On the Journey to Jerusalem
Dr. Mark Foster
Part of Luke—Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws
March 19, 2023

‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’

Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? —Luke 9:22-25

Week 1: Jesus

the sick, touched the untouchables, and ate with sinners.

There’s nothing “too” about you; you are “

” for whatever God calls you to do.

“When God answers, shows the way, and opens the door, then we have to walk through it. God will not pick us up and carry us through.” —Marie Fortune

Week 2: Being truly seen and noticed makes us come

.

In ancient Judaism, “Women were considered important only to the extent that they impacted the lives of men.” —Sandra Percy

In Luke’s Gospel, women travel with Jesus, are shown

, are honored and play pivotal roles.

Followers of Jesus affirm,

, and lift up women as did our Master Jesus.

Week 3: Jesus taught in parables that often challenge our expectations and change our

.

With parables, we ask two questions:
1. In what ways am I like

of the characters in the parable?
2. What does want me to know, think, or do in response?

Pride is a perilous trap because while Jesus wills to forgive

, the prideful don’t think they need it.

If you just thought, “I know someone like that,” you’re in

.

Today, Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem is ten chapters from Luke 9:51 to Luke 19:29.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” —Ernest Hemingway

Context at the Samaritan Border: Jesus knows that

awaits him in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51)

Even Jesus’ closest disciples don’t understand that with God, there are no

. (Luke 9:52-56 Msg)

Luke’s description of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is not a travel log, but a story of

.

Bad (

)

Hansen’s disease is an infection caused by bacteria affecting

, skin, and eyes. (Luke 5:12-13)

In Jesus’ day, leprosy was feared as highly contagious and devastating causing

and paralysis.

Lepers were regarded and treated as

. (Leviticus 13:45-46)

When faced with a decision between people and policy, Jesus put

ahead of policy.

Worse (

)

Jews saw

as counterfeit followers of God. (Luke 10:30-37)

Jews and Samaritans claimed to be the true, authentic, spiritual descendants of the Israelites, to the

of the other.

Jesus’ parable makes the Samaritan the

of the story and the example to follow.

Anybody can be somebody in

name!

Worst (A

with )

Jesus is between the region of Galilee and Samaria. (Luke 17:11-14)

Jesus does not

any of the ten lepers, but sends them to the priests. (Leviticus 14:1-3a)

On the way to the priests, all ten are

. (Luke 17:15-16)

Only one of them returns to

Jesus. Jesus asks three questions. (Luke 17:17-18)

God sees the person you

be, not the person you have been.

Are you willing to go

for a time to bring someone Jesus loves the family of God?

Action Steps

Reach out to

even if it means being treated as a .

Encourage someone who is having a

season.

Be where you are. Love who you’re with. Give

while you’re there.