The Luke Journey
You can read the passages online by searching here or listen to them by searching here. If someone else in your house is following the journey too, why not put on the kettle at talk about what you are each learnig. Or pick up the telephone and chat to someone else about it. If you miss a day, don't fret - start again the next day with God's help.
Days 1-30 can be found here.
Days 31-60 can be found here.
Days 61-70 can be found here.
Day 71 - Read Luke 23:26-43
Today the King is recognised...as he dies...
- We might sometimes feel sorry for Jesus. But who does Jesus say we are to be sorry for? Why? (v26-31)
- Jesus is being mocked. Killed like a criminal. His only earthly possessions taken from him. Yet what is Jesus' focus? (v32-34) How does that lead you to love Jesus more?
- What is the deep irony of what the crowds and criminal shout at Jesus? (v35-39)
They think that because Jesus isn't coming down from the cross, that he can't be king, and he isn't able to save. But just the opposite. It is because he is King, and because he is acting to save that he chooses to stay on the cross for you and I.
- What does the criminal realise about himself? About Jesus? (v40-42) What wonderful promise does he receive? (v43)
Here is a man who has done great wrong. He comes in his dying moments to own his sin, to recognise he is deserving of punishment, but throws himself on the mercy of King Jesus. Jesus loves to meet those cries with mercy.
- Ponder Jesus on the cross - that he was willing to stay for you. Talk to Jesus about how that makes you feel.
- Dear Father, thank you that Jesus is the King. But a king who did not save himself so that he could save me. A king who was crowned on a cross, unwelcome by those around, so that he could welcome me into his kingdom. Amen.
Day 72 - Read Luke 23:44-56
Today we see the significance of why Jesus died...
- What happened at the time Jesus died? Why is that a surprise? (v44-45a)
At the very moment the sun should have been strongest, it goes dark. Darkness in the Bible (like at the time of the Plagues in Egypt) is a sign God is judging sin. As Jesus dies, the punishment our sin deserves is being poured out...on Jesus. Jesus willingly and freely takes it upon himself.
- What else happens when Jesus dies? (v45)
The temple curtain was a barrier into the 'Holy of Holies', the symbolic place in the temple where God dwelt. The curtain was like a big 'no-entry' sign saying sinful people could not come near a perfect and holy God. But Jesus' death, in paying for sin, deals with the barrier of sin. It no longer gets in the way for those who trust Jesus. They can know and be with God.
- What things do people often think they need to get to God? How do these verses change that?
- How does Joseph of Arimathea show his faith in Jesus at this terribly sad moment? (v50-54) How do the women? (v55-56)
- Joseph was willing to risk his reputation and status to associate with Jesus, a crucified criminal in his death. Are there ways we are scared to stand with Jesus? How do these verses encourage us?
- Dear Father, thank you that you can hear me, because they way back to you is open because of Jesus. Help me to trust him as the way back to you, and to be willing to be known as his. Amen.
Day 73 - Read Luke 24:1-12
Dawn begins to break over Jesus' tomb. But something is different...
- What were the women expecting to find at the tomb? (v1) How do we know they are at the right tomb? (23:55)
- What different things do they find or not find? (v2-8)
- What is the two men's explanation as to why the tomb is empty? (5-7)
The stone is not rolled away to let Jesus out. But to let the world in. To see he is no longer dead but alive! The women are at the right place. But also in the wrong place. They are in the place of the dead. But Jesus now lives!
- How do the disciples respond to the news? What other bit of evidence does Peter receive? (v9-12)
- The women and the disciples understandably struggled to come to terms with the news. And yet they should have known. Jesus had told them in advance that this would happen. How does the resurrection help you to trust and believe Jesus' words today?
- Dear Father, thank you that death can not hold your Son and King. Thank you that today he lives! Help me to trust his words in the Bible, knowing that his words have wonderfully come true in the past. Amen.
Day 74 - Read Luke 24:13-35
From despairing to rejoicing, blind to seeing...
- What is the mood of the two men when they meet Jesus? (v17-18) What is it like at the end of the passage? (v33-35)
- What caused the men to be downcast? (v19-24) What changed them? (v30-37)
- Why should they have known that Jesus would suffer and rise? (v25-27) These things did not just happen, they 'had' to (v26). How do that show us that Jesus' death and resurrection are fundamental to God's plan of rescue?
- Jesus sees that God's word (particularly the Old Testament) is a key piece of evidence for Jesus' resurrection. Are there ways that you are 'slow to believe' what God has said about Jesus?
- How might the news Jesus is alive bring hope to you today if you are downcast?
- Dear Father, thank you that Jesus is Lord and alive. May that bring hope and joy in the midst of despair for me, and for others. Forgive my slowness to believe what you have said. Help me to trust and believe your words. Amen.
Day 75 - Read Luke 24:36-53
Jesus came from heaven - the preparations began in Luke 1. Jesus now returns to heaven - his work on earth complete...
- What reactions to Jesus do the disciples have? (v36-43)
- What different pieces of evidence are we given that Jesus is alive again? (v36-44)
Once again the Scriptures are a key piece of evidence. They always said this would happen. However there is more. They also speak of what will happen.
- How does knowing all of the Bible points to Jesus help us as we read the Old Testament, especially if we find it hard? (v44)
- What response does Jesus call for in light of him being the suffering, rising King? (v45-47)
- What will the disciples task be from now on? How will they be enabled to do this task? (v45-53)
- The good news is still going to all nations - even still to your community - how could you be part of witnessing to what you have learnt in the Luke Journey?
- Dear Father, thank you that you give us evidence to build our faith on. Thank you that Jesus is alive - he was seen and touched. Helped me to respond to him in repentance and faith, witnessing to what I have seen of Jesus. Amen.
Day 76 - Read Luke 9:18-27 (Conclusion)
Our journey through Luke is now complete. But what will be the impact of what we have seen along the way?
- What have you learnt or been reminded about Jesus' identity through Luke's gospel?
- What have you learnt or been reminded about Jesus' mission through Luke's gospel?
- What have you learnt or been reminded about what it means to follow Jesus through Luke's gospel?
- What is one way you are being moved to trust Jesus more from what we've seen?
- What is one way you are being moved to live Jesus' way more from what we've seen?
Write those down and pray them for yourself regularly.
- Dear Father, thank you for Luke's gospel. Thank you for being with me and helping me as we have journeyed through it. Help me to continue to know Jesus as he truly is, to trust Jesus who came to seek and save the lost, and to follow him as Lord. Amen.
If you would like to find more help with reading the Bible and praying at home, go to our Bible Reading resources page here.
You can read the passages online by searching here or listen to them by searching here. If someone else in your house is following the journey too, why not put on the kettle at talk about what you are each learnig. Or pick up the telephone and chat to someone else about it. If you miss a day, don't fret - start again the next day with God's help.
Days 1-30 can be found here.
Days 31-60 can be found here.
Days 61-70 can be found here.
Day 71 - Read Luke 23:26-43
Today the King is recognised...as he dies...
- We might sometimes feel sorry for Jesus. But who does Jesus say we are to be sorry for? Why? (v26-31)
- Jesus is being mocked. Killed like a criminal. His only earthly possessions taken from him. Yet what is Jesus' focus? (v32-34) How does that lead you to love Jesus more?
- What is the deep irony of what the crowds and criminal shout at Jesus? (v35-39)
They think that because Jesus isn't coming down from the cross, that he can't be king, and he isn't able to save. But just the opposite. It is because he is King, and because he is acting to save that he chooses to stay on the cross for you and I.
- What does the criminal realise about himself? About Jesus? (v40-42) What wonderful promise does he receive? (v43)
Here is a man who has done great wrong. He comes in his dying moments to own his sin, to recognise he is deserving of punishment, but throws himself on the mercy of King Jesus. Jesus loves to meet those cries with mercy.
- Ponder Jesus on the cross - that he was willing to stay for you. Talk to Jesus about how that makes you feel.
- Dear Father, thank you that Jesus is the King. But a king who did not save himself so that he could save me. A king who was crowned on a cross, unwelcome by those around, so that he could welcome me into his kingdom. Amen.
Day 72 - Read Luke 23:44-56
Today we see the significance of why Jesus died...
- What happened at the time Jesus died? Why is that a surprise? (v44-45a)
At the very moment the sun should have been strongest, it goes dark. Darkness in the Bible (like at the time of the Plagues in Egypt) is a sign God is judging sin. As Jesus dies, the punishment our sin deserves is being poured out...on Jesus. Jesus willingly and freely takes it upon himself.
- What else happens when Jesus dies? (v45)
The temple curtain was a barrier into the 'Holy of Holies', the symbolic place in the temple where God dwelt. The curtain was like a big 'no-entry' sign saying sinful people could not come near a perfect and holy God. But Jesus' death, in paying for sin, deals with the barrier of sin. It no longer gets in the way for those who trust Jesus. They can know and be with God.
- What things do people often think they need to get to God? How do these verses change that?
- How does Joseph of Arimathea show his faith in Jesus at this terribly sad moment? (v50-54) How do the women? (v55-56)
- Joseph was willing to risk his reputation and status to associate with Jesus, a crucified criminal in his death. Are there ways we are scared to stand with Jesus? How do these verses encourage us?
- Dear Father, thank you that you can hear me, because they way back to you is open because of Jesus. Help me to trust him as the way back to you, and to be willing to be known as his. Amen.
Day 73 - Read Luke 24:1-12
Dawn begins to break over Jesus' tomb. But something is different...
- What were the women expecting to find at the tomb? (v1) How do we know they are at the right tomb? (23:55)
- What different things do they find or not find? (v2-8)
- What is the two men's explanation as to why the tomb is empty? (5-7)
The stone is not rolled away to let Jesus out. But to let the world in. To see he is no longer dead but alive! The women are at the right place. But also in the wrong place. They are in the place of the dead. But Jesus now lives!
- How do the disciples respond to the news? What other bit of evidence does Peter receive? (v9-12)
- The women and the disciples understandably struggled to come to terms with the news. And yet they should have known. Jesus had told them in advance that this would happen. How does the resurrection help you to trust and believe Jesus' words today?
- Dear Father, thank you that death can not hold your Son and King. Thank you that today he lives! Help me to trust his words in the Bible, knowing that his words have wonderfully come true in the past. Amen.
Day 74 - Read Luke 24:13-35
From despairing to rejoicing, blind to seeing...
- What is the mood of the two men when they meet Jesus? (v17-18) What is it like at the end of the passage? (v33-35)
- What caused the men to be downcast? (v19-24) What changed them? (v30-37)
- Why should they have known that Jesus would suffer and rise? (v25-27) These things did not just happen, they 'had' to (v26). How do that show us that Jesus' death and resurrection are fundamental to God's plan of rescue?
- Jesus sees that God's word (particularly the Old Testament) is a key piece of evidence for Jesus' resurrection. Are there ways that you are 'slow to believe' what God has said about Jesus?
- How might the news Jesus is alive bring hope to you today if you are downcast?
- Dear Father, thank you that Jesus is Lord and alive. May that bring hope and joy in the midst of despair for me, and for others. Forgive my slowness to believe what you have said. Help me to trust and believe your words. Amen.
Day 75 - Read Luke 24:36-53
Jesus came from heaven - the preparations began in Luke 1. Jesus now returns to heaven - his work on earth complete...
- What reactions to Jesus do the disciples have? (v36-43)
- What different pieces of evidence are we given that Jesus is alive again? (v36-44)
Once again the Scriptures are a key piece of evidence. They always said this would happen. However there is more. They also speak of what will happen.
- How does knowing all of the Bible points to Jesus help us as we read the Old Testament, especially if we find it hard? (v44)
- What response does Jesus call for in light of him being the suffering, rising King? (v45-47)
- What will the disciples task be from now on? How will they be enabled to do this task? (v45-53)
- The good news is still going to all nations - even still to your community - how could you be part of witnessing to what you have learnt in the Luke Journey?
- Dear Father, thank you that you give us evidence to build our faith on. Thank you that Jesus is alive - he was seen and touched. Helped me to respond to him in repentance and faith, witnessing to what I have seen of Jesus. Amen.
Day 76 - Read Luke 9:18-27 (Conclusion)
Our journey through Luke is now complete. But what will be the impact of what we have seen along the way?
- What have you learnt or been reminded about Jesus' identity through Luke's gospel?
- What have you learnt or been reminded about Jesus' mission through Luke's gospel?
- What have you learnt or been reminded about what it means to follow Jesus through Luke's gospel?
- What is one way you are being moved to trust Jesus more from what we've seen?
- What is one way you are being moved to live Jesus' way more from what we've seen?
Write those down and pray them for yourself regularly.
- Dear Father, thank you for Luke's gospel. Thank you for being with me and helping me as we have journeyed through it. Help me to continue to know Jesus as he truly is, to trust Jesus who came to seek and save the lost, and to follow him as Lord. Amen.
If you would like to find more help with reading the Bible and praying at home, go to our Bible Reading resources page here.