The Authority of Jesus

The Authority of Jesus

In ch. 20, Luke gives us 6 stories illustrating the rising tension between Jesus and his religious enemies. At the center of the debate is the authority of Jesus -- who he is and how he can claim to speak and act in the name of God. This is the central question of the gospels and the whole reason Luke has written: What will we do with Jesus? Resistance to Jesus' authority isn't a 1st Century problem but a universal problem, rooted in hearts that resist submission to anyone. In this season of Lent, we're invited to consider ways we still resist Jesus and his reign in our lives, believing that greater joy can be found outside of his lordship over our lives.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read Luke 20:1-8

1. The 6 scenes are held together by the theme of Jesus' authority. How do you see this theme in each scene?

2. Why are the religious leaders questioning Jesus' authority? What are they resisting? Why?

3. Are there areas of your life in which you (still) resist the authority and leadership of Jesus? Name them in confession together.

4. What difference would it make to believe that what Jesus requires of you will always lead to your greatest joy and fulfillment?
   

March 5, 2023 - Steve Hart

The Tears of Jesus

The Tears of Jesus

As Jesus finally arrives in Jerusalem, he deliberately fulfills Zechariah's prophecy regarding God's anointed King arriving on a colt. His disciples rejoice and the religious leaders grumble (again). But Jesus? He weeps. The tears of the King. What makes the Lord weep is human hard-heartedness, the refusal to welcome Jesus and his reign of grace into our broken hearts, broken lives, and broken world. Thankfully, our rejection of Jesus doesn't lead to his rejection of us - he continues his mission by entering the Temple to make a way for sinners to come in! As we begin our journey in Lent, we're asking the Spirit of Jesus to search us, reveal our blind hard-heartedness, and lead us to fullness of joy in his determination to give himself in love for the world.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read Luke 19:28-48

1. What makes you weep? Our weeping is connected to sin and brokenness - in us, our communities, and the world around us.

2. What makes Jesus weep? Why do you think this is his response as he comes into Jerusalem?

3. Discuss the practice of Lent together. How can we deepen our grief regarding our hard-heartedness in order to deepen our joy in Jesus' tears?

February 26, 2023 - Steve Hart