Devotion / Family Worship Guides

Tuesday: Jesus Teaches in the Temple

by Michael Johnson

Directions: Tailor this guide to fit your personal or family devotions. The goal is not to get through all of the passages and questions!  The goal is to spend time in God’s Word and in worshiping Him.  Choose from the passages and questions below.  Add your own questions.  Have fun!!  If you are leading others, you will want to read through the worship guide in advance to prepare. 

Tuesday: Jesus teaches in the temple.

A. Read Scripture:  Read one or more of the following passages and discuss the questions below

Possible Passages: Matthew 21:23-25:46; Mark 11:20-13:37; Luke 20:1-21:38

Discussion Questions:

1. The conflict escalates as Jesus teaches in the temple.  The religious leaders ask Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?”  What “things” are they referring to?  How does Jesus respond to this attempt to trap him? (Matt 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8).  

2. Jesus tells three parables directed against the religious leaders (The Two Sons; The Wicked Tenants; and The Wedding Feast – Matt 21:28-22:14).  These parables expose their failure and hypocrisy.  Each show how they reject God’s grace and truth while maintaining their self-righteousness.  You might choose to read one of these parables and discuss it for your family worship tonight. 

3. Then the Pharisees attempt to trap him with a question of allegiance.  “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”  How does Jesus respond?   We are to give to God what is God’s.  Where is the image of God found?  Since we are made in God’s image we owe all that we are and all that we have to Him!  What does it mean to give all that we are to God in a life of worship?  How do we give God our highest allegiance? 

4. Then the Sadducees attempt to trap him with a question of the resurrection (Matt 22:23-33; Luke 20:27-40).  They ask, “Whose wife will the woman be?” How does Jesus respond?  How does the sure hope of resurrection encourage us?  How does it change how we live in this life?

5. Then a lawyer attempts to trap him with a question of God’s law (Matt 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34).  He asks, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  How does Jesus respond?  What does it mean to love God with all we are?

Love for God should permeate every corner of our lives. Another way to say this is: Every part of us should treasure God above everything else.  All God’s blessings should lead to treasuring of God Himself for His goodness and grace and provision.  Love for God rightly orders our lives.  How? By putting everything in its proper place and proper perspective. Without this we easily fall into idolatry. Our thoughts, emotions, desires must all be guided by love for God according to His Word. What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? 

Jesus starts with our self-love. That’s the given. Love your neighbor “as yourself.”  The word “as” is small, but super important.  In the same way you love yourself; love others.  It means love them with the same concern, care, & commitment you have for your own well-being.  Now we start to feel how staggering this command is.  Because we begin to understand that this will require sacrifice.  This tension is good because it throws us back on the first commandment.  The first commandment makes the second commandment possible and removes the threat to our own well-being.  How?  When love for God becomes our main focus, it’s not that the need for food, clothing, significance, protection, and so forth go away – but they take their proper place.  They are no longer idols.  This means, we will not cling to our stuff, our money, our time, comfort or safety.  We are then enabled to generously and freely give of these things.  We will be free to give of ourselves AND give at the expense of ourselves for the sake of others!  Only love for God is a sufficient motive for such sacrificial love for others.

6. Then Jesus spends time teaching about the destruction of Jerusalem and the coming of the Son of Man at the end of time.  His primary lesson is: Be ready.  “Watch yourselves” and “stay awake at all times.”  How do we get ready and stay ready for Christ’s return?

History is moving to an end.  Christ will return, and we must be ready to meet him.  Jesus teaches that until he returns his disciples will face many hardships.  It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).  Every tribulation is a reminder that our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).  As Christians we do not fear, but rather we take heart, trust God’s Word, and watch and pray for strength to remain vigilant and faithful until Christ returns (Luke 21:34-36).  Come what may, we have hope and we should live in it and share it with others.  

Summary:  In every conflict, as Jesus teaches, there is a gracious opportunity to turn to God in faith.  The King has come for His kingdom.  He has given a clear challenge to the current reigning powers. What will happen next?  Will Jesus overthrow them and establish His kingdom on earth or will he be killed? Many of Jesus’ followers expected Jesus to establish his reign now.  They didn’t realize yet that the cross must come before the crown.  That his Kingdom was already and not yet.  That the final realization was still to come. 

B. Singing:  Consider one or more of the following songs

C. Prayer:  Use the Scriptures to guide your prayers of praise and petition. 

Praise you, Jesus, for the promise of resurrection.  Praise you that your Words are perfect.  Forgive us for the ways we have not listened to your Word.  Jesus, we want to give our whole lives to you in faithfulness.  Enable us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves.  Give us an eternal perspective.  Help us to watch and stay awake at all times praying for strength to remain faithful until you return.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.