Saturday – Luke 12: 13-34
Sometimes life happens for a disciple on the journey. That is what happened to me over the last couple of days. But I am back and we are on track.
In the reading for today, Jesus tries to stay out of an argument between two brothers. I think Jesus was smart in his decision. One brother was looking for Jesus to take his side in the one going family argument. The argument was about the family inheritance. In the story, it appears that Jesus just remains silent on the issue and holds back any opinion he might hold. Jesus however uses this situation to launch into a teaching on wealth and material possessions.
Can you imagine yourself their when Jesus was teaching on wealth? How does it make you feel? Jesus teaching about wealth always makes me uncomfortable. How do you think the brother felt?
Questions for reflection and comment:
What is Jesus trying to get the crowd around him and us to understand?
Are these stories all about money? Or are they about priorities? Or both?
If you could sit down with Jesus at this point along the journey what questions of clarification would you ask?
How would Jesus answer you?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Day 15 on the Journey
Friday - Luke 10: 29-37
What a familiar story we read. When you read it are you able to place yourself within the text? Are you able to let what you always heard preach be lost… so you might experience this story fresh and from an eye witness account?
I am sure people were not to happy with the hero being a Samaritan. I have already shares some of my thought about this passage a few days ago (Tuesday). I want to focus my thoughts, reflections, and questions around the topic of our neighbors.
Questions for reflection and comment:
If Jesus was telling this story this to a group of disciples in 2008 who might be the hero?
We strive to welcome, love, forgive, and show compassion, but there are still people who would not be genuinely welcomed at next Sunday’s fellowship meal. Be brutally honest with yourself.
Who are the individuals of our society that our church does not welcome?
What questions would you want to ask Jesus about this story?
I think I would want to know how this story relates to our modern world. For example I would want to know are we supposed to stop and help someone even if it puts our life in danger. We live in a time when “good Samaritans” are prayed upon by robbers and thieves.
I wonder if the story would be different if he told it today. Would Jesus change the situation in which people were going past or ignoring? Would it be someone injured on the street or side of the highway?
Might it be a homeless person in down town Dallas?
What a familiar story we read. When you read it are you able to place yourself within the text? Are you able to let what you always heard preach be lost… so you might experience this story fresh and from an eye witness account?
I am sure people were not to happy with the hero being a Samaritan. I have already shares some of my thought about this passage a few days ago (Tuesday). I want to focus my thoughts, reflections, and questions around the topic of our neighbors.
Questions for reflection and comment:
If Jesus was telling this story this to a group of disciples in 2008 who might be the hero?
We strive to welcome, love, forgive, and show compassion, but there are still people who would not be genuinely welcomed at next Sunday’s fellowship meal. Be brutally honest with yourself.
Who are the individuals of our society that our church does not welcome?
What questions would you want to ask Jesus about this story?
I think I would want to know how this story relates to our modern world. For example I would want to know are we supposed to stop and help someone even if it puts our life in danger. We live in a time when “good Samaritans” are prayed upon by robbers and thieves.
I wonder if the story would be different if he told it today. Would Jesus change the situation in which people were going past or ignoring? Would it be someone injured on the street or side of the highway?
Might it be a homeless person in down town Dallas?
Day 14 on the Journey
Thursday - Luke 11: 29- 12: 3
Sorry about the delay in posting…
When witnessing Jesus with the Scribes and Pharisees, the easiest emotion for me to imagine is anger. (We cannot see emotion in Luke’s text). I wonder if Jesus was just debating. I wonder if Jesus was having more conversational encounters than heated debates. Of course what Jesus is debating or discussing with the Scribes and Pharisees are important topics. I think, Jesus is trying to describe the differences in his own (God’s) attitude and the Pharisee's attitudes about what is important.
How do you envision and hear Jesus’ voice?
In the New Testament, the Scribes and Pharisees really do get a lot of bad press. The Pharisaical movement was more than likely a survival tool for the Jewish people. The Pharisees were a lay renewal movement of Jesus time. They wanted a back to the scripture and tradition emphasis. They saw the law and rules as solid boundaries to help keep the faith in bounds. Without laws and rules we would have Chaos. Right? And we cannot live in Chaos. They where trying to keep people from giving up their identity as Jews; therefore they emphasized scripture and learning.
Questions for reflection and comment:
Isn’t keeping certain tradition important?
Jesus was critiquing their tradition bound attitudes and I am sure they felt threaten. Don’t you?
There are still scribes and Pharisees in our churches today… And some of their views appeal to contemporary Christians. Hearing someone belittle a tradition that we hold dear hurts us.
Might Jesus be critiquing a practice or belief you have always considered critical to faith?
How would you feel when Jesus says, “A person does not have to say that phrase, practice that discipline, or dress that way, in order to be a Christian?
How do we keep from falling into chaos, without rules?
At the same time not let rules take precedence over relationships?
Sorry about the delay in posting…
When witnessing Jesus with the Scribes and Pharisees, the easiest emotion for me to imagine is anger. (We cannot see emotion in Luke’s text). I wonder if Jesus was just debating. I wonder if Jesus was having more conversational encounters than heated debates. Of course what Jesus is debating or discussing with the Scribes and Pharisees are important topics. I think, Jesus is trying to describe the differences in his own (God’s) attitude and the Pharisee's attitudes about what is important.
How do you envision and hear Jesus’ voice?
In the New Testament, the Scribes and Pharisees really do get a lot of bad press. The Pharisaical movement was more than likely a survival tool for the Jewish people. The Pharisees were a lay renewal movement of Jesus time. They wanted a back to the scripture and tradition emphasis. They saw the law and rules as solid boundaries to help keep the faith in bounds. Without laws and rules we would have Chaos. Right? And we cannot live in Chaos. They where trying to keep people from giving up their identity as Jews; therefore they emphasized scripture and learning.
Questions for reflection and comment:
Isn’t keeping certain tradition important?
Jesus was critiquing their tradition bound attitudes and I am sure they felt threaten. Don’t you?
There are still scribes and Pharisees in our churches today… And some of their views appeal to contemporary Christians. Hearing someone belittle a tradition that we hold dear hurts us.
Might Jesus be critiquing a practice or belief you have always considered critical to faith?
How would you feel when Jesus says, “A person does not have to say that phrase, practice that discipline, or dress that way, in order to be a Christian?
How do we keep from falling into chaos, without rules?
At the same time not let rules take precedence over relationships?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Wednesday - Day 13 on the Journey
Wednesday – Luke 11: 1 – 28
Today was full of Jesus teaching and healing. We witnessed Jesus cast out demons and watched him confront religious leaders who though he was doing this in Beelzebul’s name. He talked a lot about evil and how the “Son of Man” has come to this generation as Jonah came to the Ninevehites.
I found it interesting of all the things the disciples would ask for from Jesus, they asked him to teach them to pray. They had not asked him how to heal, or how to cast out demons, but they asked him to teach them to pray. I drew in close as Jesus began to teach. The form of Jesus prayer was similar to those we said in the Jewish tradition. I watched as the taught the disciples were intently listening, but also stopping and asking him questions.
Questions for reflection and comment:
What portions of the prayer would you want Jesus to explain to you?
What would Jesus say to you?
What part of the prayer would you like to avoid or ignore?
As you hear Jesus teaches about evil, satan, and unclean spirits, what questions do you have for Jesus?
How do you think the people heard these teachings?
Today was full of Jesus teaching and healing. We witnessed Jesus cast out demons and watched him confront religious leaders who though he was doing this in Beelzebul’s name. He talked a lot about evil and how the “Son of Man” has come to this generation as Jonah came to the Ninevehites.
I found it interesting of all the things the disciples would ask for from Jesus, they asked him to teach them to pray. They had not asked him how to heal, or how to cast out demons, but they asked him to teach them to pray. I drew in close as Jesus began to teach. The form of Jesus prayer was similar to those we said in the Jewish tradition. I watched as the taught the disciples were intently listening, but also stopping and asking him questions.
Questions for reflection and comment:
What portions of the prayer would you want Jesus to explain to you?
What would Jesus say to you?
What part of the prayer would you like to avoid or ignore?
As you hear Jesus teaches about evil, satan, and unclean spirits, what questions do you have for Jesus?
How do you think the people heard these teachings?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tuesday - Day 12 on the Journey
Luke 10: 1 – 37
Jesus was at it again today. A lawyer asked Jesus a loaded question, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus response was brief and it wasn’t even a statement, but a question. “What does the law require?” We all know the answer don’t we. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all you mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Then Jesus told a story to all of us as to who the neighbor was. To everyone’s surprise he makes the hero of the story and the neighbor as a Samaritan. You would think Jesus would be more careful as many times as he has already upset people with his stories. In a very short time of following Jesus around, I think he has come into contact with just about every unwelcome, despicable, and otherwise unlikely character. And through his interactions he has treated them with hospitality, welcome, kindness, and as friends. Doesn’t he know his interactions with those people and telling stories like today that he is going to have a hard time attracting followers?
While I am talking about attracting followers, I should go ahead and say something about other things he has said. Just the other day Jesus said, “foxes have holes and birds have nest as safe havens.” Then he warns those who want to follow him that they will be lambs in midst of the wolves. Does he really think he is going to get more followers this way?
Should we put up warning signs for people who want to become disciples today?
What might they say?
Another thought I had. Was Jesus really interested in gaining a large following? It really does not appear so. Neither does it appear that Jesus had any interest in being an answer man. He refused to give easy answers. He always forces people to make their own decisions.
Questions for reflection and comment:
If you had a chance to sit by yourself with Jesus at this point in the journey, what questions would you ask?
Do you think Jesus senses any treat of persecution or death?
How do you regard his warnings about the cost of discipleship?
What part of Jesus preaching and teaching do you find most difficult?
Jesus was at it again today. A lawyer asked Jesus a loaded question, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus response was brief and it wasn’t even a statement, but a question. “What does the law require?” We all know the answer don’t we. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all you mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Then Jesus told a story to all of us as to who the neighbor was. To everyone’s surprise he makes the hero of the story and the neighbor as a Samaritan. You would think Jesus would be more careful as many times as he has already upset people with his stories. In a very short time of following Jesus around, I think he has come into contact with just about every unwelcome, despicable, and otherwise unlikely character. And through his interactions he has treated them with hospitality, welcome, kindness, and as friends. Doesn’t he know his interactions with those people and telling stories like today that he is going to have a hard time attracting followers?
While I am talking about attracting followers, I should go ahead and say something about other things he has said. Just the other day Jesus said, “foxes have holes and birds have nest as safe havens.” Then he warns those who want to follow him that they will be lambs in midst of the wolves. Does he really think he is going to get more followers this way?
Should we put up warning signs for people who want to become disciples today?
What might they say?
Another thought I had. Was Jesus really interested in gaining a large following? It really does not appear so. Neither does it appear that Jesus had any interest in being an answer man. He refused to give easy answers. He always forces people to make their own decisions.
Questions for reflection and comment:
If you had a chance to sit by yourself with Jesus at this point in the journey, what questions would you ask?
Do you think Jesus senses any treat of persecution or death?
How do you regard his warnings about the cost of discipleship?
What part of Jesus preaching and teaching do you find most difficult?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Monday - Day 11 on the Journey
Luke 9: 51-62
Well it is Monday. This marks the second full week of our Journey with Jesus. Jesus turns his attention away from the comfort of the North and the area he grew up. Our eyewitness account today marks Jesus heading toward Jerusalem.
Jesus had sent some of his disciples ahead of him to set up his accommodations. The problem was they were not welcomed. The people I imagine were giving vague reasons for why they would not provide a place for Jesus to stay. I can imagine the disciples got a little mad. According to the text they were ready to condemn the people and wish disaster upon them. Being one of those people who have been watching from the edge of the crowd, I was wondering what Jesus was going to do? Earlier he had taught the disciples to stay where they were welcomed and where they were not welcome to shake the dust off their shoes and move on. This is easy to talk about, but harder to practice. I was happy to see Jesus put this teaching into practice. Jesus scolded them and they set off for the next village. Jesus showed us the ethic of love in this story.
What if people who follow Jesus forgot what Jesus taught about opponents?
Do you suppose the time might come when disciples would actually do harm to others in the name of Jesus?
Could there be a time when disciples confuse their own anger with the intentions of Jesus?
Other Questions for reflection and comment:
Can you understand why someone would not want to encounter Jesus?
In verses 57-62, do you think that these want a be disciples took on Jesus Challenge? Why or why not?
Well it is Monday. This marks the second full week of our Journey with Jesus. Jesus turns his attention away from the comfort of the North and the area he grew up. Our eyewitness account today marks Jesus heading toward Jerusalem.
Jesus had sent some of his disciples ahead of him to set up his accommodations. The problem was they were not welcomed. The people I imagine were giving vague reasons for why they would not provide a place for Jesus to stay. I can imagine the disciples got a little mad. According to the text they were ready to condemn the people and wish disaster upon them. Being one of those people who have been watching from the edge of the crowd, I was wondering what Jesus was going to do? Earlier he had taught the disciples to stay where they were welcomed and where they were not welcome to shake the dust off their shoes and move on. This is easy to talk about, but harder to practice. I was happy to see Jesus put this teaching into practice. Jesus scolded them and they set off for the next village. Jesus showed us the ethic of love in this story.
What if people who follow Jesus forgot what Jesus taught about opponents?
Do you suppose the time might come when disciples would actually do harm to others in the name of Jesus?
Could there be a time when disciples confuse their own anger with the intentions of Jesus?
Other Questions for reflection and comment:
Can you understand why someone would not want to encounter Jesus?
In verses 57-62, do you think that these want a be disciples took on Jesus Challenge? Why or why not?
Second Sunday of Lent - Still on the Journey
Luke 7: 11-17
This story was hard for me to imagine in our modern setting -- someone halting the hearse, opening the door of the limousine, telling the widowed mother in mourning black not to weep, and then saying beside the coffin, "Young man, I say to you, arise."
That would be startling indeed. And I am sure it was startling enough in first century Palestine. I not sure they were startled as much by the resurrection because they might have had biblical De ja Vu. They would have a couple of old Testament miracle stories of great prophets like Elijah and Elisha raising widows' sons from the dead which would be part of their history. They would of for sure been startled how Jesus reached out and touched the young man. No Jew in his right mind would do that. They would have been unclean and had to go through ritual cleansing. Jesus does it any way and the young man sat up and began to speak. Just like Elijah and Elisha before Jesus, the new great prophet gave the son back to his mother. (look at 1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 4).
Imagine the shock that went through the gathering as the young man sat straight up. Imagine Jesus speaking to a circumstance that seems as unfixable to you as the young man’s death seem irreversible to his mother.
What circumstances do you describe?
What does Jesus say about this circumstance?
What is the point to the story?
I wonder if this miracle helps us remember that God does not always act one way only. God does things which we cannot understand.
I think Jesus was trying to teach us about God’s Grace and love. I think Jesus wanted his disciples and us to be eyewitnesses to God’s fixing and reversing, a situation that is considered broken and unfixable or irreversible. God’s power works in mysterious ways and fixes and reverses things. It might not be in physical resurrection of someone’s physical death, but it might be in forgiving a murder, healing a marriage, or physical healing from disease. God’s grace and love and transform lives… Jesus can and will interrupt ours and others lives that might be in a funeral march. In the interruption, Jesus transforms our lives. He brings new life to our brokenness.
This funeral turned into a celebrate and I have hope for myself and others will continue to experience the uncompressible grace of God, that transforms us and gives us new life.
Have you experiened God's saving grace in your life?
This story was hard for me to imagine in our modern setting -- someone halting the hearse, opening the door of the limousine, telling the widowed mother in mourning black not to weep, and then saying beside the coffin, "Young man, I say to you, arise."
That would be startling indeed. And I am sure it was startling enough in first century Palestine. I not sure they were startled as much by the resurrection because they might have had biblical De ja Vu. They would have a couple of old Testament miracle stories of great prophets like Elijah and Elisha raising widows' sons from the dead which would be part of their history. They would of for sure been startled how Jesus reached out and touched the young man. No Jew in his right mind would do that. They would have been unclean and had to go through ritual cleansing. Jesus does it any way and the young man sat up and began to speak. Just like Elijah and Elisha before Jesus, the new great prophet gave the son back to his mother. (look at 1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 4).
Imagine the shock that went through the gathering as the young man sat straight up. Imagine Jesus speaking to a circumstance that seems as unfixable to you as the young man’s death seem irreversible to his mother.
What circumstances do you describe?
What does Jesus say about this circumstance?
What is the point to the story?
I wonder if this miracle helps us remember that God does not always act one way only. God does things which we cannot understand.
I think Jesus was trying to teach us about God’s Grace and love. I think Jesus wanted his disciples and us to be eyewitnesses to God’s fixing and reversing, a situation that is considered broken and unfixable or irreversible. God’s power works in mysterious ways and fixes and reverses things. It might not be in physical resurrection of someone’s physical death, but it might be in forgiving a murder, healing a marriage, or physical healing from disease. God’s grace and love and transform lives… Jesus can and will interrupt ours and others lives that might be in a funeral march. In the interruption, Jesus transforms our lives. He brings new life to our brokenness.
This funeral turned into a celebrate and I have hope for myself and others will continue to experience the uncompressible grace of God, that transforms us and gives us new life.
Have you experiened God's saving grace in your life?
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