Lord of the Sabbath
When teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath it was customary for the teacher to sit. This seems odd to modern Jesus-followers as we are used to a preacher standing -- usually behind a pulpit -- but in the first century teaching was more relaxed. Therefore, after teaching in the synagogue we often see Jesus going for a walk and mingling with the people who needed him most. The Sabbath mentioned in the first verse of chapter six is one such day. Jesus and the disciples are walking through a grain field and began snacking on some of the stalks.
A Day in the Life of Jesus, Part One
We have been able to discern what a typical Sabbath day was like for Jesus during his ministry years, including a time of teaching and sometimes healing in the synagogue followed by a walk and supper at someone’s home. Over the next couple chapters (6.13-7.50), we get a detailed look at a typical day in the life of our Savior. Due to the length of the writing we cannot possibly cover everything in a single post, so we’ll be breaking it up but try to keep in mind that these are not random teachings of Jesus, they represent roughly a 12-hour period.
A Day in the Life, Part 4
From what we’ve been reading are we to assume the indicators of Christian living are being spiritually poor and hungry, unhappy and hated? Hardly. Rather, people will know we belong to God when we can be happy in current difficulties because of our focus on future redemption. This focus on our eternal life and destiny carries into every area of life.
A Day in the Life, Part 7
As the day was getting on and the sun low in the sky, the disciples of John the Baptist (who was in prison at the time) came to Jesus to ask a question for their teacher. They wanted to know if Jesus was in fact the Messiah, or if the Messiah were yet to come. Their question was quite direct, yet Jesus didn’t answer their question likewise, answering instead in a cryptic manner leading some (myself included) to believe Jesus may have been communicating more than the answer to their question. Was Jesus speaking in code?
The Withered Hand
Here we come upon another of Jesus’ miracles performed on a Sabbath. This may be a week after he proved himself the Lord of the Sabbath, or it could be several weeks later, Luke doesn’t specify. What is notable is that this is one of seven miracles Jesus performs on the Sabbath. Seven, the number of days in the week and, interestingly, the day of the Sabbath (the day God rested). The number denotes perfection and completeness in Scripture. While you may never hear this passage preached in church, it was important to Luke and in the revelation of Jesus as Messiah.
A Day in the Life, Part Two
As many before me have pointed out, the term translated “Blessed” in both Matthew and here in Luke chapter six, is more accurately rendered “happy” as it relates to humanity; historically, “blessed” is a term only used of divinity. This is important as it brings the message down from seemingly holy heights where we tend to over-spiritualize everything down to a level of life we are only too familiar and comfortable with. For this study then, the wisdom formula begins with “Happy are…”, followed by a group who seems unfortunate and ending with a promise of future glory.
A Day in the Life, Part 5
A struggling believer asked his devout friend to go to a strip bar. “Never going to happen,” the friend replied. “Why, because you’re so holy?” he retorted venomously. “No,” the Christian responded, “just obedient.” Along with all the characteristics of Kingdom Citizens -- a perspective based on future glory, love for enemies, generosity, humility and others -- there is one more piece of our lives that needs to be turned upside-down. In Luke 6.27 Jesus asks a question: “Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?” This lesson is about how ordinary people ought to stop obeying sinful desires and start obeying God.
Women in Jesus’ Ministry
Luke takes a time-out to celebrate the benefactors of Jesus’ ministry, people whom many may be surprised to hear of. While Jesus traveled throughout Galilee with the 12 disciples, they were financed by a group of women, some known to us and some not. It specifically states these women provided for Jesus and his men out of their own means. This made me pause, as I’d always heard from the pulpit that women in first century Israel were oppressed and treated as property. Where did this idea come from? Certainly not from the pages of the Bible!
Choosing the Twelve
In a single paragraph Luke tells us of the completion of Jesus choosing the 12 disciples. It begins with one of the many accounts of Jesus withdrawing from the crowds to pray. He prayed not for a few minutes or hours, but all night, so important were the decisions. He was entrusting these men with the future of his ministry. Even Judas, the only one Luke comments on, had a vital role to play. Luke gives us names, and the details of these men and their faith will have to wait, becoming known only as we read the rest of the story.
A Day in the Life, Part 3
The second wisdom statement (of four) features another reversal of fortune. In this case the hungry will be satisfied. That’s not the only similarity, however. The group Jesus identifies as “the hungry” also has Old Testament roots, also in Psalms (37.16-19) and elsewhere (Psalm 107.9, Isaiah 32.6-7; 58.6-7; Ezekiel 18.7,16), and that those who hunger are again “the godly”. In this passage we see that the wicked indeed prosper here and now, but the godly are more valuable because they are important to God. In a day in which famine will affect both groups, God will provide for his people.
A Day in the Life, Part 6
His sermon over, Jesus left the plains and entered Capernaum, a city on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee and a major trade center for the region. This is still the same day that Jesus chose the disciples, which occurred after staying up all night in prayer over that decision. He had to be tired, even so there was work to do. Following his teaching he set about proving his message was from God by performing Messianic signs. Luke records these two miracles, a healing and raising someone from the dead, in greater detail than the other Gospel writers.
Parables of the Sower and the Lamp
Following the disclosure of women assisting in Jesus’ ministry, Luke records a familiar parable about a farmer sowing seed. We’ve mentioned before four types of people who show up to hear Jesus preach (the 12, other disciples, people needing healing or who want to witness miracles, and the religious authorities); in this parable Jesus tells us four responses people have to his teaching about the kingdom and his right to rule. But this message, while spoken before everyone, isn’t for everyone to understand. Such is the nature, and purpose, of parables.
