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+

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