Some really great stories here, a few I don't know if I have ever read! A big underlying theme in this chapter is Jesus' compassion for all people.
To begin, Roman centurions were usually not well liked by the people. As symbols of Rome, they were the propagating a system of oppression and injustice and inequality, as determined and controlled by Rome. Why do you suspect that the Roman guard sent "some older Jewish leaders (v 3) to see Jesus? Do we do that...send others to speak to Jesus for us?" We should be able to go directly to Jesus for comfort and conversation, knowing that it is a"direct line" to God. Jesus cut out the ""middle man" when we need to speak to God. The men go and describe the Roman guard as "worthy" (v 4), yet the officer describes himself as "unworthy" (v 6). How does one define worthy or unworthy when it comes to God? Are any of us really worthy?
The woman with the dead son and dead husband would have nothing; her life would have been degraded to minimal sustenance and income because of her status. We read that "Jesus felt sorry for her" and commented that she should stop weeping (v 13). Two points here: Jesus is experiencing human emotions (sorrow) and he is essentially saying that sorrow will turn to joy! How does it make you feel that Jesus has human emotions? How does that allow Jesus to relate to us? Jesus touches the boy and the boy springs to life. In Jewish custom, this would have made Jesus defiled (touching a dead person). What does this say about Jesus and the Jewish law? How does that relate to Jesus' relationship with us?
John then drops "the question", "Jesus, are you really the Messiah, or should we wait for someone else?" (v 19). In Matthew, John asks this question while he is in prison. Jesus responds with words very similar to Isaiah 35:5-6. Why did John ask the question? Was John questioning the reality of Jesus? Did maybe John expect to see more than "just healings and exorcisms" from Jesus? Jesus then goes on to talk about John and the significance of John, and even with John's importance in the mission of Christ, the least among them (in the group) is still even greater! Do you see yourself as greater than John?
Vv 31- 35 I really have to do some research on these!
Jesus is invited to a dinner party (and I imagine it was extravagant) and a "sinful woman in the town" (maybe Mary Magdalene?) What information do we gain about he woman and how she feels about herself when we read these verses (36- 39) How do you feel about yourself when you approach Jesus? Simon, the Pharisee, gets upset at Jesus for touching a Gentile (probably) "woman of the town", "If He was a real prophet, He would have known!" (v 39b). What does this say about Simon? What dopes this say about Jesus? Jesus then teaches Simon "a lesson" about debts and gratitude. Jesus then chastises (maybe not the right word) Simon for how he treated Jesus upon entering Simon's home. Then the gut-wrenching question from Jesus, "Who is more of a sinner, Simon, you or this woman?" Who would you argue is more of a sinner? Jesus addresses the woman and says "Your sins are forgiven." (v 48). Those are words that only God can say (v 49)! How might Simon feel now?! This is a very complex story on so many levels with so many interactions between very different people. Who do you identify most with and why?
I really enjoyed reading this chapter. None of this is highlighted in my Bible, so I probably have never read these before and definitely have not used these as preaching/teaching texts! I may have to do a new sermon series after Christmas "What I learned from my Luke reading challenge!" Stay tuned!
Have a good day reading and thinking and commenting!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
I didn't get arounf to commenting yesterday but I liked the part about not judging other before you think about your own acts
ReplyDeleteToday I am a little confused: Was Jesus saying John was greater than Him? Also was simon a disciple at the time he invited Jesus to dinner? if so why did he not greet Jesus, wash His feet and offer Him water? he called Him Teacher so I would think that Simon would have know to do this Was this just a way of Jesus teaching that sinners were important to him as he was sent to forgive and save?
This chapter seems to show Jesus love for people other than the Jewish people that He loved and forgave
Just thinking!
Hi Clara- good questions. What I am getting (7:28) is that even as great as a man John is, others are equally great in God's kingdom. The idea is that all people are worthy and all people are great and there is no difference. And the Simon that is referenced in the dinner party is actually a Pharisee- not Simon the disciple...there were lots of Simons! And the questions you ask about washing his feet, etc are the same questions Jesus had for Simon! Good insight!
DeleteIt seems that Jesus is teaching people who he really is. It must have been very confusing for the people of the day. John asks “are you the one who has come, or are we to wait for another?” The writer tells about how people were questioning and wondering.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking that this all was written in hindsight. How people were asking questions and wanting explanations before really putting faith in Jesus and believe what they see.
It makes me think of our world. We all just went through a very contentious election. So many issues- so many people wondering if they should believe what they see.
And what about Covid. What leaders have helped us or hurt us. We each know which candidate we think will do the best for our country. Hindsight will be very interesting.
It’s comforting to pray that the right things will happen and for help with whatever actually does.
Sorry if this is confusing.
Good point that people sometimes forget- the gospels were written well after Jesus' death and resurrection, so they all had the gift of hindsight when they wrote! Its also important to remember that these stories are often not first hand experiences, so they may get slightly embellished. I like your commentary about COVID and the elections. I would like to know how the history books and stories if the future will reflect what is happening now!
DeleteI love that jesus forgave the woman- she was such a sinner you know that no one wanted to associate w her- thats how hatred and injustices start! Maybe if someone had shown they cared they could have helped her change her ways. We ALL fall short of the glory of god and last i knew ALL means everyone. Isnt it ironic that jesus brought the womans only son back to life! ( jesus is gods only son and he was brought back to life)
ReplyDeleteHmmm...great point about the only son! And I agree with what you say about injustices and oppression. All it takes is a little love! Good to see you commenting!
DeleteI believe that the centurion sent the elders to Jesus because he was a centurion for Rome and truly felt unworthy of speaking to Jesus. BUT the centurion’s faith was so strong that he knew Jesus only need say the word and his servant would be healed. I feel we are all unworthy and we are all unworthy because we continue to sin and fail Jesus in following His commandments. John was in prison when he asked his disciples to approach Jesus. I think John thought something more significant would happen when the Son of God appeared. Maybe the end of all oppression of the Jews. I am definitely NOT greater then John! Obviously the woman who approaches Jesus at the Pharisees is a known sinner - possibly a prostitute - because the Pharisees doubts that Jesus is a prophet because if He was He would not touch her because of her sins. However, the woman, I feel, was very sorry for her sins and wanted forgiveness. How I feel when I come to Jesus does vary - and it varies with what is going on in my life! I believe that Simon (this Simon was not his disciple) felt that he was better than this woman and that his own sins, if he even recognized that he did sin, were not as great as the woman’s. I don’t believe anyone is more of a sinner then anyone else. The Ten Commandments do not say some are more or less - no where does it say that to lie is less of a sin then to commit adulatory. We make that determination because we all lie at one time or another so we WANT murder to be a greater sin. I probably identify more with the woman - if I knew that Jesus was going to be someplace and I was able to personally see Him, I am sure I would be crying and begging forgiveness at his feet. When Jesus forgave the woman, perhaps Simon learned a lesson. Probably he didn’t - he was, after all, a Pharisees. But it wasn’t because of the woman’s actions that she was forgiven, it was her faith. Just as it was the faith of the Centurion that caused Jesus to cure the Centurion’s servant. I hope my faith is also this strong! I hadn’t realized that John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus the question. Maybe because John was in prison and could not see Jesus himself, he was relying on what was being told to him. They told him of the man who was doing all of this miracles - perhaps John just wanted to make sure it WAS Jesus - Son of God. Interesting chapter
ReplyDeleteGreat comments and thoughts... I especially like your "one sin isn't greater than another" although many many people would probably argue that point! And I'm not sure Simon understood either! Like you said, after all he was a Pharisee! One point of discrepancy- in Luke, John isn't in prison when he asks the question (he is in prison in Matthew)! Maybe John was just making sure! Great commentary- thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes we do. It's like we aren't good enough or able. So we have others do it for us, who we think are more worthy. We lack faith. Jesus's spirt is in all an knows all. Jesus is really the Messiah. Yes sometime I question as I think John did. Be merciful and judge not, as Jesus said.Yes hard questions, but so easy if we just understand and have faith. Sorry was late.
ReplyDelete