Jesus, on entering Jerusalem (Luke chapter 19), switches his focus to completing his mission. Entry into the Kingdom of God is achieved through his death and resurrection, referred to in Luke chapter 20 verse 1 as Jesus ‘preaching the gospel’, in addition to his teaching the people (a reference to the context of our previous studies on the Kingdom of God). All aspects are prophesied extensively, from the entry into the city (Luke chapter 19 verses 28 to 44).

He first warns, using a parable, that there is going to be a delay before the Kingdom of God comes about. People are going to face a period where their responses to his offer of salvation are to be tested, not directly but through how their lives are changed, here by the way they handle their responsibilities. (Chapter 19 verses 11 to 27).

After condemning the state of Jerusalem, which should be a beacon expressing how life should be expressed, falling to such an extent that it made him weep (chapter 19 verse 41), Jesus used the example of trade in the temple as being robbery (verse 45,46), how not to express the Kingdom of God (see, for example, the study ‘Stewardship’). He wants to bring in a new currency, a new way of life.

Jesus then repeats a similar parable to that where the ruler is absent (chapter 19 verses 12 to 27, 20 verses 9 to 18) using the example of a vineyard which should be able to be a successful and fruitful business opportunity, but where he is rejected, ultimately resulting in those who had been given responsibility having to be replaced.

Jesus then refers to an essential aspect of the gospel message, i.e. resurrection, believed by some listeners at the time, by not others (chapter 20 verses 27 to 47).

He mentions what is to happen in the future (chapters 21), see previous study ‘When is Kingdom coming?’

We have reference to what is referred to as the ‘last supper’ that again includes examples of how life is to be lived in the Kingdom of God. Central to this is communion and sacrifice, see for example study ‘Cost of Discipleship’.

We then have Lukes description of the death and resurrection of Jesus, his subsequent appearances and ascension (chapters 22 to 24), where there is much commentary elsewhere.

The end of Luke flows seamlessly into the Acts of the Apostles (somehow bibles have inserted the gospel of John, but Luke into Acts should be read as a continuation of the same book penned by the same writer). It continues from where it ended with the ascension of Jesus and covers the early church period, describing how it starts to function, i.e. how it expresses life in the Kingdom of God with the help of the Holy Spirit. We can learn much from this early period, how they lived effectively as Jesus would have wanted and also the mistakes that meant they were unable to fully demonstrate the Kingdom of God, leaving an unfinished work for a future generation to complete.