Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness where for 40 days he does not eat and is tempted by the devil. We probably do not get all of the temptations that confronted him in 40 days, but we get enough to take a lesson from our Lord in how to handle temptation.
Each time Jesus is tempted, he answers the devil with "It is written" and "It is said" as he quotes scripture in his defense. This works, Jesus overcomes this session but note that the devil leaves "until an opportune time." Luke 4:13b NRSV.
Jesus returns to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit and began to teach. In Nazareth on the Sabbath he takes the scroll and reads from the prophet Isaiah his mission statement. It read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18&19 NRSV. If you or your church is looking for a vision or mission statement let me suggest you'd do a lot worse than borrowing Jesus' mission statement here.
The service seemed to be going quite well, but took a nasty turn when Jesus told the
crowd that their would be no great signs and wonders performed. They push him outside of the city to a place where they might stone him to death, but he miraculously walks right through them.
Chapter 4 ends with an account of Jesus' ministry in Capernaum of Galilee where Jesus confronts and dispatches demons and cures diseases. One of those healed is Simon Peter's mother-in-law. The people of Capernaum would have compelled Jesus to stay with them, but he left the comfort of their hospitality to pursue the mission and call of God.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Luke 3
I hope the opening of chapter 3 didn't hurt your neck. Look again and see the abrupt change of direction that Luke throws us. he begins by listing all of the powerful people of the day and their positions, but switches gears when he says, "the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness." Luke 3:2b NRSV. I don't think it is an accident that Luke says, when all of these powerful important people were around, God spoke to a desert preacher named John - a nobody to the world, a somebody to God! It is still like that today. If we will humble ourselves, we are likely to hear from God, exalt yourself and ... not so much.
John the Baptists ministry was harsh and brief and effective! He accomplished all that God had purposed for him to do and likely did it in less than a year. Not the contract you or I would likely want to negotiate, but then God rarely negotiates with humans.
Luke's account of Jesus' baptism is brief, and is followed directly by the genealogy of Jesus. Notice the difference in Luke's genealogy to that written in Matthew. Matthew traces a good Jewish line all the way back to Abraham through David. Luke traces the same line but he goes back to David and Abraham right to Adam and end with God! i think I like Luke's better!
John the Baptists ministry was harsh and brief and effective! He accomplished all that God had purposed for him to do and likely did it in less than a year. Not the contract you or I would likely want to negotiate, but then God rarely negotiates with humans.
Luke's account of Jesus' baptism is brief, and is followed directly by the genealogy of Jesus. Notice the difference in Luke's genealogy to that written in Matthew. Matthew traces a good Jewish line all the way back to Abraham through David. Luke traces the same line but he goes back to David and Abraham right to Adam and end with God! i think I like Luke's better!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Luke 2
The second chapter of Luke is probably best known for its use in Christmas pageants every year. I still hear Linus (from Charlie Brown) take the stage whenever I read these words. most of the memories that are churned to the surface for me with these verses involve warm thoughts, secure feelings, poinsettias and candle light.
The reality that Mary and Joseph were living through had nothing in common with my sentimental memories. Mary and Joseph were in a tough place, forced to travel late in her pregnancy of harsh terrain for a census by an occupying government. Mary, probably outcast from her family or at least with a sullied reputation gives birth to her firstborn in a manger because there is no room for them in proper housing. The first visitors are a band of outcasts - shepherds - that have received word from the angels that Messiah had been born. I don't imagine my wife would have been thrilled to see strange men peering in at her in these moments.
Some of the only information about Jesus' childhood is shared with us here. We see him in the arms of Simeon in the temple at time of his dedication. I can almost see the sainted old man swaying as he holds the baby Jesus up before his own eyes and prayerfully says, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32 NRSV. I can hear Anna's testimony to the one she has faithfully served and waited for.
The second chapter ends 12 years later where we see Jesus contending with the teachers in the temple. He can't understand why his mother was worried about his absence from the caravan of travelers heading home from Jerusalem. Didn't she know he would be in his fathers house? It is challenging to raise children. How challenging it must have been to parent Jesus of Nazareth.
The reality that Mary and Joseph were living through had nothing in common with my sentimental memories. Mary and Joseph were in a tough place, forced to travel late in her pregnancy of harsh terrain for a census by an occupying government. Mary, probably outcast from her family or at least with a sullied reputation gives birth to her firstborn in a manger because there is no room for them in proper housing. The first visitors are a band of outcasts - shepherds - that have received word from the angels that Messiah had been born. I don't imagine my wife would have been thrilled to see strange men peering in at her in these moments.
Some of the only information about Jesus' childhood is shared with us here. We see him in the arms of Simeon in the temple at time of his dedication. I can almost see the sainted old man swaying as he holds the baby Jesus up before his own eyes and prayerfully says, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32 NRSV. I can hear Anna's testimony to the one she has faithfully served and waited for.
The second chapter ends 12 years later where we see Jesus contending with the teachers in the temple. He can't understand why his mother was worried about his absence from the caravan of travelers heading home from Jerusalem. Didn't she know he would be in his fathers house? It is challenging to raise children. How challenging it must have been to parent Jesus of Nazareth.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Luke 1
We return to more familiar territory when we move from John's letters to the Gospel of Luke. Some of the words and style of John's letters were familiar, but many of us have grown up in our faith with Doctor Luke and his two letters (Luke and Acts) written to his "friend" Theophilus.
The name Theophilus translates from the Greek to mean - God's friend. So this letter is written to you and me, if we are friends of God! Luke undertakes the very important job of researching and writing a complete account about Jesus of Nazareth so we might know the truth.
It may help you as you read this book to imagine that you are reading a letter written just for you from a very wise older friend. When I do this, I can almost hear Dr. Luke's voice as he tells me the old old story. Get a cup of coffee - or a diet Pepsi - and sit back and listen again for the first time to this important retelling of Luke's research.
In chapter 1 we hear a rather detailed account of the conception and birth of John the Baptist, told as a backdrop to the surprising pregnancy of Mary, the young virgin girl betrothed to Joseph. Look for the faithful witness of what theologians have called "the least, the last and the lost" in Luke's account. They are, along with Jesus, the stars of this gospel account.
The name Theophilus translates from the Greek to mean - God's friend. So this letter is written to you and me, if we are friends of God! Luke undertakes the very important job of researching and writing a complete account about Jesus of Nazareth so we might know the truth.
It may help you as you read this book to imagine that you are reading a letter written just for you from a very wise older friend. When I do this, I can almost hear Dr. Luke's voice as he tells me the old old story. Get a cup of coffee - or a diet Pepsi - and sit back and listen again for the first time to this important retelling of Luke's research.
In chapter 1 we hear a rather detailed account of the conception and birth of John the Baptist, told as a backdrop to the surprising pregnancy of Mary, the young virgin girl betrothed to Joseph. Look for the faithful witness of what theologians have called "the least, the last and the lost" in Luke's account. They are, along with Jesus, the stars of this gospel account.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Jude
It is thought by some theologians that the writer of Jude was a half brother of Jesus. He is identified in the Gospels of Matthew and mark, and did not believe Jesus was the messiah at the time of Jesus' death. We are not told, but perhaps Jude came to faith through his brother James testimony or that of his mother, Mary. At any rate, we find Jude to be zealous now for the faith, a missionary and a preacher.
The purpose of Jude's letter was to speak against the notion that now that we live under grace, we can live in sin without consequence. Jude wrote to call the faithful back to holiness and to encourage them to expel the heretics in their midst.
I find great comfort and direction today in the words of verses 20 and 21. Jude encourages his readers with these words, "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." Jude 20&21 NRSV.
In a society like ours, so full of temptation and ungodliness, we will do well to heed Jude's call.
The purpose of Jude's letter was to speak against the notion that now that we live under grace, we can live in sin without consequence. Jude wrote to call the faithful back to holiness and to encourage them to expel the heretics in their midst.
I find great comfort and direction today in the words of verses 20 and 21. Jude encourages his readers with these words, "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." Jude 20&21 NRSV.
In a society like ours, so full of temptation and ungodliness, we will do well to heed Jude's call.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
3 John
Letters like 3rd John reveal to us the humanity and brokenness of the early church. I have traveled in charismatic evangelical circles of faith all of my adult life. I love the unction and anointing of the Holy Spirit and the praise and worship life of some of these fellowships fuels my heart and spirit.
I often hear people in these circles and sometimes even in main line denominational circles lamenting that they wish they were a part of a "New Testament" church. Really?!?!?! I wonder when I hear that sentiment if the person saying it has any idea what they are wishing for.
You see, the early church that we romanticize had the same major flaw ( and the same major strength) that our current churches suffer from -- the church was full of people! That's right folks, human beings, people alot like you and me. 3 John gives us a glimpse into the dysfunction of the "New Testament" church.
John had apparently written a letter to the church that Diotrephes refused to circulate. That letter was actually 3 John - what we read today is at least 4 John! John writes here to encourage his friend Gaius to persevere and do the right thing in supporting John and he commends Demetrius who likely is hand delivering this letter to Gaius to assure its arrival. John says in a somewhat threatening way "instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face." 3John 14 NRSV.
I am glad to be part of the New Testament church in 2008. We have some of the same challenges and opportunities as they did 2000 years ago. I will close our reading of John's letters as he began this final one, "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3John 2-4 NRSV.
I often hear people in these circles and sometimes even in main line denominational circles lamenting that they wish they were a part of a "New Testament" church. Really?!?!?! I wonder when I hear that sentiment if the person saying it has any idea what they are wishing for.
You see, the early church that we romanticize had the same major flaw ( and the same major strength) that our current churches suffer from -- the church was full of people! That's right folks, human beings, people alot like you and me. 3 John gives us a glimpse into the dysfunction of the "New Testament" church.
John had apparently written a letter to the church that Diotrephes refused to circulate. That letter was actually 3 John - what we read today is at least 4 John! John writes here to encourage his friend Gaius to persevere and do the right thing in supporting John and he commends Demetrius who likely is hand delivering this letter to Gaius to assure its arrival. John says in a somewhat threatening way "instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face." 3John 14 NRSV.
I am glad to be part of the New Testament church in 2008. We have some of the same challenges and opportunities as they did 2000 years ago. I will close our reading of John's letters as he began this final one, "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3John 2-4 NRSV.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
2 John
John's second letter is written to "The Elect Lady and her Children". This "elect lady" has traditionally been thought to be the local congregation in the community that received the letter and the "sister" in the last verse is thought to be the church in Ephesus where John resided during the time the letter was written.
The letter breaks into 3 pieces: 1) the Truth and love vss 1-3, 2) the Truth and how to live vs 4-6, 3) the Truth and error vss 7-11.
John is writing to make sure the faith is kept pure. A heresy that actually continues to this day in some circles is addressed - that Jesus was not fully human as well as fully Divine. John says is you hear any of this, put them out of the church! He also cautions against adding anything to the Gospel of Christ.
This is great advice for us today friends. The Gospel is sufficient in and of itself for teaching and growing the church. Any addition or compromise is a subtraction!
The letter breaks into 3 pieces: 1) the Truth and love vss 1-3, 2) the Truth and how to live vs 4-6, 3) the Truth and error vss 7-11.
John is writing to make sure the faith is kept pure. A heresy that actually continues to this day in some circles is addressed - that Jesus was not fully human as well as fully Divine. John says is you hear any of this, put them out of the church! He also cautions against adding anything to the Gospel of Christ.
This is great advice for us today friends. The Gospel is sufficient in and of itself for teaching and growing the church. Any addition or compromise is a subtraction!
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