Luke 19: 1- 10

Q. What can you learn about Zacchaeus?

• Chief Tax Collector, Rich!
• Jew, Short, Corrupt
• Sinful (Luke 19:7), Not a reputed man, often ridiculed or hated among the Jews

Q. Meaning of ‘Zacchaeus’?

• Clean, pure (CCEL)
• What an irony, his name meant clean and pure, but he was one of the chief corrupted man in Jericho!

Q. Why did Zacchaeus come to see Jesus?

• Must have heard about this Rabbi.
• Must be desperate to see Jesus (Not every one climbs a tree to see Jesus!)
• He would have just wanted to have a glance at this Jesus.
• He did not expect Jesus to be his guest!

Q. What did his actions tell about his need/desire to see Jesus?

• We all know about his desperation in climbing a tree. But we often miss a rather insignificant act just before that.
• Luke 19:4 – “So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”
• He RAN ahead and climbed the tree. He made an effort to run ahead and climb the tree!
• He prepared himself for the most clear view of Jesus. He made an initial effort to see Jesus without any hindrance or obstacle. He set aside all the ridicule or mockery he might receive from people.
• I strongly believe that this simple and insignificant act tells a lot about his heart. He was ready to receive Jesus, into his home and his heart!
• Many people were in that crowd. They would also have heard about Jesus, they also came to see him. They might have a glimpse at this famous miracle-worker. Many would have gone home, missing the view, thinking, “may be next time, I would see him.”
• But Zacchaeus prepared himself to see Jesus. He made an effort. He did not give up.
• If you long to see Jesus, if you are ready for Jesus, Jesus will definitely notice you!

Q. What is very striking observation in V. 5?

• Jesus called him by his name ‘Zacchaeus’, Jesus knew him by his name even though he never met him before.
• It was not Zacchaeus, who invited Jesus. It was Jesus, who invited Zacchaeus!
• All he needed to do was to receive it.
• And he did so with grateful, joyful heart.

Q. What was people’s response?

• Grumbling, complaining
• Guest of a ‘Sinner’!
• They did not see, what Jesus could see.

Q. Where prompted Zacchaeus’ generosity?

• Change of Heart also reflects change of attitude and actions.
• He accepted the fact that He had cheated others. He confessed his wrong doings. But he paid them back what was required by the law. (Exodus 22:1, 2 Sam 12:6)
• He could have given four times, he had taken according to the law and that should be enough.
• But He first gave half of all his possessions to the poor! (That is a lot of money.) And from the remaining, he paid for his wrongdoings. It shows the overflowing joy, love and generosity.
• Jesus did not even tell him to do so. It came so naturally from the change of heart.
• In previous chapter, Luke 18:18-30, we see another rich ruler, a man of high regard, respect in the society, a religious person. But he failed to know who Jesus really is! What a pity that he could not leave his riches, when Jesus told him to do so. (Luke 18:23)

Q. What was Jesus’ proclamation?

• “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 to save what was lost.”
• Zacchaeus was saved by his faith in Jesus Christ, just as Abraham. (Romans 4:13, Romans 5:1)
• Jesus proclaimed his mission on the earth, “To Seek and Save the lost.”

The Story of Zacchaeus and Jesus is one of the most fascinating and dramatic stories in the gospels. It is a story of Jesus reaching out to neglected and despised of the world.

Jesus is ready to be your guest in your home and heart, are you ready to accept his invitation?

More Bible Studies:

• Shriveled Hands – Jesus Heals on Sabbath – Mark 3:1-6
• Jesus’ Genealogy in the Bible – Matthew 1:1-17 | Bible Study
• Rich Young Ruler and Jesus | Mark 10:17-27
• Woman with Alabaster Jar and Jesus – Luke 7:36-50
• The Parable of the Great Feast | Luke 14:15-24 | Bible Study

Zacchaeus and Jesus – The Guest of Sinner is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

• Luke 9:10-17
• John 8:1-14
• Matthew 14:13-21
• Mark 6:32-44

Background of the Miracle:

• “Feeding the 5000″ is the only miracle recorded by all four gospels.
• Disciples came from their mission, they were tired and hungry, did not have time to eat. They needed rest.
• Jesus just heard about the death of John the Baptist (Mat 14:13). (Ministry of John the Baptist)
• Jesus wanted him and his disciples to withdraw from the crowd so that they can have some rest.
• They headed to Bethesda, by boat to discourage crowd from following them. (Check, Jesus healed disable man at Pool of Bethesda)
• They were trying to get away from them.

Bethesda – Fisherman’s House:

• Bethesda – meaning “Fisherman’s house”, it was home of Philip, Andrew and Peter.
• Mini vacation on weekends!
• Crowd was all in need, physical, emotional, spiritual. They sought teaching and healing, they were already gathered at the place, before Jesus arrived.
• Mark 6:34 says that he had compassion on them because they were life sheep without shepherd.

How do we respond when they invade our privacy?

• So many times, when we are tired and weary, under stress, and people come to us in need, and we try to avoid them. They come with hope of getting something, to share or to have fellowship. Are we available to their needs.
• Jesus had compassion on them; he welcomed them not out of duty or obligation, but out of love and care.
• Think of an incident, when you are so tired and need rest, and your friend comes and you start thinking “oh, no, how do I get rid of him?” you don’t have to go too far to find such situation.
• Jesus as a caregiver, first to his disciples and then to the crowd.
• Jesus taught them about the kingdom of God, healed them (for hours). (The Beatitudes – Poor in Spirit – Kingdom of Heaven)
• Jesus must be teaching well, that crowd did not disperse in the evening; they were too engrossed into listening to Jesus.
• Think of church meeting, when preacher goes little above time, and people start looking at their watch, start dispersing.

“Give them something to eat”

• Crowd are not worried, disciples are. It’s like they come and tell Jesus, “its time to close, let them go.”
• Jesus reply is startling, “give them something to eat.” – What!
• Are you crazy, 5000 men, women, and children. We don’t have enough money to feed them. It is like a eight month’s wages, thousand of dollars, are we going to use all that for feeding them one meal?
• Think practically, let them go. Jesus’ ways does not seem practical at times.
• See, Judge 6-7: Gideon’s army of 300 men winning against 150,000 midianites.

“What do you have?”

• Jesus asks another question, “What do you have, go and see?”
• Boy with five loaves of bread and two fishes
• How can few pieces of loaves, fishes feed the 5000?
• Totally inadequate, impossible to feed, but this is all they had.
• Jesus prepared them for Miracle – All were hungry, he didn’t want chaos, disorder, shoving, pushing. He wanted to organize, order.
• Another example of miracles in orderly fashion, our God is organized.
• Disciples don’t understand, why is he doing that? However, confused they are, they followed what he said.
• So many times, he wants us to act in faith, though it may sound foolish or silly.
• Jesus did not do miracle first and then told them about organizing crowd.
• Prayer of thanksgiving – most important part of miracle
• Giving thanks to father, not credit on himself, but exalting God the father. Thanking and blessing God.
• He then broke them and distributed them.
• Five thousand people, it must have taken few hours to do that.
• All were fed and satisfied.

Jesus’ final assignment for his disciples:

• Jesus’ final assignment for his disciples, “go and gather broken pieces.” To make them realize that God’s provision is more than adequate. (He in fact, later on reminds them about it in Mark 8:19)
• Profound impact on disciples, all gospels have account of it.

Why this miracle?

• This miracle created a problem for Jesus’ ministry.
• In was Lesson of discipleship for his disciples. (Seven Conditions of Christian Discipleship)

“What do YOU have?”

• Off course, our resources are way inadequate to the need of this world. But we are to bring what we have to him. And put it into his hands.
• He will in turn, bless them and place them into your hands back, multiplied, more powerful than you can ever imagine.
• Too often, we are overwhelmed by the need, and give up, questioning adequacy of God.
• When we see the world, we are stunned by the need all around us and whole world, people are deserting God, so much of pain, and suffering, persecution, hurt, wars. And we realize that our resources are very limited. We can not help due to lack of resources.
• Jesus is looking for people who are ready to believe, trust him, who are willing to bring whatever little they have. (instead of complaining or stepping back)
• God’s provision is more than adequate. Are we ready to trust him, believe that though task is immense, Our God is more than sufficient.
• All we need to do is to bring our resources, gifts, talents, time, energy, and he is going to bless them and multiply them. (Discover your spiritual gifts)

Also Check out: Against All Odds: God’s Math Doesn’t Need to Add UpMore Bible Studies:

• Jesus Calming the Storm – Bible Lesson
• Bible Study Updates from BibleSEO
• Miracle of Jesus at Cana Wedding – John 2:1-11 | Bible Study
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12
• Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda | John 5:1-15

Feeding the 5000 | Bible Study is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

• Mark 4: 35-41
• Matthew 8:23-27
• Luke 8:22-25

How do you feel if you are in one of these storms in the sea? How will you react to the situation? Where would you go for help? Let us look at what the disciples of Jesus reacted in such a life threatening storm.

Q. Mark 4:35 starts with ‘that’ day. Which day is he talking about?

• The day started with chapter 4, when Jesus started teaching the crowd. He taught them lots of stories and parables and performed many miracles.
• At the end of the day, Jesus and his disciples would be tired, needed rest. They went into boats for rest. This was often the case to find rest, so that crowd cannot follow Jesus. (Mat 14:13)

Sea of Galilee: is 680 feet below sea level and surrounded by hills.

Q. What did Jesus tell his disciples?

• “Let us go over the other side.”

• Surely, they did not expect the miracle, by their reaction after Jesus calming the storm. (Mark 4:41)
• They assumed that they are all going to die.
• Angry and frustrated to see Jesus sleeping – “Don’t you care, if we die?”! (Questioning God – Psalms 13)
• Is he insane? How can he sleep in such a situation?
• There seems to me, two storms raging – one in the sea of Galilee and the other in the hearts of disciples!

Q. What did Jesus do? What were disciples’ reaction?

• Jesus calms the Storm and the sea.
• He got up, rebuked the wind and the sea!
• “Quiet, be still.”
• Jesus demonstrated his power over the wind and the waves – over the Nature. (also check, Jesus feeding five thousand)
• I suppose, it was wind and wave’s time to be terrified!
• At once, there was a complete calm.
• Disciples might be wondering, was that a dream? What has just happened?
• They were shocked and terrified, even more than before!

Q. What can you learn about the nature of Jesus here?

• Mark 4:38 – He was tired – Man.
• Mark 4:39 – His power over nature – God
• He was God and Man both. (This is the greatest mystery of all!)

Q. Why did Jesus ask, “Where is your faith”?

• Because he told them, “Let us go to the other side.”!
• Fear is the absence of faith and trust.
• It was a powerful discipleship lesson. (7 conditions of Christian discipleship)

Q. What was disciples’ response?

• “Who is this”? – Not mere teacher for sure. (Mark 4:38)
• “Who can command the wind and the wave?”
• “Who can calm the storm and the sea?”

Bible Study Lessons:

• We may not go through the physical storm as the disciples did. But we all have been through many other storms in our own lives like sickness, loosing job, failures, personal weakness, death of loved one, accident, depression, hopelessness…, where we feel helpless.
• We may think or feel like God does not care. He is sleeping. He is not answering our prayers.
• But thank God that Jesus is in our boats! He is in control. (Captain of our boat)
• We need to completely trust him. (This is a lot harder to do that to say.)
• I have been through many storms in my personal walk (sailing) with Jesus, and I have seen his faithfulness and power at work in due time. I have learnt not to doubt, but to completely trust him.
• I have learnt not to be afraid but totally rely on his power and promise in the storms of my life. (I have not completely succeeded yet, I must say!)
• We may think that Jesus is a teacher, leader, speaker or great man… But it is when we realize his true identity, we can entrust him our whole life.
• You may have heard the famous Story of Tight rope Walker:

A tightrope walker amazed a crowd of onlookers by successfully walking across a rope which stretches across the mighty Niagara Falls. After his performance, the performer asked the crowd, “How many of you believe that I can carry a man on my back while walking the tightrope across the falls?” Many of the people in the crowd enthusiastically raised their hands. Then the performer asked another question: “Which of you is willing to actually let me carry you across the falls?” Of course, not a single person volunteers!

Are you willing to entrust your whole life to Jesus?

More Bible Studies:

• Feeding the 5000 | Bible Study
• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• Jesus’ Disciples Names: List, Meaning and Occupation
• Questioning God – Psalm 13
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12

Jesus Calming the Storm – Bible Lesson is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

• Mark 10: 17-27
• Matthew 19:16-27
• Luke 18:18-27

Q. What can we know about the rich ruler from these passages?

• Young man
• Very rich (Luke 18:18)
• Ruler, respected in society
• Sincere, very well mannered
• Religious Jew from his childhood
• Seeker, enthusiastic, willing and eager to learn (Mark 10:17)
• He had a great question to ask. After all, what can be a better way than to start a conversation with the question about Eternal life!
• This was not the only time, Jesus was asked this question. In Luke 10:25-37, One of the teachers of the Law, asked similar question to Jesus. However his intention was to test and trap Jesus. (check out – Authority of Jesus questioned by Teachers of the Law)
• This rich ruler had no such hidden agenda, he was sincere in his request.

Q. What can we infer from his question about eternal life to Jesus?

• He presumed that there is an ‘eternal life’ and it is worth receiving or inheriting!
• Jews always believed that one can be justified and saved through their works according to the Law. So, he assumed that he can do something to inherit the eternal life.
• He was sincerely following all the commandments form childhood (according to him), but he still wanted to be assured of his destiny.
• There is a deep conviction in all of us, that there is an eternal life; and it is to be greatly desired. King Solomon has put it in Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 3:11:”He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Q. How did he address to Jesus?

• He called him, a “good” teacher/master. It was a common title used by the Jews to call their religious leaders or teachers, meaning – “most excellent”. The expression (’Good’) was used to show the reverence or respect to the teacher.

Q. What did Jesus answer?

• First, he dealt with his address, “why do you call me good?”. In Matthew, the question is little different from Mark and Luke, “Why do you ask me about what is good?”
• Jesus’ intention was not to deny his divinity. Jesus was not saying, “I am not God, so don’t call me good, which applies only to God!” (Many people, especially Muslim scholars, have falsely used this verse to disprove Jesus’ divinity.)
• Secondly, he did not intend to say that everything else is bad or evil, and one should not use word “good” except for God!
• His intention was to raise the standard with which God measures ‘goodness’. This was not the only time, he raised the bar. In his sermon on the mount, he told his audience, that according to God’s standard, even an anger could be as grievous as murder and lustful eyes are as sinful as adultery. God judges not only by the external actions, but the motives and intent of heart also. (Matthew 5:21,22,27,28) Our standard of goodness falls far shorter than absolute Good, God is and desires.
• The rich ruler was convinced that he had followed the Law from his childhood, but in a moment, Jesus showed him that he was guilty of Greed. (Exodus 20:17). He loved money more than following God, and in that sense, he was guilty of breaking the first of ten commandments. (Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before me.”)

Q. What was man’s response?

• He went away sad. He choose to hold on to his earthly treasures and security.
• Jesus loved him for his question and zeal. (Mk 10:21) But he did not call him back or lower his demands for discipleship. (check out Seven Conditions of Christian Discipleship)
• (I strongly believe that Jesus was testing his heart, and if he would have repented for his love for money and failures, Jesus would have accepted him.)
• He had a choice to accept his shortcomings, but he rather decided to went away, sad.

Life Applications:

• So often, when we read this passage, we ask ourselves, “does Jesus require such a strict call for all the Christians?” We often try to lessen the demands and cost of christian discipleship. But this was not the only time, Jesus asked his disciples for such radical call. in New Testament, we find numerous accounts of people leaving all behind, for following Jesus.
  • Luke 5:11 – Peter and Andrew left everything to follow Jesus
  • Luke 5:27-28 – Matthew (Levi), the tax collector left everything. (He must be rich!)
  • Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus (Again, rich tax collector), gave bulk of his wealth to the poor and needy. (Even without Jesus asking!)  (Jesus and Zacchaeus – The Guest of Sinner)
  • Acts 2:44-45 – First Christians sold everything and gave it to the needy.
• Not only, first century Christians, but Christians throughout the history have gladly given up their family, home, country, careers, even their own lives in following Jesus.
• This is a Radical Call. Perhaps, the mandate for voluntary poverty is not for all, but the readiness to forsake anything and everything that can hinder ‘following Christ’ is for every Christian.
• What are the things, God is asking you to give up for him?

More Bible Studies:

• Definition of Theodicy: God and Suffering
• What does Bible say about Atheism?
• Shriveled Hands – Jesus Heals on Sabbath – Mark 3:1-6
• The Scribes Questions Jesus’ Authority – Mark 11: 27-33
• Christian Discipleship: Definition | Cost of Discipleship

Rich Young Ruler and Jesus | Mark 10:17-27 is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

• During past one and half years, it has grown from few page-views to more than 75,000 – 100,000 page-views per month.
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It’s been a great year and half, and we hope that next 12 months will be even better! Please share your comments or suggestions.

Thank You.

Here are some of the early bible studies.

• Life of Moses: Bible Character Study
• How to do Quiet time
• Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Jesus heals at the Pool of Bethesda: John 5:1-15
• Woman with Alabaster Jar and Jesus: Luke 7:36-50
• 9 Ways God speak to His People
• Manuscript Bible Study Method
• Leading Small Group Bible Study
• Jesus heals Paralytic Man: Mark 2:1-12

More Bible Studies:

• Bible Study Updates from BibleSEO
• Exclusive: Christian Web and New Media Award 2009 Runner Up
• How to Lead Small Group – Practical Suggestions
• How to Lead Small Group Bible Study Effectively
• The Life of Moses: Biblical Character

Over Half a Million Page Views is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

Matthew 5:3-12

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Q. Meaning of hunger and thirst?

• ‘Hunger and thirst’ are strong words, meaning an ardent, eager, famishing, all consuming craving, desire and passion of the soul for God and his righteousness.
• Psalms often portrays picture of man craving and desiring more of God.
• Psalm 84: 1-2: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty, my soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord.”
• Psalm 143:6: “My Soul thirsts for you like a parched land.”

Q. Meaning of ‘Righteousness’?

• The word ‘righteousness’ comes from Greek word “dikaiosyne”, meaning rightness, quality of rightness or justice.
• it is justice held in love, both within the man and in the world.
• It is the rightness judged by the standard of God’s law.
• Being right with God

Q. What are the things, people hunger and thirst for?

• People hunger and thirst for
  • Power
  • Fame
  • Money
  • Beauty
  • Sexuality
• There are, however, those who long for God. These are the people who are not just interested or satisfied by worldly things or pleasures. They are the ‘Seekers’.  It is often human tendency to neglect the spiritual needs. But these are the people who yearn after God.

Q. What does it mean to ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’?

• It is not seeking self-righteousness, but it is the righteousness that comes from God.
• It is to depend, not on our own will-power to achieve it but upon God.
• In Jesus’ time, if there were anybody who would qualify for such earnest passion and zeal for God, that would be the Pharisees and the Scribes (Teachers of the Law). But in the same chapter (Matthew 5:20) Jesus makes a startling statement. “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, You will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” How can one attain a righteousness, which even Pharisees failed to achieve? What kind of righteousness Jesus is talking about?
• Romans 3:21-22 answers the question. “But now righteousness of God apart from the Law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who will believe.”
• So then, righteousness of God is available through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe in Him. And those who will seek him, will find him and will be filled.
• Jesus himself claimed to be the one who will quench the thirst.  John 7:37: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.”

Practical Applications:

• Hunger and thirst are not one time need, they are our daily needs. Our body need constant nourishment from food and water to function properly. In the same way, our spirit needs daily food too. Many Christians suffer from ’spiritual malnourishment’ due to lack of hunger and thirst or lack of feeding to their spiritual needs.
• Only God can quench our thirst and satisfy our hunger for righteousness.
• What do you desire most? Do you long for more of God in you life or have you lost that hunger and thirst?

Part 1: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 2: Blessed are those Who Mourn: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 3: Blessed are the Meek: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 4: Beatitudes: Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Part 5: Blessed are the Merciful: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 6: Blessed are the Pure in heart: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 8: Beatitudes: Blessed are the Persecuted

More Bible Studies:

• Blessed are Pure in Heart – Beatitudes – Part 6 of 8
• Blessed are the Merciful | Beatitudes Bible Study | 5 of 8
• Beatitudes: Meaning and List
• Blessed are the Meek – Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 3 of 8
• Blessed are the Peacemakers – Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 7 of 8

Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness – Beatitudes Bible Study | 4 of 8 is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

• Matthew 4:1-11

• Mark 1:12-13

• Luke 4:1-13

Q. Why did Holy spirit lead Jesus into the Wilderness?

• Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to the wilderness (desert) to be tempted by the devil! He was full of Holy Spirit, when he went to the wilderness. (Luke 4:1)
• Greek word for tempted can also mean tested. (How to Overcome Temptation)
• Holy spirit led Jesus into the wilderness tot be tested, tempted and to be humbled. (Deut 8:2-3: “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.“)

   

• It is quite interesting to draw comparisons between Jesus in the wilderness and the Israelite in the wilderness after God’s miraculous rescue from Egypt.
• In both the cases, they had just experienced God’s power and favor. Jesus experienced God’s favor at his baptism. And the Israelites had just saw the most powerful manifestation of God’s power at work at Red Sea.  Next, they found themselves wandering and starving in the wilderness. (Jesus for Forty days, and Israelite for 40 years!)
• However, there is a stark contract in Isralite’s and Jesus’ response towards the wilderness. First thing, Isralites asked Moses and Aaron when they were in the wilderness, was “What should we eat? Did the Lord bring us out of Egypt to starve and die? (Ex 16:3), they again grumbled about water, “give us water to drink.” (Ex 17:2).
• Jesus on the other hand, fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Fasting is the most effective way of passing through the wilderness. Fasting helps to focus on the spiritual matters and takes our attention from matters related to flesh. So, even though Jesus was physically weak, he was spiritually strong.
• We all go through wilderness experiences in our Christian walk. It can be very exhausting and draining. It deprives us of all the comforts that we may usually enjoy. It tests the deepest secrets and convictions of our heart to test what lies in our heart. We may have just gone through the greatest highs of our walk with God. Next, we find ourselves in the spiritual turmoil or wilderness. During these times of testing, we need to put our complete trust in the Lord.

Three Temptations of Jesus:

• It seems that Satan had quite faulty logic! The first two temptations of Jesus were about proving Jesus being the ‘Son of God’.
  • “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread”.
  • “If You are the Son of God, throw yourself down…”
• Son of God does not need bread to live on or need to worry about injury!
• Satan insisted on proofs about Jesus’ divinity, but Jesus reminded him of his humanity.
• Jesus had experienced God’s voice at his baptism. “This is my Son, whom I love, with him, I am well pleased. (Mat 3:17) The Devil came and first attacked this very claim. He tried to create doubts about God’s voice.
• All of Jesus’ answers started with “It is Written”! He may be saying, that “God’s word is final, and I do not need to test it or prove it.”
• We are often confronted with similar situations. And Devil comes and whispers in our ears, he creates doubts about God’s promises – “Does he really care about you? Is he really listening to your prayers?” We need to remember that ‘It is written’, God has promised us and his Words are final and sufficient.

Q. How did Jesus answer to Satan’s temptations?

First Temptation:

• “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
• Jesus referred to Deut 8:2-3. Jesus pointed out that life is not just about the physical needs, there is more to it. The word of God is life-giving. And we can build and live our life on His Words. (7 images of Word of God in Bible)
• We have bother physical and spiritual needs. And only God can satisfy our spiritual hunger. (Beatitudes: Bless of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness)
• What is the source of your life? What is the place of God’s Word in your life? Is it just one of the things that you do or read or is it the source of your life?

Second Temptation:

• Second time, Satan came up with even better idea.
• He took Jesus to the Holy city, Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the Temple. Satan asked Jesus to throw himself down. If the Angels protected him from being striking against stones, now not only him (Devil), but all people in the temple will also be convinced that He is the Son of God. (Great plan, isn’t it!)
• The Devil, this time, used the word of God to prove his point.
• The Devil knows the Word of God, he can use it, twist it, misinterpret it and present it in such a way which is contrary to the will of God.
• Today, we see many people being fallen away by misinterpretation of the Word of God. The key aspect of Satan’s argument was and is the use of the word of God out of context.
• The second temptation at its core, is about testing God and testing His Words.
• Rightly so, Jesus reminded Satan, that “It is also written, do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Third Temptation:

• The final temptation brought the innermost desire of Satan, “to become God”. He wants to be worshiped as God. He burns with the desire of being like God. And He offers the biggest lie to all who follows him, that they can be also God. (Gen 3:4)
• How often have we seen Rulers, Kings or Emperors of the mighty kingdoms at their peak, want to be worshiped as ‘God’! Unfortunately, it can only lead to self-destruction.
• Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the World and their splendor. In those days, Roman Empire rules the majority of known world. Their power and glory were uncomparable. But it fell eventually and now we see nothing but the ruins.
• Jesus however, promises ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ (Mat 4:17), he does not offer temporary kingdom but Eternal Kingdom. (Beatitudes and Kingdom of Heaven)
• The Devil’s proposal was a direct breaking of the first commandment. “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them..” (Exodus 20:3-4)
• Jesus in his reply, quoted the first commandment. (By this time, Jesus would have said, “enough, you are crossing the line!”)
• He commanded Satan to go away. and Satan immediately left him!

In all three answers, Jesus insisted on the ‘written’ word of God. Today, we have so much resources available related to the ‘Word of God’, that sometimes we are distracted from ‘the Word’. There is no alternative to the study and meditation of the Word of God daily. If Jesus learnt and used the God’s word, how much more do we should! (How to do quiet time – Time alone with God)

More Bible Studies:

• How to Overcome Temptation
• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• Word of God is Like – Seven Images in Bible
• Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness – Beatitudes Bible Study | 4 of 8
• Beatitudes: Blessed are Poor in Spirit – 8 Part Series

Temptations of Jesus in the Wilderness | Bible Study is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

• Mark 12:18-27
• Mat  22:23-33
• Luke 20:27-40

Q. Who were Sadducees? What did they believe?

• One of the religious parties / sects among the Jews during the time of Jesus Christ and the early church
• They only held to the ‘Law of Moses’.
• They rejected the traditions of the Pharisees and did not agree with them. (check out Jesus, Pharisees and Parable of Great Feast)
• They did not believe in the ‘resurrection of the dead’.
• They believed that “Souls die with the bodies”. (According the Jewish historian – Josephus)
• They denied the resurrection of the body in Mat 22:23, Luke 20:27, Acts 4:1-2, 23:8.
• They did not believe in the existence of Angels or Spirits. (Acts 23:8)
• There are about 12 incidences of Sadducees in the bible (NT).
• Other incident of ‘Jesus and Sadducees’ is found in Mat 16:1, when they ask Jesus to show a sign from Heaven.

Q. Why did they ask question about marriage?

• They used Old testament law to disparage (expose or ridicule) the idea of resurrection.
• They supposed that if there is any resurrected state at all, then this hypothetical example would cause contradictions and absurdity. It would cause either
  • A woman with seven husbands in heaven or
  • Insolvable puzzle, God may have on his hand, “Whose wife she must be?”
• They thought, surely Jesus would not be able to answer this foolproof argument.
• (How often are we confronted with seemingly logical argument against our faith? What is our response?)

Q. Idea of Remarriage in OT law?

• Laws regarding remarriage are found in Deu 25:5-10.
• The brother of the dead person must marry the his widow, so that the name of his brother (who is dead) will not be blotted out from Israel.

Q. Idea / Concept of Resurrection of Dead in Old testament?

• There are many direct and indirect passages which point towards the ‘Resurrection of the Dead’. (Dan 12:2, Is 26:19, Job 19:23-27, Ps 17:15, Ps 49:15, etc)
• One may ask, why are there not more and clearer passages of resurrection in OT? But, we need to understand that God did not reveal everything at once, but God’s revelation is in progression.

Q. What presuppositions (mistakes) did Sadducee make in their question to Jesus?

• Life after resurrection (if any) will be like life on earth.
• Law of Moses will be applicable in Resurrection.
• Their greatest mistake was to measure the affairs of Resurrection with the existing world’s view.
• Sadducee’s denial in resurrection goes beyond just a belief. For, if there is no resurrection, then there is no reward or punishment in after life. And ‘all that we see (natural), is all that is.”
• They remind me of our present day ‘Sadducee’, who believe in some ‘God’, but deny any spiritual or supernatural world, because it is illogical to their minds or according to science!

Q. How did Jesus answer them?

• Jesus not only answered their question, but all the major misconceptions they had regarding their belief.
• Jesus’ threefold answer
  1. There are no marriage in Resurrection (Marriage are not made in Heaven! (^_^))
  2. There are and will be angels in heaven. (Thus denying their belief, that there are no angels in Acts 23:8)
  3. There is the Resurrection of the Dead.
• Jesus reminded them that the comparison of resurrected state with affairs of this world would result in absurdity.
• One needs to ‘Know the Scripture’ and ‘Power of God’, to understand the Kingdom of God. (Beatitudes and Kingdom of Heaven)
• (It is extremely important to acknowledge a balance between ‘knowledge of scripture’ and ‘power of God’. Over importance of one of these at the expense of the other can lead us into imbalanced position!)

Q. Why did Jesus mention account of Burning Bush?

• Jesus referred to the ‘Law of Moses’ and Moses himself, to draw their attention, as they took pride in ‘knowing the law of Moses’. (Life of Moses – Bible Study)
• In the account of Burning Bush, God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abram, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Ex 3:6)
• If Abraham, Isaac and Jacob died and ceased to exist, then God would have said, “I was the God of Abraham,…” But this peculiar address of God is one of the many references in OT which points toward the immortality of Soul and Spirit and the Resurrection of the Body.
• Jesus concluded by saying, therefore, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
• Finally, Jesus told them the hard truth, “You are badly mistaken!”
• All who deny the ‘Resurrection of dead’ are badly mistaken. We many not yet fully understand it, but we must rely on the scriptures and power of God.
• It is interesting that the teachers of the Law (scribes) actually praised Jesus for his answer to the Sadducee in Luke 20:39. It is perhaps the only passage in which the scribes actually admired or approved Jesus and his teachings!

Lessons & Applications:

• Do you truly believe in the ‘Power of God’?
• Do you take time to study and know his scripture?
• How do you answer to those who questions your belief as illogical or unscientific?
• 1 Pet 3:15-16: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

More Bible Studies:

• The Life of Moses: Biblical Character
• 9 Ways God Speak to His People in Bible
• Angels and Demons – Biblical Perspective
• What does Bible say about Atheism?
• Persecuted for Righteousness: Beatitudes Bible Study – Part 8 of 8

The Sadducees and Jesus – Question about Resurrection is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

Luke 14:15-24

Q. What was the place, day and occasion of the parable?

• Sabbath (Lk 14:1)
• Jesus was invited by a prominent Pharisee. (Lk 14:1) (Jesus at house of Simon, the Pharisee)
• He (Pharisee) invited all the other Pharisees of the city,  from what Jesus told him in Luke 14:13-14, he did not invite any poor or ‘less fortunate’ people.
• Jesus was closely watched for his actions, so it was not the most friendly invitation. Jesus also spent lot of time with the tax collectors (Jesus and Zacchaeus, the tax collector) and they always looked closely at his teaching and actions. But Pharisees often tried to find fault in him or trap him.
• The feast is supposed to be the place of joy, fun and relaxation, but this feast (Jesus at the Pharisee’ house) was different. There seems a constant tension and conflict between the guest (Jesus) and the invitees. (Lk 14:4,6)
• The parable of the Great Supper/Feast/Banquet is the third of the lessons, Jesus told them.
  • First, was to illustrate humility, it was for the guests who who seek self exaltation.
  • Second was to illustrate selflessness and seeking reward from Heaven, it was for the host.
  • The third lesson goes into the most basic requirement of the feast – Who will be invited in the Kingdom of God?

Q. Will there be food/feast/banquet in the Kingdom of God according to Luke 14:15?

• It is quite interesting that throughout bible, we repeatedly observe the idea that there will be food and feasts  in the kingdom of God. (Check out Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand)
• Angels and God eat food (Gen 18:8, 19:3, Ex 24:11, Ps 78:25)
• Luke 22:16, 18, 30, Rev 2:7,17, Rev 19:7-10, Rev 22:2, 14
• Jesus ate with his disciples after his resurrection (Lk 24:40-43, John 21:12-14)
• Kingdom of God is not in-the-air spiritual world where spirits are floating around – meditating on God. It is a real, tangible, joyful place where we will enjoy the company of God and his people forever!

Q. What was the ‘Great Supper or Banquet’ like in Jesus’ parable?

• It was a ‘great’…big party.
• Many guests were invited.
• It was huge feast from the fact that there was a room even after all the poor and beggars of the city were invited!

Q. Why did they make excuses?

• The very fact that they made excuses, shows that they knew they were supposed to go to the feast.
• They had been invited before.
• They have been personally called by the Host.
• They could not deny on the face, so they made lame excuses.

Q. Were their excuses valid?

• First excuse: “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it.”
• He must have seen the land before buying it. (It would be very silly to buy a land without seeing it.) He could have gone to see it next day.
• Second excuse: “I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out.”
• He must have tried the oxen before buying them.
• KJV translation says it was a ’supper’ – mostly evening time. It makes their excuses even more lame, as it would be foolish to go to see field or oxen in the evening or night!
• Third excuse: “I just got married, so I can’t come.”
• He uses his relations to make excuse. He could have taken her along with him.
• All of them knew about the invitation, but they gave priority to other things in their lives, their refusal had similar undertone, “Let me finish my important things or relations, I will come some other time!”
• Our affection to our work or relationships often proves a stumbling block in our pursuit of God.
• How often have we heard, “I cannot come to God, because of my family, parents, wife or children, what will they react or think?” or “I cannot accept God’s invitation because of my business or job, they are far more important at this time!”

Q. What was the response of the ‘Master of the house’?

• Angry and furious for their insensitivity, neglect and ingratitude to him and his invitation.
• “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”
• “Abused mercy turns into the greatest wrath.” – Matthew Henry
• He did not cancel the banquet. But he extended it to others.
• He invited all the poor, crippled, the blind and the lame from the streets of the town. They will be glad to attend such a great banquet.
• There was even more room, so he ordered his servants, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in.”He was pointing towards the broader community, the “outsiders. (the Gentiles!)
• He told his servants to compel them, convince them, (not by force of arms), but by force of love and graciousness of the ‘great host’, who has extended his invitation to everyone who is willing!

Application:

• What excuses do we make for our refusal to the God’s invitation?
• What are the things that hinders us from completely following Him?
• If we continue to neglect the voice of God, there may be time when we may loose the opportunity.
• Hebrews 2:3: “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?”

More Bible Studies:

• Woman with Alabaster Jar and Jesus – Luke 7:36-50
• Miracle of Jesus at Cana Wedding – John 2:1-11 | Bible Study
• Beatitudes: Meaning and List
• Zacchaeus and Jesus – The Guest of Sinner
• Beatitudes: Blessed are Poor in Spirit – 8 Part Series

The Parable of the Great Feast | Luke 14:15-24 | Bible Study is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

• One who is a follower of a master, spiritual teacher, religious leader or a guru.
• One who lives by the teachings and lifestyle of his master.
• One who holds the standard and ideals set by his master.
• One who wants to be like his master.
• The Word used for ‘Disciple’ in Greek (’mathetes’) refers generally to student, pupil, or apprentice.

Q. How can one become the disciple of Jesus?

• Decision to follow Jesus Christ is the beginning of a christian discipleship.
• Jesus himself demonstrated clear conditions for being his disciples. Before we focus on the conditions of discipleship, we need to know what it is not!
• Discipleship is
  • Not Easy! It is not ‘bed of roses’.
  • Not the way of constant success and prosperity!
  • Not a use of spare free time.
  • Not a going to church on Sunday.
  • Not a compromise, it is not a license to do whatever you like!

Q. So what are the cost (conditions) of true Christian Discipleship?

1. Cross Bearing:

   • Matthew 16:24 – “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
   • Matthew 10:38: – “anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
   • Galatians 2:20: – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
   • The way of Cross is the way of pain, suffering, ridicule, mockery, humiliation!
   • It is also to crucify our sinful desires. Gal 5:24: – “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

2. Self Denial:

   • Matthew 16:24: – “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
   • Doing his will must be our first priority.

3. Leaving Everything:

   • Luke 14:26: – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.”
   • Luke 14:33: – “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be my disciple.”
   • Following Jesus must be our first priority, above our family, career, comfort, even our own life.
   • We must be willing to forsake anything that can hinder our walk with Christ.
   • Phil 3:7-9: – “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him..”

4. Abiding in His Words & Teaching:

   • John 8:31: – “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
   • John 15:7: – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
   • Regular daily Quiet Time – time alone with God is necessary to abide in His words. Check out – How to Do Quiet Time – Time Alone with God

5. Supreme Love for Christ:

   • John 14:23: – “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.”
   • Love for Christ should be the compelling force for us to follow him. 2 Cor 5:14: – “For Christ’s love compels us.”

6. Love for Others:

   • John 13:34-35: – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
   • Romans 12:9-10: – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

7. Fruitfulness:

   • John 15:8: -”This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
   • Gal 5:22: – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
   • Bearing fruits is a sign of growth and maturity.

(Some of the notes provided on this bible study is credited to Sudhir Sioni, my friend and bible study leader.)

More Bible Studies:

• Jesus’ Disciples Names: List, Meaning and Occupation
• Rich Young Ruler and Jesus | Mark 10:17-27
• Miracle of Jesus at Cana Wedding – John 2:1-11 | Bible Study
• Feeding the 5000 | Bible Study
• 1st Thessalonians Bible Study – 1:1-10

Christian Discipleship: Definition | Cost of Discipleship is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide