Luke 5:17 – 26 A Paralyzed Man Cured, Part II

Luke 5:17 – 26 A Paralyzed Man Cured, Part II

Then comes the second key part of this passage. Jesus in performing the miracle says “My friend, your sins are forgiven”, not “Get up and walk.” This causes great consternation among the scribes and the Pharisees. Surely only God can forgive sins! Why does Jesus choose those words? Is it precisely to make that connection and reveal himself as the son of God? And why does he forgive the man’s sins? Are they the cause of his paralysis? That flies in the face of all I know about medical science and all I think I know about the way God operates. On the other hand, I do believe that our sinfulness does “weigh” us down, does sap our energy and even may make us feel hopeless and perhaps even paralyzed (in a sense). Seeking God’s forgiveness - for example in the sacrament of reconciliation - can revitalize our spirits, relieve our minds and give us new energy for the road ahead. Note to self: This makes me thing that God is trying to tell me that talk is cheap and that I should experience the benefits of confession myself.

Luke 5:17 – 26 A Paralyzed Man Cured, Part I

Back from a week's vacation. Had a wonderful time with a few minor hiccups. Paula

Luke 5:17 – 26 A Paralyzed Man Cured, Part I

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set (him) in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, "As for you, your sins are forgiven." Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?" Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, "What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, "We have seen incredible things today."

In the first half of this passage, the friends of a paralytic go to great lengths to get him into the presence of Jesus to be cured. They cannot get him through the crowd so they take him up on the roof, remove part of it and lower him down. What determination! What belief! Jesus acknowledges their efforts and their faith - which is integral to the cure happening. In many stories of miracles in the Bible, two things must be present – the power of God (through Jesus or a disciple) and the faith of the miracle seeker. Without that faith being present, the miracle does not happen. If you have the gift of faith, praise God for it.

Luke 5: 6 – 16 Cure of a Leper

Luke 5: 6 – 16 Cure of a Leper

Now there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it. Be made clean." And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but said "Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them." The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

What strikes me about this passage is that although 90% of it is about Jesus curing the leper, my eye is drawn to the final line: “He would withdraw to deserted places to pray”. Solitude, silence and prayer. It might look like an add-on, but I think it’s really an integral part of both the story and of Jesus’ daily life. Because he prayed and removed himself from distraction and put himself in God’s presence, he was literally overflowing with God’s power – hence the ability to do astounding miracles at will. What could we accomplish if we did the same? Probably not miracles in the sense that Jesus did them, but maybe miracles of caring and forgiveness and witness and outreach. When I taught religious education a few years back, I used to compare prayer to our attempt to tune in a sort of (radio) signal from God. Our prayer helped us to “lock onto” God’s frequency, to get the strongest possible signal that God is sending our way pouring directly into our lives. Solitude, Silence & Prayer – may I not miss out on this way of letting your power pour into me.

Luke 5: 1 – 11 Call of the First Disciples

Luke 5: 1 – 11 Call of the First Disciples

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

The story of the call of the first disciples in Luke is mostly the story of Jesus' first meeting with Simon Peter. First Jesus asks Peter for help, to take him out in his boat a little ways from shore so Jesus can better teach the people. Then Jesus asks Peter to trust him, to go out into the deeper water and cast out his net for fish. Peter is clearly skeptical but when Jesus asks Peter to trust him, Peter does so. Peter’s amazement at what happens next, and his innate honesty causes him to declare himself not worthy of being in Jesus’ presence. Jesus’ response is to offer Peter a place at his side and an important role in his mission. What did Jesus prize in Peter? Helpfulness? Trust? Obedience? Honesty? Are these the essential traits Jesus wants in his followers? How do I measure up?

Luke 4: 31-44 Cure of a Demoniac

Luke 4: 31-44 Cure of a Demoniac

Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, "Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, "What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region. After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Poor Jesus. As he makes his way through the various towns of the area he is met with amazement for his words and with more than amazement for his deeds. Everywhere he goes people want something from him – a cure for themselves or for somebody they love. Even Peter is not immune. He asks for help on behalf of his mother-in-law. Jesus responds generously, curing many but he also keeps his eye on his main mission which is to declare to all the “good news” of the reign of God. He has a task to perform on this earth and even though he reacts with love and compassion to all he meets he understands that he and he alone can do the job he has been given by God and that it is vitally important.

Luke 4: 22 – 32 No Prophet is Accepted in His Own Land

Luke 4: 22 – 32 No Prophet is Accepted in His Own Land

And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, "Isn't this the son of Joseph?" He said to them, "Surely you will quote me this proverb, 'Physician, cure yourself,' and say, 'Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'" And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

After Jesus made his “maiden speech” in the synagogue in his home town, people who witnessed it were amazed. But at the same time a few that were present had doubts saying, “Is this not the son of Joseph?" In other words, how could the seemingly so ordinary "guy next door" be the extra-ordinary person now speaking? They were judging in human terms, instead on in ”all things are possible with God” terms. How would I have reacted? Would I have been able to make the transition from seeing Jesus as neighbor to seeing him as Messiah? I am always a cautious sort of person. Unfortunately I think it would have taken me some time to come around, but I hope I would have eventually. These people - Jesus' friends and neighbors have it the toughest. They alone have to get over the before and after hump. Others meeting Jesus for the first time don’t have this to get over. Perhaps the best thing to do is what Jesus himself suggested – judge him and all others by the fruit they bear. Are they life giving fruit bearers? I am reminded about the “fruits of the spirit” passage in Galations 5:22. The fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patient Endurance, Faith, Kindness, Generosity and Self Control. Are these characteristics that he showed? Are these what we show? If so, then he and we “are of God”.

Luke 4: 14-21 The Beginning of Preaching

Luke 4: 14-21 The Beginning of Preaching

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them, "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

After spending forty days in the desert preparing himself, Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” In that power he amazed all around him by the wisdom and authority of his teaching. Then he returned home to Nazareth, went in to the local synagogue and read that fateful passage from Isaiah 61:1-2 – in my mind, I have always called that Jesus’ mission statement. Again he begins by grounding himself in the Spirit. He says, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me” and “He has sent me.” He mentions the poor, the captives, the blind, the prisoners – all the downtrodden and abused - as his constituency. To them he promises “glad tidings” “liberty” “sight” “release”. There is no mention of Israel or Zion, although his message could be taken politically, if you wanted to. To me it is more radical that Jesus doesn’t distinguish by people but by position. This is the first sign of the radical-ness of his message, a message that will cut across the usual categories and ask us to see ourselves as a new people with a new mission.

Temptation in the Desert, Part II

Temptation in the Desert, Part II

Now having handled the preliminaries, we get to the main event: The devil tempting Jesus, not once but three times. 1) the temptation of bread, i.e. the fulfilling of physical need. Think of all the good Jesus could do for himself and the world if he turns stones in to bread. He could end hunger – that would be a worthwhile achievement in itself. But it would do nothing about justice and our call to love one another. 2) the temptation of power/control. Think of all the good Jesus could do if he had power over all the earth. But what about free will? Jesus does not want to compel people, he wants them to choose life, and love on their own. 3) the temptation of fame. If angels caught Jesus as he was jumping off the temple - that would have caused a sensation. Jesus, instead of being a person to strive to be like would become a spectacle. In every case, the devil offers Jesus power – over things, people and media. Economic, Political and Social power. That is not what Jesus was about. Instead Jesus preached mercy and compassion, justice and forgiveness, love of God and love of neighbor. He is about letting go instead of holding on, emptying instead of possessing, surrendering instead of causing conflict. He exhibits the qualities of humility, gentleness, peacefulness, self control, kindness – characteristics that seem dangerous and risky in the current age. Anyone who thinks following Jesus is the easy way had better think again.

Luke 4: 1 – 13 Temptation in the Desert, Part I

Luke 4: 1 – 13 Temptation in the Desert, Part I

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me."
Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'" Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and: 'With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him in reply, "It also says, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'" When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Two things strike me about this passage. First, right at the outset we read that Jesus is “full of the Holy Spirit” as he goes out into the desert. Whether he knows it or not, he is preparing for what is to come. He does this by fasting and praying and being in solitude. I don’t think that this can be separated from the fact that he is about to successfully resist the devil and all his blandishments. By grounding himself through these activities/behaviors he deepens and strengthens his relationship with God. This reminds me of a key book in my spiritual life – The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. Foster promotes the development of 12 spiritual disciplines in order to deepen our relationship with God. They are taken from his study of Jesus actions as reported in the Gospels. These disciplines are meditation, fasting, prayer, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance and celebration. I have been feeling called to deepen my relationship with God and this is a good reminder and encouragement to begin.

Luke 3:23- The Genealogy of Jesus

Luke 3:23- The Genealogy of Jesus

When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age. He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 13the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Jesus is about to begin his ministry. He is a young man in his prime, 30 years of age. Before he begins though, Luke traces his genealogy back through time through many of the great bible characters. All the way from his father, Joseph, through Joshua, David, Boaz, Noah, Jacob, Isaac and Abraham. All the way back to Adam, all the way back to God. No mention of women. I don’t know if this is just tradition or oversight. I think the society of that time probably doesn’t properly value women. This makes the place, the importance of women as given in Jesus life – his mother, his friends, his associations - another break with the past and with religious tradition. It is unfortunate that down through the ages the Church has fallen back into this age-old rut of denying the importance and relevancy of women. That is the glass half empty view of this scripture. The glass half full is the anchoring of Jesus to some of the most well-known figures in the bible and in history. I’m sure that is for our benefit. Jesus knows who he is, where he is from. He doesn’t need anyone to tell him. Perhaps it is a benefit for women not to be called out in this genealogy. Maybe they see themselves and their contribution to posterity in their present actions and their children. They are who they are and what they do before God.