Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 9

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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.