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

Background:

• Mark 11:27 starts with ‘they arrived in Jerusalem again.” If we check the background of this event, there had been significant drama already played in Jerusalem in last few days. Let us look at last three days of Jesus.
• Day 1:
  • Jesus arrived in Jerusalem from Bethany. (Mark 11:1-10) This was his last week before crucification. He entered Jerusalem and was greeted by people as a ‘great messiah’, it was a triumphant entry.
  • On that day, he observed all that was going on in the temple, and went back with his disciples to Bethany. (Mark 11:11)
• Day 2:
  • Next day (Mark 11:12), Jesus on his way to Jerusalem, he passed by fig tree, when he did not find any fruit on fig tree, he cursed the tree. It was a visual parable for the disciples regarding the ‘barrenness of Israel’.
  • He then went to the temple in Jerusalem and drove out all the merchants and money changers. (Mk 11:15-18)
• Day 3:
  • Next day, disciples, on their way to Jerusalem, noticed that the fig tree was withered to its root (Mk 11:20)
  • Finally they arrived again in Jerusalem (v. 27). And were confronted by the chief priests and scribes in the temple courts.
  • By this time, the chief priests and scribes were already indignant by Jesus’ lack of respect of their ‘authority’, and were plotting to somehow trap him and kill him!

Q. Where was Bethany?

• Bethany was situated about 2 miles SE of Jerusalem, on the mount of Olives. (John 11:18)
• Meaning of Bethany: ‘house of unripe figs’!
• Home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha (Jn 11:1-2)
• Home of Simon the leper, where Jesus attended the feast of unleavened bread (Mark 14:1,3)
• It was around the city of Bethany, Jesus ascended into heaven. (Luke 24:50-51)

Q. Who were the scribes (Teachers of the Law)?

• Experts in the Law, whose profession was the systematic study and exposition of the Law
• Scribes were also called ‘teachers of the Law’.
• They often associated themselves with the Pharisees. (Mt 5:20, Mk 7:5, etc)
• They had developed and added many traditions and practices to the requirements of the Law, to insure sanctity of the Law. (Mk 7:3) These teachings were called ‘the traditions of the elders’. (Matthew 15:2-6)
• Jesus accused them for loading the common people with the “burdens that they can hardly carry.” (Luke 11:46)
• Scribes closely observed Jesus’ activities and ministry. And when Jesus refused to follow their traditions, they fiercely opposed him and tried to trap /kill him. (John 5:10-18, Mark 7:1-13)

Q. What questions did the Chief priests and the teachers of the Law ask to Jesus?

1. By What authority are you doing ‘these things’?
2. Who gave you authority to do this?

Q. What do their questions imply? What were the ‘things’ Jesus doing?

• Chief priests were the recognized authority in the matters of the temple, they allowed the money changers and traders to be in the temple courts. So when Jesus cleared the temple by driving out money changers, without their (chief priests) permission, it ticked them off.
• They assumed that Jesus did not possess any authority. They implied, “we did not give you this authority, then how can you do this?”

Q. What was so unique about Jesus’ reply?

• Jesus was not shaken by this sudden confrontation. He did not step back or withdraw himself. But he answered their question with a counter-question.
• Jesus’ question to them was, “who gave authority to John the baptist to baptize people? was it from men or from heaven (God)? (Ministry of John the Baptist)
• By his question, he took the matter to the objective level, Jesus indirectly asked, “Who ultimately gives the authority?”
• (So often, when we are confronted with some fundamental question about our belief, we try to defend ourselves by giving reasons after reasons, or plainly withdraw from the scene. But, asking a counter-question is an excellent way of shifting the focus from subjective level to the objective level.)

Q. What was the high priests’ response?

• They were baffled by this intelligent counter-attack.
• Their answer, “we do not know”, reflects their state of mind, they did not want to admit their failure, and at the same time, they wanted to please people also. So they stepped back by avoiding to answer.
• Jesus however, did not reply, “even I do not know!”, he replied, “I will not tell.”
• Jesus did not answer to them, but he did answer to his disciples. Matthew 28:18 – “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (John 17:1-2, John 5:26-27)

Applications:

• How do you respond when you face confrontation?
• What do you think, Jesus’ authority is from?

More Bible Studies:

• Three Magi’s Visit to King of the Jews – Matthew 2:1-12 | Bible Lesson
• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• Rich Young Ruler and Jesus | Mark 10:17-27
• Zacchaeus and Jesus – The Guest of Sinner
• The Sadducees and Jesus – Question about Resurrection

The Scribes Questions Jesus’ Authority – Mark 11: 27-33 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

Mark 1:40-45

Q. Visualize condition of the Leper.

• Rejected by family, friends, community
• Outcast from the community and city
• No one would have touched him for days. If anyone touches him, he will also become unclean.
• Leprosy is not something, you can romanticized. It is one of the most hated and rejected diseases. (Check out Jesus healing the Disabled Man at Bethesda)
• He would need physical, social, spiritual healing.
• His self-esteem would have been lost.
• According to Moses’ Law, the leper has to pass through at least 14 days of ‘cleansing’ process before he can enter the city and see Jesus.

  

Q. What does his request say about his state of mind?

• The leper was desperate and downcast. In Jesus, he saw his last rescue!
• His lack of confidence in himself – “If you are willing, you can make me clean!”
• This man would have tried everything, he could, to cure himself. But nothing could cure his decaying body.  In Jesus, he saw hope, a healer, savior who can help him out of this condition. And so he came to him kneeling and beseeching.
• It is out of such state of mind of helplessness and self-pity, he cried out. “If you are willing, you can heal me.”
• I believe that in the Kingdom of God, this is your qualification, when you realize that you are nothing in yourself, but a helpless person, who desperately need a healer and Savior.

Q. What was Jesus’ response to the leper?

• He was moved by pity, filled with compassion.
• He stretched out his hands and touch him! people around him would have been shocked to see that!
• “How can he touch him? He would also be ‘unclean’.” Some might have whispered!
• There is a reverse phenomenon here, Jesus’ touch can cleanse the ‘unclean’.
• I believe that even Jesus’ touch would have healed his soul. For what seems like a simple gesture by Jesus, was a great expression of comfort and acknowledgment, as if Jesus is saying, “I love you and care for you despite of your wounds and disrupted body and soul.”
• Jesus healed his body and soul.
• I am not going to focus today on this man’s failure to follow Jesus’ warning. I guess his joy was too great to be contained to himself. That did caused hindrances for Jesus’ public ministry.

Bible Lessons & Prayer:

This passage is the reminder that your greatest qualification in the Kingdom of God, is when you realize your own unworthiness. How often we come to Jesus without putting aside ourselves, expecting him to do great things for us. (or expecting us to do great things for him!).

More I dig deeper into this story. I find my own story of encounter with Jesus – ‘A Leper’s Story‘!

Jesus, Even you touch is so relieving and soothing to our stressed, tensed, pitiful heart and soul for it reminds me that You love me and care for me.

More Bible Studies:

• Beatitudes: Blessed are Poor in Spirit – 8 Part Series
• The Sadducees and Jesus – Question about Resurrection
• Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness – Beatitudes Bible Study | 4 of 8
• Persecuted for Righteousness: Beatitudes Bible Study – Part 8 of 8
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12

Jesus Heals the Leper – Mark 1:40-45 | Bible Study is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide

Mark 3:1-6:

Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Background:

• Who: Jesus, his disciples, Pharisees, People
• Where: Synagogue
• When: Sabbath
• Jesus had an argument with Pharisees about Sabbath, just before this incident. (Mark 2:23-27)

Q. What was Pharisee’s intention?

• To investigate Jesus closely so that they can accuse him.
• They were after him to find fault in him.
• They even followed Jesus into synagogue to see if they can accuse him.
• They were so much annoyed by Jesus that they forgot that ‘Synagogue should be the place of worship!’
• (Also check, Jesus’ authority questioned by Teachers of the Law)

Q. What was their attitude towards the man with shriveled hand?

• Totally ignorant
• Did not care or see his needs.
• They were seeing him as a ‘trap’.
• They cared about rules and laws more than the need of that man.

Q. By their actions, what did Pharisees agree indirectly?

• In the midst of this conspiracy, they agreed that Jesus had a power to heal and he could heal that man.
• But in their stubbornness, they were not ready to believe that this supernatural power was from God.

Q. What was Jesus’ reaction?

• First of all, He could perceive their plot and thoughts, without them telling anything!
• He intentionally made that man stand in front of everybody.

Q. What do you think the response should be, ‘which is lawful on the sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?

• Answer is pretty obvious, to do good, to save life.
• But, they remained silent because of their stubborn heart.

Q. Why was Jesus angry?

• Because of their silence
• Their stubborn and closed heart
• Insensitive to the need of the disabled man
• Jesus was angry and sad (distressed) at the same time.

Q. Is it OK to be angry?

• It is ok to be angry for the right cause, at the right time. (Eph 4:26)
• It is important how you express your anger.

Q. What was the impact of this incident on this man?

• Completely healed / restored
• By healing him on Sabbath, Jesus also showed that he cared about people more than the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

Q. Who were Herodians?

• Jewish political party
• King Herod’s supporters
• Jesus was causing the instability politically, so He was threat to the Herodians.
• Herodians and Pharisees would normally be enemies due to their different agenda.
• In spite of their differences, Pharisees were ready to negotiate with Herodians, so that they can KILL Jesus.
• Can ‘Plotting to kill’ be lawful on Sabbath?

Applications:

• Don’t be too legalistic to ignore the needs of people
• As Christians, we need to be careful that we ‘walk the talk’, people around us always watch our actions closely (especially when we least expect).

More Bible Studies:

• Jesus Heals the Blind Man – Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46-52 | Bible Study
• The Parable of the Great Feast | Luke 14:15-24 | Bible Study
• The Scribes Questions Jesus’ Authority – Mark 11: 27-33
• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12

Shriveled Hands – Jesus Heals on Sabbath – Mark 3:1-6 is a post from: Bible Study Lessons | Christian Bible Studies | Inductive Bible Study Guide