Jesus in Jerusalem
1. Toward the end of our study of Luke, I have left the subject of one class session undetermined, so that we can dig deeper into one specific topic of interest. Of the things we have encountered in our course thus far, what would you most like to learn more about in that "extra" class session?
2. Read 18:15-21:33. In a bullet-point list, identify 3-5 elements that you find especially striking, surprising, puzzling, offensive, or any questions you may want to raise in class. You do not need to use complete sentences for this list.
3. Reread 18:18-30, then answer the following questions:
a. Jesus's statement about the camel and the needle (18:25) makes it sound like it is impossible for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Yet, Jesus then seems to say it is possible with God (18:27). Based on what you see in this passage, what would it look like for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God? What would God need to do to make this possible?
b. What do you think Jesus has in mind when he says that those who have left their homes to follow him will "get back very much more in this age" (18:30)?
c. Most (probably all) of us in this class enjoy a higher standard of living than most (probably all) of the "rich" people Jesus addresses in the first century. For that matter, it is probably fair to say that all of us enjoy a higher standard of living than a sizeable majority of humans currently alive on earth. So, do you think you should regard yourself as rich when you read passages like this? Why or why not?
4. Reread 19:1-10. At first glance, Zacchaeus's response to Jesus in 19:8 might seem like it comes out of nowhere. Based on this passage, what do you think leads Zacchaeus to say what he says? Hint: You might wish to refresh your memory about past references to tax collectors in Luke (see 3:12-13; 5:27-32; 15:1-2; 18:9-14). Make sure you consider the passage thoroughly.
5. Reread 21:1-4. Briefly tell me what you take to be the basic "lesson" of this passage.
6. Reread 19:41-44. Recall what we learned in unit 1 about the history of Israel around the second-temple period. With that in mind, what do you think Jesus is essentially talking about in this passage?