(Lk.9:57-62)
In the preceding passage, Jesus has rebuked His apostles for their self-serving attitudes. This portion now deals with those who would follow Jesus.
Man #1
In this case, the man decides to follow Jesus. I wonder if he had seen what Jesus could do and what He was teaching and thought to himself that maybe this could be something that might be interesting to do? But "being interested" is never enough!
Jesus, whilst not turning him away, asks him to realize the cost that is involved in following Him "wherever You go". There will be times when you might have do without creature comforts. Places to sleep and food to eat may end up being sought for luxuries!
Our context is different, yet the same call of cost is attached to being followers of Christ. And, oh, how modern disciples love their creature comforts! I wonder if so many could truly say, "I will follow You wherever You go" - how about just to the next prayer meeting?!!
Man #2
This time Jesus calls the man, although he has a problem - he's got a dead father to bury! In those days, a burial was more important than any ritual: even more than the Sabbath preparations or Passover. So for a man to leave a burial, it would have to be something very urgent!
Jesus is letting him know the urgency of the Kingdom of God - it is more urgent than anything of ours that we feel is urgent. We just have to start that new job, or buy that new house, or begin that new relationship, or even embark on a new apostolic mission and ministry venture - many of our urgent things can actually wait (and maybe many of them should!), but we have to have that acknowledgement in our hearts that the gospel takes precedence.
Man #3
Someone else has declared an interest in following Jesus. In Jewish society it was accepted practice for some men to follow after Rabbis - perhaps this man thought he would be "of the school of Jesus". But he wasn't quite sure of the calling - the family back home still pulled at his heart-strings.
Jesus needed to tell him that the gospel is decisive - it requires making radical decisions, even to putting aside that which is familiar, comfortable and secure. Dilly-dallying will be of no use in the Kingdom. We have to make up our minds and go for it! The line from Star Wars comes to mind when Yoda states: "There is no try - do, or do not!"
Costly, urgent, decisive - the Kingdom demands our full attention and all of our life. We cannot be an effective follower of Jesus without these.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Luke and apostolic attitudes
(9:46-56)
Three stories that are connected by a singular them - the bad attitude of the apostles!
Story #1
The apostles were arguing about which one of them was the greatest; it tells us that Jesus "knew what they were thinking". Were they perhaps using very technical and theological arguments with each other that gave a semblance of "debate", or "mere discussion"? And yet, in their hearts, they were each competing for top spot.
There is so much danger in the current "apostolic discussions" that we need to be careful that the heart is not one of "who is the greatest". We can hide behind much rhetoric and theological debate over roles of apostles and "apostolic households", whilst in our hearts be pushing for greater influence. Interestingly, Jesus uses a child to make the point - it is the one who has least influence and least significance that is actually the greatest.
There are many big names out there in the Christian world; I really hope that they remember that Christ knows what they are thinking!
Story #2
The apostles were concerned that people were doing things for Jesus but weren't part of "our group". No surprise, then to find Paul discussing the same thing to the Corinthians who were dividing themselves into camps! A bad attitude when we realize just how much work is needed in the Kingdom.
Jesus' response is basically: you get on with what you are called to do, let others get on with what they are called to - if you are all pursuing the same goal, then don't get so tribal! How important that we keep this in mind during these days of swapping apostolic tribes.
Story #3
The apostles wanted to destroy a village because they had a different agenda to them! Quite rightly, Jesus rebuked them! For the Samaritans, they wanted Jesus to stay with them, not just stop over on His way to somewhere else. Jesus was happy to let that agenda stand and just move on, but the apostles were too quick to claim ownership of the agenda.
Some important lessons to be learned in this story:
Maybe some things ought to be remembered here:-
Three stories that are connected by a singular them - the bad attitude of the apostles!
Story #1
The apostles were arguing about which one of them was the greatest; it tells us that Jesus "knew what they were thinking". Were they perhaps using very technical and theological arguments with each other that gave a semblance of "debate", or "mere discussion"? And yet, in their hearts, they were each competing for top spot.
There is so much danger in the current "apostolic discussions" that we need to be careful that the heart is not one of "who is the greatest". We can hide behind much rhetoric and theological debate over roles of apostles and "apostolic households", whilst in our hearts be pushing for greater influence. Interestingly, Jesus uses a child to make the point - it is the one who has least influence and least significance that is actually the greatest.
There are many big names out there in the Christian world; I really hope that they remember that Christ knows what they are thinking!
Story #2
The apostles were concerned that people were doing things for Jesus but weren't part of "our group". No surprise, then to find Paul discussing the same thing to the Corinthians who were dividing themselves into camps! A bad attitude when we realize just how much work is needed in the Kingdom.
Jesus' response is basically: you get on with what you are called to do, let others get on with what they are called to - if you are all pursuing the same goal, then don't get so tribal! How important that we keep this in mind during these days of swapping apostolic tribes.
Story #3
The apostles wanted to destroy a village because they had a different agenda to them! Quite rightly, Jesus rebuked them! For the Samaritans, they wanted Jesus to stay with them, not just stop over on His way to somewhere else. Jesus was happy to let that agenda stand and just move on, but the apostles were too quick to claim ownership of the agenda.
Some important lessons to be learned in this story:
- Jesus isn't bothered about an agenda that is different to His; He has a plan and purpose that will go on regardless.
- Apostles must submit to Jesus' agenda, not their own
- Apostles must not condemn any churches that don't connect with their agenda
- Apostles must be prepared to work with churches that have different expectations of them
- Apostles must serve the churches, not themselves
- Churches need to work with Jesus' agenda, even if it may not be exactly what they would want or expect - don't bypass the blessing just because you wanted a "longer stay".
Maybe some things ought to be remembered here:-
- Don't be self-righteous
- Don't let your plans supersede God's
- Don't think more highly of yourself than you ought
- Don't promote your own agenda or ministry
- Don't be tribal, nor make an issue of promoting the tribe
- Don't be law-maker, judge and executioner
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Perplexing Lucan moments
(9:43-45)
Some amazing and perplexing things:
In the midst of our marvelling at Jesus (and specifically in signs & wonders) the importance of the cross must never be forgotten; the passion of Christ is still central to everything.
Could it be the case that when we are so caught up up with "signs" that God actually keeps some things "concealed" from us? That until we learn to keep the cross central our revelation may be hindered?
Is there something that we are "too afraid" to ask God? Are "signs" easier for us to get to grips with than the implications of the gospel/cross for our lives?
Is this part of recent stirrings not to diminish the gospel? Jesus told them not to forget "while they were marvelling"; while we marvel, may we not forget the passion of the cross!
Some amazing and perplexing things:
- In the midst of (rightful) marvelling at the power of God, Jesus tells them not to forget the gospel (passion; cross)
- They did not understand; it was hidden/concealed from them
- They were too afraid to ask Him what He meant!
In the midst of our marvelling at Jesus (and specifically in signs & wonders) the importance of the cross must never be forgotten; the passion of Christ is still central to everything.
Jesus knows that our hearts are too easily distracted by "signs" that we end up forgetting the heart of the gospel.
Could it be the case that when we are so caught up up with "signs" that God actually keeps some things "concealed" from us? That until we learn to keep the cross central our revelation may be hindered?
Is there something that we are "too afraid" to ask God? Are "signs" easier for us to get to grips with than the implications of the gospel/cross for our lives?
Is this part of recent stirrings not to diminish the gospel? Jesus told them not to forget "while they were marvelling"; while we marvel, may we not forget the passion of the cross!
Luke from glory to glory
(9:41)
Why did Jesus call the people who asked Him to perform a necessary miracle "wrong", "perverse"? Why did He say that He had to "put up with them"?
(9:28-43)
From the Transfiguration glory to the mean streets of humanity. We can't always live at the summit without going back into the world to get our hands dirty.
Why did Jesus call the people who asked Him to perform a necessary miracle "wrong", "perverse"? Why did He say that He had to "put up with them"?
(9:28-43)
From the Transfiguration glory to the mean streets of humanity. We can't always live at the summit without going back into the world to get our hands dirty.
Luke and process
(9:18-27)
The decision to recognize Jesus for who He is must always be succeeded by the laying down or our lives and taking on His life, carrying our cross.
The revelation of Jesus, Messiah, births a walk of purpose which precludes self-centredness. Any option that gains the whole world but loses the life can never be an option at all! How foolishly we walk into that noose!
The decision to recognize Jesus for who He is must always be succeeded by the laying down or our lives and taking on His life, carrying our cross.
The revelation of Jesus, Messiah, births a walk of purpose which precludes self-centredness. Any option that gains the whole world but loses the life can never be an option at all! How foolishly we walk into that noose!
Luke and the gospel
(9:1-2,6)
Jesus gave the disciples power, then He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God - the power serves the preaching. They go together: preach and heal!
Jesus gave the disciples power, then He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God - the power serves the preaching. They go together: preach and heal!
Compassion in Luke
(8:40-56)
- Jairus - will we override our culture for Jesus?
- Suffering woman - there were any "around" Jesus, but she "touched" Him. Do we just spend time around Him or do we reach out to Him? DO we "know" the gospel, or do we "live" it?
- Jairus' daughter - how the family would have been overawed and overjoyed at Jesus' compassion - are we moved by that? What would it take to move us? The world laughs and mocks genuine faith, faith in the impossible, hope in the hopeless. Will we laugh with them, or "only believe"?
More Lucan thoughts
(8:11-15)
Parable of the sower
The good soil represents those who "persist until they bear fruit"; the fruit/harvest doesn't happen by itself - there is a persevering and a persistence that is necessary. That persistence is predicated by the retaining of the Word in a good (noble) and obedient heart; i.e. if we are not prepared to retain the Word, then we will not persist unto harvest.
(8:19-21)
To be called, and classified, a relation of Jesus, and hence to be in relationship to Him, necessitates hearing and doing (obeying) God's Word. We would think, not altogether wrongly, that it would be the more intimate activities - prayer, reading the Word, worship - that would mark us out as Jesus' relatives, but Jesus says that it is the more visible signs that people will recognize us by.
Parable of the sower
The good soil represents those who "persist until they bear fruit"; the fruit/harvest doesn't happen by itself - there is a persevering and a persistence that is necessary. That persistence is predicated by the retaining of the Word in a good (noble) and obedient heart; i.e. if we are not prepared to retain the Word, then we will not persist unto harvest.
(8:19-21)
To be called, and classified, a relation of Jesus, and hence to be in relationship to Him, necessitates hearing and doing (obeying) God's Word. We would think, not altogether wrongly, that it would be the more intimate activities - prayer, reading the Word, worship - that would mark us out as Jesus' relatives, but Jesus says that it is the more visible signs that people will recognize us by.
(7:36-50)
The woman "loved much" even though Jesus had yet to do anything for her - He was aware of her attention but hadn't done anything to/for her. Are we a people who "love much", even if we don't receive anything from Jesus? How much more should we "love much" when considering what He has done!
There is a wonderful line in the Lifehouse song "Breathe" - "I want nothing more than to sit outside heaven's door and listen to You breathing" - a contentment of "loving much"!
The woman "loved much" even though Jesus had yet to do anything for her - He was aware of her attention but hadn't done anything to/for her. Are we a people who "love much", even if we don't receive anything from Jesus? How much more should we "love much" when considering what He has done!
There is a wonderful line in the Lifehouse song "Breathe" - "I want nothing more than to sit outside heaven's door and listen to You breathing" - a contentment of "loving much"!
(6:43-45)
We will be known by our fruit - what measure of fruit are we bearing? What measure are we putting into the yield? What fruit (type and measure) are other people seeing in us? What comes out of the overflow of the heart?
Interesting that Jesus said we cannot bear fruit unless we abide in the Vine, yet, amazingly, people try to religiously bear fruit in order to gain access to the Vine!
We will be known by our fruit - what measure of fruit are we bearing? What measure are we putting into the yield? What fruit (type and measure) are other people seeing in us? What comes out of the overflow of the heart?
Interesting that Jesus said we cannot bear fruit unless we abide in the Vine, yet, amazingly, people try to religiously bear fruit in order to gain access to the Vine!
(6:37-38)
The measure of how we live out v.31 is the measure God uses for us, either positive or negative! In other words: would we like God to judge us? so why would we want to judge others? Do we want God to give to us? then why don't we give to others?
This principle is the qualifier of the "golden rule"
The measure of how we live out v.31 is the measure God uses for us, either positive or negative! In other words: would we like God to judge us? so why would we want to judge others? Do we want God to give to us? then why don't we give to others?
This principle is the qualifier of the "golden rule"
Recent thoughts from the Gospel of Luke
(6:31)
We are meant to act in a way that would indicate how we would like to be treated, even in the face of hostility. This "golden rule" is a profound character-changing missive - it should fundamentally and radically alter who we are and how we behave; it should almost be the prime evidence for a gospel-altered life. This is the example Jesus left us for us - whilst He was being beaten, spat on, whipped, crucified, He never turned away from His persecutors but was in the process of dying for them, enabling them to find a way to life - they gave Him death; He gave them life!
We are meant to act in a way that would indicate how we would like to be treated, even in the face of hostility. This "golden rule" is a profound character-changing missive - it should fundamentally and radically alter who we are and how we behave; it should almost be the prime evidence for a gospel-altered life. This is the example Jesus left us for us - whilst He was being beaten, spat on, whipped, crucified, He never turned away from His persecutors but was in the process of dying for them, enabling them to find a way to life - they gave Him death; He gave them life!
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