False Hopes About the Kingdom of God

MOST OF MY bosses have been hard drivers who regularly exasperated me. But in the long run we worked together productively. If we respect and like our bosses, we are often willing to work hard and even overtime. If we don't respect or like them, we usually are not willing. Then we probably become unproductive. Likewise our personal view of God affects our working relationship to him. In this case productivity has not just temporal but eternal consequences.

Warming Up to God

How has work been for you this week? Talk to God about any frustrations you have experienced.

Read Luke 19:11-48.

Discovering the Word

1. Jesus' key words in verse 10 have inflamed the crowd's messianic expectations. Jesus' parable aims to counter any false hopes. In verses 12-15 what comparisons between the nobleman and himself does Jesus highlight?
2. Consider the hour of accountability when the master returns as king (vv. 15-26). The reward of the first two (representative) servants is simple. But the king's dialogue with the third servant is detailed. With this emphasis, what point is Jesus making (keep in mind v. 11)?
3. The adversaries of the nobleman- made-king are mentioned only at the beginning and the end (vv. 14, 27). Whom does Jesus intend them to represent?
4. How does he smash the false hopes of this group?
5. In verses 28-40 we see Jesus in various aspects of his messianic role. In a descriptive word or phrase, what concern of Jesus' do you see as he approaches Jerusalem?
6. What concern of Jesus' do you note as he reflects on Jerusalem (vv. 41-44)?

Applying the Word

1. In this panoramic view of Jesus the Messiah, what do you find hard to understand about him?
2. What about Jesus here can you positively respond to? Why?

Responding in Prayer

• Worship Jesus the Messiah king with praise, awe and thanksgiving.

inter varsity press