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THE TRAINING OFCHRIST'S DISCIPLESPART 3Dur ing the final few months of His threeand one-half year ministry, Christ spentmuch of His time in Perea, the areaimmediately east of the Jordan River. Jesuscontinued to teach His disciples about theKingdom of God. And through His perfectexample and teaching, He showed them howto live God's way of life. He also severelyrebuked the hypocritical religious leaders ofHis day.The main account of this period of Christ'sministry, often called the Perean ministry, isfound in the book of Luke. Be sure to readthrough the entire section from Luke 13:22 toLuke 19:28 before continuing this lesson.Doing so will help you better understand theevents that took place during these finalmonths of Christ's ministry.

THE PEREAN MINISTRYLuke's account of Christ's ministry shows

that He went through various cities andvillages of Perea. The Apostle John indicatesthe same thing. Notice what he wrote in John10:40: "And [Jesus] went away again beyondJordan [the area of Perea] into the place whereJohn [the Baptist] at first baptized; and therehe abode."While in the area, what did certain of thePharisees warn Christ about? Read Luke 13:31and fill in the blanks. "The same day thereABOUT OUR COVER . . .Lying in ruins today, the ancient city of Jericho isabout 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Jerusalem. Christstopped in this c ity on His way to Jerusalem.

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came certain of the _saying unto him,_____ , and hence: fo_____ will thee."The "Herod" referred to here is HeroAntipas, a son of Herod the Great. As tetrarc

(ruler) of Perea and Galilee, Herod waresponsible to the Roman governor in SyriaHerod had already slain John the Baptist, annow wanted to kill Christ.Read Luke 13:32-33 and summarize Christ'response to the Pharisees who warned himabout Herod.

Christ later journeyed north into Samariand Galilee before turning south for His finajourney to Jerusalem (Luke 17:11). During thitime, thousands of Jews were traveling tJerusalem to keep the Passover. Many of thespilgrims were in the crowds who listened tChrist.While on His way toward Jerusalem, Chrispassed through the area of Perea once again, ashown in Matthew 19:1-2. "And it came tpass, that when Jesus had finished thessayings, he departed from _and came into the of Judebeyond [Perea]; And greamultitudes followed him; and he _them there."Christ eventually reached Jericho (Luk19:1). From there, as we will learn in the nexlesson, He journeyed on to Bethany. And fromBethany He entered Jerusalem.

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CONFRONTATION WITH THE PHARISEES Him by rescuing a suffering human being othe Sabbath!

The above map shows the route Christ took throughthe area of Perea as He made His final journey toJerusalem.

CHRIST'S LAST JOURNEYTO JERUSALEM

'"0m:IJm

- _

SepphorisNazareth.

Samaria

Bethphage / J ~ r i C h Oerusalem BethanyJ U 0 E A

SAMAR I A

Emmaus.

Throughout His ministry, Christ was continually accu sed of doing wrong by the scribes andPhari se es. They tried to accuse hi m ofdisloyalty to the Roman government. Th ey alsotried to trick hi m wit h cunning biblicalquestions, hoping to dissuade the crowds fromfollowing Hi m .

In the early part of His ministry, Christusually avoided outright confrontation with thescribes and Pharisees. He often responded totheir clever questions by asking them questionswhich they refused to answer.

Later in Christ's ministry, His confrontations with the scribes an d Pharisees becamemuch more direct. On numerous occasions,He condemned their hypocrisy and deceit.He often contrasted their beh avior to th ewa y true Christians should live, in theprocess teaching His disciples God 's way oflife.

On e such confrontation is recorded in Luke14:1-24. On thi s occasion, Christ was invited tothe home of one of the chief Pharisees to dineon the Sabbath. Th e Pharisees closely watchedHim, looking for some reason to criticize orcondemn Him.

Upon His arrival, Christ met a man who wassuffering from dropsy (a swelling of the bodydue to excess fluids). Christ well knew thestrict rules and regulations the Pharisees ha dabout what could and could not be done on theSabbath day. According to their law, it wasbreaking the Sabbath to heal a person on theSabbath day. But God ha d never intended forthem to have added these unnecessary rulesabout how to keep the Sabbath.Looking at the Pharisees, Christ asked, HIs itlawful to heal on the sabbat h day?" Theywould not answer. He then healed the man.

Christ then asked the Pharisees whether theywould rescue a valuable working animal if itfell into a pit on the Sabbath. Knowing this waspermissible according to their law , Christexposed their hypocritical condemnation of

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man's _

Notice the Pharisees' response in Luke 14:6."And they could himagain to these things."Before the dinner began, Chris t watched as

the Pharisees chose the best seats forthemselves. They were seeking to exaltthemselves, to appear important to others.Christ corrected them for this by telling aparable which showed what they should havedone. On the following lines, summarize whatChrist said to them in Luke 14:8-10. _

How did Christ conclude this parable, whichillustrates the attitude He wants us to have?"For whosoever himself shallbe and he that _himself shall be " (verse 11).Chris t was showing that a person shouldnot demand or expect a position of leadership and honor. One should not put himselfforward or try to look important . Rather, heshould humbly accept whatever responsibilityhe has been given, and then do his best tofulfill it. God will exalt such a person in duetime.

RESPECTERS OF PERSONSChrist knew that the Pharisees liked toassociate with people they felt were important. He explained that their only reward fordoing so would be the temporary admirationof men. But those who are friends of thepoor and handicapped will be rewarded byGod at the resurrection of the just (Luke

14:14).Unlike the Pharisees, God is not a respecterof persons. He does not judge people by theirlooks, their manner of speech or whether theyare wearing the latest fashions. Notice whatGod says in I Peter 1:17. "And if ye call on theFather, who without of_____ judgeth according to every

"4

THE GREAT SUPPEROne of the Pharisees at the meal, who hear

what Christ had been saying, said to Him"Blessed is he that shall eat bread in thkingdom of God."Christ responded with a parable about thoswho would be in God's Kingdom. He tolabout a rich man who prepared a great suppeand invited many people. When the time camfor the meal, all those who were invited haexcuses as to why they could not attend. Thrich man became angry. He then invited thpoor and disabled to attend his great banque(Luke 14:16-24).Christ was teaching that some people woulnot respond to His Father's calling. Thewould be exposed to God's truth, but would norespond because they were too concerned witthe material cares of this life.The religious leaders, who knew and wertrained in the Scriptures, seemed to others athe obvious people to be in the Kingdom oGod. But because of their hypocrisy anself-righteousness, their places would go to thpeople they disdained. People who takseriously God's calling and obey Him will bthe ones who receive the Holy Spirit and enteGod's Kingdom.

THE VALUE OF A REPENTANT SINNERThe scribes and Pharisees often criticize

Christ for associating with publicans (tacollectors) and sinners.Tax collectors were known for theidishonesty in collecting taxes for the Romagovernment. They would often collect mor

taxes than was required, keeping the excesfor themselves. Tax collectors were lookeupon as the dregs of society. For this reasonthe scribes and Pharisees refused to associatwith them.When they saw Chris t speaking with the tacollectors and sinners, the Pharisees criticizeHim. They self-righteously said, "This mareceiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Luk

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15:2). Christ responded to their criticism bytelling three parables.Before examining these parables, let's brieflyreview why Christ often spoke in parableswhich the masses, including the scribes andPharisees, did not understand. In Matthew13:13, Christ explained to His disciples,"Therefore speak I to them in________ : because they seeingnot; and hearing they

not, neither do they"

Christ spoke in parables to actually concealthe meaning of important truths from themasses--not to clearly explain these truths, asmany people mistakenly believe. But Christ didexplain the meaning of the parables to Hisdisciples.In Luke 15: 1-32, Christ spoke threeparables, each showing the importance to Himof even one sinner who repents and begins toobey God. He first compared the repentance ofa sinner to a shepherd searching for a lostsheep. Even though ninety-nine sheep are safe,the shepherd still searches for the one that islost. When he finds the lost sheep, he greatlyrejoices.

Christ then compared the repentance of asinner to a woman who, having ten silver coins,loses one of them. She diligently searches for ituntil she finds it. She then rejoices with herfriends and neighbors when it is found."Likewise," said Christ in Luke 15: 10," . . . there is in the presence of theangels of God over that

"

THE PRODIGAL SONTo further stress the joy there is when asinner repents, Christ told a third parable.Known as the "Parable of the Prodigal Son," itis found in Luke 15:11-32. In this parable,Christ told about a man who had two sons. Theyounger son demands his part of theinheritance and promptly leaves home. Hesquanders the inheritance with riotous living

and is soon reduced to extreme poverty.During a time of famine he resorts to feedingpigs for a living. So hungry that he would havegladly eaten the pigs' food, the young manrealizes how foolish he has been. He returnhome and throws himself at his father's mercysaying, "Father, I have sinned against heavenand in thy sight, and am no more worthy to bcalled thy son" (verse 21).

The father is moved with compassion by hison's humility and repentance. He welcomehim with a festive homecoming. The eldebrother who has faithfully served in his father'business cannot understand why his brotheshould receive such a welcome.His father then tells him, "Son, thou ar t evewith me, and all that I have is thine. It wameet [fitting] that we should make merry, anbe glad: for this thy brother was dead, and ialive again; and was lost, and is found" (verse31-32).In this parable, Christ was contrast ing thattitude God has toward a repentant sinnewith the attitude of the Pharisees. ThPharisees completely rejected those whom thesaw as inferior, including repentant sinnersBut God accepts those who repent of their sinand begin obeying Him. He has great joy at threpentance of even one sinner!

ONE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERSChrist then taught His disciples that it iimpossible to serve God wholeheartedly and athe same time devote all one's efforts trying tmake money. In Luke 16:13 Christ said, "Nservant can serve : fo

either he will the one, anthe other; or else he wi_____ to the one, and _

the other. Ye serveand [money]."

When the Pharisees heard this, theridiculed Christ. They were lovers of moneand would often compromise God's law in theiattempts to acquire material wealth.In a stinging rebuke of their hypocrisy

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ris t told the Pharisees that in spite of theirempts to justify themselves before men, Godnew their thoughts. Even though men mightspect them because they appeared righteous,od was not fooled. Their deceit and hypocrisyas an abomination in God's sight (LukeEven today, men of great wealth are oftenspected because of their riches. But God doesot respect them if they acquire that wealthrough dishonest means. On the lines below,ist some of th e ways men have acquiredalth, and broken God's law in doing so. Thentate which of the Ten Commandments wereroken. _

LAZARUS AND THE RICH MANChrist next told the Pharisees a parablehich has been misunderstood by many peopleho believe we go to heaven or hell when we

Th e parable is about a rich man who livedn luxury and splendor, and a poor beggaramed Lazarus, whose body was covered withores. In time, both th e rich man and theggar died (Luke 16:22).Lazarus is described as being in Abraham'sis, in close fellowship with

Many people believe this to mean thatazarus went to heaven. However, as otherriptures indicate, this is referring to the timehen both Lazarus and Abraham, along withChristians, will be resurrected to eternal lifen the first resurrection. This will be at thecondComingof Jesus Christ, when He returnso set up the Kingdom of God on earth.Next, the rich man is pictured as being in ate of torment. Again, people often misundertand this to mean that the rich man is beingrmented in an eternally burning hell. But thisannot be true, since th e Bible plainly shows

It is impossible to serve God wholeheartedly, whiledevoting all one's efforts to acquiring wealth.that there is no eternally burning hell. Whathen does this mean?The word "hell" in Luke 16:23 comes fromthe Greek word hades, which means "thgrave't-i-a place of burial in th e ground. Thrich man has been resurrected out of his gravto physical life, not to be in th e Kingdom oGod as Lazarus, but to be burned up in thlake of fire. In this particular resurrectionwhich occurs after the Millennial rule of JesuChrist, will be all those who have refused tobey God. They will be cast into the lake of firto be burned up. They will remain deaforever!The rich man's torment is his realizatiothat he is about to be cast into th e lake of firfor refusing to repent of his sins and live Godway of life. He had had his reward in thmaterial things he sought, craved and acquireduring his mortal lifetime.

The parable shows a great gulf fixebetween those who will be resurrected timmortality, as represented by Lazarus, anthose who will be resurrected to be cast into thlake of fire, as represented by the rich ma(Luke 16:26). This great gulf cannot bcrossed.

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This gulf which prevents the wicked fromescaping death in the lake of fire, and whichalso keeps the righteous from being burned up,is immortality. Those who are made immortalcan never die because they are born of God andare therefore composed of spirit. But humanbeings who are resurrected to flesh and bloodhave not been born of God and can be burnedup by fire. The rich man, being mortal, willburn up and die the second death.Finally, realizing he was doomed and that thisgreat gulf existed, the rich man begged Abrahamto send Lazarus to warn his five brothers lest theywould suffer the same terrible fate. Abrahamreplied that they had the writings of Moses andthe prophets. The rich man realized they wouldnot heed these Scriptures. He insisted that ifsomeone from the dead went to his brothers, theywould repent.

Abraham replied that if they would notbelieve the Scriptures, they would not even bepersuaded by someone who had risen from thedead (Luke 16:27-31).

Christ taught several lessons by this parable.First, He taught a resurrection from the dead.Second, He illustrated the second death in thelake of fire that shall totally destroy thewicked. And third, He showed that if thescribes and Pharisees, or anyone, refuse to obeythe Scriptures, they have no hope ofsalvation!

For a more detailed explanation of thisimportant parable, read the booklet Lazarusand the Rich Man, written by Mr. Herbert W.Armstrong.

True or False?Indicate whether the following statementsare true or false by placing a T or an F in thespaces provided.__ 1. During the last few months of His

ministry, Christ spent much of Histime in Perea, the area immediatelywest of the Jordan River.__ 2. Herod Antipas ruled Perea andGalilee.

__ 3. Throughout his mmistry, Christ wafalsely accused by the scribes anPharisees.__ 4. We should try to get positions oleadership and honor for ourselves.__ 5. We should seek only the friendships opeople we feel are important.__ 6. Christ spoke in parables that werclearly understood by the masses opeople who heard them.__ 7. Christ taught that it is possible tserve God wholeheartedly and stildevote all of our efforts trying tmake money.__ 8. The parable of Lazarus and the richman shows that people go to heaven ohell when they die.

TEN LEPERS HEALEDDuring the last few months of Christ'ministry, two dramatic healings took place

These healings further hardened the attitude othe scribes and Pharisees toward Christ.Upon entering a certain village on his way tJerusalem, Christ was spotted by ten lepersStanding afar off, they lifted up their voiceand said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us(Luke 17:13).A common illness in Palestine, leprosy waoften a fatal disease, wasting away the skin anlimbs of the body. Those who had leprosy hato live separately from healthy people. It wano wonder that these ten lepers, hearing oChrist's healing power, cried out for mercy.In response to their pathetic appeal, Chrissaid to them, "Go shew yourselves unto thpriests." This was a requirement of the lawGod had given through Moses. The law wathat if a person felt he had been cured oleprosy, he had to show himself to the prieswho would confirm whether or not he wahealed (Leviticus 14:1-3).

The lepers followed Christ's instructions anwent to see the priests. While on their waythey were miraculously healed of the diseaseOnly one of the ten, however, returned to than

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hrist for the healing (Luke 17:15-19).An important lesson we can learn from this

s to never take our blessings for granted, as dide nine lepers who were healed. Like the manreturned to thank Christ, so we should

ways be grateful for the blessings we receive.time to list a few of the many blessings

nd opportunities you enjoy as a young person.

As Jesus passed through the city of Jericho,blind man named Bartimaeus sat begging byhe roadside (Luke 18:35; Mark 10:46).ear ing the noise of the crowd moving past

Bartimaeus asked what it meant. He wasthat Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Knowing that Christ could heal him, Bartitried to get His attention. "Jesus, thou

on of David, have mercy on me!" he shouted.The crowd tr ied to silence him, but he onlyuted louder. Hearing his pleas for mercy,hrist had the man brought before Him.hrist then asked him what he wanted.Bartimaeus replied, "Lord, that I may receivesight."Recognizing Bartimaeus's faith that He

ould heal him, Christ said to him, "Receivehy sight." Immediately the man's eyes wereealed. He then followed Chr ist and glorifiedod (Luke 18:36-43).BLESSING OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN

In Luke 18:15-17 and Mark 10:13-16 isthe account of Christ blessing the little

i ldren. People had brought the ir youngi ldren to Chr ist and asked Him to touch, or

less them. When His disciples saw it, theyebuked the people for doing so. But noticehat Christ said in Luke 18:16-17. "Suffer

[allow] little children to come unto me, andorbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of

God.... Whosoever shal l not receive thkingdom of God as a little child shall in no wisenter therein."Christ was comparing those who will ente

the Kingdom of God with the little childrewho were brought before Him. He was showinthat one must have a humble and childlikattitude if he is to enter the Kingdom of GodNot only are very small children teachable, buthey are sweet and innocent. It is this attitudand the lack of hostility and defiance towarauthority that Christ wants His people tdevelop.After teaching this important lesson, Chris

then blessed the little children. He took themup into His arms, put His hands upon them anprayed for them.

Today, the ministers of God's Church followChrist's example. Each year, they lay hands othe little children in their congregations whhave not already been blessed. The ministerask God to specially protect and bless them athey grow up.

CALLING OF ZACCHAEUSWhile passing through Jericho, Chris

visited the house of a rich publican (tacollector) named Zacchaeus. He had undoubedly, like many other tax collectors of his dayhad become wealthy by taking advantage of hposition.

Being a short man, Zacchaeus had to clima sycamore tree to get a view of Jesus passinby in the crowd. When Jesus came near thtree, what did He say to Zacchaeus? "Makhaste, and come ; forI must at th_____ " (Luke 19:5).The scribes and Pharisees again criticizeJesus for being the guest of a tax collectowhom they despised. Note what they said iverse 7. "They all murmured, saying, That h[Jesus] was gone to be a guest with a man tha. . "IS a sinner.Zacchaeus, however, had repented of h

sins, and had shown his repentance by bein

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willing to return any mon ey he had unjustlytaken from people and give hal f of his wealth toth e poor. He no longer tr ied to take advantageof anyone.

Christ explained th at Zacchaeus's repentan tattitude would eventua lly lead to his entry intothe Kingdom of God.

Fill in the BlanksI. Wh at were lep er s who thought th ey hadbeen cured required to do ? _2. Wh at is significa nt about the ten lepers whowere healed ? _3. Wh at kind of a tt itudes displayed by little

ch ild ren, does Christ want His people todevelop? _

THE NARROW GATEChrist knew th at His training of th e disciples

was a lmost complete. During these last months

of His mini st ry, He continuall y ta ught themabout the Kingdom of God. He a lso explainedhow importan t it was for th em to be su re th eiown attitudes were pleasing to God .

On one occ asion , Christ was as ked if onl y afew would be saved . What was Hi s repl y, foundin Luke 13:24 ? "Strive to enter in a t th e____ [narrow] gate: for , I sayunto you, will seek to in, andsha ll not be "Christ taught th at the way to ete rna l lifewould not be ea sy. Man y people will heaChrist's teaching, believing th at is a ll they musdo to ente r th e Kingdom of God (Luke13:25- 28) . But Christ ca ut ioned th e discipleth at ju st listening to wha t He taught would nobe sufficient. Once a person has been called byGod , repented and been baptized, he must strivewith the help of God's Hol y Spirit, to live the wayChrist taught for th e rest of his life.

Sometimes it is difficult to resi st th einfluence of those who might wan t us to breakGod's laws. Some find it hard to resist the

Christ's analogy of entering a narrow gate showed that some would not enter the Kingdom of God .9

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ecial thanks. He explained that those who donly what is required of them will be callednprofitable or unworthy servants (Luke

17:7-10).Whenever we are given a job to do, we

hould always try to do our very best. Wehould try to go above and beyond what ispected of us. This makes us praiseworthy andreal asset to our teachers, parents and

THE PERSISTENT WIDOWTo teach His disciples the importance ofways praying and never losing faith, Christ

them a parable about a persistent widow.e widow continually asked an unjust judge

o give her justice against an adversary whoad wronged her. For some time, he refused toelp her, but he finally gave in because of her

persistence (Luke 18:1-8).Christ was showing the disciples through this

arable how much more God, who is just andfair, will hear the repeated prayers of Hispeople who cry for justice. He will not ignorehem, as the unjust judge tried to do.Christ then asked His disciples whether He

ould find such faith among His people whenHe returns to earth at His Second Coming(verse 8). This is a challenge for us today. Willwe, who live in the days just prior to Christ'sreturn, have the same faith in Him as theapostles who had walked and talked with Him?Use scriptures to show how we may have thatsame faith. _

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICANChrist next gave a parable as a warning to

those who were confident of their ownrighteousness and looked down upon others.

He spoke of two men who went into theTemple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and theother a publican. The Pharisee stood up andprayed about himself. He said, "God, I thank

thee, that I am not as other arextortioners, , adulterers, or even athis . I twice in thweek, I give of all that I possess(Luke 18:11-12).

But the publican stood at a distance. Hwould not even look up to heaven as he prayebut beat upon his chest and said, "God bmerciful to me a sinner" (verse 13).

Christ explained that the publican wehome forgiven by God, rather than thself-righteous Pharisee. He told His disciplethis parable to show them that a proud anself-righteous person who exalts himself, wbe humbled by God. However, a person whapproaches God in humility, realizing his owfaults and shortcomings, will eventual ly bexalted by God (verse 14).We have been able to study only thhighlights of the many lessons Chris t taugHis disciples during this latter part of Hministry. We should do our best to learn thelessons and apply them in our own lives.

In the next lesson we will study the finevents in Christ's life and His keeping of thPassover.

Fill in the Blanks1. What did Christ mean when He spoke

the "narrow gate"? _

2. What did Christ mean by "count ing thcost"? _

3. Explain the difference between a "profitabservant" and an "unprofitable servant." __

4. In the parable of the Pharisee and thpublican, explain who was forgiven anwhy. _

1

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