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Luke 4-7
Your Faith Saves You;
Go In Peace
Psalm 119:97-104 Smart Bears Love Truth and Hate Evil
97.MEM “How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.98.Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.99.I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.100.I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.101.I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.102.I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.103.How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!104.Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
Observations
119:97.The smart one loves God's law; (the dummy doesn't want to be legalistic).
119:98.
The smart one is wise because God's commands are always with him/her; (the closest the dummy gets to God's commands is hearing pious platitudes in church or on the radio).
119:99.
The smart one understands more than teachers because he/she meditates - thinking through implications for applications; (the dummy just parrots information and never applies it).
119:100.
The smart one has more insight than the aged who rule or the ancients who comment, because he/she keeps/guards and obeys God's precepts; (the dummy hears and forgets God's word).
119:101.
The smart one exercises his/her will to keep their foot from starting on the path to evil; (the only exercise the dummy gets is running to evil because their desires are dumb).
119:102.
The smart one doesn't quit or turn aside from the right way because he/she knows that God's will is best; (the dummy wimps out at the first step that requires self-control).
119:103.
The smart one has acquired a taste for God's promises that supersedes the sweetest things the world has to offer; (the dummy is so stuffed with the world and junk religion that God's promises and ways are distasteful).
119:104.
The smart one has acquired the discernment that knows joy comes from choosing what is best, God's way, and any other way is pain, so he/she hates the false way of Satan; (the dummy wouldn't recognize truth if it bit them, so they love Satan's smooth deceptions and hate truth, because when truth bites them, it causes pain).
Application
The smart one can figure out an appropriate application(s) (the dummy won't even eat the cookies if they're put on the bottom shelf).
Prayer
God, I love Your truth and its benefits, and hate evil and its consequences. Amen.
Proverbs 28:12-14 No Hiding
12.“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.13.He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.14.Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.“Observation
28:12-14.When righteous people are in charge, life is good. But when the wicked are in control, it's time to hide, because it's not going to be good. Speaking of hiding, if we conceal our sins, they will fester and stink; God won't allow us to prosper; and it will be obvious to everyone but ourselves. However, if we wise up and confess and renounce sin (as in agree that it's bad and no longer a part of our desire and lives) then we will find mercy, forgiveness, and prosperity (1John 1:9). Keeping a heart sensitive to God so He can show us our sin and its consequences results in avoiding it and being blessed. Not fearing God and hardening ourselves against His efforts to convict us of our sin will result in trouble.
Application
Be open to God's conviction, and quick to confess and renounce sin to avoid unpleasantness.
Prayer
Gracious and forgiving God, You care about my holiness and blessability; show me where I'm not living according to Your word, and give me the grace to totally renounce it. Thanks. Amen.
Luke 4-7 Your Faith Saves You; Go In Peace
In this post, Jesus triumphs over temptation, and preaches His first sermon, for which they try to kill Him (take a number and get in line). He calls and instructs His disciples, giving them martyr caliber motivation to follow Him. He does boatloads of miracles and has a bunch of interactions with people, seeking to bring them into conformity with God's will for their lives. Some respond, and some reject (so what's new?). How about an abridged Sermon on the Plain (shorter than a mountain), and interactions with a couple of women that result in glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to a woman on whom His favor rests.
Luke 4 Jesus' First Sermon Bombs
1.Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness2.for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.3.The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."4.Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’"5.The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.6.The devil said to him, "I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want.7.If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours."8.Jesus answered him, "Get behind me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’"9.He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here,10.for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you’;11.and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’"12.Jesus answering, said to him, "It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’"13.When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.14.Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.15.He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.16.He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.17.The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,18."The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,19.and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."20.He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.21.He began to tell them, "Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."22.All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, "Isn’t this Joseph’s son?"23.He said to them, "Doubtless you will tell me this parable, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.’"24.He said, "Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.25.But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land.26.Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.27.There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian."28.They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things.29.They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.30.But he, passing through their midst, went his way.31.He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day,32.and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.33.In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,34.saying, "Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy one of God!"35.Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.36.Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!"37.News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.38.He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her.39.He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them.40.When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.41.Demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.42.When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he wouldn’t go away from them.43.But he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent."44.He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.Observations
4:1-13.Luke's account of Jesus successfully resisting the Devil's lies (about power, pleasure, and possessions) with the truth of God's word, closely parallels that of Matthew 4. So please see comments there.
4:14-29.
See Nazareth Manifesto and the Year of Jubilee for an explanation of Jesus' first sermon in His hometown synagogue. It didn't go well. They weren't receptive and tried to kill Him because He demonstrated God's concern for non Israelites through the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Israel wasn't receptive in those days either. Jesus is announcing that He is the fulfillment of the first half of the Messianic promises of Isaiah 61:1-2. He stops before the day of vengeance, the rebuilding of the ruins, and the everlasting joy and glory which follow. We are currently living in that -GAP- period, until the prophetic Messianic program continues with the Tribulation/vengeance and Return of Christ to restore Israel and rule over the kingdom.
Isa 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon Me, because Yahweh has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor/meek; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (cf LXX)2 To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh, ( --GAP-- ) And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that He may be glorified." (cf Isa 49 and Isa 61)
4:31-44.
After being kicked out of Nazareth, Jesus adopts an new home town, Capernaum, where Peter lived. The account parallels that in Mark 1 and Matthew 8 (which see). Luke doesn't record that Jesus was praying in the uninhabited place, but does note that Jesus' mission was to announce to Israel the good news about the Kingdom coming from God, which had been promised in the OT (as the beginning of the chapter noted).
Application
Jesus offers forgiveness and freedom to those who have faith in God's word, and follow Him. The freedom from the bonds of sin is something most don't experience because they fail to exercise faith in all God said, and faithfully follow. Make sure you're doing both.
Prayer
God, thanks for the good news that freedom is available to those who follow you; may I not be entangled in my old chains, but instead walk in the freedom from sin that You promise. Amen.
Luke 5 What to Do With a Double Boatload of Fish
1.Now it happened, while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.2.He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.3.He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.4.When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch."5.Simon answered him, "Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net."6.When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.7.They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.8.But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord."9.For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught;10.and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive."11.When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.12.It happened, while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean."13.He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him.14.He commanded him to tell no one, "But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."15.But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.16.But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.17.It happened on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them.18.Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.19.Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus.20.Seeing their faith, he said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."21.The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"22.But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, "Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?23.Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you’; or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’24.But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins "(he said to the paralyzed man), "I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house."25.Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.26.Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today."27.After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow me!"28.He left everything, and rose up and followed him.29.Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.30.Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"31.Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.32.I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."33.They said to him, "Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?"34.He said to them, "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast, while the bridegroom is with them?35.But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days."36.He also told a parable to them. "No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old.37.No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.38.But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.39.No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’"Observations
5:1-11.Luke didn't record Jesus' earlier calling of the disciples to follow Him (Matthew 4:18 and Mark 1 q.v.=which see), an event which occurred before Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law (Lk 4:38), otherwise He wouldn't have been staying at Simon Peter's house. This helps explain Peter's response to Jesus' command to let down the nets, and his reaction to the miraculous catch. Having seen the miraculous healing in his own house, Peter should have been following the Messiah, fishing for men, but here he was, fishing for money. After all (and his partners') efforts came to nothing, Jesus the carpenter gives him some fishing advice. Obeying (good disciple, here's a fish), provided such a catch that Peter was convicted of his sin, in not following, and putting fish ahead of people. Peter is so overcome with his sin, that he asks Jesus to depart, otherwise, he would have offered him a partnership in the fishing business. In effect, Jesus is saying, “If you want fish, I can do fish; fish are easy; it's people that are difficult (that free-will thingy); so I need you to give yourself to fishing for men, that last forever.” Seeing how insignificant fish were in the grand scheme of things (a lesson repeated four times for Peter – the two miraculous feedings, the one with the gold tax coin in its mouth -Mt 17:27, and the last breakfast -Jn 21:3-9), Peter and company left fishing to follow Jesus. Don't let this lesson slip away from you; see the application below.
5:12-26.
See on Mark 1-2 for the two accounts of healing. Jesus does the more difficult to say (heals the man, because it can be verified) to demonstrate that He has the power to do the easier to say (forgive sins, because it can't be verified).
5:27-32.
Jesus calls Matthew/Levi who leaves everything to follow Him, and throws a meet 'n greet for all his unrighteous friends. The Pharisees objected, since mingling with unclean pagans would be defilement of God's holy/separate people, (which was also why they kicked tax collectors, who collaborated with Rome, out of the synagogues). Jesus replies that the healthy have no need for a physician, but the sick do. Verse 32 is usually not fully understood, for like most significant words (salvation, faith, grace, gospel, etc.), “righteous” has different meanings in different contexts (which is why lexicons/dictionaries list multiple meanings for words). The Pharisees possessed a righteousness according to the law (Mt 5:20; Rm 10:2-3 but we can't apply all of Paul's argument here, since Romans wasn't written yet nor had Christ died), and when they tell the people what the law said, the people should do it (Mt 23:2-3). Matthew's friends did not have the obedience-righteousness, which John the Baptist came, in the spirit of Elijah, to turn the disobedient towards (Lk 1:17). Yes, the Pharisees were hypocrites, and would be judged for that, but that doesn't mean their sins weren't covered by the Day of Atonement, nor that they wouldn't be in the kingdom. Some would be cast out of the kingdom, and some would be least in the kingdom. Those who were first would be last, but last and least are still in the kingdom. In Luke 1 we met a number of righteous OT saints, and in Luke 15:7 we'll meet 99 more. In 5:32, above, Jesus refers to someone as righteous; it would refer to those who weren't sinners like Matthew's acquaintances, who needed to repent.
5:33-38.
The Pharisees then call into question the righteousness of Jesus' disciples since they didn't fast like their own disciples and those of John. See comments on Matthew 9:14-19 on form and function, and Mark 2:18-22 on the priority of relationship over ritual. Jesus adds that that people don't immediately change from old and comfortable patterns, but the radical obedience to which Jesus calls people requires uncomfortable change (you'll get used to it).
Application
If God gave you a huge pile of whatever you're seeking, how would that change your outlook on the purpose of life? Would you recognize it for what it was, and follow Him? Use your imagination: you've got boatloads of your heart's desire, now what? What's worth living for?
Prayer
God, thanks that You provide a purpose and meaning for life that go far beyond anything this world can offer; may I follow You all my days and realize the potential for which You created me. Amen.
Luke 6 Shorter Sermon on the Plain
1.Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first, that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.2.But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?"3.Jesus, answering them, said, "Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;4.how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?"5.He said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."6.It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.7.The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.8.But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise up, and stand in the middle." He arose and stood.9.Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?"10.He looked around at them all, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.11.But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.12.It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.13.When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:14.Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;15.Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot;16.Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.17.He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;18.as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed.19.All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.20.He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor/humble, for yours is the Kingdom of God.21.Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22.Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.23.Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.24."But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.25.Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.26.Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.27."But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28.bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.29.To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.30.Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.31."As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.32.If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.33.If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.34.If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.35.But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.36.Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.37.Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free/forgive, and you will be set free/forgiven.38."Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."39.He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?40.A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.41.Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?42.Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.43.For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.44.For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.45.The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.46."Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?47.Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.48.He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.49.But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."Observations
6:1-11.Jesus' debates with the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath, and His Lordship, are similar to those in Matthew 12 (please see comments there).
6:12-19.
Luke alone records that Jesus spent the night in prayer before He called the twelve apostles. (Cf. Comments on Mt 10:2, and Mk 3:14, where Mark spells out the commission in greater detail.)
6:20-49. Luke records content very similar to that of the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7). This occurs after the disciples were called, and occurs in a level place, after Jesus came down from the Mountain. So it could be called the Sermon on the Plain. It really doesn't matter if there was one sermon or two different ones. Jesus repeated many of the same teachings as He encountered different audiences, and had to frequently repeat the message of His death and resurrection to the disciples. Luke records Jesus saying content comparable to Matthew, which is not recorded here, in future chapters (e.g., Lk 11:9~33; 12:57; 13:27; 14:34; 16:17). This “version” contains five less blessings than Matthew, and adds four woes, editing out over a 100 verses, which dealt more with the Law (of greater interest to a Jewish audience). However, the blessing (profit/credit) motif is still major, as it is in Matthew. It is addressed specifically to the disciples (see 6:40), as opposed to the crowds and disciples, and would have provided motivation for them and apostles to persevere the abuse they would incur in following Jesus.
The four blessings correspond to the four woes. Luke also adds the teaching that when a disciple is fully trained, they will be like their teacher (6:40), and follows it with the task of disciples to get their own act together (learn and live the truth) before they start point out sin in others' lives. Otherwise they will be a hypocrite like the Pharisees. As Matthew, Luke emphasizes God's just payback or reward, and the importance of applying Jesus' teachings to one's life if one hopes to endure. See specific observations in Matthew's version (Mt 5-7).
Application
Why not skim the Sermon on the Plain, and note two or three verses you have difficulty applying; note the motivation Jesus gives for obeying; then work out a plan to build your life on the truth. (See TOYL Project Planner on Truthbase.net for an applicational framework.)
Prayer
Lord, please guide me as I seek to bring my values and activities into conformity with Your words. Amen.
Luke 7 Glory to God and Peace to a Woman Who Loves
1.After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.2.A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.3.When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.4.When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him,5.for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us."6.Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.7.Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.8.For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."9.When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel."10.Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.11.It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.12.Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.13.When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don’t cry."14.He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"15.He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.16.Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!"17.This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.18.The disciples of John told him about all these things.19.John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?"20.When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’"21.In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.22.Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news/gospel preached to them.23.Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."24.When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?25.But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.26.But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.27.This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’28."For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."29.When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism.30.But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.31.To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?32.They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’33.For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’34.The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’35.Wisdom is justified by all her children."36.One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table.37.Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.38.Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.39.Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."40.Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on."41."A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42.When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"43.Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."44.Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.45.You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.46.You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.47.Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, that's why she loves much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."48.He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."49.Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"50.He said to the woman, "Your faith saves you. Go in peace."Observations
7:1-10.Luke adds the details of the worthiness and humility of the Centurion and his love of the Jews. This is an example of how God wants to bless the world through the Jews. The Centurion demonstrates a faith in Jesus that surpassed anything Jesus has seen in Israel. He understood authority, and that Jesus had authority from God. If the nation were like the Centurion, the gospels would have been very different. See comments on Matthew 8).
7:11-17.
The account of resurrecting the son of the widow of Nain is unique to Luke. According to some, Nain was about six miles across a valley from Nazareth, where Jesus had been rejected (Lk 4). It was also in the area where Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (2Kg 4:35-37). Faith isn't evident, but Jesus' compassion and resultant joy is. God gets glory when He supernaturally meets the needs of His people.
7:18-36.
When John sends messengers wondering why he is still in prison if Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus sends them back with the evidence for him to ponder (please see comments on Mt 11, particularly about greatest in the kingdom). Jesus affirms that John is the messenger of Isaiah 40, as he had in the first chapter. Luke records a unique statement that the tax collectors and sinners were baptized by John (recognizing their need to repent), but the Pharisees and scribes had not, instead they had rejected the counsel/will of God. It's really difficult for a person to repent of sin if they are deluded into thinking they're doing just fine. Satan will do everything he can to keep them in their stupor. The Pharisees did believe in a coming Messianic kingdom, but weren't willing to humble themselves (poor/humble in spirit) so they would have a possession/reward in it. Luke records in chapter 10 the “woes” on those who didn't repent, with which Matthew follows the messengers from John.
7:36-50.
Luke alone records Jesus' interaction with two sinners, a Pharisee, and a “sinful” woman. Notice that Jesus was dining with someone who was more inclined to reject than accept Him (He has two more dinner dates with them 11:37-54; 14:1-24). He didn't write him off, anymore than He did the woman. Simon doubts Jesus is a prophet because He doesn't know what kind of woman was touching Him (causing defilement). Jesus not only well knew, but knew what Simon was thinking as well. He tells a parable to illustrate the greater love (agapao) expressed by one who has received greater forgiveness. Meeting needs is an essential element of love. Her need was greater, so her love was greater. This is one of the few verses that can legitimately be used to demonstrate that gratitude is a motivation for devotion to God. Verse 47 uses a perfect tense verb to indicate that sins had been forgiven, and an aorist to give a snapshot of her response (love). The preposition (hoti) is used to give the reason why she loves much, not the reason her sins are forgiven. Jesus specifies that it is her faith which saves her (present tense). Faith has to be in something God has revealed. Jesus had earlier revealed (5:20) that He had the power to forgive sins. There has not been any teaching on dying on the cross for them, but apparently the woman believed that Jesus was the source of forgiveness. His blessing, “Go in peace” echos the last part of the angelic chorus of 2:14. If you combine the previous interaction with the widow of Nain (glory to God), with this one (two women), you have the entire chorus. The Pharisees who sat at the table questioned Jesus ability to forgive sin as others had in 5:20. She believed it.
Application
Our awareness of how God has met our needs should inflame our hearts with loyal devotion to Him. If not, something's not kosher.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am eternally grateful for Your love of me. Thanks for paying my debt, so I could be forgiven; Thanks for inviting me to follow You, so I have a purpose for my life that outlasts it. Thanks for eternal truth. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God's plan to fulfill His promises of a Messianic Kingdom has a GAP in it, between the Suffering Savior and the Ruling Sovereign. He is kind and merciful to the ungrateful, but that doesn't last forever.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus provides forgiveness to those who have faith in Him as their source of forgiveness. He has compassion for our needs and meets them so God is glorified. He is unaffected by rejection, and reaches out to people until they make it clear that they are opposed to Him.
Us in a nutshell: We are invited to give our lives to the eternally beneficial pursuit of following Christ as His disciples. Those who accept His invitation and leave hindrances behind, will be rewarded in the future and experience fellowship with Him now.