Tag: Luke

When the storm comes – God’s role (part 2)

 When disaster strikes, there are a few predictable negative responses, theologically speaking:

  • “If God is in control, he made this happen.”
  • “God (the cosmic clockmaker) isn’t in control, so he’s not worth worshipping.”  
  • “This is evidence that there is no God.”

Among the many shortcomings of us humans is our tendency toward dichotomous thinking. Black/white. Either/or. We presume that only two options are correct, that it cannot be somewhere in between…or somewhere completely outside of the two. We tend to think that if God exists, everything should be good all the time. So if something bad happens, the foundational thoughts on God are flawed. The reality of bad *must* mean that God is not good, God is not God, or that God simply is not real.

Yet, God’s role in adversity this not hindered by the limits of human reasoning.

Presuming God exists, if he is also sovereign, this means he is in control. In this respect, God bears the responsibility for any (and every) event that humans would label “bad,” “tragic,” or “disastrous.” If we lived in an edenic/idyllic/perfect world, this would mean that God is exceedingly cruel and is not at all good.

We don’t live in a perfect world.

The fact is, we live in a chaotic world. It is characterized by an ever-increasing frequency of earthquakes, destructive winds, demolishing storms, eruptions, and devastating waters. Ours is a world that is obeying the laws of thermodynamics and moving rapidly toward a state of increasing physical disorder. It exists in a universe that is perpetually expanding toward disorganization, too. It’s a world that appears destined for destruction and is growing increasingly unstable and volatile.

If we can agree that the world is becoming increasing disorganized and unstable, it’s appropriate to ask why this is so. There is no shortage of conjecture about human complicity in the not-small matter of global destruction, but I retrospect for the sake of maintaining focus on the question of God’s role

Two significant events changed the world from its original conditions to the ones within which we currently exist. Both are relevant to the current conversation; this writing addresses the first event’s role in explaining contemporary calamities.

The first event that changed the global environment is humanity’s original rebellion against God. Originally…according to the Bible…was created good, even perfect. God and humans enjoyed a close relationship. Yet, that relationship was destroyed when the first humans were deceived by evil, distrusted God and rebelled against him. The consequence of that rebellion was the eventual death of every person and, among other things, a curse upon the earth. This rebellion tainted the environment, altering the world from its utopian origin into a dystopian state, with ramifications and implications into the natural order that followed and is, even today.

Jesus reflected this reality in his teachings. He acknowledged we live in a world governed by natural laws. He didn’t blame God.  In Luke 13, he spoke of a tower in Siloam fell, killing 18 people. We don’t know if it was a natural disaster or a man-made mistake. We we do know that Jesus went out of the way to say that the people weren’t victims expressly because they were in rebellion to God. He refuted the “cruel God” argument. In the very next breath, though, Jesus said, “but unless you turn to God, you too will die!” In this, he undergirds the reality of God, not entertaining a notion that God is not real.

His point is that everybody dies in a broken world and the only hope for anyone is found through faith in God. Whether it’s by being crushed under a tower, swept away in a storm, or asleep in bed after a long, quiet life, death comes to every person….and every death is tragic. Furthermore, Jesus defuses the “uncaring God” argument with his declaration that turning to God is the sole means to escape the tragedy of death, and that it is available to every person, without exception.

The effort to reconcile God’s role in disaster is actually more about man than it is about God. The only way a person can lob accusations against God, suggesting that he is cruel or lazy, is if that person assumes that he sits in an authorized position of judgment. While this doesn’t mean that humans have no right to exercise genuine inquiry to ask “why?”, those who are asking should have a proper understanding about themselves before they can ever hope to have a right understanding about God. If people are intrinsically good and in right standing with God (or even in judgment over God), this explains the speculation and conjecture about tragic calamities and the implications thereof.

However, if (as Jesus taught and the Bible reports) that people exist in an intrinsic position of rebellion against and defiance to God, the question changes. Instead of asking, “Why?” the more reasonable question is “Why not?” If humans are, by their nature, in a state of opposition to God, and live on a realm barreling toward its total destruction, why wouldn’t there be regular, periodic, and increasingly numerous of escalating upheavals? Indeed, if humans live in a judged state of rebellion on a judged world of destruction, it makes sense that humans should expect to endure natural disasters on an increasing frequency. Accordingly, a lack of forewarning and the potential for each to claim any unpredictable number of lives is likewise reasonable. 

Because of the utter impossibility to prevent or avoid these natural disasters, the best (only) hope is to properly view the bigger picture with the perspective offered by the one person who authoritatively spoke with the divine insight. This is why Jesus said, “repent now!” when talking about the Siloam tower. He acknowledged that disasters will happen in a fallen world destined for judgment. Even so, death before reconciling with God is the biggest disaster. 

Immerse Day 9 Observations

More than 3500 people at  Scottsdale Bible Church are reading through the New Testament together over 8 weeks.

Text: Acts 19:21-28:31 (pp. 95-110)

  • Following Ephesus, the Holy Spirit led Paul to return to Macedonia and Achaia, and then compelled him to go to Rome. We see the narrative swelling toward its apex.
  • Timothy is now presented here as an assistant (along with Erastus). They were being sent ahead to Macedonia.
  • Trouble, though, was brewing back in Ephesus, where the movement of Christianity posed a serious threat to the economy of pagan worship (and the sales of idols).
  • Demetrius, an Ephesian silversmith, complained that the Gospel’s advance came at the expense of Artemis worship (and related commerce). The complaint was rooted in a sudden loss of prosperity, but couched in religious language.
    • This riled up the local community, and chaos ensued.
    • Eventually the mayor was able to settle them down, under concerns that the growing anarchy was putting them at risk with Rome.
    • understated points: false gods need humans to support and promote them in order to exist. In this, Artemis is a counterfeit god, and really just the mask of the more insidious false god of the love of money. People have the remarkable capacity to make ignoble things seem more noble. Doing this doesn’t make those ignoble things noble.
  • Paul left for Macedonia, then went on to Greece for three months. When a plot to kill him was discovered, he went back the way he had come, and eventually ended up in Troas, where they stayed for a few days.
    • On the eve of his departure, Paul was preaching an extended message, where a young man named Eutychus fell asleep and fell 3 stories out a window to his death.
      • Welcome to the Scripture that has served as a pun-rife warning against long-winded preaching ever since.
      • Paul went down and took him into his arms. He was alive.
      • They all went back upstairs, celebrated the Lord’s Supper, and ate together.
      • And Paul kept preaching until sunrise.
“Nothing slowed him down.”
– Eutychus (probably)
  • Paul pressed on toward Jerusalem, stopping in Ephesus to encourage them by saying:
    • the Gospel is the same for the Gentile and the Jew: salvation is available through Jesus.
    • Life offered suffering for the Gospel, but that the only value in life is to be found in obeying God’s will and doing the things God has established for you to do.
    • To the elders:
      • Guard yourself and God’s people. The church is God’s flock. They need guidance, provision, and protection.
      • There would be opposition, some of which may come from surprising internal sources (people looking to gain their own following, disregarding that the congregation is God’s, purchased by the blood of Jesus).
    • He closed with an exhortation for the people to work. Christians ought not be lazy or noncontributory to the community’s well-being. Be givers, not takers.
  • He then bid a fond farewell and proceeded to Jerusalem.
    • He stopped in Caesarea and visited Philip (the deacon-turned-evanglist), who was now ministering here, along with his four daughters.
obligatory Deacon photo, who had some of his own challenges contending with a devil.
  • Another prophet named Agabus, foretold that Paul would be seized by the Romans in Jerusalem, and handed over to Gentiles. This caused everyone else to worry, but Paul would not be dissuaded.
  • understated points: even godly people will sometimes see adversity as indicators of a need to stop moving forward. Expect adversity and go forward in faith. God wants to deliver you through adversity, not around it.
  • They finally arrived at Jerusalem, and were met by the church leaders there.
    • Paul recounted his experiences.
    • The leaders talked about the challenges they continued to have regarding Gentiles and expectations placed upon them.
    • They asked Paul to participate in the cleansing ritual so others would see he had not abandoned his Jewish heritage and identity, and that the expectations placed upon the Gentiles would remain has had been earlier stated (to honor the moral laws of abstaining from immorality, violence, and idolatry).
    • Paul did as requested.
    • Some Asiatic Jews later recognized Paul and formed a mob, accusing him with lies and unfounded assumptions.
      • They dragged him out of the Temple to stone him.
      • They only stopped when the Roman guard intervened.
      • The mob was more afraid of their earthly occupiers than of their divine sovereign.
      • The Romans arrested Paul. Then they tried to figure out charges.
this doesn’t add up
  • Paul made it clear he was a Roman (to the Romans who thought he was Egyptian), then he spoke in Aramaic to the Jews (their native language).
    • He gave his defense, and they fell silent until he said that God’s grace was being offered to the Gentiles, too.
    • At this, they called his message worthless and determined again to kill him.
      • Removing their coats would make it easier to throw stones.
      • Throwing dirt may by symbolic for their low regard for his message, or it may be what they threw at him because there were no rocks to be found there.
    • Continuing with judicial practices that kept Paul bound in shackles of irony, the commander ordered to have Paul whipped until he confessed to something. That’s when Paul, not rhetorically, asked if it was copacetic to be beating a Roman citizen without a trial?
you know, hypothetically
  • So, the soldiers stopped those plans.
  • The next day, Ananias the high priest and the Jewish high council arrived. Paul addressed them.
    • Ananias ordered Paul to be smacked in the face.
    • When lies and accusations and mob mentality all fail, the carnal mind resorts to inducing fear, violence, and intimidation.
    • Paul, in turn, turned his own strategy to turn the two schisms (the Pharisees and Saducees) against each other by highlighting that all he was doing was preaching that resurrection from the dead was legit.
    • This tactic worked, in that it caused some Pharisees to support him, but it also caused the room to grow increasingly volatile.
    • Roman soldiers extracted Paul.
    • That night, the Lord visited Paul and encouraged him with the revelation that his mission would continue all the way to Rome.
  • The conspiring Jewish leaders further developed their plot to kill Paul. Yet, Paul’s kin became aware of the plot and alerted the Roman commander, who increased their protection of Paul, and ordered that he be delivered to the Roman governor Felix for trial.
    • Felix agreed to hear the trial when Paul’s acccusers arrived.
    • Ananias and crew showed up five days later, along with a lawyer who tried to establish a case against Paul using lies, slander and hyperbole, supported by a liars’ choir singing a chorus of false testimony.
    • Paul took his turn and set the record straight.
    • Felix (who was familiar with Christianity) determined to delay his verdict.
      • In the next few days, Felix showed up to Paul, bringing his wife Drusilla, and Paul talked to the both of them about matters of faith.
      • What a picture of the sovereignty of God to bring the Gospel of peace to Roman leaders, drawing them to visit an imprisoned Jewish believer!
      • Felix had hoped that Paul would bribe him. This was common practice of that day. This commentary also gives us a peek into the mind of Felix, that even though he knew Paul’s testimony to be true, he was skeptical of spiritual matters (perhaps because so much of religion was corrupt, as were so many who represented faiths of different sorts). In fact, Felix kept calling on Paul to talk with him, giving Paul ample opportunity to make such a bribe.
      • The delay extended 2 years, because justice delayed kept Paul in prison, which pleased the Jewish authorities, which brought favor to Felix.
    • Yet, Felix was succeeded by Festus, and the Jewish leaders quickly approached him to revive their plot to kill Paul, trying to force Paul out into the open where he could be murdered.
      • Felix held a new trial, and floated the consideration of having Paul go back to Jerusalem to be tried (which was what the Jewish leaders wanted).
      • Paul forcefully declined, pressing his right to be tried by Caesar in Rome.
      • Felix was bound by the laws to honor Paul’s rights, so he agreed to Paul’s demand.
    • Soon after, King Agrippa (II, the son of Agrippa I who had ordered the Apostle James killed) arrived with his sister Bernice (with whom he was having an incestuous relationship). Festus talked with Agrippa about Paul, and Agrippa determined he wanted to hear from Paul, so they arranged the parties to convene.
      • This gathering took place the next day. Festus actually declared Paul’s innocence in this setting, in introducing Paul. Paul then spoke, recapping his testimony.
      • Festus exclaimed that Paul was crazy, which Paul rebutted, then appealed to Agrippa to concur with his theological conclusions.
        • This was savvy of Paul, because if Agrippa had agreed, he would have the highest Roman authority (present at that time) on his side (which was much more about Agrippa being self-declared in agreement with Paul’s teachings about Jesus).
        • Agrippa understood this, and wasn’t willing to identify as a Christian. Note, he didn’t disagree, either. He was determined to remain impartial and not personally identify with either side.
        • understated point: Paul was doggedly determined to share Jesus as the Way with everyone he could, regardless of heritage, title, rank, or position. He only cared about other people knowing Jesus the way he knew Jesus and relating with him the way he related with Jesus.
        • The leaders all agreed that Paul had done nothing deserving death or the treatment he had been receiving, and commented that they would have freed him if it weren’t for his demand to be tried in Rome in front of Caesar.
        • This brings to a close Paul’s third missionary journey, detailed here:
Paul’s third missionary journey, courtesy of conformstojesus.com
  • Paul (and some in his party) were set on a boat for Rome, along with other prisoners. Julius, the captain of the Regiment, showed kindness to Paul on the journey.
    • They ran into bad weather, and Julius put the prisoners on a different ship sailing to Rome.
    • They hit more bad weather. Paul foretold that proceeding into the weather would bring shipwreck, loss of cargo, and endangered lives. The sailors proceeded anyway.
    • The bad weather carried them out to sea. As winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began dumping cargo (✔).
    • The storm raged for days. The crew didn’t eat. They began to despair. Paul told them to be encouraged, because he had been shown that none would die from this adversity…but they would be shipwrecked.
    • On the 14th day of the storm(!), they thought they were approaching shore, but soon found themselves driven against the rocks. Paul advised them and kept them safe – , but they were shipwrecked (✔✔).
    • As they were approaching the shore from the shipwreck, officers wanted to kill all the prisoners, but the commander remembered Paul and kept him safe – all 276 lives were saved (✔✔✔).
  • They had landed at Malta, where the locals met the crew and party. At a campfire, the initially thought Paul was evil, but as he survived a venomous snakebite, they then considered him a god.
    • Paul prayed for and healed the sick dad of the Malta’s chief official. That attracted all the other sick, and Paul healed them all. When the time came for them to depart, they were supplied with all they needed.
  • Three months after the shipwreck, they went on to Rome.
Paul and Luke’s Bogus Adventure (courtesy of conformtojesus.com)

Upon arriving, they met other believers and Paul was permitted to have a private (but guarded) residence.

  • Three days later, Paul called an audience with the Roman Jewish leaders, and shared his reason for being there, to be tried by Caesar.
  • The Jewish leaders said they had not received a complaint about Paul, but they did want to hear more about his beliefs.
  • So Paul welcomed them into his lodging and began reasoning with them to illuminate them about Jesus. Some believed. Some did not.
  • When Paul had reached the full extent of being able to speak to the Jews, he explained that he was taking this same message to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.
  • Paul remained in Rome for 2 years at his own expense (not on the government dole). He was faithful in proclaiming Jesus.
  • And nobody tried to stop him.
  • (wikipedia’s account of Paul’s death are available here.)

Immerse Day 5 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, Scottsdale Bible Church is reading through the New Testament together. To date, more than 3500 people are participating.

Text: Luke 19:18-24:53 (pp. 47-59)

  • Jesus proceeds to Jerusalem. He tells the disciples how to prepare and informs them exactly what to expect. It unfolds precisely as he says. These not only demonstrate his omniscience, but also validate Old Testament prophecies.
  • As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd entering the city to commemorate the Passover acclaim Jesus as Messiah, laying their coats and palm branches before him (as a sign of acknowledgement of his regal standing)
    • Lingering Pharisees tried to shut down the fanfare, admonishing Jesus to rebuke the followers from their Messianic praise.
    • Jesus replied that there was no denying who he is. All of creation testifies to the deity of Jesus.
    • Jesus wept upon seeing Jerusalem, pained over her rejection of him (and the subsequent judgment that would inevitably follow).
  • Jesus entered the Jerusalem Temple, driving out the commercial interests there.
    • He taught daily in the Temple, and the people swarmed to him.
    • The Pharisees plots turned murderous. Still, they couldn’t rightly accuse him of wrongdoing.
    • He foiled their efforts to challenge his authority, using the deft skills of logic and reason.
  • Jesus shared a provocative parable of a man (God) who leased his land to farmers (Israel). He sent servants back to the land (prophets) and the farmers beat every servant. So the man sent his cherished son (Jesus)…and the farmers killed the son to take the land for themselves.
    • He then connected the dots with prophecy, identifying himself as the rejected stone that would be the chief cornerstone (who would overcome all efforts to oppose him).
    • The Pharisees caught the teaching’s meanings, and despite worries about upsetting the masses of followers), moved forward with their plot.
  • They failed in a plot trying to pit Jesus against Rome, but Jesus responding to “loaded questions” by telling people to respect and obey their earthly authorities (as well as their divine authorities).
  • Jesus is challenged by the Sadducees using a hypothetical dealing with marriage and the resurrection. He answers authoritatively on both.
  • Then Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question they could not answer. He then warned the crowd to be on the watch for their false teachings.
  • Jesus commended the widow for her sacrificial giving, in contrast to the publicly extravagant gifts of the Pharisees that had been taken from their excesses.
  • Jesus talked extensively about the commencement of the end, and not to worry.
  • Framed by the setting of the approaching Passover Feast, The Pharisees benefited from the willingness of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.
  • The time for Passover had arrived. Jesus told the disciples to make preparations. Again, all occurred exactly as he told them it would.
    • At the Passover meal, Jesus reiterated his impending persecution and suffering.
      • He institutes the Lord’s supper.
      • He reminds them of the servanthood imperative.
      • He tells Peter that Satan has asked permission to sift Peter and that Jesus intercedes for him.
        • He foretells Peters failure
        • He predicts Peters denial
        • He also foretells Peter’s repentance.
      • He then sets out, for the events that must take place.
  • They are greeted in the garden, where Judas identifies Jesus with the betrayer’s kiss.
    • The disciples prepare for conflict, but Jesus de-escalates it (heals the wounded Roman slave) and allows himself to be arrested (despite the lack of credible charges).
  • He is taken to the High Priest’s home. In the courtyard, Peter denies Jesus three times. Rooster crows. Peter runs away in bitterness.
  • The soldiers begin to mock and beat Jesus.
  • Under questioning, Jesus responds to accusers by attesting to his identity as the Son of God. They accuse him of blasphemy.
  • He is taken to Pontius Pilate, who finds no reason to charge him. Jesus is dispatched to Herod Antipas as a matter of protocol. Herod and his guards beat and mock Jesus, too.
    • Interestingly, Herod and Pilate become friends over this abuse of Jesus.
  • He is sent back to Pilate, who still finds no offense in him.
  • In expressing intent to release him, the Jewish leaders instead clamor for the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and accused murderer.
  • Pilate gave in to the demands of the people and sentenced Jesus to die.
  • Jesus was led to Golgotha and crucified there.
    • He was placed between two thieves.
      • One thief worshipped him.
      • The other mocked him, telling him to free himself (a fulfillment of one of his earliest prophecies at the onset of his ministry).
  • The midday sky went dark for three hours
  • At 3 PM, Jesus gave up his spirit and died.
  • The veil in the temple separating people from the Holy of Holies was torn.
  • Joseph (a wealthy, respected Jewish man) received permission to have Jesus’ body brought down before the Sabbath, and placed in his own tomb.
  • Jesus’ female followers prepared the spices and funerary ointments, and finished before the Sabbath.
  • On Sunday dawn, the women went to the tomb, and found the tomb’s entrance stone rolled away.
  • They encountered two men (angels) who announced that Jesus was alive, as he had been telling them would happen.
  • The women ran back and told the men. The men were unconvinced.
  • Peter ran to the tomb, found it empty, and was stymied.
  • Later that day, 7 miles away, Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus while two disciples were discussing all these events.
    • They didn’t recognize him at first.
    • They recounted to him everything that happened. They invited him in, and at dinner, they recognized him.
    • He proved himself to be no ghost. He ate with them.
    • He opened their mind to the Scriptures for understanding.
    • He promised the soon arrival of the Holy Spirit.
    • Jesus led them to Bethany, blessed them, then ascended to heaven.

NEXT UP: Acts!

Immerse Day 4 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church, Scottsdale Bible Church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Text: Luke 13:33-19:39 (pp. 37-47)

  • Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, undeterred by the Pharisees threats that Herod has Jesus targeted.
    • Jesus identifies Jerusalem as “the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers.” The tourism commission voted against adopting it for an ad campaign.
    • Jesus laments his heart for saving Jerusalem is unrequited; consequentially, the city will face judgment. Nonetheless, hope remains that Jerusalem will one day joyfully announce the coming of the Lord.
  • Jesus has yet another tense conversation about “working” (doing good) on the Sabbath. This exchange is highlighted by the Pharisees refusing to answer the questions, on the grounds that doing so would self-incriminate them as stupid and hypocritical.
    • The person in question was a man with fluid buildup (edema). This used to be called dropsy (and is rendered as such in other translations). “Dropsy” is how I would diagnose chronic clumsiness. Sometimes I get distracted by details such as this.
  • Jesus tells the egomaniacal guests at the party that they should instead pursue humility, and that the host should invite more “undesirable” people to his parties.
    • A guest exclaimed “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” In other translations, this sounds more reverent. Here, it reads more sarcastic, like he was seeing Jesus’ challenges as inviting a “Dinner for Schmucks” type vibe.
  • Jesus replied, telling a story to make the point…the Kingdom banquet will be filled with the outcasts, downtrodden, forgotten, and marginalized….and that none of the elite (in this world) will be there. Surely, this left the snooty guests feeling…
  • Jesus talked to the crowd about the cost of following him.
    • Condition 1: loving Jesus above all else, even family and self. Love for Jesus must be such a priority that other affections would be thought of as hate by comparison.
    • Condition 2: surrender to suffering.
    • Condition 3: sacrifice comforts.
    • “Unsalty salt” in this parable is the “unconsidered decision” to follow Jesus.
    • understated point: truly following Jesus includes thoughtfulness and consideration.
  • Jesus’ message was attractive to notorious people. You know, lost people who knew they were lost. This greatly irritated the lost people who mistakenly thought they weren’t lost (the religious elite). So Jesus told 3 stories to help the elite get the point:
    • He told them about the joy a man has in finding his 1 lost sheep out of the flock of 100.
    • He told them about the joy a woman has in finding 1 lost coin out of 10 silver pieces.
    • He tells the extended story of the prodigal son who returns
      • the lost son became lost as a result of his own foolish choices
      • he came to the end of himself and thought to beg his dad to let him be a servant (which would’ve been better than his current mess)
      • he went home, but his dad was on the watch for him and saw him coming.
      • The father ran out to the son and embraced and kissed him.
        • The father immediately clothed with a robe of honor
        • The father immediately gave him a ring of authority
        • The father shod him with sandals (provision as family)
        • The father had the fatted calf slain (feast of celebration)
      • The older son was not happy with news of these developments
        • he exaggerates his own labors
        • he understates his dad’s generosity and provision
        • he indicts his brother and his father
      • The dad corrected the orders son’s misperceptions and returned to the celebration.
      • point: Finding lost people is a BIG deal to God, and he (and all of heaven) celebrates when the lost are found!
not actual footage of heaven cutting footloose
  • This following passage is difficult (for me). Jesus tells the story of a dishonest, shrewd manager who gets commended for selfish, shrewd behavior in preparing to be fired. The lesson, read in context to the story, seems very troubling (anti-biblical in terms of ethics)
  • I think the lesson is better, more biblically consistent if detached just a bit from the story.
    • This is possible by just reading it this way – that the lesson, rather than serving as a conclusion to the story, serves as an introduction to the principle that follows.this requires shifting the “they” in “they will welcome you to an eternal home,” away from the worldly friends to heaven’s citizens (angels). The idea, therefore changes…
      • The story is of an shrewd manager (worldly) commended by rich man. Our tendency is to think of the rich man as God.However, if we see the “rich man” as the world, then “management” of the world’s resources is “worldly wealth.”Jesus’ instructions, then, are to spend worldly wealth on worldly concerns (friends for the ‘here and now’) because that wealth will come to and end.At death, there is no worldly wealth. Wealth in life offers no privilege in heaven. So…when your possessions are gone (at death), they (heaven’s citizens) will welcome you to an eternal home.”
      • what do you think?
    • Now, this principle ties to Jesus’ teaching about being faithful in small things, being entrusted with bigger things.
    • Jesus’ bottom line: you can’t serve God and be enslaved to money. (I wonder if Judas was in the audience).

  • In a not-an-all-awkward transition (and by that I mean, totally deliberate), the Pharisees are described as a group who “dearly loved their money.”
    • This exposition directed at the Pharisees reveals the eternal truth of the laws of God, and the wisdom in living now with an eternal intentionality (and how that affects thoughts on wealth and marriage)
  • Jesus “unpacks” this teaching using the story about the rich man and Lazarus.
    • Rich man had everything in life.
    • Lazarus was pitiful.
    • Yet at death, this was inverted.
      • Truly amazing to me is that even from hell, the rich man looked at Lazarus and had no regard for him, other than how he might be useful to serve his selfish needs. He even assumed Abraham considered Lazarus the same way.
    • Abraham responded to the rich man’s requests with some harsh truths
      • these destinations were permanent and unbridgeable.
      • still-living loved ones who were resolute in unbelief wouldn’t be persuaded by a supernatural visitation if they hadn’t been convinced by Moses and the prophets.
        • We will see this to be true in how the Pharisees react to God raising his friend Lazarus from the dead (and the common name is possibly not coincidental, either).
  • In rapid-fire succession, we read quick teachings on:
    • Don’t tempt others (lead others into sin). That’s bad. you’ll regret it
    • Forgive others. a lot. as often as needed. You’ve been forgiven for more.
    • a response to the request to “teach us how to grow our faith.”
      • Jesus doesn’t really honor their request, as much as he exhorts them to use the faith they already have.
      • It’s not so they could work wonders (like relocating a tree)…but that they can do the things Jesus is leading them to do if they’ll rest more in the faith that he has given them to do the things they’re commanded to do.
    • A seeming warning to not get boastful about what they do. Remember, this is tied to the faith question, and the point is faithful service, not accomplishment of boast-worthy feats. Jesus’ exhortation is for followers to do their duty, relying upon the faith given to them to do it.
  • Jesus then healed 10 men with leprosy. Only one came back to thank him.
Solo gratitudo
  • Jesus addresses the Pharisees interest in the coming Kingdom of God.
    • He says, “It’s already among you!” He is clearly associating himself with the Kingdom of God.
    • He tells them he’s about to depart and they will long for the day when he returns, but they will not see it. (Yikes!)
    • He foretells his own suffering and rejection.
    • He compares this time with the days of Noah and the days of Lot. The phrase “destroys them all” is repeated.
paddles will be in short supply
  • There will be no shortage of signs indicating that things are wrapping up here (and none of them are good).
  • Hard pivot: Jesus tells followers to pray and never give up. God is good and likes to answer prayers (caveats: on his time, and according to his will. These caveats may be challenging to reconcile to your experience from time to time).
  • Jesus uses an arrogant Pharisee to teach humility in prayer.
  • understated point: God hears the prayers of the humble, and resists the blathering of the prideful.
God, when prideful person prays
  • Jesus chastises the disciples for scolding parents of kids rushing Jesus.
    • He says to receive the Kingdom of God like a child.
    • I think this is more about eagerness and total dependence than about innocence.
  • Jesus talks with the rich man about eternal life. He calls Jesus good, which Jesus points out attests to his divinity.
    • Jesus tells the man to obey the 10 commandments. Check.
    • Jesus tells him to sell all possessions and follow him. Oops…problem.
    • Jesus points out that wealth is a problem for a lot of people.
    • He also points out that God can overcome that problem, and that anything given up for Jesus is rewarded.
  • Things are picking up…Jesus tells the twelve that they’re heading into Jerusalem, and that everything promised will start to play out. Including his sham arrest, torture, and murder. But also his resurrection.
    • They missed the point.
not the actual disciples
  • The blind man shouted to be saved. Jesus saved him. Everyone rejoiced
  • Jesus went in Jericho. Met Zaccheus. He was wee. But his faith was big.
    • “Sin-sniffers” grumbled. Jesus saved him anyway.
  • Jesus told the story about the nobleman whose son was going to be crowned king. This story is known as the parable of the talents, and the message is that Jesus was going away, that he’d be returning, and there will be an accounting of the investments he makes in his followers and how those investments were used.
  • understated point: use the gifts God has given you to make a Kingdom impact.

Immerse Day 3 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church, Scottsdale Bible Church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Text: Luke 9:51-13:33 (pp. 28-37)

  • “As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven…” A subtle reminder that an important appointment had been set and would not be rescheduled.
  • All these events (thus far and to come) were also appointed.
  • The Apostles experienced an inhospitable response at the Samaritan village. They asked to rain down fire from heaven.
When the crew redefines ‘lets get lit’
  • Jesus shut down that nonsense and they went do a different village. The Apostles’ response shows we have the propensity to misuse power and authority.
  • Jesus talks with three who are interested in following Jesus, and in doing so explains the cost of discipleship – abandoning earthly comforts, prioritizing God’s agenda, and not lingering in the past (or even present).
    • I think this is largely lost or re-contextualized in modern, Western culture. Our frame of reference struggles to appreciate this call and the demands biblically associated with following Jesus.
  • Jesus pairs up 72 disciples and sends them out as advance teams, saying, “The harvest is great but the workers are few…”
  • understated points: there will always be more people to be saved. We will never run out of the harvest. We must never stop harvesting.
  • Jesus tells us to ask the Lord to send out more workers into the harvest.
    • I think we have the habit of making workers and praying for the harvest, rather than praying workers and sending them out into the harvest.
  • Jesus instructs his team to accept hospitality because those who work deserve their pay.
    • This verse is a line of tension for me because my family has lived on the generosity of faithful givers over the course of my ministry, but I also acknowledge this is a misused/abused verse.
  • Jesus repeatedly tells his crew that their message is “The Kingdom of God is near.”
    • It is inadequate to just think about this prophetically, or eschatologically.
    • understated point: The Kingdom of God is never nearer in the relational proximity of Jesus Christ through the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit.
  • Jesus’ dis on the various cities highlights that not everyone was on board the Jesus Express. Though he had a significant following, his was a minority and not embraced by the whole.
  • shoutout was a head-scratcher because good things happened there. Looking around, I read that it suggests that perhaps there was thought that Capernaum would be “elevated” because of the early miracles that Jesus performed there. Jesus was saying that not only would they not be elevated, but the unbelievers there would be judged just as impartially as everywhere else.
  • Jesus mentions, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning.” This reiterates the eternality of Jesus, and that when the angelic fall occurred, Jesus sat on his throne in heaven.
  • “Satan” is the term representing the totality of the angelic rebellion…not a singular spiritual foe of God.
  • “Like lightning” explains the swiftness and magnitude of God’s judgment against the angels who rebelled. It was no slow roll eviction. Sudden, swift, and total.
  • Jesus makes it clear that bigger than having spiritual authority over evil spirits is that the names of his true followers are registered in heaven.
  • understated point: your salvation is a bigger deal than your spiritual giftedness.
  • Jesus prays to the Father, detailing again his total one-ness with the Father.
  • Jesus tells his disciples that they are experiencing something truly unique in history and divine revelation. What was the hope and promise of the ancestral prophets and kings was the daily reality of these in Jesus’ audience.
  • Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan in response to the “set up” question being asked about how to inherit eternal life, and specifically the question of “Just who is my neighbor?”
  • understated point: neighborliness is characterized more by compassionate relationality than by locational proximity.
  • Jesus has meal at Mary and Martha’s house. Martha is frustrated by Mary’s lack of help in preparing. Jesus corrects her, saying Mary had figured out the only thing that mattered: just enjoying being in the presence of Jesus.
  • Jesus then taught the disciples how to pray. Principles to remember:
    • God is our perfect, heavenly father
    • He is holy
    • We should be wanting and expecting his Kingdom to come soon.
    • He provides for our day-to-day needs
    • He forgives graciously
    • He empowers us to be forgiving
    • He helps us overcome temptations
  • He also encourages us to never stop asking and seeking in prayer. God isn’t withholding.
  • This is challenging. I believe it with all my heart. I know it to be true. I also know of prayers that have been prayed for extended times that have not yet been answered. I know that it is hard to persevere in prayer when it feels like the prayers aren’t being heard.
  • Jesus casts out the demon from the mute man, and gets accused of doing the miraculous through the power of Satan.
God-glorifying miracles, powered by God-hating demons?
  • Jesus points out their flawed thinking, pointing out…IF (and “if” really meaning “since,”) demons are cast out by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God HAS arrived among you.
  • understated point: Jesus is the kingdom of God.
  • From this, he basically says, if you’re not for me, you’re against me.
  • In response to the “calls for a sign,” he tells them he will give them the sign of Nineveh, meaning his three days in the tomb. The point escaped them.
  • He also pointed out that the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites would stand in testimony against the unrepentant crowd because they both sought and listened to wisdom (in contrast to the hard-heartedness of the crowd’s unrepentant).
  • Jesus then accepted another meal with a Pharisee and corrected the Pharisee’s mistaken obsession over external cleanliness at the neglect of internal corruption. He called them hidden graves. They found that insulting.
Jesus was just getting started.
  • If they thought that was rude, surely they didn’t like him reminding them that they had built monuments to the prophets that their ancestors had killed, joining in their crimes and perpetuating them!
    • fun fact: it is here where we see Abel revealed as history’s first prophet. (remember that for your next Bible trivia night)
    • Jesus tells them that not only do they not contribute positively to the Kingdom, but that they take away the key to knowledge, and they keep people out of the Kingdom! Yikes.
    • The Pharisees and experts had become hostile, (gee, you think?!?) and tried to provoke him, trying to trap him with his answers. Worst dinner party ever.
  • Meanwhile…crowds kept growing.
  • Jesus warned the crowd to be wary of the “yeast” of the Pharisees, comparing their hypocrisy to yeast that works its way through the dough (of the Kingdom). He declared that their hidden plots would soon be revealed.
  • He told the crowd not to fear death more than they feared God, then gave analogies that demonstrate the love and care and attentiveness of God.
  • He also makes it clear that nobody is permitted to be an “undercover” believer. Our faith and belief should be on display for others to see.
  • Jesus promised that Holy Spirit would empower every person to witness faithfully in the faith of persecution.
  • Jesus warned against greed. And worry.
  • Jesus said “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need,” and “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart also will be.”
  • Understated point: treasuring God causes you desire God, which is seeking God. Ample provision accompanies a God-focused life.
  • Jesus gives some extended/ connected analogies to “unpack” this God-focused life that is characterized by preparation, expectation, faithfulness, responsibility, and reward.
  • Jesus then says some hard things about coming to set the world on fire and dividing people against each other.
Wolverine walking away from an explosion is as close as I could get to the point, here
  • His point is that judgment is coming, and that the Gospel is divisive, because some will reject it (and him).
  • He told his crowd that they should recognize the day they’re in, and notice the signs of the times.
  • Using the sad news of Pilate’s murder of worshippers, he pointed out that people living in a sinful world die every day. Accordingly, the need to repent and get right with God is timely.
  • Jesus talks about cutting down an infertile fig tree. The story speaks of patience…but also of eventual judgment. This is particularly interesting in light of John 15 where Jesus identifies God as the Vinedresser (gardener) and talks about pruning.
  • We now read another “healing on the Sabbath” conflict. The Pharisees were really dogmatic (and wrong-spirited) about this.
The Pharisees were missing the point about the Sabbath.
  • So Jesus healed the woman, the Pharisees were shamed, and the people rejoiced.
  • Jesus now began speaking provocatively about the Kingdom of God (in terms of what it is like here on earth).
  • It’s worth further study to consider a what a mustard bush should look like, birds and yeast as a type or symbol in scripture.
  • Jesus pressed on toward Jerusalem. He was on a mission!
  • Jesus talked about the path to heaven having a narrow gate.
  • Jesus mentioned that there would be people who were in locational proximity to Jesus, but will be excluded because they are relationally alienated from him (by their own choice, or fidelity to evil).
  • YET, despite the path being narrow, the Kingdom of God will welcome people from all directions, from all over the world.

(I’ll comment on the last content on pg 37 tomorrow because it fits with tomorrow’s content).

Let me know if you have comments or observations of your own!

Immerse Day 2 Observations (part 2)

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church, Scottsdale Bible Church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Text: Luke 4:14-9:50 (pp. 13-27) Part 2 of this recap will cover 19-27

Read part 1 here. Continuing on…

  • Jesus is now in Capernaum, a slave of a Roman officer fell ill.
    • the Gentile officer sent respected Jewish elders (who went).The Roman’s love for the Jewish people is highlighted.Jesus is greeted by the Roman’s humility.The Roman declared faith in Jesus by expressing his understanding of Jesus’ authority (as one himself under authority). Question: Do we today fail to appreciate Jesus authority because we don’t experience authority in this way in our daily life? Jesus affirms the Roman (Gentile) faith, saying basically, “he gets it!”The slave is completely healed.
  • Jesus travels to Nain – heals the dead.NBD
    • They responded in fear.They called him a prophet. News of Jesus spread.
  • John the Baptist asked for confirmation that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
    • Jesus confirmed that he is the Messiah.
    • Jesus affirmed that John is fulfilling his prophesied role.
    • John’s greatness is affirmed, but clarified…human greatness can’t compare to Kingdom “lowliness.” Like the difference between Pee Wee Ball and Major Leagues.
    • Pharisees heard this…and chose not to repent. Jesus again calls them out.
      • they are indicted for rejecting the message of the Kingdom of God, presented both by Jesus and by John.
      • understated point: wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
  • Jesus dined with a Pharisee(!), when a prostitute showed up, and made a scene.
    • Question: is this another setup (using her as a pawn).
    • Again, Jesus is criticized for not expelling her based on external considerations.
    • Jesus responds with a smack-down parable.
      • He tells the Pharisee her many sins are forgiven
      • More important, he turns and tells her she’s forgiven.
      • Because she’s forgiven, she can go in peace (with God!)
      • The Pharisees cannot reconcile what they’ve just observed. They don’t have room in their understanding for the Messiah to be God himself.
  • Jesus goes on tour (p. 22)!
    • women are included, mentioned by name. This is a big deal.
    • He teaches the parable of the soils…and tells everyone with ears to listen & understand.
    • He explains to followers that parables are meant to give insight to the followers and obscurity to the enemies.
    • He explains the parable, that there will be different people in the crowds who will hear and receive and respond differently.
    • Understated point: “So pay attention to how you hear.”
      • listen and you’ll learn
      • Don’t listen and you’ll not only not learn, but you’ll become more foolish.
  • Jesus explains that his family is not only blood kin…but all who hear and believe.
  • The Kingdom of God is the most inclusive community that ever has or ever will exist.
  • Jesus and crew cross Galilee. Meet the Gerasenes demoniac. He’s a mess.
  • He confronts Jesus, then demon complains, “Why are you interfering?”
    • Illustrates human/demonic interaction/turmoil.
  • Demons beg not to be tortured, thrown into bottomless pit.
    • They know it exists
    • They know it’s their destiny
  • Jesus sends them into the swine. They commit mass pig-suicide.
  • the people’s reaction is amazing, like not in a good way.
    • They see the demoniac clothed and sane at Jesus’ foot, and they are all afraid.
    • They begged Jesus to leave them.
Wait. What?
  • So he left them.
  • But he left behind this sane man who now went through the whole town with the message of deliverance from the Son of Man who had terrified them with his holy power (when they hadn’t been at all troubled by the man’s demonic possession/oppression).
  • The crowd back on the other side of the lake welcomed him.
  • Jairus, a Jewish synagogue leader, rushed to him because his 12-year old daughter was dying!
    • Crisis strips away religiosity.
  • Along the way, his hem is touched by a woman with a 12-year blood issue.
  • young v. old, Jew v. Gentile (speculation); clean v. unclean.
  • Touching Jesus hem healed the woman. He was aware.
  • She couldn’t hide. Jesus’ healing is a public testimony.
  • Her “interloping” couldn’t derail Jesus from his plan to heal the girl.
  • Jesus healed the woman of her blood issue. He healed the girl of death.
  • News of her death had already got out. So even though he instructed her parents to be chill…news still went viral.
I’m so hip in how I explained that
  • Jesus sent out the apostles to extend his ministry, advance his gospel. They did.
  • Herod Antipas was hearing the buzz….couldn’t make sense of it because he had already beheaded John the Baptist (and, by the way, nice passive sharing of *that* news. Yikes!)
  • Jesus was on the big wigs’ radars.
  • The Apostles returned. The crowd amassed. Jesus fed them. Miraculously.
  • Jesus asks the Apostles who they think he is.
    • Peter says definitively, “You are the Messiah sent from God.”
    • Jesus affirms it, then immediately foretells that his is going to be rejected and killed. Wow.
    • He tells them to take up their cross…this stood out to me. He hadn’t yet mentioned the cross, prophetically. Question: was this a retrofit colloquialism? or foreshadowing?
    • and tells them that a few of them will get a sneak peak of the Kingdom of God in short order.
  • 8 days later – so specific! James, John, Peter & Jesus on a mountain to pray…transfiguration occurred.
    • Moses appeared (representing the Law), Elijah too (representing the Prophets). They were glorious to see. This is their eternal reality, reflecting the glory of God.
    • They were talking with Jesus…relating with Jesus as friends!
    • When the Apostles woke, they saw Jesus in glorified appearance.
    • Peter throws out a bad idea. God shuts him down. Graciously, but still…
Peter’s second suggestion didn’t go over any better…
  • God appeared (in an encompassing cloud) and said, “Let’s let Jesus be the idea man of this group….”
  • The Apostles didn’t tell anyone at the time what they had seen. I can think of several reasons why this made sense for them not to do so.
  • A few days later, a troubled person came forward, saying his problem was too big for the Apostles.
  • Jesus was critical…revealing that the complaint said more about the complainer than it did about the Apostles.
  • Jesus healed the man anyway (showing that God’s healing is about faith in God…he wants us to have faith in him, and our faith in leaders should always be about trust in God working powerfully through our leaders, and not in the leader him/herself.)
  • This reading closes with Jesus announcing again he was about to be betrayed. They were afraid to press him on it, so instead started talking about which among them was the greatest.
  • Jesus course corrects them using a child as an object lesson…
  • understated point: the least among you is the greatest.
  • Jesus closes the exchange by telling Apostles not to be harsh with an “outsider” using Jesus name to do good work.
  • understated point: anyone not against you is for you.
  • <whew>

Immerse Day 2 Observations (part 1)

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church, Scottsdale Bible Church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Text: Luke 4:14-9:50 (pp. 13-27) Part 1 of this recap will cover 13-19

Before beginning, the detailed observations, an overview: Wow! Talk about jumping in the deep end! We meet the protagonist (Jesus), the antagonist (Scribes and Pharisees) and the drama gets underway. Healings, miracles, teachings all commence, as does the conflict and conspiracy. So much happens in these 14 pages…my habit is to want to camp out at each passage, so it’s a new effort (of sorts) to read it all in context together. I’m really appreciating how reading it this way gives a “30,000-foot view” of Jesus’ efforts and interactions. The perspective is refreshing and challenging.

Observations:

  • Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit’s Power. Boom! There is no mystery of why or how Jesus does what does…He has total unity with the Holy Spirit.
    • He taught regularly and was praised by everyone. At the onset, when he taught about God, the people universally loved him.
    • He went “as usual” to the synagogue. Jesus’ spiritual disciplines were genuine expressions of his authentic life.
  • “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” – Jesus reads the first two verses of Isaiah 61.
    • He is announcing himself as the fulfillment of this prophecy.He is revealing the good work that is accomplished in him.He explains this prophecy as fulfilled, not “going to be fulfilled.He puts a period here, where in Isaiah there is not one. (Indicating to me that he will fulfill verse 3 in his return, and that we’ve been living in this white space of Scripture for 2000ish years! )
    • Everyone still spoke well of him after this pronouncement…”the world” can get behind a gracious message that intends to make the world a better place.
  • Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote this proverb, ‘Physician heal yourself.'” All the warm-fuzzies are about to shift. He’s telling them that the same ones smiling at him today will be in 3 years telling to bring himself down from the cross. He’s not mesmerized by their praise.
    • He then gives them the history lesson of Elijah and Elisha, and angering them by pointing out how only foreigners (Gentiles) benefited from their ministry.
  • This infuriated the synagogue. The love affair….brief as it was…was over.
    • They went from love to hate in an instant. They “connected the dots” and caught the dis.
  • Question: Was Jesus’ mentioning the heavens being closed 3 1/2 years an oblique reference to his own impending ministry and the Jewish leadership’s rejection of him (and it)?
  • Jesus went to Capernaum….and he taught with authority. He was no wallflower.
    • There, he was in the synagogue and confronted by a demon-possessed man. It is possible for evil to be found in spiritual places. The demon publicly testified to the divinity of Jesus. The spiritual beings had no confusion about who Jesus was.Jesus cast out the demon. The demon obeyed Jesus. He was powerless in Jesus’ presence.
  • Jesus then “rebuked the fever” in Simon’s mother-in-law. So in back-back-anecdotes, we see Jesus’ power of the spiritual realm and the physical realm.
  • The people of Capernaum begged Jesus not to leave. “But I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God.” This is Jesus message.
    • The synagogues were his primary (but not exclusive) mission field.
  • Preaching on the shore of Galilee, he now showed his power over nature (with the fish/boats). This was no small miracle…he showed his provision of abundance.
    • Simon’s response was one to the external righteousness that had been ingrained in their culture…that favor only fell to those who earned it. He knew is own sin was unfamiliar with grace.Jesus’ response was evocative of Gabriel’s to Zechariah and shepherds: “Don’t be afraid.” Grace not only blesses, but extends the invitation to be included in the work God is doing.Their invitation to join in fishing for people is being heard in the context of their seeing boats FILLED with fish.
  • Jesus met a man with leprosy. The man said, “If you’re willing…” He didn’t question if Jesus was able.
    • Jesus showed he was both willing and able.
    • Jesus sent him to the priest…not the doctor…and to bring along the offering associated with healing. Here, Jesus is tying the physical healing to the spiritual approval of God. Jesus was fulfilling the law, not challenging it.
    • Jesus told him not to tell anyone, but that his offering would be the testimony.
    • DESPITE the effort to downplay, the good news spread. That’s what good news does…it spreads.
  • Here…almost out of place…a statement that Jesus often withdrew to pray. The world is noisy. Even amidst good things happening. Solitude helps us hear God’s voice for the context of life.
  • Continuing…in the context of teaching, we are introduced to the Pharisees.
Meeting the Pharisees.
  • Continuing…in the context of teaching, we are introduced to the Pharisees.
  • They’ve joined the following…but for different reasons than the rest of the crowd.
  • They’re witnessing the pressing crowd where a paralyzed man is lowered through the hole in a roof.
  • Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven!” instead of “Be healed!
  • Jesus knows their thoughts, so calls them out, and then heals the man of paralysis to prove his point!
  • Everyone was all…
  • (pg 16) – Jesus called Levi (Matthew) to follow him.
  • Levi had a banquet, filled with tax collectors.
    • Pharisees griped about it…that this holy man Jesus hangs out with sinners.
    • Interestingly, they complain to the disciples…like they think they can “hem them in” or corral them back by shaming them into compliance.
    • Jesus tells them, basically, “my message isn’t for you. It’s for the people who know they’re sick and need to repent to be healed.”
  • Jesus explains why his followers aren’t being as “externally religious” as other followers.
    • It’s interesting to me that John’s followers are more closely identified in conduct with the Pharisees than they are with Jesus, though he clearly pointed to Jesus and not the Pharisees.
    • Jesus explained that his followers were celebrating, and that fasting was an expression something other than celebrating. Then, explained further by using the illustrations of the new patch on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins. His point: the old can’t contain the new. Trying to meld/merge the new into the old destroyed both.
    • understated point: the new isn’t for people satisfied with the old.
  • Jesus and crew scrounge up some grains on the Sabbath. Get accused of harvesting on the Sabbath.
    • Jesus responds to the accusation by both pointing to King David as historical precedent and then identifying himself as the Son of Man, Lord over the Sabbath.
  • At a later Sabbath, a man with a deformed hand was in the crowd.
    • “The Pharisees watched Jesus closely.”
    • Is the deformed man “a plant?” Not that he’s a conspirer, but that he’s a pawn being used by those who want to invalidate Jesus.
    • Again, Jesus upsets their apple cart, reveals their motives, and heals the guy any way.
    • This further enrages the pharisees…who begin to conspire against him.
  • Jesus went up on the mountain to pray – not to be closer to God, but to be in solitude.
  • He prayed to God all night. He was in perfect relationship with the Father…and they stayed up all night talking together. WHAT A CONVERSATION that must have been.
    • The next morning, he called the 12 up to the mountain…chose them to be his apostles. The first ministry retreat! Bonding experience!
    • The parentheticals give relational context to Theophilus (and us). Judas Iscariot known historically as the betrayer of Jesus…also intentionally included from the onset. No effort to scrub him from the historical account.
  • They came down from the mountain, and was met by a multitude. The people came to listen and to be healed.
  • People clamored to touch him, because his power went out from him. He healed everyone.
  • He preached to the multitude (“Sermon on the Mount”).
    • Blesses theses who are poor…the Kingdom of God offers material provision that is greater/better than worldly materialism.
    • Blesses the hungry…God promises to satisfy physical need.
    • Blesses the sorrowful…God promises emotional provision.
    • Blesses those who are:
      • hated
      • excluded
      • mocked
      • cursed because of Jesus
        • – They will be rewarded
        • the ancestors of the guilty have been behaving this way for generations.
        • To this group, God promises relational provision.
    • Then Jesus flips the script, addressing these same four areas, promising judgment upon those who are living carnally – materialistically, gluttonously, hedonistically, and relationally indulgent.
    • Jesus challenges the audience to divest in worldly ways:
      • love your enemies
      • respond to violence with peace
      • return curses with blessings
      • Intercede for oppressors
      • Give generously to the takers/greedy.
      • This ethic undergirds “the golden rule.”
        • Living this way reflects your relationship with God, or more important, how God relates with you.
        • This compassion exemplifies God’s compassion.
      • More manifestations of this:
        • Do not judge
        • Do not condemn
        • Forgive
        • Give
      • We can’t get this from the world (“blind leading the blind”)
Me helping others with their splinters.
  • Don’t be distracted (“speck in the friend’s eye”)
  • further explains that living this way isn’t external effort, but natural “fruit” from being rooted in God. “Good fruit” comes from a “good heart.” God alone is good, and God alone makes bad people good.
  • Closes this sermon with the challenge to apply what they’ve heard.
    • Don’t call Jesus “Lord,” and live disobediently.
    • A disobedient hearer is a person who willfully lives foolishly.

Read part 2 here.

Immerse Day 1 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Can’t promise I’ll be able to do this every day, but I’ll try to do so as often as I’m able…

Text: Luke 1:1-4:13 (Immerse introduction – p. 12)

  • Acts (to be addressed after Luke, paired with Luke’s Gospel in Immerse) reveals 6 barriers of Gospel advance (1 linguistic, 4 geographic, and 1 cultural).
  • “Many people” acknowledged by Luke wrote alternative accounts of the events detailed in his writing. These events were widely-known and reported. Luke himself undertook a thorough investigation, and his account is attested to be accurate.
  • His account was written so Theophilus could be certain that everything he had been taught was true.
  • Framing the events in the time of Herod was a time frame, a political frame, and a cultural frame.
  • Zechariah’s placement in the Temple was the result of casting lots. It seems random, but the events that unfold reveal that randomness is a phenomenon often attributed due to a lack of perspective.
  • Zechariah was a holy man. Righteous in God’s eyes. YET…he was shaken and overwhelmed with fear at the sight of Gabriel. We scarcely fathom the significance of holiness.
  • The Holy Spirit is mentioned…a lot…in these first pages. He is at work, a co-agent in the activity of the Lord.
  • John is revealed prenatally to be about the work of preparing people for the coming of the Lord….this work that would transform hearts and restore relationships is in harmony with the will of the Lord and the way of the Lord.
  • John, Gabriel promised, would be filled with the Holy Spirit for his task. John did nothing on his own, apart from or independent of God’s Holy Spirit.
  • Zechariah was more concerned about the birth of John than of the ministry or blessing of John. His response is judged as non-belief.
  • Gabriel recalibrates Zechariah…reminding the man of the angel’s proximity to and delegation by God…and of the certainty of what is prophesied.
  • Gabriel then visits Mary; her response is of confusion and disturbance. Yet, her response is not credited as disbelief. Perhaps a good explanation is that “opening the womb” was not unprecedented, while a virgin birth absolutely is.
  • When Mary visited Elizabeth, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and received divine insight to the nature and personhood of the baby in Mary’s womb. Mary’s response is fully of faith.
  • Zechariah and Elizabeth’s naming of John went against cultural expectation. John’s name (in Hebrew) means “God is gracious.” This man’s name was his message.
  • Zechariah, suddenly able to speak, prophesied about John. Interestingly, his prophecy focused primarily on Jesus, and only later on John’s role in preparing others for the Messiah.
  • The story transitions to the birth of Jesus. Shepherds are mentioned being “terrified” by the appearance of Gabriel. God’s holiness is unmatched in our human experience.
  • Jesus’ birth was received with great joy by Anna and Simeon…two people whose lives had been devoted to spiritual awareness.
  • Little is mentioned of Jesus’ youth/adolescence. This isn’t the stage of life that matters most…only a single anecdote to affirm that his attentions to God were consistent and increasing. He was unique.
  • Luke’s extensive list of Roman authorities and Jewish religious leaders offers a precise triangulation of the historicity of Jesus.
  • John (now an adult) is seen fulfilling the promises that had been foretold of him. Jesus inaugurates his ministry by being baptized. Not for need, but to exemplify the salvific nature of his ministry.
  • His genealogy offers a clear trail of his origins to Adam. Jesus is fully man.
  • This reading closes with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, having been led by God (!) to it. He resists and overcomes his adversary solely through the power-filled Word of God. God’s truth overcomes all carnal assaults.