Luke 19

1 Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho.2 There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich.3 He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd.4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.5 When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.”6 Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him.7 Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”8 Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”9 Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham!

10 For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”
The Story About Investment11 While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story:12 “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return.13 But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.’14 “But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’15 “When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.16 “The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’17 “He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been trustworthy in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’18 “The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’19 “He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’20 “The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar.21 To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’22 “He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly—and you’ve acted the fool!23 Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?’24 “Then he said to those standing there, ‘Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.’25 “They said, ‘But Master, he already has double . . .’26 “He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.

27 “‘As for these enemies of mine who petitioned against my rule, clear them out of here. I don’t want to see their faces around here again.’”
God’s Personal Visit28 After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem.29 When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions:30 “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it.31 If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’”32 The two left and found it just as he said.33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said, “What are you doing untying the colt?”34 They said, “His Master needs him.”35 They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on.36 As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.37 Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:

38 Blessed is he who comes,
the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
Glory in the high places!39 Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”40 But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”41 When the city came into view, he wept over it.42 “If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late.43 In the days ahead your enemies are going to bring up their heavy artillery and surround you, pressing in from every side.44 They’ll smash you and your babies on the pavement. Not one stone will be left intact. All this because you didn’t recognize and welcome God’s personal visit.”45 Going into the Temple he began to throw out everyone who had set up shop, selling everything and anything.

46 He said, “It’s written in Scripture,
My house is a house of prayer;
You have turned it into a religious bazaar.”47 From then on he taught each day in the Temple. The high priests, religion scholars, and the leaders of the people were trying their best to find a way to get rid of him.48 But with the people hanging on every word he spoke, they couldn’t come up with anything.

Luke 20

1 One day he was teaching the people in the Temple, proclaiming the Message. The high priests, religion scholars, and leaders confronted2 him and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?”3 Jesus answered, “First, let me ask you a question:4 About the baptism of John—who authorized it, heaven or humans?”5 They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, “If we say ‘heaven,’ he’ll ask us why we didn’t believe him;6 if we say ‘humans,’ the people will tear us limb from limb, convinced as they are that John was God’s prophet.”7 They agreed to concede that round to Jesus and said they didn’t know.

8 Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question.”
The Story of Corrupt Farmhands9 Jesus told another story to the people: “A man planted a vineyard. He handed it over to farmhands and went off on a trip. He was gone a long time.10 In time he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect the profits, but they beat him up and sent him off empty-handed.11 He decided to try again and sent another servant. That one they beat black and blue, and sent him off empty-handed.12 He tried a third time. They worked that servant over from head to foot and dumped him in the street.13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘I know what I’ll do: I’ll send my beloved son. They’re bound to respect my son.’14 “But when the farmhands saw him coming, they quickly put their heads together. ‘This is our chance—this is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all to ourselves.’

15 They killed him and threw him over the fence.
“What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do?

16 Right. He’ll come and clean house. Then he’ll assign the care of the vineyard to others.”
Those who were listening said, “Oh, no! He’d never do that!”

17 But Jesus didn’t back down. “Why, then, do you think this was written:
That stone the masons threw out—
It’s now the cornerstone!?18 “Anyone falling over that stone will break every bone in his body; if the stone falls on anyone, it will be a total smashup.”

19 The religion scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them.
Paying Taxes20 Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law.21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you’re honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don’t pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately.22 Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”23 He knew they were laying for him and said,24 “Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?”

25 “Caesar,” they said.
Jesus said, “Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his.”

26 Try as they might, they couldn’t trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless.
All Intimacies Will Be with God27 Some Sadducees came up. This is the Jewish party that denies any possibility of resurrection. They asked,28 “Teacher, Moses wrote us that if a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother is obligated to take the widow to wife and get her with child.29 Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless.30 The second married her and died,31 then the third, and eventually all seven had their turn, but no child.32 After all that, the wife died.33 That wife, now—in the resurrection whose wife is she? All seven married her.”34 Jesus said, “Marriage is a major preoccupation here,35 but not there. Those who are included in the resurrection of the dead will no longer be concerned with marriage36 nor, of course, with death. They will have better things to think about, if you can believe it. All ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God.37 Even Moses exclaimed about resurrection at the burning bush, saying, ‘God: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob!’38 God isn’t the God of dead men, but of the living. To him all are alive.”39 Some of the religion scholars said, “Teacher, that’s a great answer!”40 For a while, anyway, no one dared put questions to him.41 Then he put a question to them: “How is it that they say that the Messiah is David’s son?

42 In the Book of Psalms, David clearly says,
God said to my Master,
“Sit here at my right hand43 until I put your enemies under your feet.”44 “David here designates the Messiah as ‘my Master’—so how can the Messiah also be his ‘son’?”45 With everybody listening, Jesus spoke to his disciples.46 “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function.47 And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.”

Luke 21

1 Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate.2 Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies.3 He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today.

4 All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”
Watch Out for Doomsday Deceivers5 One day people were standing around talking about the Temple, remarking how beautiful it was, the splendor of its stonework and memorial gifts. Jesus said,6 “All this you’re admiring so much—the time is coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble.”7 They asked him, “Teacher, when is this going to happen? What clue will we get that it’s about to take place?”8 He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that.9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”10 He went on, “Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over.11 Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You’ll think at times that the very sky is falling.12 “But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name.13 You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify.14 Make up your mind right now not to worry about it.15 I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.16 “You’ll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed.17 There’s no telling who will hate you because of me.18 Even so, every detail of your body and soul—even the hairs of your head!—is in my care; nothing of you will be lost.

19 Staying with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved.
Vengeance Day20 “When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you’ll know that she is about to be devastated.21 If you’re living in Judea at the time, run for the hills. If you’re in the city, get out quickly. If you’re out in the fields, don’t go home to get your coat.22 This is Vengeance Day—everything written about it will come to a head.23 Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Incredible misery! Torrential rage!24 People dropping like flies; people dragged off to prisons; Jerusalem under the boot of barbarians until the nations finish what was given them to do.25 “It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea,26 in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.27 “And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome!28 When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!”29 He told them a story. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter.30 When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner.31 The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here.32 Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen.33 Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.34 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap,35 for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once.36 So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”37 He spent his days in the Temple teaching, but his nights out on the mountain called Olives.

38 All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him.
The Passover Meal