6 days
The last week
From the entry into Jerusalem to the empty tomb and Emmaus, in six days with Luke.
All four Gospels give a lot of room to the last week of Jesus. Luke tells that week with an eye for the small: a tax collector, a widow, a criminal on a cross. Read each chapter in one go. Lovely in Holy Week before Easter, but any week of the year will do.
0 of 6 days read
- Day 1Read Luke 19
Entry into Jerusalem
First Zacchaeus, the tax collector in the tree: 'today salvation has come to this house'. Then Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt, and the crowd cheers. But Jesus weeps over the city, which does not see what would bring it peace.
Jesus weeps over a city. What would he weep over today?
- Day 2Read Luke 20
Questions in the temple
The leaders ask by what authority he acts. Jesus tells of tenants who kill the owner's son: everyone understands who it is about. Then the trick question about taxes: 'give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's'.
What is 'God's' in your life?
- Day 3Read Luke 21
Two small coins
A poor widow gives two small coins, all she had. Jesus says she gave more than all the rich. Then he speaks of the destruction of the temple and of his coming: take heart, 'lift up your heads'.
What does the widow say about what God finds valuable?
- Day 4Read Luke 22
The Last Supper
At the Passover meal Jesus gives bread and wine: 'do this in remembrance of me'. The disciples argue about who is the greatest. In the garden Jesus prays in anguish (verses 43–44, about the angel and the sweat like blood, are missing from a few old manuscripts). Peter denies him three times, and the Lord looks at him.
Jesus looks at Peter after his denial. What might have been in that look?
- Day 5Read Luke 23
The cross
Only Luke tells that Pilate also sends Jesus to Herod. On the cross Jesus prays for those who crucify him, and says to one of the criminals: 'today you will be with me in paradise'. The Roman officer says: 'certainly this man was righteous'.
What does it mean that the last person Jesus saves is a condemned criminal?
- Day 6Read Luke 24
The empty tomb and Emmaus
Women find the tomb empty; at first the apostles don't believe them. Two disciples walk sadly to Emmaus. A stranger explains to them 'the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures' (24:27): the red thread of Thread. At the breaking of the bread they recognise Jesus.
'Did not our hearts burn within us?' When did you have that feeling with the Bible?