Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.45 One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."
Did he think Jesus didn't know this? Did he think he didn't need correction?
How easily we deceive ourselves.
v.45 One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."
Did he think Jesus didn't know this? Did he think he didn't need correction?
How easily we deceive ourselves.
v.13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
This seems like a strange place to start talking about the Holy Spirit. However this verse tells us that the Holy Spirit is a good gift and that we need to ask for the Holy Spirit.
v.13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
This seems like a strange place to start talking about the Holy Spirit. However this verse tells us that the Holy Spirit is a good gift and that we need to ask for the Holy Spirit.
v.46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them."
They did not help, they had no compassion.
We need to look for ways of encouraging people and not make life more difficult for those who are struggling.
v.46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them."
They did not help, they had no compassion.
We need to look for ways of encouraging people and not make life more difficult for those who are struggling.
v.29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation…"
Jesus wasn't afraid to call it as he saw it.
There is much evil in the world and many don't get justice.
v.29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation…"
Jesus wasn't afraid to call it as he saw it.
There is much evil in the world and many don't get justice.
v.8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
“shameless audacity” – I wonder if we pray with shameless audacity?
However Jesus wasn’t saying God is like the friend who is unwilling to get up but rather contrasting his unwillingness with God willingness.
v.8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
“shameless audacity” – I wonder if we pray with shameless audacity?
However Jesus wasn’t saying God is like the friend who is unwilling to get up but rather contrasting his unwillingness with God willingness.
v.38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
Ceremonial washing was not demanded in the Law of Moses but the Pharisees had come to see it as compulsory.
v.38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
Ceremonial washing was not demanded in the Law of Moses but the Pharisees had come to see it as compulsory.
v.42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
(From Constable’s Commentary) When people "concentrate on the trivial they are apt to overlook the important."
v.42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
(From Constable’s Commentary) When people "concentrate on the trivial they are apt to overlook the important."
v.52 “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
These experts in the law had interpreted the Scriptures and believed their interpretations were to be adhered to because they were clear and correct. Unlike the actual Scriptures which they felt were sometimes hard to understand. So they placed their interpretations on a higher plane than the actual Scriptures.
v.52 “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
These experts in the law had interpreted the Scriptures and believed their interpretations were to be adhered to because they were clear and correct. Unlike the actual Scriptures which they felt were sometimes hard to understand. So they placed their interpretations on a higher plane than the actual Scriptures.