Luke, Chapter 19
Welcome to week nineteen of Luke/Acts 2020. My name is Tessa Priem, and I'm a solo dance artist. I'm also a mommy who studied theology. Thus, for the year of 2020, we're doing a year-long Bible Study. This week, our structure is the same as week eighteen: 1) I give an introduction to the reading, 2) there's a recording of me reading the chapter, 3) followed by questions & an explanation; 4) I'll post a hymn that you can read if you'd like, and 5) we'll close with a prayer. If you have a Bible, please open it to Luke, chapter nineteen. If not, you can find Luke nineteen online. Let's get started! And if you have questions or thoughts at the end, leave a comment or send me an email. Many blessings!
1) Introduction: Welcome this week to Luke nineteen. I hope you are thus far enjoying our study. We are well over halfway on our journey through Luke. Thanks be to God! In this chapter, Jesus is FINALLY going to make it to Jerusalem. Since chapter nine, as you know, the Gospel writer, Luke, has been highlighting this: that Jesus was heading to Jerusalem to die and rise.
2) Recording: Here is a recording of Luke, chapter nineteen. You can listen to it and follow along, or simply read the chapter on your own.

luke_19.m4a |
3) Explanation & Questions: What did you think of this week's reading? What jumped out at you? Were there things that you liked or didn't like? According to Luke's Gospel, in recent chapters, Jesus had been talking a lot about money and about being rich. Here, in Luke nineteen, we meet Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector. We also hear a parable about the coming kingdom of God, and how it wasn't going to come immediately for the disciples during Jesus' time. Then, Jesus entered Jerusalem. For more information on specific terms & verses, see our Digging Deeper section where we will go into depth on Luke nineteen. Be sure to scroll down to the proper chapter.
4) Hymn: Here is the hymn "Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along :)

wake_awake_for_night_is_flying.m4a |
"Wake, awake, for night is flying,"
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
"Awake, Jerusalem, arise!"
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
"Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia! With bridal care Yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom, who is near."
Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all-glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious;
Her star is ris'n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son, Hail Hosanna!
We enter all The wedding hall
To eat the Supper at Thy call.
Now let all the heav'ns adore Thee,
Let saints and angles sing before Thee
With harp and cymbals' clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where, joining with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No eye has seen the light,
No ear has heard the might Of Thy glory;
Therefore will we Eternally
Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
"Awake, Jerusalem, arise!"
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
"Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia! With bridal care Yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom, who is near."
Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all-glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious;
Her star is ris'n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son, Hail Hosanna!
We enter all The wedding hall
To eat the Supper at Thy call.
Now let all the heav'ns adore Thee,
Let saints and angles sing before Thee
With harp and cymbals' clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where, joining with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No eye has seen the light,
No ear has heard the might Of Thy glory;
Therefore will we Eternally
Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!
5) Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for showing us that a rich person can be saved (Luke 18). With God, all things are possible, as Luke records! Thank you for seeking & saving Zacchaeus. As you told the story of the minas, help us to labor with all that you have given us. We long to be good stewards, especially in sharing your good news. Thank you, also, for being courageous and entering Jerusalem. You knew that you would die there, but you went because that was your mission and purpose. We love you, Lord, and we give you thanks. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Disclaimer: I should mention I do not have copyright permission regarding the particular Bible I'm using. I am reading an ESV edition in this recording. The majority of hymns I choose are in the public domain as this one is, and I reference the Lutheran Service Book a lot. I will be posting these devotions each Friday, throughout the year 2020. May they be a blessing to you. If you'd like to follow me and learn more about what I do, especially dance-wise, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. Enjoy the journey! Have a wonderful week. -Tessa
P.S. If you'd like to learn about my solo dance show, click here. It's my life story danced out. I am also currently writing my autobiography, and you can read some of it here.
P.S. If you'd like to learn about my solo dance show, click here. It's my life story danced out. I am also currently writing my autobiography, and you can read some of it here.