Luke 22:31-62, Sunday, November 24, 2019 - Denying Christ

During this sermon, we consider the denial of Jesus by Peter and Judas.  It's easy enough for all of us to point fingers at both Peter and of course Judas for their shortcomings in their relationships with Jesus.  We point fingers without considering how and how many times we deny and betray Christ...

Let's try and reflect upon that more than just a little bit...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Luke 22:31-62 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded[a] to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” 34 Jesus[b] said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”

Purse, Bag, and Sword
35 He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” 36 He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “It is enough.”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”[c] 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [[43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]][d] 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”[e]

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” 49 When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”

Peter Denies Jesus
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Footnotes:
a) Luke 22:31 Or has obtained permission
b) Luke 22:34 Gk He
c) Luke 22:40 Or into temptation
d) Luke 22:44 Other ancient authorities lack verses 43 and 44
e) Luke 22:46 Or into temptation

Luke 20:27-38 Who is going to care for us... who is responsible for us? Sermon given November 10, 2019

Photo by Christian Begeman

This sermon looked at the scripture found in Luke's Gospel in Chapter 20, verses 20-38.  Here the issue isn't who gets to enjoy the benefit of being married to the woman nor even who gets the honor of being married to the woman, but rather who is responsible for her... who must take care of and provide for her.  Jesus' point here is that none of these seven brothers need to be concerned about 'having' to be responsible for the woman... God will now be taking care of her and providing for her.  In Heaven... God provides for and takes care of us all... what a wonderful thing to realize.

Praise God...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy 

Luke 20:27-38 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Question about the Resurrection
27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28 and asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man[a] shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30 then the second 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.”

34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 20:28 Gk his brother

Luke 17:11-19, Sunday Worship - October 13, 2019 - The Ten Lepers

These verses in Luke's Gospel are often used to illustrate the all too common issue of the majority of those confirmed or baptized into our denominations leaving and never returning.  I don't think this is about that issue at all (though it is a very real and concerning issue!).  Rather here I see a story about the ultimate outsider... the leper who is also a Samaritan.  While he was afflicted just like his companions, who we are led to believe are Hebrews, he seems to have been included at least to the extent of their mutual affliction... now that he and the rest have been healed that old division has resurfaced.

The Samaritan returns to Jesus because he knows he is not welcome to accompany the Jews any longer... he will be much, much less welcomed at the Temple.  For him to enter the Temple would probably mean death... so, he returns to the Temple that does welcome him.  He returns to the one who healed him and he prostrates himself before his Savior.  The real message that I see here is that Jesus is the new Temple... the true Temple... the Temple where all are welcome no matter who or what they (we) are.

Praise be to God!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Luke 17:11-19 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus[a] was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers[b] approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’[c] feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 17:11 Gk he
b) Luke 17:12 The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases
c) Luke 17:16 Gk his

Luke 17:1-10, Sermon Sunday October 6, 2019

Yesterday, there was a problem with the video of the sermon, so I went to the Facebook Livestream and captured the audio of the sermon and created a video with that.  So today you won't see my smiling face and I'm certain that is a vast improvement.

Today, I am in Saint Paul, MN through Wednesday for a seminar on preaching.  So this will be a short post as I need to head to the seminar.

Please take a listen and please as always...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Luke 17:1-10 NRSV
Some Sayings of Jesus
17 Jesus[a] said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2 It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard! If another disciple[b] sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4 And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a[c] mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7 “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? 8 Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 17:1 Gk He
b) Luke 17:3 Gk your brother
c) Luke 17:6 Gk faith as a grain of

Martha & Mary, Luke 10:38-42, Sermon given Sunday, July 21, 2019

Last Sunday I preached over the very familiar text concerning "Martha and Mary".  These verses have been the topic of many Women's conferences and messages to Women's groups at church functions, not to mention sermons aimed at the ladies in a congregation.  I, however, do not feel that this is a story laying out the role(s) of women at all.  Yes, the characters are women, but the message is to all of us!

Here in Luke's Gospel, Jesus has already turned to head towards Jerusalem and just as in the story concerning the "Sending Out of the Seventy", shortly preceding this tale, time is of the essence.  There is a need to focus attention on the goal... the time for fussing and feeding the body has passed and now we're focusing on the soul.

Please take a listen to the sermon, the link to the video on Youtube is right below.  Thank you for spending a few moments listening to this message.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Luke 10:38-42 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing.[a] Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Footnotes:
Luke 10:42 Other ancient authorities read few things are necessary, or only one

Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac - Luke 8:26-39 - Sermon given June 23, 2019

Last Sunday's sermon covered Luke 8:26-39.  This is Luke's version of the healing of the Demoniac at Gerasene.  For most of us, there is simply no way to relate to a demonic possession... and that's a good thing... but, we all are at times taken over by impulses and behavior that is unhealthy or destructive for us and all too often those around us.

Each of us has allowed anger, ego, pride, and a myriad of other destructive natures take over us.  All too often, once you allow one of these negative emotions or behaviors into your heart they bring 'friends' along with them and all too soon we are like the poor Demoniac and we are filled with a 'Legion' of destruction.

Please take a listen to the sermon, as always it's not a highly polished message but it is as always from the heart and hopefully, Spirit-led.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy

Luke 8:26-39 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac
26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes,[a] which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn[b] no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— 29 for Jesus[c] had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons[d] begged Jesus[e] to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes[f] asked Jesus[g] to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus[h] sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

Footnotes:
Luke 8:26 Other ancient authorities read Gadarenes; others, Gergesenes
Luke 8:27 Other ancient authorities read a man of the city who had had demons for a long time met him. He wore
Luke 8:29 Gk he
Luke 8:32 Gk they
Luke 8:32 Gk him
Luke 8:37 Other ancient authorities read Gadarenes; others, Gergesenes
Luke 8:37 Gk him
Luke 8:38 Gk he

“Name” - Onoma
Transliteration: onoma
Phonetic Spelling: (on'-om-ah)
Definition: a name, authority, cause
Usage: name, character, fame, reputation. 

“Abyss” - abusso
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: abussos
Phonetic Spelling: (ab'-us-sos)
Definition: boundless, bottomless
Usage: the abyss, unfathomable depth, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits. 

“Healed” - sózó: 
to save
Original Word: σῴζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sózó
Phonetic Spelling: (sode'-zo)
Definition: to save
Usage: I save, heal, preserve, rescue. 

Luke 15:1-32, A Lost Sheep, A Lost Coin, And A Lost Son - March 31, 2019

This past Sunday the Lectionary brought us to the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  For quite a long time now this has been my favorite Parable, in probably my favorite Chapter, in my favorite Gospel.  I have come to believe that it is impossible to really grasp the enormity of God's grace and desire for reconciliation apart from the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Please take a listen to the sermon and feel free to comment below.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy

Luke 15:1-32 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

Take My Yoke Upon You - Matthew 11:16-19 & 11:25-30

The Scripture which I chose to preach over this past Sunday is comprised of two readings from the 11th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 11:16-19 (NRSV)
16 “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

Matthew 11:25-30 (NRSV)
25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank[a] you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[b] 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

These verses in Matthew start off contrasting the styles of John the Baptist and Jesus, but both styles have met with resistance from the Jewish people.  John in his ascetic manner living in the wilderness, living off the land as you will and calling for repentance, and Jesus who was no stranger to eating and drinking with sinners represent the two ends of the spectrum.  John represented by the reference to children playing "funeral" and Jesus compared to the children playing "wedding".  Neither of the two contrasting styles has been embraced by those in power and these verses speak to that lack of embrace. 

We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.

The reality is that far too many individuals are just plain contrary in this life.  No matter what angle or what logic you bring to the table they will contend with you because, that's just what they do.  But, that doesn't mean we stop coming or that we stop advocating for our Lord.  It's not for you or for I to judge when it's time to give up on someone, God could have easily given up on me but He didn't... and so I don't give up on others either.

In the sermon, I talk about the 'Yoke' of Christ.
28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
In the time of Jesus, it was common for Rabbis to talk about the 'Yoke of the Law' or the 'Yoke of Torah'.  Likewise, the approach that each Rabbi taught concerning the Law was described as that Rabbi's 'Yoke'.  Jesus comes to us talking about the lightness of His 'Yoke', about how easy His approach to Torah is.  But just what was/is the 'Yoke' of Christ?  Let's jump to Chapter 22 in the Gospel of Matthew for some insight.

Matthew 22:36-40 (NRSV)
36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Here we learn what Jesus' 'Yoke' was... it's the burden of loving God and loving others.  The importance of this verse is highlighted in that this exchange was preserved in all three Synoptic Gospels. Here is first Mark's version and then Luke's version.

Mark 12:28-31 (NRSV)
28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV)
25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.[a] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii,[b] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Note that immediately following Luke's version is the story of the 'Good Samaritan'.  I've talked before about the role of the two great First Century Rabbis Shammi and Hillel.  These two Rabbis had conflicting views on who this 'neighbor' was that we are to love.  Shammi taught that only a fellow Hebrew was your neighbor, Hillel taught that all Hebrews and all Gentiles were your neighbors but... that the Samaritans were NOT your neighbor.  In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus casts as the hero the Samaritan and shows him to be the role model of what a neighbor should be.
36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Clearly, in Christ's definition, even the despised Samaritan is one's 'neighbor'.  This was incredibly radical and liberal thinking for the time.  Here Jesus was to the 'left' of even Hillel, but there are other times when he's to the right of Shammi, this is why I call Jesus a 'Radical Moderate' and why I too call myself a 'Radical Moderate'.

I did not mention in the sermon that when Jesus listed the 'Greatest Commandment' that he was actually quoting from Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NRSV)
6 Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the ordinances—that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, 2 so that you and your children and your children’s children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Truly, loving God and loving others is the one thing above all else that we are called to as followers of Christ.  As Matthew tells us from this "Yoke" hangs all the Laws and all the Prophets.  It is by this 'Yoke' that we bear all the responsibilities assumed as Christ followers.  It is also through the 'lenses' of these two 'Loves' that we interpret all of the Law and Prophets.  We must view the Law and Prophets through the eyes of love, if our interpretation does not come out loving... then we have mistaken 'Earthly' yokes and lenses for the 'Yoke of Christ'.

Be a force of love to this wanting world...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Love & Care,
Roy

August 28th, 2016: Of Healing and Humility

In this past week's scripture verses, we are dealing with another controversial healing (while on his way to a meal), the seating arrangement at a meal, as well as who not to invite and who to invite when throwing a banquet.  One of the things that many have noticed about the Gospel of Luke is that Jesus seems so often to be going to a meal, eating with a group of people, leaving a meal, or telling a parable or story about a meal.  It's no wonder that communal meals are such an important part of the Christian experience.

Let's look at the verses for this past week's sermon:
Luke 14:1-14New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Jesus Heals the Man with Dropsy
14 On one occasion when Jesus[a] was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2 Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” 4 But they were silent. So Jesus[b] took him and healed him, and sent him away. 5 Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child[c] or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?” 6 And they could not reply to this.

Humility and Hospitality
7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Footnotes:

a) Luke 14:1 Gk he
b) Luke 14:4 Gk he
c) Luke 14:5 Other ancient authorities read a donkey

Here we have a story where Jesus is on his way to the home of a Pharisee who has invited him to a meal.  This incident in scripture follows very nearly the story of the 'unbinding' of the bent woman that was the subject of the sermon on August 21st.  We are tempted to believe that it's the same Sabbath day but the scripture prevents us from making that determination by saying "On one occasion...", this could be the same date or it might be earlier or later, it appears to be a remembrance of a story relayed to the author and we can't make a judgment on its place in real time.  Whereas we can't make a distinction on when it occurred in actual time we can contemplate as to why the author chose to share it with us in this place in his Gospel.

In the previous week's sermon, I discussed how the bent-over woman's healing was described in the greek with a word that means not to heal, but rather to unbind or untie.  I went on to discuss the alternate tradition about the Sabbath day which has to do with the Exodus and the Hebrew people's release from slavery and bondage to Egypt.  To me, this line of thinking marries up to the story of the bent over woman much more seamlessly than the tradition of taking a day of rest on the sabbath.  Remember the woman had suffered from her condition for eighteen years and it did not seem to be considered imminently fatal.  Her healing seems to me anyway, to be more of a remembrance or a symbolic reenactment of this release of the Hebrew people from bondage.  As I stated in the sermon, healing her could almost be looked upon as a form of worship to God.

Now, let's look at this part of the scripture for the current sermon .  This time, we have a man that is healed, interestingly enough Luke seems to try and equally balance out his stories between the sexes.  Often if you read a story about a man it will be followed by a story about a woman.  Luke it seems was a bit ahead of his time as far as gender equality is concerned.  Here in this story, the man cured by Christ is inflicted with 'dropsy' which is what we would call 'edema' today (notice that again the man doesn't request a healing just like the man with the withered hand and the bent woman, Jesus instigates the healing).  Edema can be a serious health risk and isn't something you want to let progress unrestrained, it can be fatal.  So here Jesus is working on a different meaning to the Sabbath, here it has to do with the traditional 'day of rest' scenario.  Here Jesus is criticizing the placing of the sabbath day over and above the good of the people, as he says in Mark Chapter 2:27 Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.

Next, the scripture takes a bit of a turn and discusses seating arrangements at a banquet and then who one should invite to a banquet.  The underlying message in the first segment has to do with genuine humility.  Genuine humility is often an elusive thing for once we've attained a certain level of self-perceived humility we can all too easily take pride in that accomplishment.  A truly humble individual does not talk about their humility they just simply live it.  It's another example of the role reversal that pops up so often in scripture... 'the first shall be last, and the last shall be first'.

In the later segment, Christ is trying to tell us that we need not focus on those in this world than can do things to benefit us but rather we need to focus on doing things for those that are in need. It's a very condemning bit of scripture for we all are guilty at times in our lives of seeking out relationships both in personal and business environments that somehow benefit us either financially or otherwise.  We are at our most basic level selfish beings and here Christ is encouraging that we model our lives after his, to live a life of service and giving.  It's a very difficult pill to swallow entirely, and I doubt few ever consume it in full.  There are exceptions of course and these exceptions are people that we should seek to model our lives upon, for these people have modeled their lives upon Christ.

One of the dangers of focusing entirely (as we so very often do) on the Deity of Christ is that we shift to the back of our minds his humanity.  We are left believing (and saying it over and over) that Christ was perfect in every way; but we forget that he lost his temper, that he made comments at times that were rude and insensitive, that he was even afraid and anxiety ridden at times.  He was fully human, and that means he had to be flawed, or else... he wouldn't be fully human.

Jesus was incarnated fully human so we would have a model to try and live our lives around.  I often have been guilty of saying that I can't be as good as Jesus was, and likely I can't (I've failed pretty horribly so far) but that does not mean I should give up trying.  It's a model we are all to try and achieve, it's not intended to be easy... not by a long stretch.  I've fallen far short of the mark in my 56 years to live up to his model, but I'm hoping to have a decade or 2 (maybe 3 or 4) to try and live up to that model.  We're all works in progress but the ideal life... the longed for Christian goal, is to live a Christ-like life.  Let us try and live that life of humility and grace from this day forward.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Joy & Grace,
Roy