GOSPEL OF LUKE - Chapter 8

Luke 8:5-8  Seeds  

“A farmer went out to sow his seed.  Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it.  Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn’t have good roots,.  Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it.  Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.” (MSG)

         There are two ways I see this Parable.  Are we the seeds or are we the ground?  If I look at it as seeds, then we are a seed company of differences…..male, female, young, old, rich, poor, etc.  But we all have the potential to grow the Spirit within us.  God is present inside each of us waiting to mature.

Are we the ground in which the seed of the Spirit grows?  In this light, we are ground of varying genders, races, occupations, and status. All can nurture the seed, all can bring forth the Spirit.  But in these differences, we can also be rocky, weedy, or fertile.  What kind of farmer am I?  What kind of ground do I till to help the Spirit grow?  How fertile is the soil of my life? 

Luke 8:15  Good Earth

“But the seed in the good earth – these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.” MSG

¹⁵ The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit.  GNT

         Fruit doesn’t mature and ripen over night.  It takes time.  Likewise, our maturity of Christian faith doesn’t happen overnight.  Sometimes it is a lifelong journey.  But no matter who we are, or what gifts we have been given, we all have more to offer in return to Christ than we realize.  We all have been given opportunities to grow; a responsibility to ripen our fruit and be a part of Christ’s ministry here on earth – now and today. 

Luke 8:22-23a  Snooze Time  

“One day he and his disciples got in a boat.  ‘Let’s cross the lake,’ he said.  And off they went.  It was smooth sailing, and he fell asleep.

     I can only think of one other time when the Gospel writers indicate Jesus fell asleep – the garden of Gethsemane.  Ministry was and is hard work.  You get tired!  Jesus was very human in this instance.  He needed a nap!  Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that it is ok to let others take over for awhile when we need to recharge our engines. It is OK to rest and relax. 

Luke 8:23b-24  A Matter of Trust   

 A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake.  Water poured in, and they were about to capsize.  They woke Jesus: ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’  Getting to his feet, he told the wind, ‘Silence!’ and the waves, ‘Quiet down!’  They did it.  The lake became smooth as glass.  Then he said to his disciples, ‘Why can’t you trust me?’

     Why can’t you trust me?  Where is your faith?  I’m sure God-Jesus-Spirit mumble this under their breath every day of our lives.  Trust is so hard.  Faith is so hard.  We want to rely on ourselves….just in case.  And we can’t.  Not when it comes to God and trust.

     You can’t blame the disciples.  They are scared.  The storm is howling.  The boat is taking on water.  And Jesus was sleeping through it all.  He wasn’t even aware!  Or….was he?  How often do we think that God is sleeping when we need him.  How often do we figure our need is too trivial, or that God is busy with something much more important.  The Psalmists accused God frequently of ‘being out to lunch’.  Even when we think the storm of life is about to overtake us, God is present.  God will act.  Trust God. 

Luke 8:25 Who Is This?  

“Who is this, anyway?  He calls out to the winds and sea, and they do what he tells them!”

     In one of the other Gospel narratives, Jesus’ mastery over the wind and waves is proof to Peter that Jesus IS the Messiah!  Peter walks on water in faith right after this.  Who is this man?  We may continue to ask the question today, but the answer should be clear: God.  God incarnate.  God with us. 

Luke 8:26-31  Madman

“As he stepped out onto land, a madman from town met him; he was a victim of demons….When he saw Jesus he screamed, fell before him and bellowed, ‘What business do you have messing with me? You’re Jesus, son of the Most High God!”

Luke 8:32-33 Pigs

“The demons begged Jesus to order them into the pigs.  He gave the order.  It was even worse for the pigs than for the man.  Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the lake and drowned.” 

Luke 8:37  Fear

“Later, a great many people from the Gerasene countryside got

together and asked Jesus to leave – too much change, too fast, and they were scared.”

Luke 8:38-39  Share the Good News!

“Jesus sent him back, saying, ‘Go home and tell everything God did in you.”

Luke 8:44-46 A Touch   

A woman who suffered illness for 12 years came up in the crowd behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once. Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”

Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, the people are all around you and crowding in on you.”

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I knew it when power went out of me.” (Paraphrase)
One touch out of many,.  One act of ultimate faith.  And Jesus knows.  He knows power has transferred.  He knows God has acted through him.  He knows.  He cares.  He heals.  And he still does today. 

Luke 8: 48  Faith    

⁴⁸ Jesus said to her, “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”  (GNT)

Your faith has made you well.  Boy, this gets into the whole realm of faith healing, ‘if I believe hard enough’, etc.  Does it always happen?  No.  CAN it happen?  Yes!  The possibility is always there – we don’t know how God will choose to heal and when, but faith can make it real…on God’s plan.  

Luke 8: 49-50  Jairus’ Daughter     

⁴⁹ While Jesus was [healing the woman], a messenger came from the official's house. “Your daughter has died,” he told Jairus [official in local synagogue]; “don't bother the Teacher any longer.”

⁵⁰ But Jesus heard it and said to Jairus, “Don't be afraid; only believe, and she will be well.”  (GNT)

Jairus is a Jewish official. This is a healing on behalf of one of the more affluent and influential of society, one of those times when Jesus reaches beyond the ragamuffin.  This is a reminder that the gospel message is for ALL.  Healing of spirit, soul, and self comes to ALL.  

GOSPEL OF LUKE - Chapter 7 Forgiveness

Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7  FORGIVENESS

Luke 7:6-7 (MSG) Worthy

 “Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble.  I’m not that good a person, you know.  I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person.  Just give the order and my servant will get well.” 

 

Luke 7:12-15 (MSG)  Widow’s Son

 “As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession – a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial.  And the mother was a widow.  When Jesus saw her, his heart broke.  He said to her, ‘Don’t cry.’ Then he went over and touched the coffin.  The pallbearers stopped.  He said, ‘Young man, I tell you: Get up.’ The dead son sat up and began talking.  Jesus presented him to his mother.”

Luke 7:16 (MSG)  Holy Mystery

 “They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them.”

Luke 7:22-23 (MSG) Are You the One?   

“Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, Lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, The wretched of the earth have God’s salvation hospitality extended to them.  Is this what you were expecting?  Then count yourselves fortunate!”

         John’s disciples had to know…is this the Messiah? I am trying to put myself in their shoes….the excitement, the anticipation, the joy!  Miracles were happening!  If this is the man of prophesy, he has come!

         We see what we want to see.  If we aren’t expecting the salvation of God, we won’t recognize it when it comes.  Do we need the proof as John’s disciples seemed to want?  Can’t we look around us and see the proof of God at work on a day to day basis? 

         Jesus IS the one!  Expect it!  Accept it! 

7:31-35 (MSG)  Fast or Feast 

  “How can I account for the people of this generation?  They’re like spoiled children complaining to their parents…. John the Baptizer came fasting and you called him crazy.  The Son of Man came feasting and you called him a lush.  Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they?  The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

         You can’t please everyone all the time!  Fasting or feasting – the people weren’t happy.  They didn’t know what to think.  Perhaps John fasted in preparation.  Jesus’ mission while here on earth was a celebration of God in our midst.  So much of his storytelling takes place around meals, around shared experiences.  But what are the results?  That’s the proof!  John gathered recruits, he baptized, he prepared people for the feast!  He got results!  Jesus went among the people, he ate with them, he broke bread with them.  Jesus made relationships count over a meal.  Jesus got results!  Fast or feast – the approach doesn’t matter as long as relationship with God ultimately happens.

 

Luke 7:38 (MSG)  Pursue the Forgiver

“Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume.”

Luke 7:41-43 (MSG)  Forgiven Most

“Two men were in debt to a banker.  One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty.  Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts.  Which of the two would be more grateful?’  Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.’ “

Luke 7:44-47 (CEB) Forgiveness Demands a Response

“She wet my feet with tears and wiped them with her hair….She hasn’t stopped kissing my feet….She has poured perfumed oil on my feet….She has shown great love.”

Luke 7:50 (GNT) Accept Forgiveness

“Your sins are forgiven.  Go in peace.”

Explanation....most of the Chapter 7 scribbles were previously drawn, so I have just included the scripture passage.  Commentary was published with the original blog posting.  

GOSPEL OF LUKE Chapter 6 - Sermon on the Plain

Luke 6:2,5,9  No Slave to Sabbath

Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing that, breaking a Sabbath rule?”… Then he said, “The Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.”…  “Let me ask you something: What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?” (MSG)

I am reading a book right now called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.  In it he speaks of the Gospel of Grace…or those who live by the grace of God, rather than the law of God.  When we get caught up in the legal rights and wrongs and forget the intent, we are no longer ‘Lord of the Sabbath’.  What kind of action DOES suit the Sabbath best?  Perhaps a lack of action is just as bad. To me, any action that affirms individuals as beloved children of God is Sabbath worthy.  How do I regard my Sabbath?  Do I use it for good?  Does Sabbath has to be a certain day?  Should every day be a Sabbath to the Lord in our hearts?

 Luke 6: 12-16    Choosing Twelve

¹² At that time Jesus went up a hill to pray and spent the whole night there praying to God. ¹³ When day came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles: ¹⁴ Simon (whom he named Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, ¹⁵ Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon (who was called the Patriot),¹⁶ Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became the traitor.  GNT

      Jesus had crowds following him…all considered disciples.  But from this very diverse lot of followers, he picked twelve to be his special apostles.  I looked up the differences in the words apostle and disciple online.  I found an apostle is ‘a messenger or ambassador; someone who champions reform, a belief, or a cause.’  A disciple is a follower of a mentor or teacher; who accepts and helps spread the teachings.’  Sounds to me that in the appointment, Jesus was laying the groundwork for a switch in job description from fan to cheerleader.  There is more responsibility of ACTION to be an apostle.  What am I?  Disciple or apostle?  Do I say the word or encourage, promote and LIVE it?? 

   

The rest of Luke 6 is similar to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, only this is the Sermon on the Plain

Luke 6:20-21  Beatitudes

You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.
God’s kingdom is there for the finding.
You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.
Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal.
You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.   MSG

The Beautitudes (or at least the abbreviated Luke version of four!) – where Jesus turns everything around.  Who is blessed? Not the rich or the privileged, the educated and laughing, but the poor, the lost, the persecuted, the hungry, the despised.   The ragamuffins as Manning would say!  These are those for whom the Gospel of Grace comes.  These are those God calls to him.  Jesus affirms the worthiness and dignity of those society shuns.  Can we not do the same?

 

Luke 6:31  Golden Rule

 Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! MSG

     Do unto others as we would have them do to us.  Treat others with the respect you expect.  To love as Jesus would have us love, we have to broaden our circle beyond the safe confines of our inner world and expand to a world of hurt and despair.  Reach out and touch someone!  I love Peterson’s Message here – take the initiative!  Don’t wait!  Be proactive and serve others. 

Luke 6:35 Love Your Enemies

 I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. MSG

     Love your enemies.  I don’t have other translations at hand this morning, but I imagine love those who do you wrong, love those you don’t like, love those who are different from you in theology, ideals, and standards.  This may extend to a smile, an unexpected act of charity or service, anything done with no expectation of return.  It is like inviting the ragamuffins to dinner, knowing the invitation will not come back.  When we love, we have no room for fear, and it is fear that leads to ‘enemy status’.  What is one small way I can ‘love an enemy’ today?

Luke 6:38 Generosity of Giving

Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.”  (CEB)

Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”  (MSG)

     For some reason sugar came to mind in this verse.  White sugar and brown sugar.  I consider white ordinary, brown a good portion.  If I give away my white sugar (you know, the neighbor at the door asking for a cup of sugar?), I will receive back brown sugar, packed down into the cup and overflowing.  When we give without measure, God blesses abundantly.  When we give without thought of tax deductions, percentages, and angles, we give from the heart.  And God blesses us more than we can anticipate or measure.

Luke 6:41-42  Specks and Logs

 “Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but pay no attention to the log in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Please, brother, let me take that speck out of your eye,’ yet cannot even see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.  GNT

     What is it so easy to criticize the flaws we see in each other, while we have on blinders to the same sin in ourselves?  Specks and logs can blind us, but especially the personal logs!  What have I failed to see in myself? I am a ragamuffin just like everyone else.  I have flaws!  Who am I to judge?  That’s God’s job!  If I concentrate on affirming all I encounter, to be positive in all relationships, the specks and the logs diminish in size. 

Luke 6:48-49 Foundations

^48-49 “If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed      like a house of cards. It was a total loss.” MSG

     We are building here at Habitat.  The foundation of the house is critical.  Habitat doesn’t just GIVE a house to a person in need – that would create a house of cards.  The potential owner must invest hours of sweat equity and attend classes on budgeting, finances and home ownership. They must work and become part of the supportive Habitat community.  All are steps in building a strong foundation, one in which not just the house stands firm, but the owner has relationships and knowledge to withstand the floods of life.  

     Faith and trust in God build that same foundation and relationship, as well as the ability to weather the storms of life.  Each day spent in heartfelt prayer, study and active service is another nail affirming our foundation.  What kind of God-house am I building?

GOSPEL OF LUKE Chapter 5: Early Ministry

Luke 5:10-11

 Luke 5:10-11  Call of Disciples

 Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.   (MSG)

Luke 5: 12-13  Healing the Leper

Jesus was in one of the towns where there was also a man covered with a skin disease. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged, “Lord, if you want, you can make me clean.”

 Jesus reached out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do want to. Be clean.”Instantly, the skin disease left him.  (MSG)

     The question from the leper was not one of faith...he KNEW Jesus could heal.  But WOULD Jesus choose to do so, to touch and to heal?  In the Biblical world, leprosy, a high contagious skin disease, was considered a consequence of sin.   Lepers were 'untouchables'.  By healing the leper, by reaching out and actually TOUCHING this man, Jesus demonstrated his desire to be present for ALL - the marginalized, the untouchables, the sinner.  How willing are we today to reach out and touch AIDS patients, to get our hands dirty among the street poor, to mingle with sinners of any kind?  It is our call as Christians.  It is a hard call to answer, but we've been shown how and given the power. The choice is ours.    

Luke 5: 17-26  Through the Roof

...Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a bed, and they tried to carry him into the house and put him in front of Jesus.  Because of the crowd, however, they could find no way to take him in. So they carried him up on the roof, made an opening in the tiles, and let him down on his bed into the middle of the group in front of Jesus.  When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “Your sins are forgiven, my friend.”

   The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks such blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!” .... (GNT)

   These moments when Jesus seems to merge sin and disease are sometimes hard to understand.  It goes back to concepts like "he has cancer because he has been a sinner", like the cancer is God's punishment.  It doesn't fit with our God of Grace theology.  But in this instance, Jesus is more concerned with establishing his God-granted authority over BOTH sin and disease.  The religious leaders don't like it - it puts Jesus on the same par as God and they
aren't willing to accept that.  (Perhaps they have already elevated themselves to that level!)
    I wonder what the paralyzed man felt.  He has friends that go to great lengths because they believe this Jesus can cure him.  He listens to disagreement between Jesus and the religious leaders, all the while experiencing the healing of his body.  What a myriad of emotions must have been coursing through him!  He goes home praising God!  Of course he does!!  All were amazed.   

Luke 5: 27-32  Jesus Calls Levi

....Levi gave a large dinner at his home for Jesus. Everybody was there, tax men and other disreputable characters as guests at the dinner. The Pharisees and their religion scholars came to his disciples greatly offended. “What is he doing eating and drinking with crooks and ‘sinners’?”

 Jesus heard about it and spoke up, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.” (MSG)

    Where in the world in the past two thousand years have Christian gotten the idea that salvation is only for those 'good people' who go to church on Sunday, etc.?  We have become the accusing Pharisees with judgement against all those who don't measure up. That seems to make the hypocrites just as sinful as those they condemn!  Point being....the insides of the church shouldn't look any different than outside - all sinners alike.  The only difference is that those within have acknowledged their need for a doctor.

     How much like a Pharisee do I live my life?  Does my circle of friends extend beyond a clique of church and school?  Do I invite 'outsiders' into my home and life to share the good news of God?  I keep saying I will take action on this, but so far, my Pharisee roots hold forth.  Help me, God.  I think I need the doctor.

Luke 5: 33-39  Wineskins

They asked him, “John’s disciples are well-known for keeping fasts and saying prayers. Also the Pharisees. But you seem to spend most of your time at parties. Why?”......“No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put wine in old, cracked bottles; you get strong, clean bottles for your fresh vintage wine. And no one who has ever tasted fine aged wine prefers unaged wine.”  (MSG)

    I understand the difference between fasting and partying.  But at first this passage with talk of fabrics and wines confused me.  What is Jesus trying to say?  The metaphors are too deep here!  Commentary time!  
    Blending the old and the new religions was dangerous, like patching old fabrics.  The new garment will not hold true.  Wine is the same.  If Judaism is the old wineskin, pouring the message of salvation into it won't work.  Christ is calling us to something totally NEW - new bottles for new wine.  This NEW calls for changed character on both the outside and the inside.  A change of heart as well as change of practice.  
    Is my faith caught in an old wineskin?  Do I age my faith with spiritual discipline and prayer?  Am I wearing patched Judaism or the new clothing of Christ? 
  I still not sure how this relates to fasting and parties, but Jesus knew he had limited time to get his message across.   

NOTE:  'On the Road Again' starting tomorrow...limited access to internet this trip.  But I'll keep writing and drawing....it will probably be a week before I finish Luke, Chapter 6!!   See you then!