Luke 5-9Right off the bat I wish I knew what else was going on that didn't get recorded in the gospels. It seems to me that something else had happened. As this section begins, Jesus gets into a boat belonging to Peter. Did they know each other? Had thy been fishing before? The gospel doesn't say it, but obviously they knew each other. I mean, can you imagine just getting in someone's boat? So what had happened previously?
I was struck by the complaints lodged against the disciples. They were accused of eating and drinking--of basically being party animals! How often is that said of disciples today? Very seldom! Rather we are seen as the party-poopers; and often with good reason! The followers of Jesus have now taken over the role of the Pharisees. We are the rule keepers! How far have we come? What would happen if we began acting like the real disciples? Just asking.
In one of the more bizarre reactions, Jesus heals a man on the sabbath and the Pharisees are mad! Do we do that? Do we get mad when good is done--even in ways that don't go with our beliefs, with our traditions? I hope not, but I am afraid that too often we do.
In a section that echoes Matthew, Luke gives us the "Sermon on the Plain." Only here the Beatitudes are not "spiritualized." Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor." No "poor in spirit." This is a rather significant difference. Too often I think we seek to "Matthewize" Jesus teachings, making them more spiritual than actual. (We like Matthew better because he doesn't add the "woes" that Luke kicks it--and with which Luke kicks us!)
John's disciples come to see if Jesus is "the One." Jesus responds by telling them to report to John what they have seen. What if people did that with us? What if they reported what they see us do? Would it point to God? Seems that is the report on which we are graded.
Tomorrow is Sunday, a day off, time to get caught up! Join the conversation! Come to worship! We will "talk" again Monday!
1 comment:
These comments echo my thoughts when listening to this section! How does the church prevent becoming like the Pharisees? Is it when we put more emphasis on unspoken rules than on intention? Or are we just doomed to sound like Pharisees because we are trying to follow Jesus? Or is it just when we TALK about following Jesus that we sound like Pharisees?
I had never heard this passage called "sermon on the Plain" until this year - and I spent my life in Presbyterian Sunday School and then adult Bible studies! I've also been struck by how MANY parables I've heard during this Lenten listening event that I don't EVER remember reading or hearing before! Some of them are so confusing! So unclear! No wonder we tend to stay away from them.
Post a Comment