St Luke Lutheran Church

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 10 - part 2

2010-04-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Vicar Peter M. Horn, Seminary Intern

Last class, we finished with Jesus praising his disciples. The kingdom of God is present wherever Jesus does his ministry and wherever others do ministry in his names as the 70 disciples just did. They have succeeded in fulfilling the mission that Jesus has sent them out to do. Just as Simeon was shown the messiah, to see the kingdom of God come to earth, before he was able to die, so to the disciples now see it and hear it! We enter our story at this high point in the relationship of Jesus and his disciples.

25-37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan
“Just then:” There is no transition here; we are in the same conversation, the same gathering. Read in continuous form, we may think the lawyer is interrupting the reunion of Jesus and the 70 by asking this question about himself. The lawyer, however, is not interrupting. Jesus has been focusing on the ministry of doing. He sent out the 12 apostles and now the 70 disciples have returned. Let us not forget all the acts of healing and casting out of demons Jesus has already done either. This is all the ministry of doing. This is obvious to us in the verbs that are used. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Do this, and you will live.” “Go and do likewise.”

Next is the difference in the social status of the two in the conversation. First, we have the lawyer. Recall that legal experts have been present to monitor Jesus and that legal experts are among those identified as persons responsible for Jesus eventual suffering. Even more so, priests of the temple served as experts on the law when not performing duties. This bring more tension to this parable. Second, we have Jesus, who is referred to by the lawyer as “teacher.” This is a term of respect used while the lawyer is standing, showing esteem for Jesus.

The questions follow. Jesus is questioned about inheriting eternal life and he responds with a question. The answer the lawyer gives is in harmony with Jesus’ teachings. Perfectly said and simply stated, we now have a cornerstone to go on for our faith lives. However, interpreting the law and the scriptures is one thing, doing and internalizing is another. Jesus calls us to action!

The lawyer then seeks clarification. For Israelites, the neighbor was defined as all those who believed in and embraced the covenant of the God of Abraham and David. Jesus expands this notion by bringing in a foreigner to be the helper rather than an Israelite helping presumably one of their own. This pushed the thought of loving the neighbor from more than just proximity and blood relation. We now see the question, how far should love reach?

The parable then commences. This man going from Jerusalem to Jericho has no name or no identifying features. This leads us to see the man, quite simply, as a fellow human being in need.

Danger in the areas outside of town was more frequent in these times. No identifying marks for the robbers either. They only beat the man and left. Like the man who our story is about, the robbers could be anyone.
Who will help this man? What is going to happen to him? We get our answer quickly. A priest and Levite appear but they do the same thing: came à saw à passed by on the other side. We see these two, sometimes, with some resentment. Why didn’t they help, they should know better! But this is more about class than it is about blame. The priest and Levite, being of leadership levels in the temple, would be obligated to bury a neglected corpse, if the man were to die, and the issue of clean and unclean would have come to their minds. They are accustomed to being evaluated by their bloodline, not their actions. This is what Jesus is getting to.

The third time is the charm. Here comes…a Samaritan?!? We can only guess at the emotions of the crowd as Jesus is saying this, that an unclean, gentile is going to help this man. Also, this Samaritan is a traveling merchant and his actions are different from the other two: came à saw à was moved with compassion à went to the wounded man + cared for him. Notice how many more steps were taken. Action is not simple but in depth, expensive, and time consuming.

The Samaritan’s emotions are not foreign to us in Luke. This shows us an example of God’s covenant faithfulness from 1:78 and of Jesus in the face of a widow’s loss of her only son in 7:13. We are shown how to love and care for another in need. Not only that but how far we are to go in helping, just as the Samaritan did entering into a monetary agreement with the inn keeper for an unknown amount of money.

Our story ends with another redirected question. Jesus asks whom the lawyer thinks is the neighbor in the story. Again, he answers correctly, “the one who showed him mercy.” We see the parallel in the exchange in verses 25-28 and 29-37. Jesus is telling us the same story twice. If we don’t get it the first time, then the second will do. As we all know, we are to be as the Samaritan, going and doing likewise.

38-42 Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
How many of us have heard this passage as a “who is better” depiction? Is action better than listening? Jesus redirects our thoughts on this to hospitality. Even the opening sentence says it all. Martha welcomed Jesus in to her home. Welcome is what the apostles and the disciples were seeking when they went out on their missions. Welcome is where our ministry starts.

The verses then turn towards the importance of hearing the word of God. The lawyer heard in our last passage but action was only encouraged, we don’t know what came next for him. The Samaritan had done mercy towards the injured man. He heard AND acted. Mary is on the right start. She is sitting, submitting to Jesus and hearing him speak. Martha is busy working and serving. So why do we criticize Martha and not Mary? Jesus is looking for a different kind of service than what Martha is providing. He desires for us to be like the Samaritan, hearing the word and acting accordingly. We can work the day away but Jesus wants our concern to be the word of God and to enter into relationship with Jesus.

What kind of hospitality is Jesus looking for then? “The nature of hospitality for which Jesus seeks is realized in attending to one’s guest, yet Martha’s speech is centered on “me” –talk. Though he refers to Jesus as “Lord,” she is concerned to engage his assistance in her plans, not to learn from him his.” Joel B. Green

What do we take form Jesus’ last few lines? What is the one thing that Mary is doing? This could be many things. She is focusing on Jesus and his word. She is focused on the coming kingdom of God as Jesus has preached about and could be here. She is focused on the hospitality of welcome and of hearing the word of God. In one of the commentaries, the title for this section is not “Jesus Visits Martha and Mary” but is “How to Welcome Jesus.”

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 11

2010-04-22T13:16:00.000-07:00

Vicar Peter M. Horn, Seminary Intern

At the end of chapter 10, we are left with an ambiguous comment from Jesus to Martha. He says, “there is need of only one thing.” We are left wondering what this one thing is...is it listening or serving by being attentive or thinking of others or welcoming or hospitality? The story tells us of hospitality and how to welcome in the stranger but next we will see that prayer could also be added to this list.

1-4 – The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus is a person of prayer. He seems to always be doing it. On this occasion, we have Jesus prayer in a certain place. This could have been a location where Jesus went frequently to prayer and to collect himself for the deeds he did. We see this habit of praying coming through of Jesus wanting to have time for him to talk with God and to recuperate. The disciples in this scene are attentive. They are shown as learners who often asked for aid and direction from their Lord. The prayer that Jesus gives them is a distinct one from Jesus to the followers and for the followers.

The term “Father” in reference to God was rarely used in this period. For Luke, Father is linked back to 10:22 where we see that “no one knows…who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” In this prayer, Jesus is showing us the Father and how to praise the Father. This is followed by how we respect this name. Father is not just another title for God but communicates the true essence of God, just as our names communicate who we are. We honor God’s name above all.

The prayer continues with declaring “Your kingdom come.” We join Simeon and Ann from earlier in Luke in their praises and waiting for the divine coming of the Messiah. We also know, at the same time, that Jesus is actively bringing the kingdom through our lives in service, conversation, and fellowship. God’s new order is being established by God through our lives and the community of believers.

The focus then turns to us. The disciples of the time relied heavily on God for the daily food. What would that feel like for us? Forgiving sins is linked with a condition of reminding us to forgive others while our sins are forgiven (as God always forgives sins). This points us back to the year of jubilee when all wealth would be returned to balance. God desires that balance in our lives and with one another. Lastly, we hear about testing. We are asking God to be excused from further testing and to see our own need for divine care.

5-13 – Perseverance in Prayer
In this section, Jesus does not put an end to the question by the disciples. Instead, Jesus talks about how our prayers move out of just talking and into action, as we are Christ to the world. Praying is not just the words we used but also the perseverance we display after the ritual of closing our eyes and folding our hands.

“Can you imagine…?” Jesus continues his instruction on prayer with a parable that begins with a statement with an obvious answer. Of course, my friend will help me out in my time of need in showing hospitality!

Jesus now transfers the story back into the present day. Of course, we help one another. If one is in need then we are to show hospitality and be shown hospitality. Jesus breaks it down even further with the conversation about the child. Would you hurt and innocent child by not giving them what they asked for? God’s Fatherly goodness exceeds that of human fathers as God gives us what we need always and without question. God gives us the Holy Spirit; there is no greater gift!

JESUS’ BEHAVIOR QUESTIONED (11:14-54)
14-23 – Jesus and Beelzebul
For the first time in our timeline, Jesus’ crowds are bringing skepticism. All previous times before this casting out of demons, the people left in amazement…now they are questioning the source of his power. Jesus will take each point from the crowd in turn.

Jesus counters their grievance that his work is that of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Saying this would imply that Jesus is an agent of Satan and could have been a way to bring some social control over Jesus and his ministry. Jesus refocuses the argument from just on Beelzebul and places it on the struggle between the dominion of God and the dominion of Satan. Jesus continues in this section to disprove each point, saying that Satan’s house divided cannot stand. This is paraphrased in the Gettysburg Address.

Jesus deals another blow to the crowd in verse 19. Why are you questioning me when others are casting out demons and have been casting out demons for years? Jesus points to the power of other exorcists coming from God and not from Satan.

We hear about “the finger of God.” This denotes the active power of God working in the world, in this case, through Jesus. This is also seen in Exodus (8:19), where God is said to be working behind the plagues against the Egyptians. This shows us the advancing of the kingdom spoken about in the Lord’s Prayer.

The last verses show us another slap at the Roman Empire. Rome’s power came from being stronger than everyone else. So what would happen if a yet stronger force came in…say the kingdom of God and the reign of God? Jesus is stronger still than any other human because he has the power of God and uses it to bring about the kingdom.

(23) 24-26 – The Return of the Unclean Spirit
Jesus continues his discussion of the kingdom and the domain of God. We are shown that Jesus’ ministry is the focus point of the salvation project of God and Satan’s conflict. Jesus is the center of how we are to choose sides for this conflict.

We find out a large amount about unclean spirits in these verses. First, they can dwell without a host. Second, they live in the desert areas (waterless regions). Third, they prefer to live in humans and have a sense of what used to be. Lastly, more than one can dwell in a human. This is hard to reconcile as the gospel for us. When the spirit returns to the “house,” it finds the place clean and in order. Our lives are changed with the in bringing of Jesus and the kingdom of God whereas the evil spirits lead to destruction. This shows us the importance of the ministry of Jesus in our lives and responding in faithfulness.

27-28 – The Blessedness of Obedience
Luke continues his attack on the Israelite definition of status. The woman blesses the way Jesus was raised and the person who bore him. Jesus corrects her and speaks of obedience. The woman is specific but Jesus has the big picture in order. Again, we are told to hear and obey; to live lives of faith following the command of Jesus. Doesn’t this sound like all of the faithful people we have heard of in our study of Luke? Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna, Joseph, John, and even Mary are all who have heard and obeyed. Yes, Mary is blessed…just as we are blessed.

29-32 – The Sign of Jonah
This section is in reference to verse 16 when people were asking Jesus for a sign from heaven. This was all done in the guise of testing. Other places where signs are asked for or testing of God is done is by Zechariah in 1:18 and by the devil in 4:1-13. By casting out demons, wouldn’t we have our sign already? Jesus takes this questioning very seriously, just as God did with Zechariah by striking him blind.

Jesus relates this request for a sign to the “sign of Jonah.” Jonah came to urge the people of Nineveh to repent before judgment came, just as Jesus now does. Jesus is also our rescue from condemnation just as Jonah with his divine rescue from the whale.

Both the queen of the South (Sheba) and the people of Nineveh were blessed with the message of repentance and obedience to the will of God for them. The Queen of Sheba tested Solomon and found him worthy of being an ally and follower of the way of God. The people of Nineveh also turned from their ways and followed the call of Jonah. God’s favor was extended to both of the parties and so will their partaking in the resurrection and the judgment. For they have turned to God just as those who hear and obey do!

33-36 – The Light of the Body
“Your eye is the lamp of your body.” This was a Greco-Roman way of addressing the eyes. Sight was gained not by the eye gathering light to see but the eye giving the light of the body. If our eyes are healthy then this is proof of inner light. If our eyes are unhealthy then this is proof of inner darkness. Inner light is those things that are contagious to others, such as kindness and sincerity. Inner darkness is those things that are contagious to us, such as selfishness, greed, and upheaval.

Light and darkness is present throughout the gospel of Luke. This starts with the song of Zechariah, “…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death…” The power of darkness is seen as Satan’s power, whereas the power of God is the power of light. Again, we see the struggle between God and Satan over the people of God headed for the ultimate salvation in Jesus.

37-54 – Jesus Responds to the Pharisees and Teachers
Eating a meal with Jesus is dangerous. This is the second meal in Luke where you could say Jesus insults the host and those gathered. First, in chapter 7, was the forgiving of a woman and the discussion of how a large debt when forgiven is greater than a small debt forgiven. Jesus again crosses the social boundary of eating a meal at the house of a Pharisee. Jesus is the one who provokes the conversation…he does not wash before supper! Having just heard the discussion on the light of the body and where that light comes from, Jesus continues it by urging these people to be clean and to let light enter into their bodies and lives.

Jesus sees the piety of the Pharisees as a hindrance to the mission he is preaching, the search for justice and the love of God. This line about “neglecting the others” points us back to the Parable of the Compassionate Samaritan. Just as the Samaritan showed mercy and compassion, go and do likewise. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being wrapped up in their Old Testament laws and being faithful to the law for their own benefit. Public recognition and honor is not our goal but instead to further the love God has for us to others by shining the light God has given us on others.

All of these woes point towards what the Pharisees and experts of the law are doing in their lives to prevent them from being good and faithful followers of Jesus. Their orientation towards God given to them through the Old Testament scriptures is now being turned over by Jesus and his will for our lives. Jesus is going against the grain of their authority; it is a small wonder they begin to actively try to catch Jesus for something they can warrant getting rid of him by. The Pharisees now move from just watching Jesus to the beginning of the plot to kill him.

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 10 (part 1)

2010-04-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Chapter 9 began with Jesus sending out the 12 Apostle’s, and they did so-so. They preached and taught about the Kingdom of God. They healed many people. They however didn’t mention casting out demons, and we heard that they couldn’t cast one out while Jesus was on the mountain in the presence of Moses & Elijah. Now Jesus begins this chapter by expanding on those he sends out into ministry. Jesus’ ministry continues to expand and get bigger and spreads out with a wider net. This will explode after the Resurrection as the Church is given the Holy Spirit and send out to the ends of the earth!!
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel

1-11 – Mission of the 70 (or 72)
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel

Jesus commissioning of these 70 (72) is very similar to his commissioning of the 12 he sent our earlier. This time we have a fuller picture of some of the things he tells them to do and be. Again Jesus sends this group out in pairs (the reason why the Mormon’s send their missionaries out in pairs). It is probably not good to be alone in ministry. When we are alone (as Jesus was in the wilderness) Satan’s temptations can overwhelm us very easily. Also, in this day and age it was needed to have two witnesses for someone’s testimony to be credible, therefore two people saying the same thing about Jesus and God’s kingdom was more credible to the people of that day. Luke has shown us other groups of two also. Think back what other pairs are there? He sends these disciples to the towns he is going to go to. They are the preparation. They are the scouts to see which towns will accept Jesus and his message and which will reject. Here we have the beginning of an expansion of ministry. Some lay the groundwork, others (Jesus) follow behind and harvest and expand on what was laid down before. These disciples receive similar instructions to that of the 12 before. This group very possibly is the whole group of disciples that is following Jesus around. If so, then this group includes women as well.

The commentary before the instructions let us know that there are a lot of people out there who will hear, and be ‘GOOD SOIL’ for the message of the kingdom of God. The harvest is plentiful. Jesus (God) needs laborers (people who will work hard!!) to go out and gather in the harvest!! However, his next words speak of the difficulty of harvesting. It is dangerous, they are going out without any protection, and Jesus is deliberately not giving them any protection. Jesus himself is sent out like a lamb into the midst of wolves, and what will be his fate?? If we are willing to follow what is likely going to be our fate?? Wolves eat lambs!!!

It is following these two statements here that Jesus then gives them instructions. Not allowed to carry anything that you will depend on (no bag, purse, sandals). Greet NO ONE? Why not? This could speak to the urgency of their needing to get to the various towns that they are sent to, and greeting individual people along the road will sidetrack them from their greater purpose of preparing the towns for Jesus.

Jesus expands on how his disciples are supposed to receive the hospitality of those who welcome them. They are to say, “Peace to this house!” Words do have meanings, and carry great weight and actually do what we say!! For there to be peace between people peace must be extended and accepted. If it is the peace rests among the people. If it is not accepted it is interesting that the “peace” the disciples extended (realize here it is an actual thing extended like a hand, or an offering) will return to them. They won’t lose anything by extending peace to others!! They best possibility is that Peace will reign in the relationships. Worst case scenario is that their peace will return to them, and they will be no better off than before.

The disciples are to stay where they are welcomed, eating what is given, cure those who are sick, and proclaim to all that the “Kingdom of God has come near!” It is interesting to note that the message is the same whether the people accept them or reject them. It is just a matter of where they are making the proclamation; from within homes with peace surrounding their relationships, or outside in the streets where their peace has returned to the disciples. The message remains, “The Kingdom of God has come near!”

12-16 – What happens when we are not accepting of Peace??
Finally, a word to the disciples about those who reject this word, that Sodom will be treated better than those who reject them. This is powerful because we all know how Sodom was treated! These woes that follow against specific town further underscore that the in and through these disciples Jesus has given the full authority and power of God. That in coming into contact with these disciples the towns are coming into contact with the PRESENCE OF GOD in their midst, and when the disciples are rejected, Jesus (God) is rejected!! This obviously is a negative spin to the presence of God in their midst, but do we even realize the positive elements to actually having the presence of God in our midst? Do we realize the presence of God, or do we just figure God is far off and doesn’t pay any attention to us? It is very powerful to realize that Jesus has given us this same power and authority (not to bring down fire and brimstone like the disciples wanted to do earlier) to bring the Kingdom of God into people’s lives by our very presence together.

Pastors wear collars to signify our office in the church, and this collar shows the world who we are, and that we represent the Church (the Kingdom of God). When I am wearing the collar, even when I am alone, the church stands with me, I am not just Jeff, but I am a part of the Church of Christ, and speak for the Church. In representing the church Jesus says here that we bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives. This isn’t something just Pastor’s do, but all disciples are called to do in different ways. We, each, are called into different arenas to bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives by our presence.

Ten (?) Principles are Laid out in this Commission (Culpepper, p. 222)
1) The World needs us (laborers), the “harvest is plentiful!”
2) Prayer is key to getting laborers – “ask the Lord of the harvest…”
3) Disciples are called to “go” – be active in reaching out to others
4) There will be dangers
5) Have a focus about what you are doing, don’t be sidetracked
6) Create an atmosphere of PEACE, and no matter what proclaim “the kingdom of God has come near!!”
7) Pay attention to where you are placed, and to whom you are sent and be nice to them accepting everything provided with a gracious heart (which shows God’s acceptance of them!!)!!
8) Success is not measured always by acceptance, some will reject.
9) Persevere anyway, but do not bang your head against a brick wall, move on!!
10) The message remains the same and proclaim it to all, “the kingdom of God has come near!!”

17-24 – The Return & Celebration
The first thing that these disciples say that showed they were bringing the kingdom of God into people’s lives this time was that even the demons were submitting to them. They couldn’t do this before! Now they are trusting in God to work through them, and they are witnessing results, and they are filled with JOY!! Jesus responds with what can happen when we ourselves submit to God’s work in our lives, “Satan falls like a flash of lightening!!!” As we are obedient in being Jesus’ disciples the tide turns on Satan, his power languishes, and Satan’s authority is undercut, demons are cast out, and God (Jesus) rejoices!!

Despite the dangers nothing will hurt Jesus’ disciples, but Jesus cautions the disciples, that while they certainly may rejoice in all that have taken place, not to place their emphasis on the results of the power, rejoice rather that they have followed obediently and well!! Jesus cautions us about rejoicing when evil falls, and placing our rejoicing here. It seems as though Jesus isn’t rejoicing about vanquishing an opponent (he may actually be saddened that this opponent will not be turned toward God), but rather Jesus rejoices when the disciples, and when we are obediently following God in our lives. The woes to the towns also show the disciples that God will take care of judgment, that isn’t our place (like John wanted to bring down fire upon a town) it is reserved for God, and God alone!!

We have a wonderful Holy Trinity moment at v21-22, where Jesus rejoicing by the Holy Spirit speaks to the Father!! This is a relationship were true peace, true unity, true love reigns!! We hear again about this reversal of earthly ways; hiding things from the wise and intelligent, and revealing to infants. This may very well be the difference Jesus sees from his sending out the 12, and this sending out the 70. The 70 seem to have been more obedient than the 12 Jesus has been training up!! We hear Jesus proclaiming God’s will is being done by these disciples, and the kingdom of God is being revealed, through those Jesus has given the ability to “see.” Revelation of God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus lifts the blinders from our eyes!

Finally Jesus gives a blessing and this blessing not only is a blessing on the disciples, but also a word of reminder for them to realize what a blessing has been bestowed on them. Many of the great prophets and kings that have come before truly desired to see these things, so marvel at what you are hearing and seeing because it doesn’t come to all people. Do we truly take the time to marvel when we see God at work in the world and in our lives? Do we take the time to see God at work? God is most definitely at work in and through us making his Kingdom known, maybe we need to pay attention more, and marvel more!!!

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 9

2010-03-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

Up to this point in the gospel Jesus has done ministry: Teaching, healing, casting out demons, etc. We have also seen certain others who have received Jesus’ ministry also following obediently after receiving Jesus’ ministry. Peter’s mother-in-law begins to serve (deaconizing) Jesus and the apostle’s after her healing. The man healed from the demonic in the last chapter goes and proclaims what God has done in his hometown, as Jesus tells him to do. The sinful woman from chapter 7 shows great love to Jesus, even before Jesus proclaims forgiveness. The women who are accompanying Jesus are serving Jesus through providing for him and is apostles out of their own funds. Here are examples of ministry. The apostle’s, while not fully understanding this stuff, are at least obedient to their call by Jesus and are following. Now Jesus is going to send them out in ministry.

1-6 – Apostles Sent Out in Ministry
Jesus begins by handing over to these 12, the ones he has hand chosen, the power and authority that he has been using in his ministry. They are given power over demons, power to cure from diseases, and the power to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to heal. It is curious that healing, and curing from diseases is mentioned. These we normally consider to be the same, but how are they different, and what kind of other healing is would Jesus be referring to?? What are the examples so far? This is the beginning of the commissioning that Jesus does for his disciples there are three others in the gospel and one in Acts. Ultimately the Jesus is sending the apostles out to perform the same job Jesus has been doing, which is to “proclaim the kingdom of God.” This proclamation is done through speaking and acting. The acting (physical demonstrations of the Kingdom of God) are the healings, the casting out of demons, the raising from the dead, the curing of diseases. These are sacramental ways the kingdom of God is breaking into our world, and showing us that there is an alternate reality that we do not always consider. That alternate reality is God’s reality!

Jesus then instructs the apostle’s:
1) Don’t take anything with you, nothing that you will cause you to rely on it instead of relying on the power of God I have just given you. Jesus seems to assume that we tend to get distracted, and our reliance on God is distracted if we can find something else to rely on. Also, an assumption here is that the apostles will be taken care of. They will not need to provide for themselves. A few of the items mentioned would make them seem like beggars (bag) or travelers (staff).
2) Where you are welcomed stay there. Do not seek better and better accommodations, don’t offend your hosts, be gracious.
3) How to respond to those who do not listen? Leave, and shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.
The final verse shows their obedience to Jesus sending them out, their faith in using the power Jesus had given them, and the results that they did the same things Jesus did “everywhere!” To be a disciple of Jesus is to be sent out with the power of God to serve Jesus. Those who truly know who Jesus is, truly are sent out in ministry in a variety of ways for the purpose of bringing God’s kingdom into people’s lives.

7-9 – Herod’s Confusion
Herod has his scouts out checking on Jesus and hears back the reports of what Jesus is doing. Obviously Jesus’ power is growing. Not only does Jesus do some miraculous things, but now he has sent out 12 others who appear to have the same power at work in them!! This is becoming a threat, much like John was a threat. We hear here that John is dead, and Herod tells us he had John beheaded. Sounds like Herod doesn’t believe it could be John. Those who are questioning are wrong also. John was the one who has fulfilled the role of Elijah (1:17). Jesus is someone else. The gospel has been asking the question of who this “Jesus” is over and over again. We are going to find out for sure in the coming verses from non other than God himself!! Herod is intrigued by what he hears, and wants to go see for himself who this “Jesus” is. Will Herod ever “know” who Jesus is?

10-17 – Power at Work
The apostles return and tell Jesus of everything they were able to accomplish. After ministry it is good to “retreat,” take a “Sabbath” (sabbatical) to refresh. The Apostles are able to retreat with Jesus in the lead, but Jesus is not, the crowds find him again. Jesus welcomes them, and he speaks, and heals, and brings the kingdom of God into their midst.

The apostles were doing so well at following obediently what Jesus told them to do, but here, again, they slip backwards. The apostles appear concerned for the people who are getting hungry and suggest to Jesus (as the leader) that he may want to stop talking and dismiss the crowds so they can both get something to eat and find a place to sleep for the night. Jesus disregards any worry about where people are going to sleep, but focuses on the eating. In the exodus the Israelites learned that their “daily food” comes from God, manna from heaven. Jesus has a concern that we do not pass the buck onto other, but rather take leadership in fulfilling people’s needs. Jesus shows that taking this leadership in people’s lives eliminates their worry so they may see the kingdom of God breaking into their lives. It is through these simple acts of love and charity (feeding those who are hungry), helping others in their needs, where God breaks into people’s lives.

The normal posture for prayer was looking up into heaven, and the words used following this are reminiscent of the early forms of communion in the church (Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; 24:30, 1 Cor 11:23-24). This action of prayer, blessing and breaking bread, and distributing will become the main way the disciples will “understand” who Jesus really is, and Jesus will be revealed to them in just this way at the resurrection (at Emmaus). The disciples at Emmaus are very possible in the crowd here, and so Jesus actions then will trigger their reminder of the other time they experienced the kingdom of God breaking into their world. The bread is this sign. The fish are possibly harder to interpret, except that fish was the only meat eaten in large quantities, and more ordinary. The fish was an early designation of Christianity. The greek word for “fish” was “ichthus,” and each of these letters made up the anagram for “Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior.”

This feeding, and their being filled is one of the signs of the kingdom in the earlier beatitudes. Luke is using this story between Herod’s questioning of who this Jesus is, and the next declaration by Peter of who Jesus really is!! When we fulfill people’s basic needs we open the door into their hearts to be able to experience Jesus and the kingdom of God.

At this point Luke omits a big chunk of Mark (6:45-8:26).

18-23 – Who is Jesus? That is the Question!! What does MESSIAH mean?
As Jesus was praying with his disciples he asks them THE question. What are people saying about him, and specifically who do people think I am?? They give the usual suspects John the Baptist, Elijah, another prophet from of old. Then Jesus asks the real question. “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter makes the ultimate confession of faith, saying out loud in the gospel that Jesus is the MESSIAH, and reveals that maybe Peter does actually get it (but he will fall back again). This confession comes in the setting of prayer!! The previous chapters have taken great pains to make sure we as readers understand the Jesus falls in line with the prophets of old, but that Jesus is greater than. Peter’s confession spells out what the greater than means.

Peter hits the nail on the head, and this is clear with Jesus’ clear “rebuke” to not tell anyone. This is how Jesus has spoken to the demons, fevers, and the wind & sea. In the use of this word it is clear that for others to “know” this much about Jesus this early will place a stumbling block before Jesus’ ministry. Jesus lays out what his ministry has yet to accomplish and nothing can stand in the way of this coming to fulfillment! The concept of “Messiah” brought certain concepts to people’s minds; Ushering in the kingdom of God; Riding in on the wings of angels; Saving the people from the evil ones in charge (Roman occupation). The title “Son of Man” has apocalyptic connotations, and so people would link this to end time speculation. Jesus’ next statement shows the path for the Messiah, and it may not look like the path expected for the Messiah. This is the first passion prediction. Jesus makes clear the necessity of the path he is following, this is God’s path and must be followed, even if it doesn’t look like what we thought it would look like!

23-27 - What does it mean to follow this Messiah??
Jesus then addresses the disciples about their willingness to follow, and what it will mean for them.
1) Deny Yourself, take up your cross daily – this image only makes sense from the vantage point after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Readers of Luke would understand this imagery linking to Jesus’ death! Luke is clear that followers of Jesus do what Jesus did. He sent out the disciples earlier in this chapter and they were given the same power Jesus has, and did the same things Jesus was doing. Following Jesus may very well lead to our crucifixion! Luke adds daily, giving us the distinction that following Jesus is a daily decision we make, or don’t make! How easy is it to get out of bed in the morning knowing you could die today!! It’s hard enough when its raining outside, or when we have turned the clocks forward an hour!! Following Jesus is immeasurably difficult. Its important to note that we are called to “deny ourselves” daily also!! How often do we “deny ourselves?” In American culture we are not good at denying ourselves anything. It is also important to note that following comes after denying and taking up the cross. We can’t follow without doing the first two.
2) The reversal of the kingdom of God compared to this world is seen next. Normally in life we are all about saving our lives. It is even common to evangelize by saying, “have you been saved?” I wonder if this is a capitulation to the culture we are living in. Saving our lives is not what it’s about. Losing our life for the sake of the Kingdom of God is actually what it is all about. Are we willing to die?? This reversal takes on battle imagery, and is similar to instructions given to soldiers heading to battle. Those who turn and run away are the first to die!
3) The imagery here is of the marketplace, this resonates with our culture of accumulation of things! The key to success in our culture is having more power, more money. We are constantly being seduced into the understanding that with this kind of success comes ease of life, fulfillment of life, and security of life. If you notice the qualifiers it is always focused on this life. Jesus point here is that in this kind of thought pattern you can gain everything the world has to offer, but you will lose everything of real value in the end.
4) There is no private discipleship. There is no just me and my god. Our willingness to be open about the kingdom of God in our lives, and how that kingdom changes our life on a daily basis is what it means to be a disciple. It is what Jesus’ message for the world is. The kingdom of God is here, now, and makes a difference in your life NOW!!
5) What is the significance of “tasting death?” In the next story we will witness through the story the kingdom of God on the mountain of transfiguration. I wonder if this isn’t a commentary upon the preceding verse and those who are ashamed of Jesus. If we think physical death is terrible and try to prevent it at all costs, just imagine what will happen to those who are ashamed of Jesus and his word, these people won’t know what real death is until the Kingdom of God!! Then they will see!!
“There are only two impulses in life. One is the impulse to acquire, take, hoard, own, and protect. The other is the impulse to give and to serve. One assumes that each of us can be the Lord of our own lives and that our security and fulfillment depend on our ability to provide for ourselves. The other confesses the sovereignty of God and devotes life to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive will in delivering and empowering others, establishing justice and peace, tearing down barriers, reconciling persons and creating communities. (Culpepper, p.203)

28-36 – The Transfiguration
Mountains are places of retreat, places to go to pray to God, commune with God, and grow closer to God. Mountains in the Old Testament are important places. Mt. Sinai was where Moses spoke to God, and saw God’s “backside,” and received the 10 commandments. Here Jesus brings with him three disciples, Peter, John and James. Is it a coincidence that Jesus brings three disciples and we see Jesus stand with Moses and Elijah? Is there some significance here that Jesus is expecting Peter James and John to function after the Resurrection as Moses, Elijah, and Jesus??

Throughout the story Luke has been trying to convince the reader of who Jesus is! The reader already knows, but here again God confirms it, and begins to give the disciples real tangible evidence of who Jesus is, and the importance of “listening” to Jesus!! For us today we can be assured of the importance of “listening” to Jesus!!

Luke changes Mark’s 6 days to 8, and adjusts the order of the disciples. In placing Peter & John together, Luke may be foreshadowing the role of these two later in the gospel, and in Acts. The appearance of Jesus changes, “dazzling white.”

Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah about Jesus’ “exodus.” That Jesus is talking with Moses and Elijah shows forth the reality of the Resurrection. Moses died, and is there talking with Jesus. Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind and is there talking with Jesus.

Peter is so taken with this miraculous scene he wants to commemorate it with building three dwelling places. He would like this moment to last, however, that is not the point. There is other work to be done, and this is to give the boost to these disciples so they will be empowered to carry out the will of God in their lives even amidst circumstances that will cost them their lives.

Clouds in scripture are one of the ways God’s presence slips in, without being seen. The words spoken from this cloud are similar to the one’s spoken at Jesus’ baptism. Coming from Isaiah 42:1. Jesus is God’s son, the chosen one!! Listening to him is not an option for these disciples. What has Jesus just said that needs this reinforcement from God? This scene confirms that Jesus is going to be leaving the disciples, and confirms that resurrection is real. Moses & Elijah apparently are resurrected!!!

37-43a – The Only Son of a Father (hmmm…similar to Jesus’ relation to God…hmmmm)
Remember earlier when Jesus had sent the Apostles out with power to bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives, and remember their report when they returned how they had taught about the kingdom, and cured diseases. They didn’t say anything about driving out demons!! Here we have someone who had asked the apostles on their journey, but they couldn’t do it!!! Jesus had given the disciples “power & authority” over all demons!!! Jesus is frustrated with his disciples. Jesus shows his pattern of blessing. Jesus takes what is brought, blesses it, and gives it back. This is what happens in healings, exorcisms, feeding of the five thousand, etc. As our faith is placed in Jesus, our faith is blessed and given back, healed, strengthened, etc.

43b-45 – 2nd Passion Announcement
The disciples (at least 3 of them) have been told to “listen” to Jesus by the voice of God!! Here Jesus tries to tell them again what is going to happen, but they don’t understand. We have a situation here of what is seen doesn’t go well with what is said. It is obvious from what Jesus is doing that he has all power and authority so his statements about his passion may not make sense to his disciples, or to us. If Jesus has all this power and authority why would he allow himself to be captured and put to death. It doesn’t make sense to our human sensibilities. If we had the power and authority we wouldn’t let that happen to us!!!!

46-48 – What is Greatness in Discipleship??
As the 2nd passion prediction showed God’s ways are not our ways. Greatness to our minds is not greatness to God!! Jesus relates greatness to welcoming children, and showing us that the least among us is the greatest! What does this say for our ministry? Jesus shows that we must give up our own ambitions and focus on faithfulness to God.

49-50 – Why stop an Exorcist?
The disciples are falling into the Pharisaical legal trap again. They couldn’t cast out demons, and they don’t want someone else doing it. Jesus tells them to stay away from that kind of thinking. The person wasn’t against the disciples, so why bother him! Jealousy is something that is dangerous in our lives, and is against what God is doing!! Who here is doing the work of the kingdom? Is it John? Is it the one casting out demons? There is a danger in the church that we focus on our status as church members, and not on our faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faithfulness to the gospel requires us to be servants, service to others, and bringing God’s power and authority to situations in people’s lives, and not relying on status of our position in the world.

Chapter 9:51-19:27 – Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem
51-56 – Turning Point – Toward Jerusalem
Here we have a turning point for Jesus. He is moving in the story toward his walk to Jerusalem and what will happen to him there. At the beginning of his ministry in Galilee back in chapter 4 Jesus was rejected, now also as his ministry begins toward Jerusalem he is again rejected right off the bat. The disciples want to use earthly power to destroy, Jesus has come not to destroy but to reconcile the world to God, and bring life not death!! Why is it that we like to destroy people when they don’t think like we do? How is this a real temptation for human beings, and how have we given in to this temptation time and again in the history of the world, and currently? Jesus’ ways just do not make sense to us!!

57-62 – What does it mean to follow?
This section begins by showing us what Jesus has given up to follow God’s will in his life. Jesus has no where where he can rest!! The rest of God’s creation can rest, but he cannot!! He is following God!! Jesus is homeless!! Does this follower really understand what following Jesus means? When we follow Jesus fully and completely we have no home, no place to rest, no place to escape the ministry of God! It is wearying, and ultimately leads to death!! Taking care of yourself is secondary to following God!! Next we learn that our duty to our family in death is secondary to following God!! Focus on the living not the dead, according to Jesus. Finally Jesus uses a farming practice to show us how to be good disciples, do not look back, do not allow yourselves to be distracted by concerns that are not as important as the kingdom of God in people’s lives. What kind of distractions are there? What are the distractions that we deem to be important, because they are, which Jesus is suggesting are not as important?? Jesus is setting his face toward Jerusalem, and he is not going to look back, his furrow to the cross will be straight!!

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 8

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The Word – Powerful, Effective, Active
Hearing & Doing God’s Word
8:1-3 – Transition -- with Women
Jesus is continuing traveling around, with him are his Apostles that he specifically has called, and some women, whom Luke names (Mary Magdelene; Joanna; Susanna), and who had been “released” from evil spirits and infirmities, and others. Luke continues to show the importance of women in his writing. This will continue at the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and in Acts. Mary Magdelene & Joanna are at the tomb of the resurrection. These women and others are providing (deaconizing, serving) for Jesus and the Apostles. The proper use of wealth and resources is a theme in Luke, and these women are using their resources wisely in providing for Jesus and his Apostles as they bring God’s word. This transition tells us that Jesus is bringing word about God’s KINGDOM. Here the Greek has the sense that Jesus is heralding, declaring God’s dominion as he goes from town to town (Tiede, p. 164). This is over against the heralds who enter towns bringing news about Caesar’s kingdom. Luke sets up God’s kingdom against the Kingdoms of this world!!

8:4-15 – Parable of the Seed & Soil
Jesus then teaches in front of a great crowd about the Kingdom of God, and what it is like bringing this news to the hearers. First of all the seed is scattered wide, not sowed with any intentionality at all. The sower doesn’t seem to care that some seed is falling on a path, and in other areas where the possibilities are not too good for growth. Only a small percentage of the seed really produces growth, but the growth of that small amount far outweighs the seeds that were lost. In explaining the parable to his “disciples” Luke softens much of the parable and the explanation from Mark’s version. Usually we think of Luke expanding the stories from Mark, since Luke’s gospel is much longer, but here and in several other parables Luke actually shortens up the story from Mark (in fact Mark’s story is the longest in the synoptics), using less words focusing more upon the point Luke is making in the parable of hearing God’s Word about the Kingdom. To this point in the story do we have examples of each of these types of hearing? Who are the rocks? Who are the thorns? Who is the path? So far in our story the women seem to be where good soil can be found!!

Luke brings in the devil as one who snatches the seed from us (Judas Iscariot as an example), times of testing come and if our roots are shallow the seed dies in us (Peter-Rock as example when he denied Jesus, note what Peter does to combat this temptation), other times the cares of the world, riches, pleasures get in the way of our continuing in God’s word (numerous examples of this through Luke/Acts) . Each of these things are dangers in our lives, however, if we carry on with “patient endurance,” holding God’s word in our hearts the harvest will be amazing!

The hundred-fold yield may take us back to Gen 26:12, where Isaac reaped one-hundred fold, and this is seen as God’s blessing. It is clear that the harvest in this instance is blessed by God. The good soil then is a heart that has been prepared to receive God’s blessings. So far in Luke that kind of heart is one that is humble before Jesus, that recognizes our need for God, how great our sinful state is, how much Jesus “releases” us from this state, and responds with joyful LOVE at God’s releasing us. The one’s who hear and listen and understand God’s word produce amazing fruit, and endure through much in life trusting in that word from God. Jesus explains the parable to the disciples, and says they have been given this gift to understand (or at least be able to be taught). The others do not understand. There are many so far who do not understand, and there are some who do, and still others (disciples) who need an explanation to understand. List out the people in each of these categories. What do you notice?

8:16-18 – Lamp is to Light as….
Luke here now uses a parable as a commentary on the previous parable. This story sets up a nice parallel between 8:4 & 8:16. We have been told from 1:78-79 that it is God’s purpose to bring “light” to those who sit in darkness. This light is the Word of God, and these verses make this connection. How has Jesus done this so far?

There is a responsibility that comes with hearing this word that Jesus and the Apostles are bringing. The responsibility is to have it shine in our lives. How do we listen? How are Luke’s readers listening? Do we pay attention to how we are listening? Does it go in one ear and out the other? Do our lives change, or do we remain the same as we always have been? Jesus’ preaching and teaching is lighting a lamp in our souls. This lamp is to be shone forth, or do we continually extinguish it?? In our Baptismal service we give out a candle and say, “Let you light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” Then at the end of the Baptism I have the family blow out the candle as a safety precaution, but do we blow out the light Jesus lights in us on Sunday??

God’s word is a light that is reaching into the souls of all who hear, and revealing all in this light of Jesus Christ. This light not only reveals all but heals all through the power of God at work in Jesus, which we will shortly see just how powerful God is through Jesus. Finally, Jesus wants us to realize that those who listen as “good soil” will not only produce a wonderful harvest, but will be given more (seed?) responsibility in order that the harvest grow abundantly.

8:19-21 – Family??
Ultimately Jesus is connected to people not through lineage, but by response to the Word of God in our lives. Jesus connects us to God as family as we hear (listen) with hearts that are open to the change the Word of God can effect in us.

The Doing of God’s Word is Powerful – Jesus shows us how powerful!!
8:22-25 – More Powerful than Nature
This story is an inversion of the story in Jonah 1! Luke treats this story as an exorcism. The disciples call Jesus Master, not Lord, thus exposing their lack of faith. This story connects Jesus’ power to the power of Moses’ during the Exodus as Moses parted the waters to led the Israelites pass through. This same power is at work in Jesus, and ultimately Jesus is showing this power to say that those who are “good soil” have this same power at work in them!!! The closing of this story has the disciples asking, “who is this?” This question has been the theme of this section from chapter 5 (5:21 scribe; 7:20 John; 7:49 those at table; 8:25 disciples; 9:9 Herod) and will culminate in chapter 9 with Herod’s question. With this questioning the disciples are showing their not yet in the group that fully comprehends who Jesus is!

8:26- 39 – More Powerful than Demons!
This man is homeless (like Jesus), and doesn’t have any extra clothes. This story assumes an understanding of Jewish piety. Pigs were unclean, tombs were unclean, demons roamed in the desolate places, the wilderness. After crossing the lake Jesus is met by this man possessed, and the demon knows who Jesus is, knows Jesus power over him, and basically grovels before Jesus, even as Jesus is commanding the demon to come out. Knowing the names of demons give one control over the demon, and the demon cannot resist when Jesus asks straight out, though a commentator noted that the name given may be a form of trick, because there were many demons not just one, but it doesn’t matter, Jesus still obviously has control over them. The name Legion is given. This is also the name of a Roman company of soldiers. A Roman Legion was 5-6,000 men. Is this another attempt to show the power of God’s kingdom over Caesar?? Is Jesus more powerful than a Roman Legion??

The demon’s beg Jesus not to be sent to the abyss, which is the place where evil spirits are imprisoned. Jesus allows the demons to do what they suggest, entering the swine, but then the swine do something unusual by running into the lake drowning themselves.
The pigs running into the water may be an indication of the burden the man had been carrying with those demons. If pigs run and kill themselves with these demons, this man was carrying a heavy burden!! Evil always wants to do what it wants, and when it gets its way it is usually self-destructive. The man who was possessed is now sane, clothed and sitting at the feet of Jesus, taking his place among those who humble themselves before Jesus, and ultimately serve him.

When the people came out and saw what had happened they were filled with fear, and this fear caused “all the people” to tell Jesus to leave them. The man who was healed wants to go with Jesus, but Jesus doesn’t allow this and instead leaves the man to be a witness, and to continue to tell people the story of God’s power at work in healing him.

This story shows God’s power over the evil spirits that ail us. Today the sicknesses that we may associate with evil spirits are depression and other “mental” illnesses for which we do not have a rational explanation for, but still are very real in people’s lives. This story lends a word of hope that God’s power is greater than any of these problems in our lives, and our calling is then to proclaim “how much God has done for us.” In order for us to do this proclaiming we need to recognize how much God has delivered us!! The struggle is at those times when it doesn’t appear as if God is delivering us from these ailments!!

8:40-56 – More Powerful than Sickness and even Death!
Jesus returns and the crowds welcome him in, waiting for him. A leader in the synagogue approaches, in humility (the key to understanding who Jesus is, and the power that is possible from Him!) begs Jesus to come heal his “only” daughter. This links with Jesus’ earlier raising from the dead the “only” son of a mother. However, at this point in the story the girl is still alive, but dying.

As Jesus moves towards this dying girl (which might be considered an emergency) the crowds are pressing him, probably wanting him to do the things he has been doing for them. An unclean woman approaches. This would have been against all regulations. Unclean people are to keep away from others, and they are to shout out UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN so others would not go near them. This woman is obviously keeping her problem a secret, and she moves into the crowd because she knows Jesus has the power to heal her. She has been suffering for a long time, doctors are baffled, she is at the end of her rope, and so she reaches out for the end of Jesus garments (fringe). This faith in Jesus’ power is shown by her risking everything to reach Jesus, and she doesn’t even need to speak to Him, just touching his cloak.

This woman is an interruption to our story ( a story within a story ) and it places our original story in great suspense. Jesus is rushing to the bedside of a little girl, who is the little girl of the LEADER of the synagogue (an important Jewish leader, who also appears to be very faithful, aka his humility before Jesus). What is going to happen to the little girl, is Jesus going to be too late now that he had to stop and talk to this “intruder” woman??

In the previous story we have Jesus coming into contact with the UNCLEAN, and not bothered by it at all. In this story he does the same. The woman with the hemorrhage is unclean. A dead girl is unclean, but Jesus can transcend this, and makes clean rather than becoming infected himself.

When we bring Jesus with us we can reach out to others in ways that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to. This can give us a sense of confidence, not in ourselves, but in God’s presence with us. When we are doing something uncomfortable it is good to call upon the Lord to help us reach out!! Jesus doesn’t have the hangups we do. Jesus can and will reach out through us!!

As Jesus stops and asks to see the person who touched him, Peter seems to think his question is rather silly (though Luke softens this from Mark). Peter might be thinking, “Look around, who isn’t touching you???” However, this touch is a special touch. It is the touch of someone in need. It is the touch of someone suffering. It is the touch of someone who is humble. It is the touch of someone with faith. And that faith caused the Power of God to flow out of Jesus. This is an amazing point. Jesus didn’t cause the power to flow, it was the faith, the reaching out to Jesus, the touch of the humble that caused Gods power to flow freely.

As Jesus is talking with this woman we hear that his delay has some terrible consequences. Jesus didn’t make it in time; the girl has died. Jesus, however, will turn this into an opportunity to show what kind of power he really has. You think curing this woman was something, or the demoniac, or the storm?? You are going to see real power here (again). ONLY BELIEVE!!

Jesus goes to the girl, chastises the crowd for weeping over this dead little girl (who really is dead, even though Jesus says she isn’t). This raises some questions about death for us. Does Jesus see death differently than we do?? Does Jesus see death as a “sleeping” until we are raised again, as in this case?? Is it not the thing to be feared as we do?? Does Jesus recognize death as a temporary condition, whereas we see it as very permanent?? This may very well prove to be a wonderful viewpoint of what will happen in our resurrection. We die, and then we hear Jesus’ voice, “I say to you rise!!

The story makes sure to tell us that this little girl really is dead, and that Jesus really does bring the power of God to this place, and returns her spirit to her. The fact that Jesus has them bring her something to eat underscores that she has been raised to life, and is not just a spirit/ghost. Jesus does this same thing after His resurrection to show that he isn’t just an apparition (irish-banshee), but really alive, flesh and blood (though the resurrection body is still different than ours, but also the same).

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 7

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We have learned that the foundation that needs to be built in our lives is one that will withstand the storms of life. The Word of God is that foundation, Jesus is that foundation, and his calling to give, forgive, and love are the keys to that foundation, and keep that foundation cleaved to the rock.

7:1-10 – Healing of the Centurion’s Servant
The transition here is that after Jesus had finished speaking he moves into Capernaum (gentile territory). What did Jesus do earlier in Capernaum? This Centurion has a slave whom he seems to care for and he has heard the stories about Jesus, very possibly from Jesus’ earlier foray into Capernaum. He sends a contingent of people to help pave the way for Jesus to want to help. This group appeals to Jesus with the fact that this soldier has been very helpful to Jesus’ people. He has even built the synagogue for us. Here we may have the idea that this first group owes the Centurion something, and may feel some compunction to do this for the Centurion. However, never does Jesus react as if this is anything other than an honorable request on the part of all parties involved.

Jesus now is given the opportunity to put into practice what he has just taught, and he again will go further. The Centurion is a Roman soldier, the occupying force of Palestine. We have two strong forces at work here. First, we have the Roman Empire and their claim to being all powerful. Second, we have Jesus and his claim that the Kingdom of God is all powerful. How each is lived out is totally different however. The above chapter outlined how God’s power is made evident: Healing; Giving away, forgiving, loving others especially enemies. The Roman’s power is made evident by taking over countries; oppressing the people if they don’t do what you tell them. The Centurion makes this clear in his statement that he is a man under authority who is also in authority. This is the world of the Roman Empire someone in authority tells you to jump, you jump! It is clear that this Centurion believes Jesus has the authority to heal.

The Centurion’s respect for Jesus and his faith is shown by him sending the second delegation. Jesus seems fully ready willing and able to come to the man’s house, but it would certainly put him in hot water again with the authorities. Jesus never seems to care, but the Centurion understands the political forces at work. This second group, friends, tells Jesus that he doesn’t have to make the trek, his word will be enough. “I am not worth to have you come under my roof…Only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.” In this statement there is humility, faith in Jesus’ abilities, understanding of the power of the WORD of someone in authority. When you have real authority saying the WORD is all that is needed!!

This isn’t a healing story really. This is a story about much more. Faith is found in other places not just in those who are a part of the disciples, the people of God, or those on the inside. This man’s faith far exceeded anything Jesus has experienced. The story never even says Jesus healed the servant. In fact, it seems as though the humility and the belief in Jesus’ power is enough to effect the healing. The humility may go as far as to know Jesus has the power, but also he needs to have the desire (the will) to do so. The appeal to Jesus was to ask for Jesus to turn his heart toward this servant for the healing. The appeal is so humble that Jesus is actually “amazed,” this is the first and only time this happens!!

But it is important to note that at the end Jesus doesn’t end up playing into the games of owing each other something. In our world when someone does something for us we typically feel indebted to them, and feel compelled that we must return the favor one day. This is played out even further by others holding those things over our heads. The sending of the first group could be interpreted like that, though the story doesn’t carry that concept forward. Jesus, however, doesn’t require anything of the Centurion after the healing, he just moves on.

7:11-17 – The Raising of the Widow’s Son
We have just witnessed the power of Jesus’ word to heal over a distance. Now Jesus word is so powerful not only can it heal over a long distance, but Jesus’ Word can reach into the depths of the place of the dead (gehena) and raise someone from the dead. You thought that after the last story Jesus was powerful, and had authority from God. In this story for the first time the narrator (Luke) calls Jesus, “the Lord.” We learned from the last story that Jesus has authority, and now you can see the extent of Jesus’ authority!! This is the beginning of Jesus reaching into the depths of the place of the dead.

In the literary playing out of this story we have two processions that meet. In Jesus’ procession he is leading the crowd and his disciples. In the other procession leading the way is the dead man, followed by his mother, and the mourners. One is a procession of life, the other a procession of death. Jesus has compassion for those in the procession of death, and he changes their circumstances. Not too different than when he touched the leper and healed him, changing his condition. Coming in contact with Jesus (or even just Jesus’ word) is to have yourself healed, transformed, and possibly a new life given to you!

This is a story that truly depicts Jesus as Elijah, which ultimately is the statement from the crowd after the healing. So far we have heard of Elijah in Chapter 1 where Elijah’s spirit is going before John the Baptist. Then chapter 4 Jesus uses Elijah’s healing of a widow to show that God cares for the outsiders. Its very possible that there was a debate in the early church between John’s disciples and Jesus’ disciples about which one was the one. Luke is trying to clarify that debate, and he will do so more clearly in the next part.

7:18-35 – The John / Jesus Debate
In this story it is clear that John’s disciples have been scouting out about Jesus. They are following him, seeing what he is doing and now they report back to John. John is upfront and sends two directly to Jesus to ask the question. Luke reports that they are sent to “the Lord.” Luke knows who Jesus is, we know who Jesus is, and it is going to be plainly obvious to John once his disciples return with the reports about what Jesus is doing. It is almost comical the way this is set up. Jesus has just finished doing everything that has been previously prophesied about him by the various prophets in Luke’s story. John’s question makes us go back to Jesus’ baptism, and be reminded that John was put in prison right before Luke tells us of Jesus’ baptism. Was John not there, and so John didn’t see the dove descend, and didn’t hear the voice from heaven. Jesus responds with six prophetic activities that he has been involved in.

John’s question could be because Jesus is not what he was expecting. John preached fire and brimstone. John was passionate about fasting, humility, repentance, etc. The Pharisees complain that Jesus disciples aren’t like John’s disciples. It seems as if John and Jesus are not on the same team really, yet they are. The last blessing Jesus announces is on those who don’t take offense at Jesus. Yet, the Pharisees and scribes are taking offense, and anyone throughout this Gospel who doesn’t like outsiders, who doesn’t like sinners treated like the righteous ones, who doesn’t think its fair that sinners are treated like sons/daughters. There is a lot for us to take offense at in Luke’s Jesus, and we frequently do!! Where do we take offense at what Jesus does??

7:24-35 – Explanation of John the Baptist to Jesus’ disciples
At this point Jesus speaks to his followers about who John the Baptist is. Luke here may be trying to smooth over the relationships between the disciples of John the Baptist, and the disciples of Jesus. We can hear in the background the same problem Paul discovered in Corinth when the disciples of each of the apostles were arguing, and boasting of who they were following. “What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” (1 Cor 1:12) Jesus begins by asking three questions, which each successively have inadequate answers, and the inadequacy heightens, even as the answers move toward the affirmative. He seems to be talking with the crowds who went out to see John in the wilderness, but these have left following John, and are following Jesus now. Jesus is basically lifting up their viewpoint of John. Jesus doesn’t want animosity among the disciples. He points out no one is greater than John in this world.

The three questions kind of pose different things we human beings are interested in following. First, a reed shaken by the wind, think of politicians who change their viewpoints based on the prevailing viewpoints in the crowds. This obviously is not John the Baptist. Second, we are frequently hung up on following the powerful, the wealthy, for no other reason than their power and wealth not having anything to do with what they stand for. Third, people do actually follow prophets, but this is even a poor descriptor of John the Baptist. John is much more!! Jesus even is including himself in his praise of John. Jesus is one born of a woman. “Jesus is not too proud to take his place at the feet of God’s greatest prophet.” (Vinson, p. 227). John has done his job with perfect devotion, and has prepared the way remarkably well. The blessing Jesus gave earlier to John was not just that no one take offense, but that no one “stumble” over Jesus. Meaning that John could continue to do what his calling was. He was doing a good job!!

The last two verses describe how those who were Baptized by John are moving from begin John’s disciples to being Jesus’ disciples which according to Jesus here is the natural progression, and is actually what John’s baptism was preparing them for, but the Pharisees and lawyers are rejecting God, by rejecting John & Jesus.

Jesus then goes off on a tangent to describe humanity’s problems in wanting leaders to do our bidding. Neither John nor Jesus are going to do what is expected of them. They seem contradictory but they are not. One is preparing the world for the other. We, however, seem to complain about both, which is contradictory. John & Jesus are on the same team, and following means accepting both.

Luke 7:36-50 – Responses to Jesus – (Very Important Story)
Jesus not only eats with sinners and tax collectors but here we see Jesus eating with Pharisees. Indeed, the Lukan Jesus love to eat, and loves banquets!! Prior to this story we know Jesus is a prophet and more than a prophet. Luke has started calling him LORD, so the Pharisees question of Jesus is obviously in the negative. Jesus is a prophet, he knows exactly who is touching him, and taking care of him, and it isn’t Simon (who should have been doing so, since we are in Simon’s house). Jesus also knows who Simon is!!

The parable Jesus uses lifts up the fact that when we realize we are forgiven much, we tend to love much. When we don’t realize we are forgiven much, we tend not to love too much. The example of the woman here shows that she recognizes how much God has forgiven her, and she is showing love to Jesus because of this gift to her. The Pharisee has not had that realization yet, and so is still judging and condemning. Our challenge is to make sure we are not blind to our own need for forgiveness the way the Pharisee seems to be.

Faith in this instance is sheer humility and an acknowledgement that we have great sins which we bring to the cross of Christ, and as we love greatly such sins will be forgiven. A question for ourselves is how often are we scandalized by the forgiveness Jesus offers to others? When we are scandalized by this, we are not humbling ourselves to realize just how much our own sins have cost Jesus!

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 6 (Part 2)

2010-01-31T17:03:00.000-08:00

6:27-35 – Love your enemies
We know now that God has a great concern for the poor, for the hungry, for those in need; and a warning for all who are receiving their salvation banquet in this life already, while others go without. Followers of Jesus take care of the poor. Now Jesus continues to teach and beginning off he is teaching to those who will “listen.” Obviously after the Blessings and Woes section there are some who have turned Jesus OFF, and are not listening!

After taking care of the poor and needy, the followers of Jesus are to LOVE their ENEMIES. Then Jesus outlines what that would look like with four ways of putting this into practice. Each of these ways of practicing seems a bit outlandish if we were to actually put these into practice. The first couple are possible, though most of us are not to keen on actually blessing those who hate us, and we would grudgingly pray for someone who is abusing us. On 9/11 the Christian community in the United States was really taxed on this account, and we still are as we fight in Iraq, and Afghanistan. Jesus goes even further than just asking us to move from a place where we are grudgingly prayer for enemies. Next we are to be strong enough not only to not fight back when someone attacks us, but we are called to willingly take the abuse, and to give more opportunity for such (turning the cheek). Turning the cheek doesn’t mean here to forgive, but to provide an easy opportunity to be injured to the other person who is doing the offending. On the face of this it may seem as though this is a bit of reverse psychology, and possibly this may work, however, we know the end of this story and as Jesus did turn the other cheek he was killed. Of course it changed the course of human history, and that is Jesus’ point. Jesus wants us to be willing to change human history; sadly for us it could possibly mean death. The striking of the cheek was an expression of insult, and the turning of the cheek breaks that violence that could occur (ie. Watch a hockey game as to what happens when someone strikes the cheek!). There are few of us willing to allow ourselves to be subjected to such things. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Gandhi come to mind as a few who actually have, of course along with Jesus.

For the person stealing from us, we are called to give them more than they are stealing, and to not call it stealing!! Here is another place where Jesus words are immeasurably more challenging to us than we are comfortable with usually. Jesus does not want us to press charges against the other person, but actually it seems he wants us to practice forgiveness on the spot, and then to offer more than the person could have imagined, sounds like GRACE. Someone wants your coat; give them your whole outfit. Give to everyone who begs from you. And finally we have the “golden rule,” “do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Consider what the world would be like if we actually practiced the words in these few verses? What would it look like? What kinds of things in our society would disappear? What are the possibilities?

Jesus is calling upon his disciples to be different than the society around them. Sinners like those who like them, are good to those who are good to them, lend to those who can pay them back. Duh, the system of business and capitalism is built upon these things. They are not necessarily Christian, however. Jesus calls us to be different. Luke presents these in a way that makes Jesus assume that those who are still listening want to be better than those “sinners.” To see the irony in this statement you have to remember how Jesus has treated “those sinners?” He has eaten with them, & invites them to be disciples. Jesus doesn’t really want us to have an US/THEM mentality. He wants us to stop this kind of thinking and acting. The US/THEM mentality is designed to keep hate and violence going. Jesus basically takes what is the common piety among “good folk;” take care of family, take care of friends, take care of your community; charity begins at home; etc; and Jesus says we are called to do much more. This kind of piety is actually nothing! Jesus is going to show us what much more really is.

The differences lie in Loving our enemies, doing good (which translated here means going out of our way for the people we don’t like, and who don’t like us!!), and we are called to lend without any expectation of repayment (this one strikes at the heart of our business and capitalistic establishment, and if practiced would have prevented the depressions/recessions we have experienced). I say this being an Accounting major with an Economics minor!

There is a reward from Jesus for our following these instructions, and that is that we will “children of the most high.” Ultimately this is the way God behaves with us, and all the people of the world, and thus we would be following in His footsteps to lives as God lives with us. This is the nature of LOVE!

“the character of God dictates that we practice a love that is not limited by others’ responses to us,” (Culpepper, New Interpreters Bible, p. 147) Nor are we limited to acting only for those who act and behave in upright ways. We are given free reign to BE LOVING TO EVERYONE, just like God!! How often do we allow ourselves that kind of freedom?? What would that look like even on a small scale?

Jesus seems to be breaking the cycle of hate with these teachings, and to instruct us that in dealing with those who do not like, or even hate, our actions can actually help to change our feelings. Jesus never says to change our feelings, but to act toward those who are our enemies as if they were our friends. The cycle of violence can change, the cycle of hate can change, the cycle of retaliation and vengeance can change. Jesus says to change it you just stop practicing it! Instead practice LOVE and love will grow.

6:36-38 – Be Merciful, as God is Merciful
We are to imitate God in the way we relate to others. Jesus does suggest that Judgment is something reserved for God. In essence we are to even go beyond the “golden rule” here because Jesus is telling us to treat others the way we want God to treat us!! Don’t judge, don’t condemn --- because if you do you will be judged and condemned!! Instead, forgive and give, you will be forgiven and you will receive from the hand of God. Remember how the healings occurred. Jesus tells the person to stand, to put out your hand, and as they obeyed they were healed. Could this be the way forgiveness happens, as we practice forgiveness towards others forgiveness happens to us?

God will give to us the way an extremely generous person would. The measuring cup is first filled up, then pressed down to create room for more, then shaken to create room for more, then filled up to to the point of running over the brim. This is how we wish to receive from God, so therefore we are called to give our LOVE this extravagantly!! Just as someone in the marketplace may request that the seller use the buyer’s measure so that the buyer is not cheated, here Jesus says God will use the same measure we use towards others, with us. We get what we give.

“With what measure you measure it shall be measured back to you.” - Greek equivalent (Vinson, p.190).

Through these sections being linked together we get the impression that Luke is telling us that, “Oppression of the poor, materialism, and the presumption that problems can be settled by violence and force are all related. (Culpepper, p. 149). Jesus is providing a different answer to each of these.

6:39-42 – Teaching & Learning
The continuation here is a series of four parables to expand on the earlier section of being a disciple, and what it means, what it entails, and how we should go about it.

The first parable suggests the leader must be able to see ahead to be able to lead. If the leader can’t see ahead it isn’t going to work, and the leader must also be better qualified, have grown closer to the teachings of the teacher. It is not possible for us to become better than “the teacher” (Jesus), but the goal of discipleship is the base our lives upon Jesus’ life and teaching and to become “like” Jesus (not Mike). The leader must be more learned, closer to Jesus’ life and teaching than the student.

Next is the graphic description of what human beings typically do. We really enjoy pointing out other people’s faults, and problems. This parable connects to the earlier injunction about not judging others! We, all too often, spend our time telling others they should be better, when we ourselves are grossly hypocritical (log in our eye). The disciple of Jesus must be sincerely humble, aware of their own faults, their own failures, their own struggles, and only when truly working on yourself should be even dare suggest to someone else that they have a speck that they may want to work on! The disciple is ultimately deferential. This is the reason why support groups really only work with people who have struggled with the similar problem. Weight loss groups only work when the people in them recognize their struggles with weight and are truly humble and respectful towards those struggling with the very same issues. All other support groups work the same, Divorce, Grief, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. The key to these groups is respect for people, respect for the struggles real human beings have, and a willingness to admit we fail and fail frequently.

6:43-49 – Walk the Talk – One is what One does
Jesus then further expands upon the job of faith work in discipleship. It doesn’t just involve removing those “logs,” but a transformation of the heart so that what we produce with our lives is the stuff of God, not ourselves. What we do and who we are are inseparably linked together. As a sinner we produce sin, as a transformed person by the grace of God we produce love, grace, peace. Ultimately this is the life of a disciple that our lives be transformed into a Christ-like life. In that Christ-like life there will be sacrifice for the sake of others.

Finally, Jesus suggests that discipleship really is the wise thing to do. He uses the building of a house with/without a foundation, and suggests to us which is wiser, which is better, which will withstand the storms of life? Obviously we all know which is better, wiser. In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti we need to realize that Jesus is not making a value judgment on the lives of those who build inadequate housing that crumble, but rather which is the wiser way of constructing a building. It is obvious from Haiti that a strong building, properly constructed is best, safest, etc. And for Jesus the same is true of the building of our lives. We need a good foundation, and Jesus is the foundation that we need! None of us will be able to choose what storms of life will come our way, but here Jesus is suggesting that whatever the storm we will need a good foundation for our lives, so we will not be lost in those storms. This too is evident in the survivors of Haiti, and those who are clinging to God, and the comfort and hope God is providing.

Just saying Jesus is Lord is not enough here. Our lives need to be transformed with this good foundation. We need to build on this foundation. Without it our words are empty and our actions will not produce the fruit that would be produced coming from the roots of a foundation in Jesus (mixing my metaphors here). Hearing Jesus and acting upon what we hear is important. They really go together. Hearing without doing is not helpful. It may be possible that doing without hearing may be helpful, and may draw someone into hearing.Ultimately discipleship requires a strong foundation which can help us to weather life and produce godly fruit and lead others with an immense sense of humility, love, and care. Jesus turns all the conventional wisdom on its head through the Sermon on the Plain, and calls his disciples to learn something different.

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 6 (Part 1)

2010-01-31T17:01:00.000-08:00

Chapter 6 continues the story from chapter 5 without any break between the two. The seeming linkage of all of these stories which began in chapter 5 are that they each begin with exactly the same wording in the Greek, “And it came to pass…” 5:1, 5:12, 5:17, 6:1, 6:12 – Are all translated into English in various bibles with “Once” or “One Day.” It is common in English writing to vary the words so as not to be redundant, though in Greek and Hebrew the redundancy is important to telling the story. We must remember that when these stories were written down they were not meant to be read, but actually meant to be heard. When you are telling a story for people to hear rather than read you want a lot of redundancy in order for the people listening to be able to follow along, and see the connections between the stories. There is a balance within this section (5:1-6:16). It is ultimately about discipleship. In the first section Simon (along with James & John) is called as a disciple, then two healing stories, then Levi is called. The movement is from healing & illness to healing & forgiving of sins. Also, the confrontations with the Pharisees grow through this section. After Levi the Pharisees question Jesus about fasting, and next their problem is with his observance of the Sabbath!

Chapter 6:1-11 – Two Sabbath Controversies
Jesus and his disciples were walking through a field, and his disciples picked some grain to eat along their way. According to the law this was not stealing and was allowed for those who were traveling so long as they didn’t harvest it with a sickle, thus taking more than they would need for immediate needs. It is interesting that the law provided travelers to eat along the way from the fields. The God of the Hebrews is very much concerned with hospitality to strangers! The problem here is in the violation of doing work on the Sabbath. Jesus combats them with scripture, and challenges their knowledge, “Haven’t you read…” This connection with David shows Jesus to be the descendent of David who has come, and who has authority similar (and even greater) to David. David set aside the rule regarding sacred bread; Jesus is setting aside the rule regarding sacred time (Sabbath). It seems in both instances human need (hunger) is allowed to supersede these rules, or at least provide exceptions. Second “Son of Man” statement and Jesus basically is saying to the Pharisees that he is in charge of the Sabbath, and can adjust the rules as he sees fit.

Now we move from satisfying the human need of hunger to satisfying the human need of healing on the Sabbath. Now the Pharisees and scribes are watching Jesus closely to see if he will break the Sabbath rules, he seems to do it all the time! Luke lets us know that the person’s “right” hand was withered. This hand was what one normally used to work, and greet others. The left hand was used for personal hygiene, and thus wasn’t to be presented publicly, but since his right hand was withered this possibly brought further shame upon the man. In the tradition it was allowed to heal on the Sabbath if it was a life threatening situation. Here, however, it is not life-threatening and so the situation is will Jesus break the rule or not. Jesus is teaching in the synagogue and it seems as if he is about to have an object lesson for all to see and learn. He places the man in front of everyone. Jesus lifts up a question that no one is asking. Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath? Save life or destroy it? That isn’t part of the rule! This question changes the subject that is in the Pharisees minds, which Jesus knows, and sets them off balance. Simeon had spoken that this child will reveal the thoughts of people’s hearts, and Jesus both knows what is in their hearts, and is doing the revealing!! This question links to the question Jesus asked of the Pharisees at the healing of the paralyzed man. Jesus is about to show that he is here to do good and standing in his way is standing in the way of God’s goodness that Jesus is bringing into the world. More than that, though, Jesus is here to SAVE LIFE. Standing against Jesus is destroying life, and of course that is exactly where the Pharisees are headed.

The question Jesus poses is both for Jesus to answer, which he will, but also for the Pharisees to answer -- in their observance of the Sabbath have they in fact been guilty of destroying life with their rules? How is this possible and how is this still possible today? What are our rules that we follow without regard to people? It seems Jesus places people above the rules, and in essence it seems that Jesus sees this placing of people as more important than the rules may actually be a fulfillment of the ultimate rules (10 commandments, and later Jesus top 2). Jesus is calling upon us to be about saving lives, especially on the Sabbath! The Pharisees aren’t following false rules, but those they believe to be faithful interpretations of God’s commandments. Jesus shows what the purpose behind these rules is, and thus what trumps the rules they are following. It doesn’t mean the rules they are following are wrong, instead, they are just following them without regard to something greater, and according to Jesus people outweigh the rules of the Sabbath.

The Pharisees do not respond to his question, and Jesus “looks” at all of them, and then goes about his business of saving life. Jesus asks for the hand to be made public (stretched out), and he heals with a word. The act of obedience as we have seen in other healings brings about the healing. At this healing the Pharisees are filled with fury (rage). Anger is the response to Jesus’ saving of a life. The Pharisees now are beginning to talk about what to “do” about Jesus. In Luke they aren’t quite plotting yet, but they are beginning to move in that direction.

Luke 6:12-16 – Choosing the Twelve Apostles
To date Jesus has been called people to be his disciples. Now he is going to choose a select few of them to be apostles. The inner group who will be taught the inner workings of “the son of man” so they will be able to carry forward this work when Jesus ascends. This work will be carried forward in the book of Acts of the Apostles. Here is where Luke begins his multiplication of ministry that will carry through both books. This ends the section on discipleship and gives us a clue as to what these Apostles are going to be doing, everything Jesus has been doing up to this point: healing (demons, illness), eating with sinners and outcasts, forgiving sins, saving life.

There is an obvious link between the 12 Apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel. The new wine needs new wineskins and these Apostles are the new skins for this new wine to be poured into and begin fermentation. Jesus chooses these, just as God chose the 12 tribes of Israel. This is so important Jesus goes off by himself to pray on a mountain. The mountain is a different place for Luke than it is for Matthew. In Luke it is for solitary communing with God, and for Jesus to be inculcated with God’s will prior to calling these 12 apostles. This is an important appointment, and requires all of Jesus to fulfill properly. No one else comes in the way of these decisions. The only other time Luke’s Jesus goes up to a mountain is in the Transfiguration. Prayer in Luke signifies important turning points.

Luke 6:17-49 – Jesus Instructs His Disciples/Apostles
Luke 6:17-19
Here is both a conclusion of the previous section and the beginning of the next. We conclude with everything Jesus has been doing up to this point. Large crowds of people are gathering because word of Jesus has spread around. They are coming to be healed, cured, released. Many are coming to him, thronging to him because of his powers, though it does say they had come to hear as well as to be healed. They are in this way humbling themselves before him, because of these great powers Jesus has displayed that he has. And it seems because of their eagerness, because of their belief that Jesus can do these things they seem to draw the power from him to them because of their eagerness. It doesn’t even say that Jesus wanted to heal, but that it was drawn out of him. This is why Jesus has come, but he has also come for greater than these kinds of healings, he has come for forgiveness of sin and the saving of life. He will now begin classes to teach this way of life to his disciples, and they will follow “me.”

The mountain for Luke is a special set apart place, and so for Jesus to teach the masses he comes down with his Apostles he has just chosen. Jesus is playing the Moses role in Luke’s telling. This teaching that follows is for the great crowds not just his inner circle of Apostles. There seem to be three groups now mentioned. We have the special hand picked Apostles, then the great crowd of disciples, and then a great multitude of people, reflecting differing levels of commitment to what is happening. Each of these are positively portrayed at this point. They have not come to test Jesus as the Pharisees had been doing, but to HEAR and be healed. Thus they are attentive to Jesus. There is a overarching (catholic, universal) sense to both this crowd and Jesus powers. The people have come from all over, all are reaching out to Jesus, and power is coming from Jesus to heal ALL.

Luke 6:20-49 - Sermon on the Plain
This is juxtaposed with Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. They are quite similar, the pattern and flow is the same, with several additions and deletions. In Luke it is a much shorter, compact version. At this point Luke deviates from Mark (from 6:20-8:3), and places these as additions into the story he is telling. What Luke doesn’t have that Matthew does is a focus on the relationship between Jesus’ teachings and the law of God. Luke’s Jesus seems to focus more heavily on the relationship between the rich and poor, by not spiritualizing things, and by adding the woes. While it is clear that Luke is using some version of Mark, it isn’t clear about what other resources he is using. Obviously something similar to what Matthew uses, but they use them in different ways to help get across different ideas about Jesus. They are at the same time quite similar, and quite different.

Luke 6:20-26 – Blessings & Woes
In these we hear Jesus speaking to the “disciples,” thus taking a middle approach. Not just talking to the Apostles’, but not talking to the masses. The disciples are in the middle on the commitment scale. These words speak of conditions right NOW; Blessings to those who are poor, hungry, weeping, hated by others; Woes to those who are in a good condition NOW. The world sees this very much the opposite. It looks like those in the woes section are actually blessed, and those in the blessings section are cursed. Not so says Jesus, and this is the reversal that Jesus is bringing, which was proclaimed at this birth by so many people! God has a special concern for the poor and those who are in dire straits. The kingdom of God is bringing about a change. In this way Jesus is a continuation of the OT God who is the protector of the poor, the outcast, and the outsider. Ultimately Jesus is bringing into the picture the idea of the end of time, the eschatological feast for those who are in God’s favor, and Jesus is letting us know who is going to be seated at this table and who is not! The American Dream (are really a worldly dream) of comfort and ease of life is not what is receiving the blessings of Jesus!!

One of the major themes of Luke is the dangers of wealth. The wealthy are very short-sighted, and while it is thought that the wealth will bring comfort in the future (think pension / retirement) Jesus is telling us that the opposite is actually true! There is an inverse relationship between wealth and the kingdom of God! Luke will not leave the rich totally out. There is in fact hope, and that hope is Jesus, but as we see here first the rich need to hear what a pickle they (we) are in.

“Our pride and our ability to provide for ourselves have blocked the channels of blessing (from God).” (quote from p. 145, Culpepper, “New Interpreters Bible”)

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 5

2010-01-18T17:05:00.000-08:00

Chapter 4 showed what happens when someone is empowered by the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit; Jesus can withstand the devil, Jesus can heal, Jesus can relieve people of the burden’s of demons. He has this power, however, it isn’t a magical power, but a power with a purpose, and that purpose is God’s purpose. “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” Now this purpose is about to be seen as Jesus moves out from the Synagogues, where he has been teaching, into the countryside to come into contact with “others,” who are not of the “inside” group, but are “outsiders” according to those in the Synagogues (churches).

Luke 5:1-11 – Jesus calls the first Disciples
Jesus now is not in the synagogue. In fact, he is back in Galillee, rather than Capernaum and Judea. The “Once” possibly signifies that this isn’t necessarily chronological in terms of time, however, what Luke is showing is that Jesus is going forth from Synagogue to Outsiders, this is the progression of Jesus in Luke.

“The crowds” are pressing him to teach them. The crowds want more from Jesus, and they do not care that he is not in the typical teaching location. In order to teach the crowds Jesus chooses to get into a boat? Does he not want them to try to throw him off a cliff like the crowds tried to do in Capernaum? Jesus has certainly seen that the fishermen are frustrated by their lack of catching any fish. Jesus is going to use this difficulty and the next miracle in order to translate his message to this group of people. The miracles are then actually a means to an end, not an end in themselves. Here certainly many fish are caught, and people will eat, but the importance here is to make Simon fully understand the importance of who Jesus is, and what Jesus is about to call him to do also.

Simon seems a bit perturbed, but has learned enough in his short time with Jesus, and the healing of his mother, that even though he has doubts he should listen to Jesus. But he doesn’t do so without at least a minor protest. Their catch of fish on momentous, their nets are breaking, they call other boats over, both boats are full and sinking. Jesus knows how to fish, knows where the fish are, and knows how to get them! This is a good guy to know! This is the first non-healing miracle. Jesus here shows he is beginning to bring a time of grace and abundance to the world.

Simon immediately understands what has just happened. He is in the presence of something greater than himself; his understanding is now beyond Jesus being just a miracle worker, and healer. Peter gets down on his knees, and utters the words all of us should utter in the presence of God, in prayer. If we get close to God we are in deep trouble, because “I am a sinful man!” What is the typical response to people when they are in the presence of God (angels), they are afraid. Jesus knows Simon has figured it out, and thus needs to set him at ease as the angels always do!

Jesus doesn’t contradict Simon; he doesn’t tell him he is not a sinful man. Jesus knows that Simon speaks truthfully, however, the call of Simon (nor anyone else) is not based upon Simon’s goodness, or anything else, but possibly in this instance simple obedience to listen to what Jesus said to do and to do it! This for Luke is the essence of discipleship. Listen to Jesus, do what he says, and follow!

James and John are mentioned here briefly as Simon’s partners, they do not enter into the story, but they do seem to be called along with Simon, or at least they think they are because they seem to follow also!! It seems there is a larger crowd who witnessed this, but the ones who are named appear to be the only ones called, or the only ones who think they are called. This leaves an interesting thought, would Jesus have taken anyone one who followed him after witnessing this event, as he seems to have taken James and John, and only 3 followed him after this?? “They” (Simon, James & John) left everything and followed Jesus. They left all the fish they caught, they families, their lives, etc.?? How willing are we to do this? Now it doesn’t say anything about them being married, so they probably just left their families like parents, brothers and sisters, etc. They are commissioned, taken away from their regular jobs, and given a new, though similar one.

Luke 5:12-16 – Jesus Cleanses a Leper
Leviticus 13-14 shows what the requirements under the law are regarding Leprosy: Examination by a priest; quarantine for 7 days; check by priest; extension of quarantine or clean. The person with leprosy must wear torn clothes, have disheveled hair, live alone or with other lepers, and if approached by someone they must shout out, “Unclean! Unclean!”

As Jesus approaches the Leper breaks from what he is supposed to do, obviously having heard about Jesus, and believes Jesus can heal him. This is more than what the priests could do. Jesus also breaks from what he is supposed to do (stay away from Lepers), and he reaches out his hand to touch the Leper. This is a problem because it was thought that if you touched a leper when you were clean, you would become unclean. Here the exact opposite happens. Jesus is able to touch and make clean! Jesus is even more powerful than Elisha, who needs Naaman to wash in the river 7 times. There is no waiting period, no seven days, the healing is instantaneous. Jesus then instructs him to go show himself to the priests, and make an offering for your healing. Jesus doesn’t want them to know how it took place before they pronounce him clean! Jesus still wants him to follow protocol with the temple priests.

The Leper is a prime example of “the poor” whom Jesus came to help, and his faith, his humility (similar to Simon kneeling earlier) before Jesus depending totally on God’s mercy and care. The Leper recognizes his need for God’s help, and he pleads for it! (Ask and you shall receive, Luke 11:9)
Now Jesus is even more famous, word spread, and many crowds come to Jesus. Jesus would take frequent breaks to separate by himself and pray.

Luke 5:17-26 – Healing of a Paralyzed Man (not a Paralytic)
Jesus is again teaching, and the Greek text only mentions the Pharisees and teachers of the law being in attendance. This is the first time they show up in the story. And they have come from all over the area. A number of firsts in this story: a specific charge is mentioned (blasphemy), first time faith and forgiveness of sins are introduced.

In this story we are going to show the difference between the previous healing of the leper, this paralyzed man, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law in attendance. The power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal those in attendance (namely the Pharisees and the teachers of the law). However, unlike the leper earlier they do not ask Jesus for healing. They are just sitting listening to him. He has power at the ready, but no one seeking yet. In steps people who are seeking healing from Jesus. They can’t get in through the doors because there are too many Pharisees and teachers of the law lounging around, not wanting healing, so they try the roof. The remove the tiles, & send their friend down to Jesus.

The focus of the story is on the men carrying the paralyzed man, and only shifts when Jesus turns to the paralyzed man. Jesus seems to see the faith of the men carrying the paralyzed man, not the paralyzed man faith, or at least it is unclear if the paralytic is included here. Jesus proclaims that the paralyzed man’s sins are forgiven. He doesn’t seem to actually do the forgiving, but seems to pronounce something that has already happened. Is this the healing they were seeking? The reader had assumed that the healing wanted was that the paralytic would be able to walk! Here the scribes and Pharisees have a problem. Healing is OK, however, forgiveness of sins crosses the line. Forgiving sins is God’s territory. The experts that are gathered around Jesus begin a discussion over Jesus proclamation, and it seems that Jesus knows that they are all having the same questioning going on in their hearts.

Jesus confronts them. Which is easier to say?? Here is a question that has multiple answers. First, theologically the Pharisees are saying that only God can forgive, so obviously it is harder to forgive sins. However, you can’t tell if someone’s sins are forgiven until the end of time, so no one can prove they are or aren’t. Practically speaking it is harder to say stand up and walk because it is very easy to verify if you have done what you have said. In truth the Pharisees are correct that only God can forgive, and Jesus is showing them that He is standing right in their midst!! To prove that he does the practically harder thing, and heals the paralytic so he can walk. Jesus again seems to proclaim something that has already happened. He doesn’t touch the paralyzed man, but says “take up your mat,” meaning the healing has occurred already, and the man can go! The paralyzed man obeys Jesus and takes his mat and heads out. This is obedience, and possibly if he hadn’t obeyed he wouldn’t have been healed. I wonder if this is the state of everyone who doesn’t know who Jesus is, who hasn’t heard the story, or is unwilling, or unable to believe that Jesus has the power to heal/forgive. The paralyzed man glorifies God. Everyone is amazed (seized by amazement), and all glorify God. The Pharisees, scribes, teachers of the law are filled with awe. Here we have the term “son of man” used for the first time. Whenever this term is used it seems to have an apocalyptic flavor, meaning that it is focused on the end times, judgment day.

Luke 5:27-39 – Call of Levi & his Banquet
Here we have tax collector who is called by Jesus to follow. Tax collectors have a bad reputation, not well liked in the Jewish community, and considered swindlers, cheat, who collude with the Roman government to take money from the Israelites. The call story is very short, and to the point, but Levi’s response is profound. He is called, and so he gets up and follows!! Jesus uses the same words that Elijah uses to call Elisha, “follow me.” There appears to be nothing of value to Levi to calling him, except his willing response. This is sheer grace. Levi would be the low of the low in terms of position in Israel. He would be despised as a great sinner, not worthy of eating at the table of a Pharisee and yet Jesus calls him to be a disciple!!!!!! Levi rises similarly to the way the paralyzed man rose when healed. Levi is healed/transformed as well.

Eating is very important to Luke, meals are a social gathering time, a time to pull together as a community, and to really get to know each other. The Pharisees had strict rules about dining, and what you do, and would not each with others who did not follow such rules. Jesus, in Luke, is practically always coming from meal, or going to a meal.

Levi responds to Jesus call by throwing a banquet, and as the fishermen were charged with fishing for people, Levi is already bringing them in. The Pharisees have a problem because Jesus seems to be eating and drinking with “sinners” without requiring repentance before sitting down with them. Jesus answers their charge with a proverb. The mission of those who are righteous (supposedly the Pharisees, or so they think) is redefined. It isn’t to stay righteous (and clean) by not associating with the sinners, but rather to live with the sinners, and thus transform them (making them clean) by living with them, touching them, and loving them!!! Repentance and transformation occurs, but is not the precondition for Jesus’ fellowship with sinners, but rather occurs specifically because Jesus is fellowshipping with sinners. This then calls all who are followers of Jesus to radically change our method of discipleship. We are not called to be separate from a sinful world, but to fully engage it with the full realization that we have the power of God at work in us, and because of this power by our associating with the world God will transform people. It calls us to be as inclusive as possible giving up our comforts, our ideas of what is good, our ideas of how things should be in the world.

Debate about Fasting??
Jesus is asked a question about fasting, and why the disciples of John, and the Pharisees fast, but Jesus’ disciples do not. Jesus relates the question to a wedding feast. This is a time of feasting not fasting; when Jesus leaves the fasting will commence. Then Jesus compares what he is bringing about to something new, coming into the old practices. They do not fit. The old practices do not jive with the newness that Jesus is ushering in. If Jesus’ new were to be used to patch up the old, then it wouldn’t work. Here is a commentary on those thinking that Jesus is here to fix up the broken relationship of the Israelites. Jesus is bringing something newer than that. This is not just a patch, but an entire transformation. The metaphor of the old/new wineskins is that new wine must receive a new wineskin (transformation, requires a fully renewed life to mature in). You can’t just put the new ways into the old skin, there must be a total transformation. The difficulty is that the old wine is a tonic and it placates those who drink it because it is good. The old wine is more expensive, is better tasting, and lull to sleep those who partake of it, and prevents them from being transformed into the newness that Jesus is bringing.

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 5 - Vicar Peter M. Horn, Seminary Intern

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As Jesus continues with his ministry, we see more interaction on a personal level, moving out of the synagogues and into the countryside. We learn of Jesus’ disciples, their call stories, who they were, and how that relates to their new vocations. Two groups of people begin to surface. The first we see is the “outsiders.” These people respond to Jesus with openness and willingness to serve. The fishermen and the other sinners to follow are the objects of God’s grace and whom Jesus heals and dwells with in his ministry. The second group is the “insiders.” These are religious officials respond to Jesus with suspicion and hostility.

Luke 5:1-11 – Jesus Calls the First Disciples
Again, we see the appropriate response to the ministry of Jesus. Simon (Peter) is the example we are to follow while we are on this earthly journey. His obedience is a response similar to that of Mary in the earlier chapters of Luke, as well as the other players in the story around the births of John and Jesus. Here Luke adds more than just a song to the mix, but an action as well to give us an example. Simon, James, and John “left everything and followed.” Just as simple as that, the gospel does not add anything more. They left their boats, their nets, their family, and the boats full of fish!

Jesus is also being followed by a large crowd and shows the amazement of what Jesus is saying and what he is doing and he does not even have disciples yet! This chapter begins with a wide view of what is going on. This shows us the popularity of Jesus’ words. The use of the first word in the chapter, “once,” implies that this was a typical scene in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus uses the boats on the shore to address the crowd, which sets the stage for the interaction between Simon, who we have already encountered, and Jesus.

The vision of the story narrows in verse 4 from the crowd to Peter’s conversation with Jesus. Jesus’ instructions to Peter are out of the ordinary. The nets being used were only good at night when the fish could not see them, so fishing with them in day light would produce no fish. Even so, Peter obeys and casts the nets. This obedience, along with Peter referring to Jesus as “master,” shows Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ power and the change in leadership and authority roles. This leads Peter to his profession of faith. “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” This contrasts the story of the people of Nazareth who wanted Jesus for their own. Instead, Peter feels unworthy. Yet, Peter later becomes one of the leaders of the early church, as well as John and James. This confession of Peter being a sinful man begins Jesus’ ministry of forgiveness and his reputation of a “friend of sinners.”

Jesus uses the famous words of discipleship “from now on you will be catching people.” This word “catching” can also be translated as “capture alive” or “spare life.” Here we see the nuance of catching fish to die to sell at a market to that of catching people to free them from the bonds of sin and death. Peter, James, and John will no longer be fishermen; they leave their vocation and their socioeconomic status behind.

“Do not be afraid.” We have seen these words before from the Angelic Proclamation of Jesus’ birth to Mary and later to the Shepherds. Something special has happened here. God has been revealed to Peter, James, and John in catching of fish and the change in vocation. When the world seemed to be turning on its head, God’s words of comfort come again…“do not be afraid.”

Luke 5:12-16 – Jesus Cleanses a Leper
Again, this section begins with the word “once.” This shows us that healing, similar to what took place in chapter 4, is a common theme in Jesus’ ministry. There are many hands on ministry opportunities occurring in the first few chapters of Jesus’ ministry and there is more to come.

We have seen much of the healing and cleansing ministry already in chapters 4 and 5 and Luke presents the events in a similar fashion. Using similar words or phrases, we can see how the events connect with each other. The use of the words “once,” “one of the cities,” bowed, “Lord,” stretched out his hand/touched, a disease or demon “departs,” growing reputation, combination of word and deed, and wilderness. With this format, Jesus is reminding us of his reading while in Nazareth and compares himself to Elisha (4:27). This shows us that Jesus’ mission is proceeding as promised and we see the characteristics of Jesus’ mission as these patterns are repeated.

After the leprosy left the man, Jesus gives his usual command to not tell anyone. Just as Jesus silenced the demons in the last chapter, here again Jesus is keeping his identity secret. Action was not stopped, however, as Jesus tells the man to go to the priest and give an offering and a testimony. We are not told that the man talked about his experience of healing but we are told that the word about Jesus spread abroad and more people and more diseased people came to him.

Again, Jesus, instead of staying, takes time for himself. There are many people coming to see Jesus but he takes time away to be apart and to pray. This is the first occasion that we are told about him retreating to pray. The next comes in 6:12, when he leaves the crowd again for rest but also for the decision of naming the twelve disciples. The third one is in 9:28, just before the transfiguration when Jesus shows himself to be the Son of God to Peter, James, and John. Prayer in secluded places is a pattern for Jesus, just as healing is. Taking time for himself where he is strengthened for his divine service.

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 4

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Following Jesus’ Baptism we know of Jesus’ parentage in two ways. First, we know he was the son of Joseph & Mary, and in the line of David, which is the line of the Messiah. Second, we know that this is God’s son, conceived through the Holy Spirit coming upon Mary, named at birth by the name given by the Angel Gabriel, at his Baptism the Holy Spirit descends upon him (God’s Spirit) and the voice of God is heard proclaiming that Jesus is HIS son!! This is the final step towards our understanding of Jesus as God’s son. In the world then the main way people knew you were the father of a child is by your naming the child, and by your public confirmation that this is your son/daughter. Otherwise, it was impossible to really confirm parentage of the father. No DNA tests back then.

Luke 4:1-13 – Temptation in the Wilderness
Now Jesus is sent off for training. He is old enough to go into his mission. He has been commissioned by God. He now needs to be toughened up, or we need to see that Jesus can handle everything that Luke has built up for him to this point. Jesus, as a figure in a story, has been lauded beyond our imagination. He has big shoes to fill. How is he going to be able to do everything everyone has said he is going to do?? He needs to learn to rely on the Holy Spirit, to trust in this Spirit that is with him. We will see Jesus relying on the Spirit in sparing with the enemies of God, and even while these enemies are cunning in themselves Jesus with the Spirit will easily overcome their temptations. This part of the story is crucial for us as readers to get the sense that Jesus can do what has been said about him, and that his life is one that his followers can follow, but in following we must learn to rely on that same Spirit rather than being overcome with our own emotion, fear, and anxiety in the face of sin and evil!! We will see starting with this story that Jesus never shirks away from sin/evil, but rather always engages it, and almost befriends it (while never condoning), and transforms it in people’s lives so that the sin/evil is separated from the humanity. Luke begins with this story to show the role of the Messiah to usurp the kingdom of the Devil/sin/evil in the world. Jesus is here to usher in a New Age, where God’s reign is active and alive (through the agency of the Holy Spirit, which will continue and explode in the sequeal, Acts).

“40” days is obviously paralleled in many places biblically: The story of Noah and the rain that fell on the earth 40 days and 40 nights, with a sense of purification of the earth for the evil deeds of the inhabitants. Moses spent 40 days up on Mount Sinai as he was receiving instructions from God, seeing God face to face, returning to the people with the commandments of God. Israel spent 40 years wandering in the desert, a way of testings, purification of a people (having a generation die off) before entering the promised land. It is during the 40 days that Jesus fasts, eating nothing. In Luke, the temptations don’t start until these 40 days are over, which means that Jesus is quite weak (physically) at this point, thus the devil strikes when Jesus is at his most vulnerable point. In fact, since the 40 days are over, Jesus probably could eat now. If this was his time of purification, this would be the opportune time for him to eat, to “break the fast.” As the temptations are presented there really isn’t a dialog between the devil and Jesus. It seems rather one sided. The only thing Jesus speaks is scripture, the word of God.

The first temptation then is for food to satisfy hunger. A most basic, human need that we all have each and every day!! Most of us fail at such discipline when if comes to something this basic (gluttony is probably one of the most widespread sins of our age, and one most often accepted and condoned). The bread image also evokes for us the images of Israel wandering in the desert and God providing Manna from above to eat. Jesus response (Deut 8:3) comes from this time in Israel’s history when the purpose was teaching Israel that our sustenance comes by God’s hand, not by our own!! As the temptations begin the devil wants Jesus to “prove” who he is; Though in Luke the ones who really do know who Jesus is are the devil, and the other demons. The temptation is for Jesus to use his powers and his position for personal gain. This is a typical temptation for those in power, and we see this one succumbed to all too often. This is a prime human failing for which there is only one way out! Jesus’ lack of succumbing to this temptation gives all the more power to the “miracle” of his feeding the 5,000 in chapter 9. Do you love satisfying your hunger more than you love God?

For the second temptation the devil takes Jesus “up.” In Matthew its up on a mountain (Matthew likes mountains). This is the temptation of MORE POWER than you currently have. Here the concept of “authority” starts, and it will be a major them, and the exercise of that authority, and from where we get authority. The Son of God has authority, for sure, but it is an authority that comes from God. The devil is offering something that looks appealing on the outside. Jesus’ authority and from where it comes will be witnessed throughout the gospel. The devil is claiming to have vast authority. But who has the greater authority? Jesus response is Deut 6:13. Do you love power, authority, how people view you more than you love God?

For the third temptation the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple. To this point Jesus has given up satisfying a personal human need, has given up personal gain in terms of power and authority, and so now the devil attempts to play with Jesus’ concept of who he is. Does Jesus really think he is the Son of God? Is there a shred of doubt the devil can play against? Wouldn’t Jesus want to be sure if he is going to go spend his life following God’s ways? Why not test it out? This is a good scientific experiment. Since Jesus has been using scripture to combat the devil, the devil now uses scripture and suggests this experiment (Psalm 91:11-12). Again the devil tries to combat Jesus’ self-image as the Son of God, and to put God’s promises to the test. The temptation here was to see if God would really keep Jesus from dying. Jesus will die in Jerusalem later, and this prefigures what will happen, and the reason Jesus allows it to happen. Jesus response (Deut 6:16) gives the reason for Jesus’ submitting to God’s will, and not testing God’s promises. Do you love your life more than you love God? Jesus answers this question more intensely at the end of the Gospel!!

The scripture Jesus uses are for all of us as well. Submission to the will of God is important in our lives, even when we don’t understand what is going on, or why things are happening the way they are. God is in charge, the goal of life is not our physical needs (or wants), the goal of life is not power and prestige, the goal of life is worship of God. Two of Jesus’ responses come directly after the Jewish “shema” (Deut 6:4-9) in Deuteronomy, which was to be recited by Jewish people in the morning and the evening, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.* 5You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Through his responses Jesus shows himself to be a faithful follower, a faithful Jewish person, the ultimate in submission to God’s will. Jesus does love God with all his heart, sould and might!! The temptations begin in the wilderness and end in Jerusalem. This is the same progression of Jesus’ ministry in Luke.

Chapter 4:14 -9:50 – Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Now Jesus’ ministry can begin. He has been fortified with the Holy Spirit, and shown that he can withstand the evil forces that he will face, and remain faithful relying on the Spirit and God’s Word.

Luke 4:14-30 – Jesus in Nazareth (Hometown)
As chapter 4 began we heard that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit,” we again hear this similar refrain. Here Jesus is “filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.” He begins to teach, and “everyone” praises his teaching, so much so reports are spread and people gather to hear Jesus. In Nazareth Jesus does what he usually does. He has been teaching and continues to do the same here. The scroll was given to Jesus, but it seems like he chose where he was going to read. The verses chosen are from Isaiah 61:1-2. Luke adjusts this a bit, omitting “bind up the brokenhearted,” adding “let the oppressed go free (Isa 58:6),” and stops the quote short leaving out, “and the day of vengeance of our God,” thus staying very positive.

Jesus has been anointed by God, we have witnessed that in the story already, so it is easy for the reader to connect these verses with Jesus now. The “year of the Lord’s favor,” is a connection to the Jubilee (Lev 25:10), the fiftieth year, following seven sevens, when everything was restored to the way God had originally set it up for Israel. This would be seen by everyone who is oppressed (oppressed here can include those who have not fared well economically so that they have had to become servants of others, at the Jubilee all of this is reversed) as really good news.

For Luke this is the key event of Jesus proclaiming himself to be the Messiah, and this will be evidenced by everything he does falling in line with the prophet Isaiah. At the beginning those who have listened to him don’t really understand that he is doing this, and are thinking well of him, however, this will change quickly!! The people are amazed at first, and wonder about him being Joseph’s son. This is his hometown. Their question can be taken several ways. One, fascination that a hometown boy has grown up and become such a great teacher!! Two, unbelieving that this hometown boy has made good. Jesus seems to push them to their worst possible and quickly. They were speaking well of him, but then he starts to push their buttons with proverbs. They may have wanted to see Jesus do the things he was doing elsewhere. They wanted some benefit from the hometown boy made good, or made famous. The proverb, v24, appears in various forms in all the Gospels. Jesus lets them know that he is not going to do any of these things and he expects them to reject him, and they oblige!! In doing this Jesus aligns himself with Elijah & Elisha, two of the greatest prophets. However, to do this he is showing his hometown that he hasn’t really come just for them, but for others who aren’t even Israelite. Elijah is the example of Jesus helping those who respond in faithfulness, not too different from John’s rebuke to the crowds at the beginning of his ministry. Rage seems to be an emotion that gets the best of us sometimes. At Jesus words the people are filled with rage, and want to throw him off a cliff. However, even they cannot stop what God is doing in Jesus, and he continues on his way.

The group that reacts this way is reading scripture differently than Jesus. They understand that the covenant is exclusively theirs, and no one else’s. Here Jesus is extending the covenant towards those who are in the Isaiah prophesy: the poor, the oppressed, etc. Like John the Baptist, it doesn’t matter who your father was, or that you lived in the same town as the Messiah!! Because they were not open to the possibilities that God was doing through Jesus, they became unable to receive anything Jesus had to give.

Luke 4:31-44 – Jesus in Capernaum
Jesus moves on to Capernaum, and continues teaching in the Synagogue like he had been doing, and the reaction is the same, people are amazed at his teaching. This time we hear a reason, he teaches as one with authority. We already know what authority Jesus has, his authority is from God, so the people are definitely correct! As readers we may wonder if the same thing is going to happen here as happened in Nazareth?

Exorcism
Here Jesus meets a demon possessed man, and we will experience the power and authority of Jesus’ words! The demon recognizes Jesus as a threat, calls him by name, mentioning the town that just tried to kill Jesus (possibly a slur, knowing Jesus was not treated well in his hometown). The demon knows exactly who Jesus is, “the holy one of God,” knows that Jesus has power over the demon. Demon possession was known to throw people to the ground injuring them, so it is notable that as Jesus exorcises the demon the man is thrown to the ground, but is not injured. The people wonder about the power and authority in the words of Jesus, and they began spreading the news. It is important here to note that the response to Jesus here is amazement and questions, not praise and submission. Therefore, the crowds treat Jesus as a rock star, rather than the Son of God. They are seeing him have power and authority, they aren’t connecting that to God.

Healing
Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes to a friends (Simon) house, whose mother is ill. The understanding of illness then was more along the lines of being possessed (similar to a demon) of this illness that needs to be eradicated (viruses, bacteria, etc. today also could be considered similar). Note what happens to the sin/evil each time Jesus speaks. They go away; Jesus doesn’t go away from them. Being cured Simon’s mother begins to serve them, which is the correct response to healing, and to the Son of God. This is a submission to the Son of God!

As word got out many others came with illnesses and demons, they come after sundown because that was the end of the Sabbath day, and they could carry someone around then, and Jesus laid hands on them and healed them. Again, the demons know who Jesus is! In this Jesus heals with laying on of hands, and casts out demons (including illness of fever) with words.

Jesus then tries to get away, but the crowds find him, and want him to stay with them. They want him to themselves, which was also part of the problem in his hometown. They want to keep Jesus’ powerful words to themselves. The word of God cannot be contained, and is not limited to only a select few. Jesus stresses his purpose is to proclaim the good news in other places also!! In Luke Jesus’ ministry is spreading out. And the good news obviously includes freeing people from debilitating, and dehumanizing ways of life that God did not intend for us!

Chapter 3 - Gospel of Luke Study

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Chapter 3 – 4:13 – Preparation for Jesus’ Ministry
Here now begins the set up for what the book is really going to be all about. Chapters 1 & 2 we can count almost as prelude, and now begins the story of Jesus’ ministry. The separate stories of John the Baptist and Jesus will once again come together at the end of this chapter, and then one of the threads will disappear, while the other thread will gain prominence and continue.

Proclamation of John the Baptist – Chapter 3:1-20

3:1-6 – John’s Ministry Begins
Luke begins the description of John’s preaching with numerous notes indicating when this took place within Greco-Roman history, and within the Jewish religious community. These are two of the two foils for Luke’s Jesus: Roman rulers & Jewish religious rulers; and we note here in this intro that at times these two are mixed together as is the case with Herod a Jewish ruler appointed to a Roman position within Jewish lands, done obviously to appease the Jewish people who were being occupied by a foreign government.

Precise dating is difficult because of the uncertainties of ancient calendars. There were numerous calendars in use (Julian, Jewish, Syro-Macedonian, Egyptian) and we don’t know which Luke is referring to, and how Luke is counting years would make a difference. Lysanius is the only one that scholars can’t link to a known ruler in other historical sources. Of the rulers mentioned Pilate, Herod, and Caiphas (High Priest) will be important in the story later on. The others show how the Kingdom of God is coming in relation to the reign of human rulers. The only one of these who has contact with John is Herod, so bringing all these up at this point is linking together the stories of John and Jesus, who will indeed face similar fates.

This opening is also typical in stories of the “call of a prophet.” Here John “as prophet” is being introduced, and so we hear how: the word of the Lord came to John; his family background (son of Zechariah); at a certain time set within history, location and king’s name(s). It is also fitting that we hear of all these powerful people, and then we hear that the Word of the Lord doesn’t come to any of these powerful people, but comes to the one who is in the wilderness. The wilderness was not a pleasant place to be, and respectable people are not in the wilderness. We hear John is still in the wilderness, which is were we left him in 1:80, and here is his public appearance! Here Luke uses material found in Mark & Matthew also, with a few adjustments. Luke expands the use of Isaiah to include not only v.3, but also vs.4-5. This expansion seems to continue Luke’s theme that this is God’s salvation for ALL PEOPLE, which will carry through Luke-Acts. Luke’s focus is that God salvation breaks down all the barriers and boundaries we create. Jesus in Luke, and the Apostles in Acts are continually reaching out to those who are outside the norms of what we normally consider to be God’s concern. For Luke God is concerned with ALL!!

Luke seems to take out the matter about John eating locusts and wild honey wearing a leather belt, which seems odd, because it seems like it would fit into his description of John as prophet.

John’s message was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Thus John is fulfilling the words of the prophet Isaiah. This is the message of preparation for the “way of the Lord.”

3:7-9 – Warnings of the Coming Judgement
Here we have a classic example of prophetic speech, and an example of why prophets are not usually liked too well (Isaiah, Amos, Zephaniah). John is addressing the crowds here in Luke (in Matthew it’s the Pharisees & Sadducees). John is calling everyone in the crowd to repentance, true repentance, which has evidence in our lives (fruit). Lutherans have long focused on God’s gift of forgiveness being GRACE, and thus unearned, and given freely, this of course is given in Jesus Christ; here, however, John is focused on a repentant heart that turns to God and for such humility of life there is evidence in how we live, our lives bear fruit of our obedience to God’s way. Our lives show forth LOVE. The brood of vipers is only out for themselves, and may be approaching John with hearts that are selfish; they want to be cleansed not in humility to God, but out of selfish concerns. For John repentance leads to a changed life, one focused on God and God’s ways rather than our own.

John seems to perceive the people who are placing their hope on their lineage, rather than their faithfulness. John doesn’t like that. How do we rationalize ourselves, and not seek true repentance? The reference to stones goes to Isaiah 51:1-2 where the people of Israel are stones hewn from the rock of Abraham. John reverses this and says God can raise people from stones if necessary (lots of stones in the wilderness). The image of the people of God as growth on a tree, or a vine is common imagery. Good fruit is always expected, otherwise what is the point of the tree or vine? In that day fasting was an outward sign of repentance and mourning. John seems to have fasted to the extreme, and probably expects this of those who are coming for Baptism as a sign of their repentance.

John’s baptism was different than the regular baptism for making one clean. John was saying that his was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This means that his baptism not only cleansed from ritual impurities but removed sin also. This is what the sacrifices in the temple did. Thus John was pitting himself up against the financial system of the religious authorities. John provided ritual cleansing, and freedom for Judgment Day in a guilt-free cleansing. If you were poor you may already be fasting, but couldn’t afford the animal for acrifice!! John provides a way, and people flock to him.

3:10-14 – Call for Ethical Reforms
The people seem taken aback by John’s outburst, and appeal to him as to what can they do. John certainly is suggesting there are concrete expressions of repentance that we are called to perform, and he will give us some examples of what these concrete expressions would look like. John’s examples are responding to three groups. John suggestions are to actually live out loving your neighbor.

The first response is to the crowds. His first example seems straight out of the kindergarten handbook! Ask a young child, what would you do if you had two coats and your friend didn’t have any and you were both about to go outside in the cold?? DUH!!! Sadly John is absolutely right, as adults we don’t do this, and we need to remember that God’s kingdom is for everyone; therefore we are called to look into our closets and our wallets and our bank accounts, etc.!!!! Jesus will have his own version of this in chapter 6. John’s version sounds very equitable. Share what you have when its not in use (you can’t wear 2 coats!). Stop being selfish!!

The second response John is talking to the tax collectors. These are Israelites in positions of power within the Roman government, called to collect taxes from their own people. The tax collecting system was somewhat complicated and had many levels. The wealthy would buy the contract from the government, and then manage that contract adding on to the tax whatever profit they could collect. The larger the system the more taxes there were to sustain the system. John is talking to the front line people in this system. There are two possibilities to what John says and both may be accurate and meant by John. First, John tells them to only collect what they are supposed to collect. Meaning they aren’t to gouge their fellow countrymen for their own gain! However, John could be going further and suggesting that not only should they not gouge, but they should only collect what the Romans are requiring, not all the additions, which would mean that no one would want that job when you don’t get paid!! In this second scenario John would be taking on the whole taxing system of the Roman government and going above and beyond the first response he has to the crowds above. Jesus will transform a tax collector later who shows us what real fruit worthy of repentance is, a changed life (Zacchaeus). Stop cheating others!!

The third response is to the soldiers. Again these are probably Israelites who have been recruited for service to the Roman government in keeping the peace in these lands. Soldiers typically would use their power to get what they wanted whenever they wanted it, similar to the way armies would invade a city and plunder its goods. If an army would occupy a city, they would need provisions, and those provisions came from the people you were occupying. Similar things happened in the US during the Civil War, and probably all wars. John tells the soldiers to live with what they are paid, be satisfied (which is a strong rebuke for us today!!), and do not extort more from the people you are supposed to be protecting!! Stop abusing your power!!

3:15-17 – Announcement of the Messiah
Given his proclamation John has given the people lots to think about. His preaching is prophetic, and leads the people to wonder if John is the Messiah. This is something that the reader may have pondered already given the birth narratives, but each time you think the story is about John the next part of the story says, NO, it is about someone else. “The People” are the ones who are wondering, not “the crowds”. “The crowds” are the ones who are the wishy-washy group. “The People” on the other hand are expectant, and open to the workings of God here in the person of John the Baptist. It is “the people” who are baptized by John.

John is very faithful to his placement as the forerunner, and deflects the questions away from himself. He is clear that he is not the Messiah. The Messiah is coming! But John never says the word Messiah. He always talks about one who is coming. John shows his place in relation to “the coming one” in that he isn’t worthy to untie His sandals. Untying sandals was a job for slaves, not even for disciples, thus John is comparing himself to be even lower than a slave when compared with “the coming one.”
John’s baptism is different from the baptism of the coming one. John’s is water. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit & fire! Two-fold description of this baptism, in a sense a blessing to receive God’s Spirit, but with that Spirit comes the fire of destruction to remove all stain of sin and evil!! This coming one will harvest, and will gather the grain, and burn the chaff!! A thresher would pitchfork the grain/chaff and throw up in air. The wind would blow the chaff away, and the grain would fall to the ground to be gathered up. John’s baptism helps by removing the chaff from your life, and leaving the grain so the Messiah can harvest YOU!!

3:18-20 – Conclusion of John
John has 3 emphases: 1) a prophetic warning about the judgment; 2) call for justice and compassion (love); 3) confession of “the coming one” (Messiah), a pointing away from himself to Jesus. Now, John’s work is complete, he has prepared the way for “the coming one.” Herod is fed up with John’s preaching, and doesn’t want to hear anymore, because he is “evil,” he puts John in prison (shuts him up).

3:21-22 – The Baptism of Jesus
The actual baptism is not reported, rather only the events following the baptism are reported. Did John baptize before going to prison? Was everyone Baptized and John wisked away to prison while they were praying? Jesus’ baptism seems to serve as his taking on the mantel that was John’s; similar to Elijah/Elisha. After the baptism Jesus was praying, the heavens open, this happened before with the angelic choir. Now the Spirit descends in bodily form. This body sounds similar to the resurrection accounts of Jesus later in Luke. This bodily form is like none other on earth, it can be touched and felt, but it has other peculiarities as well. This Spirit is very important for Jesus’ ministry, and in Acts it is extended to the Church. It is what empowers God’s people to do God’s work. It was taught by the rabbi’s that the Spirit of God departed with the last of the prophets, but occasionally there was a voice from heaven. Luke doesn’t tell us the voice was heard by all, or only Jesus, but it doesn’t seem to matter. For Luke we have Spirit and Voice!!! This is God’s acknowledgement of His Son!! The mantel has been passed, and this one has the Spirit of God and God’s pleasure!!!

3:23-38 – Jesus’ Genealogy
The only gospel to give us Jesus’ age. This genealogy goes backwards, which is unusual. There are some differences with Matthew’s version, and in Luke there are a lot of persons who are unknown. One biggy is tracing through David’s son Nathan, rather than Solomon, and the Davidic Kings. Also, unknown are the names from Joseph to Zerubbabel. From Joseph to God there are 77 names. 21 before Abraham; 14 Abraham to Jesse; 21 from David to Neri; 21 from Shealtiel to Joseph. Jesus is the culmination of God’s plan to redeem the world, 77 reflecting perfection.

Luke Chapter 2 (continued)

2009-11-11T16:39:00.000-08:00

2:21-40 – The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
As in the story of John, Jesus’ family waits the 8 days for the circumcision to happen as according to the law, and he is named at this point in the same manner. There is no problem with the naming as was the case with John. No one needed correction at this point. All is going according to what the angel told Mary, God’s Word is being fulfilled! We hear that Joseph and Mary also do everything according to the law for purification offering sacrifices. The consecration of the first-born is a reminder of the EXODUS. Jesus’ presentation at the temple has close similarities to the presentation of Samuel (1 Sam 1:24-28; 2:20-22). There were two different task to be obedient to the law, first redeem the first born (Ex 34:19-20; Num 18:16), 5 shekels required. Second, Mary’s purification (Lev 12:1-8). The sacrifice given was for a relatively poor family. Everything happens here according to the law, Mary & Joseph are faithful, devout, with no problems or excitement of any kind, yet.

Simeon, devout, righteous, counterpart to Zechariah, told by God, through the Holy Spirit “resting” on him, that he would see the Messiah before he died. Here we have a fulfillment of the prophetic word to Simeon, who then is God’s prophet about who this child is, and what this child will become. Simeon is introduced in typical biblical pattern. Simeon represents the exemplary response to Jesus that we and the world should have. This child is the fulfillment of all God has said and done in the past!

The meeting in the temple is no accident, but a carefully choreographed meeting by the Holy Spirit! This is the 3rd mention of the HS in this scene, and thus it is clear that God’s hand is carefully making all of these things happen!! Upon meeting Simeon takes the child in his arms, and breaks into song praising God. Simeon’s job is done, he can leave his post, he is witnessing what God told him to witness. He is now going in peace. He sees God’s plan unfolding in this child for salvation, revealed to the Gentiles and Israel alike. The Gentiles who were in darkness will be able to see this light, and Israel will be filled with Glory!!

Joseph & Mary are amazed, and Simeon continues with a rather strange blessing to Jesus’ parents, and specifically to Mary. Jesus will cause the great reversal in the world. He will be opposed, the inner thoughts of many will be revealed, and a sword will pierce Mary’s soul. Jesus’ words will not be comfortable for many to hear. It will be judgment upon their actions, their lives, etc. Mary will share in the pain that Jesus will bear when many will not listen to his words.

Anna, old, constantly in the temple worshiping God, fasting & prayer, counterpart to Elizabeth, and as Zechariah & Elizabeth are paired, so to Anna & Simeon. Anna exemplifies the pious widow in both Old & New Testaments. Widows are mentioned 9 times in the Gospel. We are not given Anna’s words, but it sounds like she confirms Simeon’s earlier statements.

The scene at the temple concludes with the statement that they finished everything required by the law, and then return to their hometown of Nazareth. We hear the similar words said of John, grew, became strong, additionally Jesus grew in wisdom, and the favor of God was on him. (wisdom – Sophia; grace – Charis.

2:41-52 – The Boy Jesus in the Temple
This is the only story of Jesus’ childhood in scripture. This serves as a bridge between the birth stories and the ministry of Jesus. This story shows the wisdom he is growing into. This isn’t a miracle story, and so does not really show forth Jesus’ power. It is rather restrained in that. Rather, Luke seems to be focusing upon Jesus’ connection with God, the Father, and it being a conscious connection that Jesus chooses, but he is also feeling the necessity of this choice.

Jesus’ parents are devout Jews, and go to the temple every year. If they travelled at 15 miles/day it would have taken 4-5 days to make the trip. Since Jesus was 12 he was still considered a child, at age 13 he would become man. Jesus’ parents don’t seem to be blamed for him being left behind, as we might think today. It seems that Jesus’ is blamed, certainly by Mary, but also at the end, when we are told he was obedient from that point on, with the little connotation that he wasn’t really too obedient in this story. However, the point is the Jesus is going to be doing his father’s business, and its not woodworking!! Jesus is found in the temple listening to the teachers and asking questions. Mary’s response is our response. Then Jesus provides his first words. Even as a child Jesus is perceiving an imperative in his life. He “MUST” be doing God’s will, God’s business, in God’s house. The point of this story is that Jesus’ life is going to be divinely inspired, as has been everything in his life up until now.

Jesus goes back with his parents, is obedient, and again Mary has things to “ponder” in her heart. V52 is similar to v40 in telling us he is increasing in wisdom, and grace both divine & human.

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 2

2009-11-04T08:44:00.001-08:00

2:1-20 – The Birth of Jesus
Here we have the fulfillment of the second announcement by the angel Gabriel. In society first is always most important. Biblically first seems to be inferior to second, especially in relation to birth stories (Esau & Isaac). Here the birth of Jesus is told with a minimum of detail. We hear a placement within world history. Emperor Augustus & Quirinius are mentioned to fix a date and time for this birth to take place, also setting up who is in charge of the worldly realm at this time. The power of Rome is clear. When they say move, everyone moves, just like on a chess board. There is irony here also, that the moves of such a powerful government are actually exactly what is needed for the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem. Augustus was also claimed to be the good news for the world, and the divine savior of the Roman world. Here we have a dramatic contrast between worldly power, and God’s power.

Historical dating is a difficulty here though. Augustus reigned from 44/42BC – 14AD. Quirinius was governor beginning 6 AD, at which time he took a census of Judea. There is no other historical record of a worldly census, and some of the other historical records that we do have make no mention of this at this time (Josephus). Also, the Roman system of registration didn’t require returning to your homeland. Therefore, if history doesn’t help us here there must be some other reason for Luke to present this story in this way. Luke’s mention of these names does provide the contrast, and people would remember the misery that the Romans brought to Palestine.

Luke is clear in wanting to link the census with the birth of Jesus. Luke frequently wants to link the gospel story with significant historical events and rulers. It is clear that this Gospel story is going to have profound effect upon not only those who believe, but upon the worldly powers as well. Augustus was acclaimed as the “bringer of peace.” Here we begin to see Luke pitting Jesus against Augustus (this will continue), and who truly is the “bringer of peace!” Joseph and Mary are shown as those who are obeying Roman Law, they are not shirkers. The Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem, and Jesus grew up in Nazareth, this helps explain how that was possible. Matthew resolves this dilemma with the fleeing into Egypt, and the later return not to Bethlehem, but Nazareth. The census is also a good way for Luke to explain Jesus’ family lineage, and how he is descended from the house and family of David (Messiah).

Mary & Joseph are engaged, and Mary is expecting a child at this point. The announcement by Gabriel has come true. Mary is still in an unusual position, being not married and pregnant. It is clear that Mary & Jospeh have not consummated the marriage yet, thus still only engaged. Mary is pregnant through the Holy Spirit, not Joseph. Two verses then tell us the birth story. The time came, she gave birth, first-born son, wrapped in bands of cloth (typical motherly care, providing comfort for the child), laid in manger (feeding trough, not unusual for the poor), no place in inn. (what is not here?). 1st century people in Palestine didn’t keep animals in barns.

Angelic Pronouncement
The shepherds in the field are the first to hear of this event taking place. The angels come to them. Shepherding was a despised job in this day. Shepherds were thought of as dishonest who grazed their flocks on other people’s lands. They were outcasts of this society, and obviously cast out of the town, “living in the fields.”

Shepherds are in the field, then an angel appears, and the glory of the Lord shines around them, terror fills their hearts. First words from the angel? “DO NOT BE AFRAID!” Contrast the humble setting of the birth, and the humble setting of these shepherds in the field, with this rather dramatic pronouncement by the angel, and then the “multitude of the Heavenly Host!!” Here we have a fulfillment of Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.” In this scene we have the shepherds, in actual darkness (nighttime), with the actual real light from the angel, glory of the Lord shone upon them. You also have Shepherds, considered those who were walking in darkness, not following faithfully, who have the Light of the World literally shown to them by the angels. Here is a foreshadowing of what Jesus is going to do, and even on the night of his birth he is already bringing people into the light both literally and figuratively.

The angels bring good news of great joy!! The response to the gospel is JOY!!! The announcement makes clear that this is the long awaited fulfillment of the Messiah; city of David, savior, Messiah/Christ/Lord. The shepherds receive a sign, go see the child, wrapped, lying in a manger. Jesus is the only child lying in a manger!! Then the heavens burst open, and the Shepherds must have been in awe. The song of the angels is the angelic song of the choirs of heaven, proclaiming glory to God always, and showing that God is the one who brings peace!! As instructed the shepherds go, thus the shepherds are actually redeemed already, no longer are they good for nothings, but actually dutiful servants who obey and do as they are told.

They go quickly and find everything as was told to them. They passed on to Mary and Joseph everything that took place to them, thus making them the first evangelists, telling their story. Mary treasures these words, and ponders them. This is what she did when the Angel Gabriel told her what was going to happen, and she continues to take in these words from God and ponders them. The shepherds then leave, but they leave in great joy, worshipping God. The shepherds are the premier example of what our response to Jesus really should be!! The shepherds pass on the story “as it had been told them.” This is exactly what Luke is doing. Luke may very well see himself in the Shepherd role here of passing on the Angelic pronouncement through his writing.

Contrasted in this birth story of the Messiah is with the Kings of the earth. Jesus is born in a small place, not in home, but in purely humble surroundings, and the only visitors for Luke are shepherds, despised people, who hear God’s calling. This certainly foreshadows Jesus as coming for the lowly and despised people of this world. This is the way true peace comes to earth, not with the power and majesty of earthly kings.

Chapter 1 - Continued

2009-11-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

1:39-56 – Mary’s Visit with Elizabeth
Here the two stories converge for a moment to show they are not really two, but are really part of one story, but they will separate again for the births, and then return together at Jesus’ Baptism. Following the meeting with the Angel, Mary shows her willing obedience by doing exactly as the angel instructs, she goes to see her cousin with haste! Here we are going to have a traditional older woman teaching a younger woman the ropes sharing her story, but we will also have Mary teaching Elizabeth (more unusual). She enters the house and greets Elizabeth, and immediately we have confirmation that what the angel has said is coming true. John leaps in the womb, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit (Elizabeth here is a prophet), and speaks the Word of God. Elizabeth is the first person to call Jesus LORD, and the first woman to give beatitude. She speaks a blessing upon Mary, upon what is happening even now, and she confirms that the child that this lowly peasant woman is carrying is GREAT as she is flabbergasted that, “The mother of my Lord comes to me?” Those who are great do not visit those who are less great. It is always the other way around. Does this signify the great reversal that God is bringing about through Jesus? Jesus calls the disciples to be servants of others. The blessing of children is always the highest blessing for women in scripture, but Mary has an even greater blessing that she is blessed among women.

Elizabeth comments on John leaping for joy at the sound of Mary’s greeting. Gen 25:22-23 here the unborn twins of Rebecca “struggled/leaped” in her womb, it was a sign of that they would be at odds. Here we have a sign that John is expectantly awaiting Jesus, and that at Jesus presence John is already pointing to him even from the womb. Elizabeth knows that John is leaping for JOY! The angel told Zechariah that he would have joy, now joy comes to Elizabeth & John. Mary/Jesus bring JOY. Joy is another recurring theme throughout Luke. Finally a blessing is spoken over Mary, and proclaims her faithfulness, her obedience to God’s word an amazing and wonderful thing!! This testifies to the fact that God never fails those who are so faithful, and could possibly contrast with her husband Zechariah’s less than faithful response to the angel.

The Magnificat – (v46-55)
Here is the first of Luke’s strong, powerful songs sung as pronouncements of what God is going to do, prophetic utterance, something far greater than the scene it is in. These songs in Luke very possibly were being used in Worship already, and he weaves these pieces in to his story to lift up the significance of what is happening, and as a powerful way to shape his telling of this story. None of these prophetic songs are in the other gospels.
Mary’s song here proclaims that what God is doing is going to change the world forever. God is the Savior. It is in Jesus that the role of God as Savior becomes visible to the world, actually very sacramental. This focus on God as Savior means that nothing else can save us, and we are to look nowhere else. Mary begins by focusing on what God has done for her, and then moves to what God is doing for all people.

Similar to Hannah’s hymn of praise (1 Sam 2:1-10) as she presented Samuel to the temple for service after the Lord granted her a son. Begins by praising God, and how Mary is filled with an amazing sense of gratitude towards God. She is amazingly humble, and recognizes how incredible all of this is. Mary seems from the very beginning to really understand what is happening. Mary is the first, in a sense, to truly feel the impact of salvation for humanity. What she is experiencing is what all humanity will experience. This song proclaims what God is doing through her, and she is allowing this to take place, and is embracing God’s will for her completely. God cares for the lowly, and has even selected one for this great honor. Mary will be remembered, revered, and surely known as blessed by God. But it has nothing to do with what Mary has done; it is because God has bestowed this upon her.

Starting at v50 we begin to hear a prophetic utterance of how what God is doing is going to go global. God has mercy on those who fear God. Here are the themes of the Gospel: In this birth God is showing his strength (although in an unusual way), he is going to scatter the proud (those not fearing God), bring down the powerful, lift up the lowly, fill the hungry, sent the rich away empty. This is the great reversal; all things will be turned upside down in Jesus. This is God helping Israel, fulfilling the covenants he made with Abraham and his posterity. This is the Messiah!! God is fulfilling the covenants he made forever! In this we have a sense of Judgment as well as Salvation. Those who are not following God will not fare well. God knows our hearts!! Luke for sure wants the readers to know that God has not forgotten his promises, and God is making good on his promises through Jesus.

At this time the Roman Empire was extremely powerful, the most powerful force on earth (or so thought). These words of Luke take on even greater significance if this writing was actually composed after the fall of Jerusalem (around 70AD) as a way of saying to the people that God is doing something greater than what the Roman’s can do!!

Mary is the perfect disciple. She listens to God’s word, submits to it, and follows. This theme continues that Mary is to be a premier example of us of discipleship. Mary stay’s 3 months, probably learning about carrying a child, and seems to leave just as Elizabeth is about to give birth. However, it seems strange that she would leave to this point. Why not stay for the birth and see what you need to do??

We are Zechariah, we are called to be Mary

1:57-65 – The Birth of John the Baptist
We’ve had the two announcements by the Angel Gabriel, and the confirmation of the Angel’s announcement in the meeting of Mary & Elizabeth. The two stories diverge again, and we hear the fulfillment of the first, which gives a clue that the fulfillment of the second will follow shortly. We begin with the birth, circumcision, and naming of the child. These parents surely follow God’s law, and do everything in proper order. The fulfillment happens: a son is born, many rejoice at the birth, the name will be John (despite others who wanted a different name, God’s word is followed). As God’s word is followed in obedience (contrast with Mary’s willing obedience from the beginning) Zechariah’s curse is lifted, Zechariah while not as obedient and faithful at first turns out faithful and righteous as was stated earlier about both Zechariah & Elizabeth.

A strange occurrence in the crowd “motioning” to Zechariah, suggesting either that Zechariah was deaf as well as mute, or that maybe since the crowd is trying to go against God’s name for the child that maybe they were just struck mute and couldn’t communicate with Zechariah without motioning with their hands?? Zechariah’s head seems much clearer at this point, and he asks for a way to write what he wants to communicate. Naming falls to the father, in naming the son the father claims the son as his own. As his tongue is freed his first words are to praise God. God’s power is perceived and fear strikes the hearts of those who have witnessed this event take place. Fear is a common Lukan response to God’s power being shown. The people ponder what this man will become, since God’s power has been evident in this birth!! This pondering is similar to Mary’s pondering later, it is a “placing in their hearts,” referring to something that they want to remember and refer back to later, a significant event, even if the significance isn’t readily interpreted.

1:66-80 – The Benedictus (the first words – Blessed be the Lord God of Israel)
As Mary broke out in song when meeting Elizabeth, we have Zechariah breaking out in song here at the naming of his son, and as his tongue is freed. He is filled with the Holy Spirit, thus this is prophetic utterance of God’s word. This song can be seen as God’s answer to the question uttered by the crowd, “what will this child become?” Through v75 the song focuses on what God has done.

Starts blessing God. God has blessed the people redeeming them, fulfilling the covenant made with David and the prophets of old. God is saving his people from enemies, showing his people mercy (not deserved, but God saves anyway), because he remembers his covenants to Abraham. The purpose of this salvation, this mercy, is that we might serve God without fear (our normal response to angels), and in holiness and righteousness. Thus God is setting his people free in order that they may worship God completely.

V76 and on speak of what John is going to do that is going to set this plan in motion. John is the premier prophet of God, who is going to prepare the way, going ahead of Jesus. John is Jesus’ snowplow!! John is going to present the concept of salvation through forgiveness of sin. John is going to begin the way for this sun to shine his way into the darkness of our souls in order that we may live in peace. This imagery is a reference to Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.; 42:6-7. In peace we will be able to worship & serve God. This reference to peace at the end is one of 14 references to peace in Luke. Peace cannot come without redemption/salvation. God is at work here bringing peace to earth – we will hear this again! The problem we will see is the when God brings peace, the world goes to war against God. Closes with John growing up, being strong in spirit, living in the wilderness, similar to Elijah & Moses, not a part of the religious authorities, until he was made public.

2009-10-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 1
The Reverend Jeffrey G. Bohan, Senior Pastor
St. Luke Lutheran Church – Bloomsburg, PA

1:1-4 – The Prologue (Introduction) – This is what tells us the purpose for this writing, and gives us some background on the author, what his reasons are, etc. Scholars call this one of the most literarily stylized sentences of the New Testament, rivaled only by John 1. This prologue is sophisticated in its day, and would appeal to a “secular” audience that is used to the conventional historical writing of the day.

1. Luke is concerned about the “events that have been fulfilled among us,” this is the subject matter.

2. We realize that there are multiple accounts of the things this book is going to be about, and the author knows of them, has researched them, and is using them in creating this “orderly account.”

3. These writers (including Luke) are dependent upon those who were “eyewitnesses.” This is key to any history of the day; to be thought to be accurate it had to come from “eyewitnesses.” This shows the connection that Luke is making from Jesus, to eyewitnesses, to Luke’s writing. Thus the tradition of the Christian Church from Jesus to eyewitnesses to gospel to disciples down through the ages is intact. We will see this same type of connection made in the geneology of Jesus (chapter 3).

4. This writing is for Theophilus in order that he may know the truth about the things he has already been instructed about. Is this a putting into writing the exact things that were taught to Theophilus? Is this an orderly account to correct some things Theophilus has been taught?? Not sure, but it is clear that Theophilus is a benefactor of some sort, higher class (ie. Most excellent), and deserving of instruction by the author, and needing to have the “truth” written down in an orderly form.

The next two stories are really to be compared together to notice the similarities, but then to realize the very apparent differences between them. John & Jesus are both very very important figures, but it is obvious when these stories are compared what place each has in the story being told.

1:5-25 – The Annunciation (announcing) of the Birth of John the Baptist
This story starts with an upstanding priestly couple, Zechariah (priestly order of Abijah), and Elizabeth (descendent of Aaron, Moses’ brother and right hand man!!), and we hear some pretty incredible things about them: They are righteous before God, living blamelessly, keeping the commandments (not many can say this!!) Sadly no children, Elizabeth was barren. This is the biblical clue for WAKE UP GOD IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING HERE!!!!! Remember Abraham & Sarah from Old Testament, Luke actually takes some quotes from there. Zechariah and Elizabeth are the Abraham & Sarah of this story; an old childless couple. These two have every sign of ones who are faithful, obedient, and ready for God to appear at any moment. Are they??

As a priest Zechariah is to take care of the temple, and every once in a while one is chosen to go into the sanctuary of the Lord (where God dwells) to offer incense, etc. Zechariah gets the opportunity (marked by God) this time. The priests who cast lots were the ones who had never had the opportunity before, and so since Zechariah is quite old, he has been waiting his whole life to enter this part of the temple. He had never been in there before! Now, remember, this is the place where God dwells!! A priest should expect to see God!! Yet, when Zechariah sees the angel Gabriel he is terrified (which is always the normal reaction to an angel), though maybe as a priest he should have at least expected it (compare with Mary later). Every time an angel appears the first words are always, “Don’t be afraid!!” They expect to be an intrusion into what we would normally expect.

Gabriel then launches into his story. Their prayer is answered by God, they will have a son, and continues with everything about this son. Parenting instructions: You will name him John; You will rejoice; He will be great; Parenting instructions: No strong drink; He will be filled with the Holy Spirit (important for Luke throughout Gospel, watch for more from the HS); he will turn many back to God; he will be like Elijah; he will turn the disobedient into righteous; for the purpose of preparing the way! John is going to enter into the illustrious history of the prophets who were chosen very young: Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, David.

Zechariah’s question is Abraham’s question from the OT actually quoted by Luke, however, Zechariah should know the story pretty well!! Gabriel’s proof is who he is, and that he stands in God’s presence, and is bringing God’s word!!! Because Zechariah didn’t believe he will be mute, unable to speak. When Zechariah finally comes out he can’t speak, and the crowd knows he has seen a vision. He is gesturing wildly because he can’t speak!! After Zechariah’s service he returns home, and they conceive a child. Elizabeth’s seclusion allows for Mary not knowing about this until the angel appears to Mary in the next scene.

1:26-38 – The Annunciation (announcing) of the Birth of Jesus
Contrast this meeting by the angel Gabriel with the previous one. The angel comes to an unknown woman, of no status, not a priest. There is no OT biblical equivalent to a young unmarried woman receiving the joyous news that she is going to have a baby. Mary is engaged to Joseph who is from the house of David. At age 12 a woman’s vow was considered valid, but an age is not given, so we can surmise that she is at least 12, possibly a little older. This meeting doesn’t happen in a special religious place (like the temple), but in a small remote village, Nazareth. We aren’t given any information about Mary’s family yet, and so Luke seems to be portraying her as an unknown to us. She is meant to be a surprise, biblically, for us. God is doing something new. The obstacle that God needed to overcome in John’s birth is that Zechariah & Elizabeth are old, which is a traditional OT birth miracle. The obstacle in Jesus’ conception & birth is that Mary is not married, this is an even great miracle birth by a virgin!!

Gabriel greets Mary in a very special way! Though Mary isn’t “terrified” like Zechariah, only “perplexed.” But then as Mary is perplexed we hear the traditional angelic words, “Do not be afraid!”
Both John & Jesus will be great, but Jesus will also be “Son of the Most High.” Jesus will be given the throne of David, and he will rule forever. Here is the ultimate in Kingship!! However, in Luke the traditional king is not what Jesus is, in fact, Jesus never calls himself a King, rather others accuse him of being a king, and for this he is executed. Throughout Gabriel’s speech he is emphasizing God’s action, this is what God is doing. God has chosen Mary for this special purpose. The angel doesn’t seem to mind Mary’s question, though it seems similar to Zechariah’s. It is possible that Zechariah was looking for some proof, while Mary is just wondering how it is going to happen. The angel then describes the incredible process, certainly very unusual (different from Zechariah & Elizabeth, another reason why Mary’s question makes more sense. The explanation is the Holy Spirit, “will come upon you.” This will come up again in the book of Acts as the Holy Spirit rests on the believers. And the Holy Spirit will “overshadow” Mary. This kind of overshadowing is similar to the description of God’s presence in the tent in Exodus 40:35 “Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” This child will by Holy!

For proof the angel tells Mary of Elizabeth’s conception of a child, and she is well enough along for Mary to be able to see for herself. We now learn that Mary & Elizabeth are relatives. “Nothing will be impossible with God!!” Important statement here, as it continues the focus not on Mary, or Elizabeth, or Zechariah, but the focus is on what God is doing here!! Finally, the scene ends with Mary’s faithful pronouncement that she will be God’s pawn, and God can move her around as He sees fit. She is linked to the OT Hannah in her willing obedience (1 Sam 1:18).

Introduction to Study of the Gospel of Luke

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Gospel of Luke Study - Introduction
The Reverend Jeffrey G. Bohan, Senior Pastor - St. Luke Lutheran Church – Bloomsburg, PA

Anonymous author
The Gospel of Luke was written by an author who never tells us his name within the gospel writing itself. The name of Luke was attached to this gospel early on, however. We do have in the earliest manuscript of this book dated to 175-225AD to which the name the Gospel According to Luke is attached, and in several other places there is mention to such a possibility that it was Luke who wrote the book.

Luke is named in several other New Testament books:
Philemon 24 - Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,* 24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers.

Colossians 4:14 - 13For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.

2 Timothy 4:11 - 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry.

Luke in Tradition
Irenaeus (c130-200), bishop of Lyon, wrote about “Luke” who was Paul’s companion, and who recorded a book of the Gospel preached by him. This sounds like Luke is the scribe writing down what Paul is preaching.

Tertullian (c150-225) writes of Luke as one who has followed the apostles, thus showing that Luke follows the unbroken chain from Jesus to the apostles to the writer of the Gospel of Luke.

It is very possible from the above that Luke did indeed write this gospel, and that Luke was a companion with Paul, and possibly even Paul’s scribe. However, not much more is known about the author, and it is probably worth noting that the author wasn’t interested in being known, but rather sharing the content of the Gospel about Jesus!! Thus, just from the absence of this information we have a beginning of Luke’s theology, and a focus for his story not on himself, but rather on Jesus!!

Comparison of the Gospel of Luke to Matthew and Mark
These three gospels have been called “synoptic” gospels by scholars. Synoptic means “seeing together” and basically is talking about how similar these three Gospel stories are to each other. They seem to follow along the same general path, with only a few adjustments that are important to each one telling the story of Jesus in their own special way. In reading the Gospel of John, you will notice how different in character the writing is to these other three.

In comparing the gospels you will notice that there are some sections of each of these gospels that are strikingly similar if not exactly the same, there are sections of Luke & Matthew that are strikingly different from each other, and not at all in Mark, and you would notice that most of the Gospel of Mark is contained in both Matthew & Luke. This leads scholars to conclude that Matthew and Luke both probably used the Gospel of Mark to create their gospels, as well as a source that was common to both of them which scholars call “Q,” and that both Matthew and Luke had sources for material that are unique to their Gospel.

Luke from the Gospel Writing
- Luke is a skilled writer, and a master storyteller, and is able to weave the elements of the story into a complex story from beginning to end. He provides a structure for the entire Gospel, but also is able to provide structure for each story contained in the larger story.

- Luke has a deep knowledge of the Old Testament; and also knows the Greek world, and how to connect the two together.

- Luke was most probably in the artisan class (physicians are included here), who thus served the elite (Theophilus) to whom he is writing for.

Outline of the Gospel of Luke
Chapter 1 -2 – Prologue and Infancy Stories
Chapter 3 – 4:13 – Preparation for Jesus’ Ministry
Chapter 4:14 -9:50 – Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Chapter 9:51-19:27 – Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem
Chapter 19:28-21:38 – Jesus’ Ministry in Jerusalem
Chapter 22-24 – Jesus’ Death (Passion) & Resurrrection

Themes running through the Book
Kingdom of God – how this is breaking into our world; banquet; eating; healing; good news to the poor; new sense of Kingdom, not what we normally think of as a Kingdom.

Wealth & Poverty – blessings of poverty and the dangers of wealth

Prophet’s Voices – Regular people being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking words from God; these are the “good guys” in the story; connects with ACTS, and with us today as we follow Jesus God uses us as prophets speaking & doing by being filled with the Holy Spirit!

Repentance & Forgiveness = preaching the gospel/good news; disciples are required to forgive. “Repentance is Luke’s model for how ones begins discipleship.”(Vinson)

Salvation for all alike – Jesus breaks down all prejudice and eats with all who are labeled “sinners” by the religious elite.

Women – are visible in this gospel. They are very important, and play important roles.

Apostles (the 12 chosen ones), Disciples (70+ others that follow), Crowds (wishy-washy group that hangs around), & Enemies (Pharisees, Scribes, Chief Priests, Elders) – four groups that spend a lot of time around Jesus.

Identity of Jesus running through the Book
Son of God – used 6 times (Angel Gabriel, the devil 2x, demons 2x, question from “enemies”)
Prophet – one greater than the prophets. Fulfillment of the prophets.

Lord – used in various ways from the simple meaning of “sir” all the way to meaning Jesus is LORD of heaven and earth.

Messiah/Christ – “anointed one”; connects to kingship whoever is the Lord’s anointed.

Son of Man – how Jesus refers to himself most often in Luke; sometimes replaces “I”. Links Jesus’ ministry, his death, and the future judgment. What is our response to this “son of man”?

Savior - of the synoptics this appears only in Luke (2x) in the infancy narrative; but in a variety of forms links this idea of salvation in Jesus throughout the gospel.

Upcoming Bible Study - Gospel of Luke

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We will be starting a long-term Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke. We will be looking at a chapter a week starting on Wednesday Oct 28th @ 6:20pm-7:00pm, and we will have the same Bible Study each week on Thursday morning at 11:00am-12:00pm. My hope is to post the information that I will be sharing with the Bible Study at least by Wednesday sometime, and even if you cannot make the actual Bible Studies at church you can follow along at home through this blog!! This is my first time attempting a blog so we will see how it goes!!
Pr. Jeff

Welcome

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Welcome to St. Luke's new blog! Our plan is to post information here regarding upcoming events, as well as post Bible study discussions. Visit this page often!