we don't know how to solve.
Luke 22:46 "And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray,
lest ye enter into temptation."
The disciples just did not understand the severity of the
situation. Sometimes when we need to pray, we are the sleepiest.
Could it be that Satan caused them to sleep?
Luke 53 Questions
1. What strife was among the apostles?
2. What are the Gentile lords sometimes called?
3. In verse 26, Jesus said the greatest should do what?
4. What is Jesus trying to teach them?
5. Who is greater, the one who is served, or the one serving?
6. In verse 28, Jesus said they had continued with Him in what?
7. What did Jesus appoint to His disciples?
8. What would they do at Jesus' table in His kingdom?
9. Who would the disciples reign over?
10. What did Jesus say Satan wanted to do to Peter?
11. Jesus prayed for Peter to do what?
12. What did Peter say he was ready to do for Jesus?
13. How many times did Jesus say Peter would deny Him?
14. When the disciples went out without provisions, lacked they
anything?
15. What did Jesus tell them to take with them now?
16. Where did Jesus use a Scripture from in the Old Testament in verse
37?
17. How many swords were brought to Jesus?
18. Where did Jesus go to pray?
19. What did he tell the disciples to pray?
20. Jesus _______ and prayed.
21. What did Jesus ask the Father in prayer?
22. Who ministered to Jesus in His agony?
23. What was Jesus sweat compared to?
24. How did Jesus find the disciples when he got up from prayer?
25. In verse 46, what did Jesus ask them?
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