Luke 10: 17 – 24 The Seventy-Two continued.

Luke 10: 17 – 24 The Seventy-Two continued.

The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." At that very moment he rejoiced (in) the holy Spirit and said, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." Turning to the disciples in private he said, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

Yesterday I considered the people’s response – positive or negative – to the 72 going out to preach in the villages. Today I look at the disciples. They are characterized as jubilant at what they are able to accomplish in Jesus’ name. Jesus tells them that as awe-inspiring as that experience was, the true fact to rejoice over is that their names (through, I think, their faith and their actions) is known in heaven. Then as he always does, Jesus gives thanks to his Father - for what He has done for him – revealing himself to the child-like, the humble, the powerless, the vulnerable. The Father has chosen Jesus through which to make Himself known, and Jesus has chosen his followers to make both himself and his Father known. They and we are truly blest to know the Father through Jesus. Amen.

Luke 10:1 – 16 Mission of the Seventy-Two

Luke 10:1 – 16 Mission of the Seventy-Two

After this the Lord appointed seventy (-two) others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.'" Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

Jesus appointed an additional seventy two disciples and sent them out as sort of “advance men” to every town and place he intended to visit. Their mission was to heal the sick and proclaim that “the reign of God is at hand”. Although they traveled in pairs they were to bring nothing with them, but only accept the generosity of those that welcomed them. They were to be, in a sense, vulnerable like Jesus – not forcing their presence anywhere they were not welcomed, trusting in people’s generosity. Conversely, Jesus speaks quite harshly of those who reject his ambassadors out of hate or apathy. This passage always bothers me. I can’t quite picture these words coming out of Jesus’ mouth. Last year I went with a friend to a “Town Hall Meeting” hosted by my local congresswoman. The topic of the meeting was health care. We waited for over an hour to get into the meeting, then once inside waited for over an hour for the meeting to begin. I have rarely spent two more uncomfortable hours. I guess by definition the only people who would spend three hours on a Saturday morning to attend one of these meetings would feel they really had something to say. The sense of fear and anger and hostility in that room was palpable. Fear of losing their money, their job, their independence? It was disturbing to say the least. By their fear and anger they appeared to me to already be in a sort of hell, unable to hear, to think outside of themselves. Maybe that was going on in the minds of those in the villages who rejected the disciples.

Luke 9:51 – 62 Move On

Luke 9:51 – 62 Move On

When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father." Jesus answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, come away and proclaim the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." (To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

Jesus continues in his pensive, almost morose mood. The Samaritans would not welcome him and his followers, which angered James and John but not Jesus. He will not force his presence on anyone, not then and not now. He accepts the Samaritan’s right to turn away from him and moves on. Their loss. Along the way he grows weary of a mission that does not allow time to rest. No home, no family, no comfort, as he prepares for his coming trials. He meets a few individuals who say they want to follow him, but when challenged by Jesus find excuses to delay. He seems to have little sympathy for their very human (to me) requests to take leave of their families. This makes what Jesus (and his followers) are doing all the more remarkable. Jesus knows what is coming and he knows that distractions and excuses won’t cut it. I wonder what happened to those two men who were drawn to Jesus but could not seem to make a commitment. Did they later become one of the followers of the new church? I hope so. Or did they just sink back into their familiar, comfortable lives. Jesus challenges us, invites us, in his words to “come away and proclaim the Kingdom of God”. He asks us to make a commitment to him, to make a change in our lives. How do we deal with that in this complex, hard driving world? I’m pretty sure if I had been in the place of those two men I too would have disappointed Jesus.

Luke 9: 43-50 The Greatest, Part II

Luke 9: 43-50 The Greatest, Part II

The second admonition is when John reports that they saw another man trying to cast out demons in Jesus name. They tried to stop him because he was not one of them. Jesus disagreed. Whoever is not against them is for them. That is a pretty ecumenical line of thinking. But it fits right in with something that we read a few days ago – the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Jesus inspires people to join in his mission. He is not threatened by their efforts as long as they do it in the right spirit. The “right spirit” is my addition to the discussion. I believe that any action of ours, done in the “right spirit”, that is, inspired by God’s Spirit, is good and can have a good effect. I believe hierarchy and control is less important that creating a growing movement of kingdom followers. How powerful would such a movement of believers be who are putting themselves out there trying to model themselves on Jesus? How much better to have a system where the inspiration of the spirit is emphasized, instead of the control of the message.

I read a book this past Lent that theorizes that the Catholic Church is going through profound change, and that this kind of change happens every 500 years of so – witness the Great Schism of Greek and Roman churches, the Great Reformation, etc. and is a necessary, even healthy part of being a live and growing organism. At the end of the book the author mentions in brief a different time change theory of 2,000 year intervals. She lays out four phases: 2,000BC – Christ’s Birth as the Age of the Father; Christ’s Birth – 2,000 AD as the Age of the Son; 2,000 AD – 4,000AD (the present Age) as the Age of the Spirit; and then 4,000AD on, as the Age of the Holy Trinity. Interesting to think about. Meanwhile back to the Gospel passage. God knows men and women’s hearts. Let him judge them, meanwhile may all people who are inspired by the Spirit to follow Jesus and do good, do so, I hope with his blessing.

Luke 9: 43-50 The Greatest, Part I

Luke 9: 43-50 The Greatest, Part I

And all were astonished by the majesty of God. While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest." Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company." Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."

These few verses round out a tempestuous few days. Jesus’ mind is very much on his coming Passion. He predicts for a second time that he must be given over to men. His disciples failed to understand, and in fact they are filled with uneasiness. Instead of being present to Jesus in his time of need, some prefer to daydream about who among them is the greatest. Jesus knows what they are thinking. He responds by making two statements. First he says “whoever welcomes a child on my account welcomes not only me, but he who sent me." I read and reread this passage. How is it a response to self-involvement and ambition? Perhaps it is revolutionary because of the traditional place of children in society at that time. There are few mentions of children in the Gospel unless they are involved in cures. Although this would indicate that they are well loved by their parents, they are little seen and never heard from. And yet Jesus asks his disciples to welcome this least seen and heard from group for his sake. Doing this may cause puzzlement to those around him, even derision, but treating the smallest, weakest among us is another way Jesus sets himself and his mission apart. He finishes this by saying that the "least among you is the greatest".

Luke 9: 27 – 42 The Possessed Boy

Luke 9: 27 – 42 The Possessed Boy

On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. There was a man in the crowd who cried out, "Teacher, I beg you, look at my son; he is my only child. For a spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams and it convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it releases him only with difficulty, wearing him out. I begged your disciples to cast it out but they could not." Jesus said in reply, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you and endure you? Bring your son here." As he was coming forward, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion; but Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and returned him to his father.

A father asks for a cure for his son at the same time he complains about the disciples’ inability to make the cure. Jesus reacts with exasperation – and why not he is fully human too! After having spent several days off with his disciples, his future is very much on his mind and yet he is being dragged back by people asking him to do things for them, by people reminding him that his disciples may not be fully ready for the task ahead of them. Still he cannot refuse, for the father’s sake, for the son’s sake. Jesus wants to focus on his ministry from a personal point of view. He is perhaps anxious, lacking in sleep, pre-occupied, and yet he cannot help but respond, although in this case the asker seems to be asking less in faith than in expectation. Are people already taking him for granted, always expecting something from him, what he can do for them? That must make him feel even lonelier as he faces his Passion. Let me today realize that everyone I deal with in my work, in my daily activities, at the store, or at the library, is a human being with worries and challenges of their own, deserving of my respect and patience.

Luke 9: 28-36 The Transfiguration

Luke 9: 28-36 The Transfiguration

About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him." After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

The past few passages seem to be building toward this moment: Peter’s profession of faith, the conditions of discipleship, and now the Transfiguration. Jesus has revealed his very nature and then his destiny (and their destiny if they choose to remain his followers), and now they see the end result – glorification. Peter especially seems eager to forget the foretold challenges and latch onto the glorious part. In case anyone has missed the point, God the Father’s emphatic statement “This is my beloved son, my Chosen One, listen to him” makes it dramatically clear. Instead of being overjoyed (except for one brief trial balloon floated by Peter) the party seems sobered. They will need every bit of strength and faith they can muster for the coming weeks. But this is more than Jesus saying who he is by word and deed. This is the Father spectacularly confirming it. A concrete witness both Jesus and the apostles will cling to in the trying times that are fast approaching. God gives all of us what we need in big and little ways. Amen

Luke 9:23 – 27 Discipleship

Luke 9:23 – 27 Discipleship

Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."

Wow! This short passage is jam packed. Each sentence, each phrase seems like its own commandment. If we want to be Jesus’ followers we must deny our very selves, take up our crosses and follow in Jesus footsteps. Self denial and crosses. That must have been greeted with concern by those who heard it. They already led hard, meager existences – and here Jesus is asking for even more. From there Jesus goes on to say whoever would save his life will lose it and whoever loses their life for Jesus sake will save it. More encouraging words. What is Jesus trying to do? Drive away his followers? End his mission before it begins? I think he is giving his followers insight into his own existence – this is what he is facing, what he is thinking, what he is preparing to do. How will he bear this? Only by his faith in his Father, his love for his Father, and for his love for humanity. Likewise any challenges and difficulties his followers must face will be made bearable by their faith in the Father and in him. What we are asked to do – bear witness, follow the commandments, love, share, forgive, heal, choose life, are in many ways counter-cultural in our society. They bring us to the unwelcome notice of many who feel we are foolish at best and dangerous at worst. Our challenge is to not be ashamed of Jesus’ teachings and follow Jesus - then Jesus promises we will have a share in his reward – everlasting life in the presence of the Father.

Luke 9:18 – 22 Who Do You Say That I Am?

Luke 9:18 – 22 Who Do You Say That I Am?

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God." He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."

Peter, the imperfect follower of Jesus, simple fisherman, stubborn, impulsive, showed amazing insight in reply to Jesus question – who do you say that I am? Peter names Jesus as the “Messiah of God”. Where did that come from? Apparently weeks of exposure to Jesus’ words and deeds and Jesus’ patience in allowing this ragtag bunch to hang around him has begun to bear fruit. Peter has grown before our very eyes. Of course we know Peter will still have his hiccups, his trials. But the point of Peter’s example gives us hope for ourselves. Could paying attention to Jesus words and deeds rub off on us as well? That plus Jesus’ patience and love is all it took for quite an ordinary person to become extraordinary in bringing about the kingdom. This should give all of us hope and encouragement. Jesus does not expect perfection. He wants us to be with him. He has all the love and patience in the world. He knows we are capable of extraordinary things. He knows it – if only we hang around him for a little longer.

Random thought, or maybe related thought. I started to read this book last week –“Sin Bravely, A Joyful Alternative to a Purpose Driven Life” by Mark Ellingren. It is a critique of the Rick Warren/Purpose Driven Life school of religion. I seems to be saying that instead of being chosen, and needing to act accordingly, we should accept the fact that we are sinners and that even so, with God’s love and patience, we can do good for ourselves and others in this world. This sort of ties in with Peter’s extraordinary confession of Jesus as Messiah. Peter is a sinner, he knows it, but he also is secure in Jesus patience and love, so he keeps picking himself up and dusting himself off and trying again. Jesus nurtures him and – just imagine, founds his entire church/religion on him. Maybe this guy Ellingren is onto something. Interesting that I came across this book exactly at the same time I came across that passage on Peter. Thank you Holy Spirit.

Luke 9:7 – 17 Multiplication of the Loaves.

Luke 9:7 – 17 Multiplication of the Loaves.

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

When the apostles returned, they explained to Jesus what they had done. He took them and withdrew in private to a town called Bethsaida. The crowds, meanwhile, learned of this and followed him. He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of (about) fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

This is a very famous miracle, one that until recently I think I have taken for granted. What changed my mind was a sermon I heard while in Maine. The priest, who initially looked to be quite stern, turned out to be pretty funny. He started and ended with a joke and told several funny stories along the way. But it was his insight into the miracle that has stayed with me. I always took it as a straight up miracle – a bottomless basket of bread and fish, or maybe you imagined baskets of food appearing out of thin air, poof, poof, poof, to feed the masses. This priest had a different take on it. I think his larger point was that we should look to Jesus as our example, follow his ways of faith and trust and generosity. In a way, his take on the miracle was perhaps less “miraculous” in that he said that perhaps what happened that day was that when Jesus blessed and broke the few loaves and fishes and began to share them with the crowd, everyone who had squirreled away a bit of food in their belongings when they came out to see Jesus, broke that out as well and began to share with their neighbors. So Jesus’ example inspired people and together they created the miracle. Maybe that makes this miracle less in your eyes, but not in mine. In my eyes it means that those kind of miracles – inspired by Jesus’ deeds and acted upon by us are possible anytime and anyplace. Have you ever wished you lived in a time of miracles? Maybe we just have to stop waiting for the “poof” and start doing our small part in faith.

Luke 9:1-6 Commissioning of the Twelve

Luke 9:1-6 Commissioning of the Twelve

He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal(the sick). He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them." Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

It appears Jesus’ mission is approaching a new phase. He instructs his twelve followers and sends them out “to proclaim the reign of God and heal the afflicted.” By doing this he prepares them for their future role as his disciples when he is no longer with them. God’s Kingdom is at hand – repent and reform your lives. Believe and let the power of your belief heal you. It’s pretty heady stuff – whatever side of the equation you fall on – disciple or crowd member. What I find even more interesting are Jesus detailed instructions to the disciples: bring nothing for the journey, no food, no clothing, no walking stick or traveling bag, no money. Depend upon the generosity of strangers. Force nothing, accept everything. It is Jesus' way and it must be their way. Control nothing, demand nothing. Preach the good news of the kingdom which is coming, heal people, minister to their needs. Take nothing with you, travel light. Go out with love and good will and where it is offered back to you, accept it, and where it is refused, let it go. Are you listening Church?? Control nothing, force nothing, preach the good news, minister to the people and leave the rest to God. Amen.