Jesus, Full of the Holy Spirit


The Gospel of Luke Chapters 3-6

It has been an interesting experience going back to read significant portions of the Gospel of Luke just for the story and not (necessarily) studying the text with an eye toward preaching on a shorter passage.  The arch of the narrative is more evident and interesting details between the different Gospels are brought to life.

One of the most awesome parts of Luke’s Gospel that is never read in the course of our Sunday lectionary cycle is Jesus’ genealogy (3:24-38).  This list traces Jesus’ heritage through Joseph for 77 generations with ancestral connections to King David, Noah, Abraham, and all the way back to Adam.  Many scholars and commentators have argued about the veracity of this lineage and how or if it can be proven.  For others, the more important result is the number “77” itself, as it is the number of times Jesus says we should offer forgiveness.

I find the list challenging because the mothers are non-existent (which is not so in Matthew’s genealogy).  Luke’s list ignores the importance of woman like Ruth, who was wife of Boaz, mother of Obed, grandmother to Jesse and great-grandmother to King David.  She was a Moabite, not an Israelite, which is a story in and of itself that is ignored in this passage.  The importance of noticing such details as readers and believers is the historical nature of the text and how the times in which it was written influence and affected what was shared.

During this season of Lent, it is poignant to read the long version of Jesus’ temptation by the devil in Chapter 4.  Last Sunday we heard the one sentence version from Mark’s Gospel about this event, which seems anticlimactic compared to Luke’s theatrical extravaganza. It is a visceral experience to imagine Jesus in all his human frailty facing off with the ultimate temptation – the end of suffering.  Comfort and ease is what the devil offers disguised as food, power and glory. Jesus’ ability to see beyond the momentary satisfaction of the temptation to their false promises is inspiring to all who struggle with our human desires.  Expanding our perception of the reality beyond a momentary crisis is a true test to our ability to endure suffering.  And God will not leave us comfortless.  Jesus was not abandoned in the wilderness and neither are we.  

Chapter 5 begins Jesus’ pushback on the authorities of the age, specifically the scribes and Pharisees.  Those in power like to keep their power, even if it is only given to them by other (in this case the Romans). However, as the mediators of the Jewish faith, they were obligated to enforce the strict law and rules that Jesus “bend” on a regular basis.  Showing the same nuance of argument that he did while being tempted by the devil, Jesus spars with the authorities about what can and can’t be done, like healing on the Sabbath, forgiving sins and eating with those who are considered unclean or unworthy.  Jesus is already setting himself up for a showdown with the “powers that be,” even though his reasoning invites us into a new relationship with God. 

As we follow Jesus into his early ministry, I was struck by how long it takes for Jesus to choose his twelve closest disciples “whom he also named apostles.” (6:13) While he does invite Peter, James and John to follow him in Chapter 5, the text gives the impression that many people where invited to follow Jesus as he preached, taught and healed in Galilee.  It seems that Jesus took his time to observe the gifts, talents and commitments of those who where following him before he selected his closest allies.  This makes a lot of sense as it suggests that Jesus discerned the choice rather than relied on divine intervention as to who should be chosen.  And some might think the decision flawed, considering those chose would abandon Jesus in the hour of his greatest need.  But we also know that they are redeemed despite of there failings, which is wonderfully reassuring.

In some ways, this is still the warm up act for what is coming, but already we see the detail and wonder of this amazing Gospel and we still have 18 more chapters to go!

With Lenten Blessings,
Rev. Valerie+

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Give God the Glory

Reflections on Chapters 12-14 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Years ago, I had a grandparent chargingly ask me if it was OK for her to be proud of her granddaughter, because she had been taught, “Pride goeth before the fall.”   I assured her that being proud of her grandchild was not a sin when the feeling was offered in thanksgiving of the accomplishment and not boosting up one’s own ego. “Look at what I have done,” has been the down fall of many people because they neglect or forget those that helped them achieve their goals. The Book of Acts shares story after story of the importance of acknowledging that all power and might comes from God, to whom we should offer our thanks and praise.   When our egos take over and we congratulate only ourselves for what we have done, we become idolatrous. Chapter 12 records an terrible story of King Herod’s response to the apostles.   He outright kills James and then arrests Peter, who is guarded by over 30 men. Yet, despite
Read more

A Christmas Poem

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all through the land The Church reminded us that the Savior’s birth was at hand. The season is not about the perfection of glitter But about a loving God who would not leave us bitter. And so God sent us the Son wrapped up like a present In the garb of our mortality, the human flesh of a peasant. The cookies may not be made, the decorations may not be hung, The cards may not be sent, the lights may not be strung. Yet let us all make the true preparations for the coming of our Savior And open our hearts and lives to the Lord’s loving favor. No more precious gift has ever been received. It is up to us to remind the world what we truly believe. Not in jolly old elves, talking snowmen or reindeer in flight But in God, who loves us with all of God's might. So stop for a moment and take a deep breath, As we await the Christ, the true conqueror of death. Let go of the need to fulfill a secular call to perfection
Read more

A Sloppy Track

Reflections on Acts of the Apostles Chapters 15-17 This past Saturday was the 144 th running of the Kentucky Derby.   As with all outdoor events, it is at the mercy of Mother Nature, and sometimes she doesn’t seem to care that the humans prefer sunny, dry weather.   However, a certain horse named Justified was the odds-on favorite to win if it was a sloppy track.   And indeed it was.   Rain poured down for most of the day and it didn’t stop by the time the big race was scheduled to start.   The track was a sloppy as I have ever seen a horse race track be.   Justified loved it – and won. It seems counter-intuitive to me that such adverse conditions could led to victory.   What I would consider ideal conditions (sunny, warm but not hot, dry) was the complete opposite of what made Justified thrive.   The reality is that “ideal” conditions are rare – there is always something that is a bit sloppy or not exactly to our liking.   What is important is how we choose to act in those
Read more