Luke, Chapter 17
Welcome to week seventeen 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 sixteen: 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 seventeen. If not, you can find Luke seventeen 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: Let's do a bit of a recap before we read Luke 17, shall we? Since chapter nine of Luke, we know that Jesus has been on his way to die and rise in Jerusalem (Luke 9:21-22). Eight chapters later, the setting of Luke 17 actually begins pretty much where the end of chapter 14 left us. In chapter 14, Jesus had dined at a ruler of the Pharisee's house on a Sabbath. He left the house, remember, and was accompanied by his disciples and a crowd of people. He sharply warned the people that to follow him was costly (Luke 14:25-35). Then, he started to speak to tax collectors and sinners who crowded around him, and to scribes and Pharisees, proclaiming three Gospel-filled parables (Luke 15). In this same setting, he then started to talk to his disciples, urging that they have a pure heart focused on God, even as they interact in this world with "unrighteous wealth" (Luke 16). At the start of chapter 17, a similar setting continues. Jesus is still likely talking amid three different parties: the tax collectors, the Pharisees, and the disciples. Let's read.
2) Recording: Here is a recording of Luke, chapter seventeen. You can listen to it and follow along, or simply read the chapter on your own.
luke_17.m4a |
3) Explanation & Questions: What did you think of this chapter? What stood out to you? Did you notice how, at first, Jesus was speaking directly to the disciples? He certainly gave them words of guidance in v 1-10. Then, in v 11, we read how Jesus was again journeying towards Jerusalem. On his way, he healed ten lepers and was further questioned by the Pharisees, "when will the kingdom of God come?" (v 20). See our Digging Deeper section to further discuss specific terms & verses.
4) Hymn: Here is the hymn "I Am Content! My Jesus Ever Lives." The lyrics are below if you'd like to read along :)
i_am_content__my_jesus_ever_lives.m4a |
I am content! My Jesus ever lives,
In whom my heart is pleased.
He has fulfilled the Law of God for me,
God's wrath He has appeased.
Since He in death could perish never,
I also shall not die forever.
I am content! I am content!
I am content! My Jesus is my head;
His member I shall be.
He bowed His head when on the cross He died
With cries of agony,
Now death is brought into subjection
For me by Jesus' resurrection.
I am content! I am content!
I am content! My Jesus is my light,
My radiant sun of grace.
His cheering rays beam blessings forth for all,
Sweet comfort, hope, and peace.
This Easter sun has brought salvation
And everlasting exultation.
I am content! I am content!
I am content! At length I shall be free,
Awakened from the dead,
Arising glorious evermore to be
With You, my living head.
The chains that hold my body, sever;
Then shall my soul rejoice forever.
I am content! I am content!
In whom my heart is pleased.
He has fulfilled the Law of God for me,
God's wrath He has appeased.
Since He in death could perish never,
I also shall not die forever.
I am content! I am content!
I am content! My Jesus is my head;
His member I shall be.
He bowed His head when on the cross He died
With cries of agony,
Now death is brought into subjection
For me by Jesus' resurrection.
I am content! I am content!
I am content! My Jesus is my light,
My radiant sun of grace.
His cheering rays beam blessings forth for all,
Sweet comfort, hope, and peace.
This Easter sun has brought salvation
And everlasting exultation.
I am content! I am content!
I am content! At length I shall be free,
Awakened from the dead,
Arising glorious evermore to be
With You, my living head.
The chains that hold my body, sever;
Then shall my soul rejoice forever.
I am content! I am content!
5) Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for guiding your disciples in this chapter. Just as they prayed, please increase our faith. Help us to remain humble towards you as you guided your disciples to do. Thank you for cleansing the ten lepers, for working in their lives, and thank you that one of them came back to give you thanks. What good news. Please help us to look for your second coming. 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.