Calling Jesus Names
Rather than coming to terms with the obvious power at work in his ministry, some of the people slander Jesus and say that he is only able to exorcise demons because he works for Beelzebul. (Beelzebul was a Philistine god that came to represent the Devil for the Jews.) Jesus points out the obvious stupidity of this accusation: if he is driving out demons on behalf of the prince of demons, that means that the demonic forces are working against themselves.
I think it's interesting that his opponents would prefer to call Jesus a name than to actually reckon with his ideas. That should be a warning to us: when people resort to simplistic labeling and name-calling, rather than reckon with the actual ideas themselves, it means they don't actually have anything to say, and no argument to make. American politics is full of this kind of lazy bullying. Let us not be like that today--if we think someone is wrong or misguided, let's do the hard work of argument and avoid the easy resort to useless labeling.
P.S. Quick thought about vv. 24-26. Jesus is just describing what evil spirits are like: they will torment someone for a while, give someone a temporary reprieve, and then come back worse than before. If that's what evil spirits are like, then it is ridiculous that some people are unable to celebrate that he has been exorcising demons; rather, they want to just criticize and call names.
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My Daughter is Obsessed With Chewing Gum
We made the mistake of giving our two year-old daughter chewing gum earlier this summer. (It was a moment of temporary parental insanity, Your Honor.) I'm assuming that the gum we gave her included heroin, because since then she's become obsessed with it. This morning--and this is 100% true--she asked me for chewing gum at 6:45 AM. And here's the thing: no matter how many times we tell her, "No," she will ask again, undaunted, 20 minutes later, or 2 minutes later, or 5 seconds later, "Kin I half gumm? Kin I?"
[Note to the reader--and I am not making this up--she literally just asked us again as I am in the midst of writing this post. Let the record show that she just "brushed" her teeth, and that it is 7:45 PM and her bedtime. We've created a monster.]
Jesus says that that's the way we should behave in prayer:
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
Luke 11:5-8
Persistence, according to Jesus, is an important ingredient in prayer.
What have you quit praying for?
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Jesus Wouldn't Have Been on His Phone
Jesus gives Martha a hard time for being distracted and missing the importance of actually being present with the people around her.
If he gave Martha a hard time 2,000 years ago, what would Jesus have to say to you about distraction today?
How can you be intentionally and unhurriedly present today?
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The Good Samaritan
Some brief thoughts on the Parable of the Good Samaritan:
- This parable is utterly brilliant--see how Jesus totally flips the perspective?
- Neighbor moves from the object ("Who is my neighbor?) to the subject ("How can I be a neighbor?").
- Samaritans were HATED by the Jews and considered half-breeds. Who would be the Samaritan today if Jesus were telling YOU this parable? Donald Trump? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? An illegal immigrant? A member of the Border Patrol?
- Jesus makes it clear that there is no limit how much we should love and care for other people--the Good Samaritan does far more than just the minimum.
- The Christians faith is not about believing but about doing. Jesus says, "Go and do likewise."
To whom do you need to be a Good Samaritan today?
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What Does Jesus Mean When He Speaks About Satan?
Jesus sends out 72 of his followers on a mission trip. When they return, they enthusiastically tell him all the cool stuff that happened:
"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.'”
Luke 10:17
Jesus replies,
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."
Luke 10:18
What does that mean?
I found this passage from one of my commentaries on Luke to be helpful:
"Jesus' vision of Satan's downfall can be a mental image...for what has happened or is happening in his own mission and that of the seventy-two....
"Jesus, therefore, can put his followers' success in a heavenly perspective that is hidden from them. He projects the limited defeat of demons onto the broader screen of the cosmic conflict between God and the forces of evil. What is happening is not simply the expulsion of random demons that they might come across in their travels but the beginning of the complete overthrow of Satan's rule. The disciples only see the battle picture from the limited perspective of their hand-to-hand combat in the trenches. They have charged into the line of demons and routed them in various skirmishes. Jesus sees the whole war map. Satan has been knocked off his throne in 'heaven,' representing the 'summit of his power,' and is in full retreat. He is still kicking and will unleash woes, but he will assuredly be vanquished. His final defeat with be consummated at the end of time....
"The vision of Satan's fall does not make Jesus' death and resurrection superfluous, and the final victory does not even come in Jesus' death and resurrection because Satan continues to work damage in Acts (13:4-12, 26:18). But the cross and the resurrection do mortal damage to the satanic realm (Heb 2:14)."
David Garland, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Volume 3
Pretty cool!
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How Do We Know the Text of the New Testament Hasn't Been Changed?
Lots of folks worry that the text of the Bible has been changed over time. How do we know we can trust the text that we are reading? How can we be sure the text hasn't been changed over the centuries? Can we trust the text of the New Testament?
The short answer: yes.
Here's why: there are thousands of manuscripts of the New Testament in existence; biblical scholars compare and contrast these manuscripts with each other.
- As of 2016, there were more than 5,850 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament;
- About 1000 of these date from before 390 AD, when St. Jerome made his Latin translation of the Bible, called the Vulgate.
- Most of these manuscripts are partial or fragmentary, but even so we have multiple manuscripts for every single book in the New Testament. (Revelation is the least well-attested, but there are still about 300 ancient Greek manuscripts that preserve it.)
So, comparing these thousands of manuscripts, scholars can be confident that the New Testament in our Bibles is essentially the exact same New Testament that the early Christians wrote--we can see that things have not changed over time.
However, there are small discrepancies and textual problems in the New Testament, one of which is found in today's reading:
"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go."
Luke 10:1
Notice the small [a] in the NIV? That leads to a textual note that says "Some manuscripts seventy." What that means is that the Bible translators are letting you know that there are many manuscripts that say "seventy" instead of "seventy-two." The translators of the NIV think that "seventy-two" is what Luke actually wrote, but they want you to know that there is some textual confusion on that point and that it is possible that he wrote "seventy." (Obviously, we do not have the literal autograph that Luke wrote.)
To me, these sorts of textual problems make me more confident in the text of the Bible, not less:
- If the church was trying to perpetuate a hoax, it would be beyond stupid to print footnotes in the Bible that explain when there are textual problems!
- If the Bible was formed the was the church claims it was formed, i.e., organically and over time, then it would make sense that there would be small textual problems like this.
- The vast majority of the textual problems are exactly like Luke 10:1--totally beside the point. Whether Jesus sent out seventy-two or seventy really doesn't matter.
You can be confident that the text of the New Testament in our Bible's today is the same text that the New Testament writers wrote, and any small discrepancies or textual problems that exist are both irrelevant and out in the open.
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Seek Allies Whenever Possible
John: “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”
Jesus: "Are demons bad?"
John: "Uh...yes."
Jesus: "And are we currently fighting against the spiritual forces of wickedness?"
John: [in a small voice] "yes."
Jesus: "Then he is our ally in this. Treat him as such."
There are so many enemies arrayed against the Kingdom of God that we can't afford to reject potential allies.
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The Spiritual Reality We Cannot See
On our honeymoon, my wife and I went snorkeling. Above the water, we could just see...water. But below the water, with the benefit of the masks we were wearing, we saw a whole other world: the sea teemed with bright fishes and gently waving grasses. That undersea world had always been there, but most of the time we were unable to see it.
In the Bible from time to time we get a glimpse of the deeper spiritual reality that is currently hidden from us with naked sight. The so-called Mount of Transfiguration is one of those times:
29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.
Luke 9:29-30
Isn't it fascinating to think about all the life that we are currently unable to see?
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:12
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Everything Worth Having Comes With a Cost
There is a phrase I say to myself, when confronted with something hard: "cross before crown."
See, everything worth having comes with a cost.
In today's reading, Jesus explains that even the Messiah is not exempt from this principle: it's Cross before Crown for Jesus, too.
And the more valuable the crown, the more painful the cross.
What cross do you need to pick up today?
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And You Have What You Need Today, Too
Yesterday's lesson: you have what you need.
Today's lesson: you have what you need today, too.
The disciples have seen amazing things happen in the name of Jesus. But immediately after their successful ministry trip, they are then confronted with another problem: a huge, hungry crowd. And it's as if the size of this problem has caused them to forget everything they previously learned. So, Jesus teaches them again as he uses 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the five thousand.
The point: in the name of Jesus, you always have what you need, even when it seems as if you don't. Don't let the size of the problem intimidate you.
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You Have Everything You Need
When Jesus sends the Twelve out on their discipleship residency training, he tells them "Take nothing for the journey." The implication is that the Twelve have everything they need to do ministry in Jesus name.
For us, it's the same:
You have everything you need today.
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Do Not Be Afraid; Only Believe
That sums it all up, doesn't it? Jesus tells Jairus, the father of the girl who has just died:
Do not be afraid; only believe.
A good reminder today (and every day).
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What's Next?
After Jesus heals the man with the Legion of demons, the man wants to stay with Jesus. Instead, Jesus sends him on mission:
"Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
Luke 8:39
Jesus heals so that we can go on mission.
What's your mission today?
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Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Disclosed
"For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed," says Jesus. So, why do we think we can hide? Even in this life, our choices will often eventually become public knowledge. (Look at all the "Metoo" disclosures.) But God sees everything already.
Rather than trying to pretend you are better than you are, why not just confess in prayer today and ask the Lord for mercy? Honesty is the best policy for your soul.
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The Key to Understanding The Parable of the Sower
The key to understanding this parable is to realize it's all about proper hearing. The way to know if someone has properly heard Jesus is if that person actually does what Jesus says. The way to know if someone has not heard Jesus is if that persons does NOT do what Jesus says.
Why doesn't everyone respond with obedience when he or she hears the Word of God? Jesus doesn't really explain why, but he does say (quoting from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah), that, though the Word of God might be right in front of some people, they can still totally miss it:
though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understandLuke 8:10
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"What Kind of Woman She Is"
The reason Simon the Pharisee is so scandalized when Jesus lets the sinful woman come near and weep all over him is because Simon can't imagine that if Jesus really knew "what kind of woman she is" that he would let her approach. But that's what's so amazing about Jesus: he neither condones sin nor pushes away sinners.
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Why Does John the Baptist Lose Faith in Jesus?
John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus to ask, "Are you the one that is to come, or should we expect someone else?" In other words they ask,
Are you really the Messiah, or should we keep waiting?
This seems strange--didn't John baptize Jesus? Doesn't he know?
The reason for John's doubt is because Herod has put him in prison. (See Luke 3:19-20 and 9:7-9). If Jesus is the Messiah, shouldn't the bad guys be losing?
John's doubts come from the same place ours come from: suffering and difficulty. Suffering and difficulty cause us to question whether Jesus really has things under control.
What's causing you to doubt today?
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Who Will Jesus Save?
The centurion's interactions with Jesus give us a model for saving faith:
- He humbly approaches Jesus, not presuming the he is entitled to anything but believing that Jesus is able to save his servant;
- He asks Jesus to do something he cannot do for himself.
That's what saving faith is: believing that the Lord is able to save, understanding that we can't save ourselves, knowing that we don't deserve mercy, but humbly asking for it anyway.
Jesus will not turn anyone away who humbly asks for mercy.
If you have asked the Lord to save you, be assured: the Lord will never turn his back on you.
If you haven't asked him, why haven't you?
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The Connection Between Forgiving and Forgiven
Jesus tells his disciples that there is a connection between giving and receiving forgiveness.
"Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Luke 6:37b
What if giving forgiveness is accessed through the same door through which we receive forgiveness? What if the handle that you use to open the door to forgive another is the one that opens the door so you can be forgiven? What if there is no way to open the door to forgiveness apart from opening the door for the purpose of forgiving?
What if Jesus is giving us a stone cold fact about the universe?
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The Sermon on the Level
Jesus was an itinerant preacher, and said similar things on many different occasions. On one occasion he gave a long sermon "on a mountainside," which Matthew records as the Sermon on the Mount. On another occasion, he gave a shorter sermon "on a level place," which Luke records as the so-called Sermon on the Plain. The two sermons are similar, but there are noticeable differences, including the series of "woes" that only Luke includes:
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets."Luke 6:24-26
I think the key to understanding what Jesus is getting at here is to think of the blessings and the woes in the Sermon on the Plain as commentary on what Jesus will later tell his disciples:
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Luke 9:23-25
In other words, if what you have keeps you from following Jesus and receiving eternal life, it would be better to have nothing; if you have nothing, but you are Jesus's disciple, then it means you have everything that matters.
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