Unit 12: Day 1

Luke 18–21

Introduction

As Jesus Christ traveled toward Jerusalem for the last time, He taught His gospel and performed miracles among the people. He rode in triumph into Jerusalem, cleansed the temple again, and taught the people there.

Luke 18–21

The Savior teaches on His way to Jerusalem

You have already learned about many of the events recorded in Luke 18–21 from your study of Matthew and Mark.

As Jesus Christ traveled to Jerusalem for the last time, He taught a number of parables and healed many people. He invited a rich young ruler to give all to the poor and follow Him. He healed a blind man. Despite ridicule, He dined with one of the chief publicans in Jericho. (See also Matthew 19–20; Mark 10.)

Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and, amidst shouts of praise, rode a colt as He entered the city. He again expelled the money changers from the temple, taught the people there, and responded to questions from chief priests and scribes. He praised a widow who offered her two mites to the temple treasury. He also taught the disciples about His Second Coming.

Most of the accounts you will study in this lesson are unique to the Gospel of Luke. To prepare to study Luke 18–21, answer the following questions in the space provided:

What actions might show that a person sincerely wants to come closer to the Lord? What behaviors would show that he or she really wants to be forgiven or desires the Lord’s help?

Read each of the scripture passages in the accompanying chart, and consider answers to the questions. You may want to mark what you find.

Parable or Account	Word Helps	Main Character	Doctrines or Principles
Luke 18:1–8	Faint: become discouraged or weary Avenge: make right or get justice for	Widow
Luke 18:9–14	Justified: accepted or made clean	Publican
Luke 18:35–43		Blind man
Luke 19:1–10	The press: the crowd or multitude False accusation: unjust means or methods	Zacchaeus
Questions to Consider What did the main character desire? What did the person do to show that his or her desire was sincere? What happened because of his or her faithful actions?

1. Answer the following questions in your scripture study journal:

   1. What similarities did you notice in the actions of each of the main characters?

   2. What similarities did you notice in what each of the main characters received as a result of his or her actions?

One principle these stories teach is that if we are sincere and persistent as we exercise faith in the Lord, we can obtain His mercy.

Read the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, looking for what indicates a person is exercising faith in the Lord: “True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action” (“Ask in Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 95).

You may want to write this statement in the margin of your scriptures.

2. In your scripture study journal, write some ways you can exercise faith in Jesus Christ today. What are the blessings for exercising daily faith in Jesus Christ?

Read the following statement by Elder Bednar, looking for what he said it means to experience the Lord’s mercy:

“Through personal study, observation, pondering, and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits ‘his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men’ (D&C 46:15).

“… Let me suggest that one of the ways whereby the Savior comes to each of us is through His abundant and tender mercies. For instance, as you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord” (“The Tender Mercies of the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 99–100).

3. Answer the following questions in your scripture study journal:

   1. In what ways have you or someone you know exercised faith in Jesus Christ? What mercy did you or someone you know experience as a result?

   2. Consider in what ways you desire the Lord’s help or mercy in your life. What will you do to exercise your faith in the Lord in order to receive His mercy?

4. Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture study journal:

   I have studied Luke 18–21 and completed this lesson on (date).

   Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: