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Luke 8-10
Loving God
and Man
Psalm 119:105-112 Top Secrets To Success
105.NUN “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.106.I have sworn, and will fulfill/ confirmed it, that I will obey Your righteous ordinances.107.I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to Your word.108.Accept, I beg You, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me Your ordinances.
109.My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget Your law.110.The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from Your precepts.111.I have taken Your testimonies as a heritage/inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart.112.I have set my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end."
Observation
119:105-112.The psalmist tells us the steps to take to reach and keep success. It is worth noting, and remembering, that this super saint, experienced a lot of affliction from the wicked, even though he had to be one of God's choicest servants.
- 119:105 First, the word, not the world, is the light indicating the path the servant of God takes. He/she only steps where the light shines.
- 119:106 Second, they swear an oath to loyal obedience, and pledge/purpose to fulfill it. Which means that at a definite point in their life they said “I pledge my life to obey the righteous revelation of God, regardless of the costs or consequences. If, I don't do so, kill me.” That's radical obedience. These weren't mere words, but they purposed (“confirm” in the Piel Imperfect means to establish, ratify, fulfill from the present to the future), or planned to obey as well. Can you point to a time you've done this? What's your plan?
- 119:107 Third, because radical obedience engenders real opposition, the psalmist seeks relief and revival, from the word of God. He's not asking God for some supernatural intervention, but looks to the means God has already provided, His promises (which might give supernatural intervention, or perspective, or hope, or comfort). The successful saints seek the same.
- 119:108 Fourth, they are determined to be pleasing to God, and seek His will daily. This isn't as obvious from the text, but it is poetry, and you need to scratch beneath the surface for the gems. “Accept” is the same word as please, enjoy, pleasure. The successful saint wants what they do and say to be pleasing to God, as a free-will offering. He doesn't force our obedience, but we must exercise our will to obey. If you want what you do to please God, you must know what pleases Him. Only He can reveal that, so the successful saint learns directly from God's mouth (Colossians 1:9-12).
- 119:109-110 Fifth, they face danger and don't depart from the plan to please God. The psalmist continually takes his life in his hands by the actions he takes, which encounter oppressive opposition.
- 119:111 Sixth, The successful saint values and delights in God's law, embracing it as their inheritance from their time on earth. Any temporal inheritance is just that, temporal. God's word lasts forever, and so do the consequences for obedience specified in it. If God's word is not our chief joy and delight, we're on the road to failure, because we're delighting in something more than God. Note that some people (idolaters, ritualists, and creatures of their culture) worship a god of their own making, who looks nothing like the God of Scripture, and rejoice in that abomination.
- 119:112 Seventh, and finally, the “secret of successful kings” (see sermon here) and saints: they set their heart to obey, and order their ways to make sure they do so.
Application
What is your plan to obey God today, and every day you have His breath in you?
Prayer
God, I want to obey Your perfect will completely; help me align my heart, desires, and decisions with what You want. Amen.
Proverbs 28:15-17 Leadership Serves
15.“As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.16.A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.17.A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.“Observation
28:15-17.Bad leaders serve themselves at the expense of their people. They lack judgment, preferring the ill-gotten, short term and soon to dissipate gain, over the love and loyalty of those they rule over. They destroy the means of their own prosperity, strangling the proverbial goose that lays golden eggs. Both leaders and individuals will be held accountable for shedding innocent blood, suffering guilt in this life and judgment in the next. Some have such hardened consciences that they are totally insensitive to their sin, but will not escape God's judgment.
Application
Good leaders do what is in their own best interest by doing what is in the best interest of others.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being a perfect leader, patiently serving the needs of Your people, in both blessing and discipline. Amen.
Luke 8-10 Loving God and Man
Jesus appoints the twelve apostles to announce and authenticate the Kingdom promised in the OT, and then sends another seventy out with His authority to do damage to Satan. Two little phrases added to the elaboration of parable of the soils give greater precision to understanding it as an incentive to service, not forgiveness. Two famous passages, the Good Samaritan and Mary and Martha give lessons about loving God and neighbor. There are lots of parallel accounts to Matthew and Mark, so make sure you understand the comments there. Jesus sets His face to meet His future in Jerusalem, and starts to experience rejection which will come to a head in the next post.
Luke 8 Faith and Fruitfulness
1.It happened soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and announcing the good news/gospel of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve,2.and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;3.and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions.4.When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.5."The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.6.Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.7.Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.8.Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit one hundred times." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" 9.Then his disciples asked him, "What does this parable mean?"10.He said, "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’11.Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.12.Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.13.Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.14.That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.15.That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience.
16."No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light.17.For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light.18.Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has."
19.His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd.20.It was told him by some saying, "Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you."21.But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it."
22.Now it happened on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, "Let’s go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out.23.But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.24.They came to him, and awoke him, saying, "Master, master, we are dying!" He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm.25.He said to them, "Where is your faith?" Being afraid they marveled, saying one to another, "Who is this, then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"26.They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.27.When Jesus stepped ashore, a certain man out of the city who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn’t live in a house, but in the tombs.28.When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, "What do I have to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!"29.For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters. Breaking the bands apart, he was driven by the demon into the desert.30.Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion," for many demons had entered into him.31.They begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss.32.Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter into those. He allowed them.33.The demons came out from the man, and entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned.34.When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.35.People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.36.Those who saw it told them how he who had been possessed by demons was healed.37.All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. He entered into the boat, and returned.38.But the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,39."Return to your house, and declare what great things God has done for you." He went his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.40.It happened, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.41.Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet, and begged him to come into his house,42.for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him.43.A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be healed by any,44.came behind him, and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately the flow of her blood stopped.45.Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, ’Who touched me?’"46.But Jesus said, "Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me."47.When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.48.He said to her, "Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace."49.While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher."50.But Jesus hearing it, answered him, "Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed."51.When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother.52.All were weeping and mourning her, but he said, "Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping."53.They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead.54.But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, "Child, arise!"55.Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.56.Her parents were amazed, but he commanded them to tell no one what had been done.
Observations
8:1-3.In this passage, unique to Luke, it is worth noting that while Jesus fed the multitudes by miracles, the daily bread of the disciples was not supplied supernaturally, but by a group of women who had been spiritually blessed. The wife of Herod's steward would have been very wealthy. Some of these were the women whom Jesus honored when He appeared to them first, after His resurrection (they were also seeking to minister to Him in His death -24:10). So far in Luke, the female “heros” have outnumbered the males in the narratives.
8:4-15.
Luke gives the shortest version, among the synoptics, of the parable of the soils. See Matthew 13 for observations and interpretations. The end of verse 12 is unique to Luke, noting that the purpose of the devil snatching the word from the heart is that a person does not believe it and be “saved.” The word is that about the Kingdom coming from the God, which He promised in the OT. Note that the issue in the other soils are not about forgiveness, but perseverance in times of temptation, lack of fruitfulness, or much fruitfulness (with patience). That observation, as well as the context of the promised Kingdom, should rearrange your understanding of “saved” in verse 12. Verse 15 is also unique in mentioning a “good and honest heart”, an idiom for a high-minded, noble gentleman. If one is talking about justification, then the only ones who could be saved are those who are not in need of it, because they would already have a good and honest heart. In Luke 6:45 good is contrasted with evil. The good and honest heart is not only receptive to truth, but when they encounter it, they don't let it go, but apply it consistently. Only these bring forth fruit. The fruit is the righteous response to the "Kingdom message" (Repent, the promised OT Kingdom is coming, and bring forth fruit worthy/reflective of your repentance, which is to stop living as if this world is all there is -Lk 3:7-14). The response desired, is to live in accord with the righteousness God rewards. This is the third usage of “save” in Luke thus far, although it is used three more times in the chapter for being “healed”. Luke 6:9 refers to physical deliverance, and 7:50 (in the present tense) refers to the state of the woman whose sins had previously been forgiven (perfect tense) according to Jesus (He's not saying that her faith, at that moment justified her; she was there anointing Him, because she had already been forgiven much). (Grammar geeks could appeal to a “historic present” but exegetes look at the context too.) None of Luke's five usages of “salvation” in the gospel (1:69,71,77; 2:30; 3:6; 19:9 ) refer to belief in Jesus' substitutionary atonement and escape from the lake of fire (Who knew?). So what meaning of salvation should we understand? We'll see a lot more uses of saved in the next and following chapters.
8:16-21.
Jesus said He was giving mysteries (hidden information -8:10) about the coming Kingdom. The light (cf 11:33) reveals reality, and should guide the steps of those exposed to it, for it will eventually reveal all things. Therefore listen and obey the light. Those who do are Jesus' family.
8:22-25.
See comments on Matthew 8 and Mark 4 for the stilling the storm.
8:26-39.
See comments on Matthew 8 and Mark 5 for the demons and the pigs.
8:40-55.
See comments on Matthew 9 and Mark 5 for Jarius' daughter (Luke adds that her spirit returned to her), and the woman who spent all she had on doctors, and was no better. Jesus tells her to “Go in peace” (also see comments on “go in peace” in Luke 7:50).
Application
Our understanding of Jesus' words must come from an understanding of the context, not tradition or folklore, nor some sermon we once heard on another topic. To read justification by faith into these passages is to miss the need to develop and exercise faith in the revealed promises of God, and wind up being neither fruitful nor faithful (and thus miss out on God's promises of blessing).
Prayer
Lord, I want my faith in You to be based upon an accurate understanding of what You've revealed You want me to do, so that I may be pleasing in Your sight, by doing what is right in Your sight. Amen.
Luke 9 Authentication and Service
1.He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.2.He sent them forth to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.3.He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey—neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats apiece.4.Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.5.As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."6.They departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News, and healing everywhere.7.Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,8.and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.9.Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?" He sought to see him.10.The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida.11.But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing.12.The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place."13.But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we should go and buy food for all these people."14.For they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each."15.They did so, and made them all sit down.16.He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.17.They ate, and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.18.It happened, as he was praying alone, that the disciples were with him, and he asked them, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"19.They answered, "’John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again."20.He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."21.But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one,22.saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up."23.He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.24.For whoever desires to save his life/soul will lose it, but whoever will lose his life/soul for my sake, the same will save it.25.For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self/soul?26.For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.27.But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here, who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Kingdom of God."28.It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.29.As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.30.Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,31.who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.32.Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.33.It happened, as they were parting from him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah," not knowing what he said.34.While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud.35.A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!"36.When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.37.It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him.38.Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.39.Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely.40.I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn’t."41.Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here."42.While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.43.They were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,44."Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men."45.But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.46.There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest.47.Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side,48.and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great."49.John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us."50.Jesus said to him, "Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us."51.It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,52.and sent messengers before his face. They went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him.53.They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem.54.When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?"55.But he turned and rebuked them, "You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are.56.For the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them." They went to another village.57.As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord."58.Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."59.He said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."60.But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God."61.Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house."62.But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."Observations
9:1-9.Please see comments on Matthew 10 for the sending out of the apostles.
9:10-17.
Please see comments on Matthew 10 for the feeding of the five thousand.
9:18-25.
Please see comments on Matthew 16 and Mark 8 for the “Who am I,” the Son of Man's route to rulership is suffering, and the call to self/soul-denial. See sermons on Daniel the Disciple-maker, and The Survey of Discipleship on Truthbase.net for the exposition and application of the invitation to follow Jesus (He still has room for a few more to go from Convinced to Committed, and experience the Conformation to His image).
9:26-46.
Please see comments on Matthew 17 and Mark 9 for the promise of seeing the Kingdom come in glory being fulfilled on the Mount of Transfiguration, and the inability of the disciples to cast out the demon in the man's son.
9:46-50.
Please see comments on Matthew 18 and Mark 9 for the discussion of who is greatest in the kingdom, and how to achieve greatness.
9:51-56.
Having authenticated His message by miracles, and being authenticated on the Mount of Transfiguration by the Father, Jesus turns toward Jerusalem (as talked about on the Mount) to experience rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection to glory. Luke will shift His emphasis to show disciples how to live in light of rejection by the nation and the Gentiles. He starts with the Gentiles. This account of setting His face, and the disciples wanting to call down fire upon an unreceptive Samaritan village is unique to Luke. The disciples' faith had increased to the point where they believed such a thing was within their capacity. But Jesus didn't come to destroy but to save. The destroying happens upon His return.
9:57-62.
Two people volunteer to follow Jesus on their terms, and another receives a direct call. Luke doesn't record the exact outcomes, but underscores the importance of having Jesus as one's top priority, and His will as the only other item on the list. Self-denial and priority of Jesus over family are stumbling blocks to following Jesus, which we'll encounter again in chapter 14. The man's father probably wasn't dead yet, otherwise he'd have been at the funeral; many think he wanted to wait for his inheritance before He followed. But God provides for His followers' financial needs. Verse 62 should not be interpreted that you only get one shot to follow (remember that all the apostles denied Him and ran away at His trial). Rather it is an admonition that divided attention makes someone ill-suited for service and reward in the kingdom. Again, this is not about getting forgiveness for one's sins.
Application
Following Jesus requires a decision to be committed to Him to the exclusion of all else, including one's life, dreams, desires, and delights, because it is worth it. Have you made that estimation and decision?
Prayer
Lord, thanks for the opportunity to turn my perishing life into something that has eternal value, which will delight both You and me. Amen.
Luke 10 Loving God and Neighbor
1.Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come.2.Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.3.Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.4.Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.5.Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’6.If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you7.Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.8.Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.9.Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’10.But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,11.Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near to you.’12.I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.13."Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.14.But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.15.You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.16.Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me."17.The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"18.He said to them, "I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.19.Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.20.Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."21.In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight."22.Turning to the disciples, he said, "All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him."23.Turning to the disciples, he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,24.for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them."25.Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"26.He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"27.He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."28.He said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live."29.But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"30.Jesus answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31.By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.32.In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.33.But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,34.came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35.On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’36.Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?"37.He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."38.It happened as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39.She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.40.But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me."41.Jesus answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42.but one thing is needed and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her."Observations
10:1-16.Jesus sends out the seventy, with authority and instructions similar to those given the apostles at the beginning of chapter 9 (see Matthew 10 for those comments). He sends them out in teams for encouragement, accountability, and collaborative witness. Luke notes the need to pray for the Father to send out more laborers into His harvest. Those to whom the seventy would minster could become additional laborers in response to the healing work God would do in their lives (like the ex-demoniac in the Decapolis - 8:39). Those who don't become laborers usually haven't experienced God's work in their lives (otherwise they'd be selfish pigs, taking and not giving). Disciples are sent out as sheep among wolves, and are only protected by the Great Shepherd watching out for them. Those who rejected His emissaries, were rejecting both Jesus and God. If you're going to be rejected, make sure it's because you are doing Christ's work with His words.
10:17-24.
The seventy returned with joy, over their service and exercise of power. Despite the demonic opposition, and inevitable rejection, they experienced God's grace in supernaturally enabling them. But there is an even greater joy, that of having one's name written in heaven. We're not explicitly told what this “writing” is, but apparently there is payroll ledger in heaven that records rewards (Dan 12:1; Mal 3:16; Phil 4:3; Heb 12:23; Rev 3:5) which fits the context. The power they would exercise in the Millennium under the reign of the Messiah would be more enjoyable than the temporary power they had exercised over Satan's dominion in their mission. Jesus saw Satan's power diminished, but rejoiced more over the fellow-heirs that would reign with Him in His kingdom (Heb 1:10; 3:1; 12:2). Kings and prophets longed to see what had been revealed to these who followed Jesus (1Pt 1:10-12).
10:25-28.
See comments on Matthew 22 and Mark 12 for the equation of eternal life with reward in the kingdom (not forgiveness).
10:29-37.
The parable of the good Samaritan is unique to Luke, and gives insight into what it means to love one's neighbor. A neighbor is someone whose need you see, whose need you are able to meet. Not all social ills qualify as something we can (or should) do (particularly at the expense of obeying the first commandment). The priest and Levite are representative of the establishment who would reject Jesus, who also rejected the obvious needs of their fellow human. They would be “0 for 2” when it came to the two greatest commandments.
10:38-42.
The account of Martha and Mary is also unique to Luke, and presents yet another “heroine.” Martha was busy serving; Mary was listening to Jesus' words. Regardless of her motive, Martha chose the lesser objective, and demonstrated a lack of love toward her sister. Some think Martha got her worth and value from doing what others could see, or what she thought was right (which might or might not be the case). Jesus' response that only one thing was necessary could have referred to one dish, but more likely to the one activity which Mary had chosen. Service to others does not take priority over our time with God, refilling our souls with His word.
Application
Our ability to love others flows out of God's love for us, and our love for Him. He empowers us to do His work in the lives of others. If we chose to make time with God our higher priority, everything else will fall into place, sometimes supernaturally.
Prayer
God of time and energy, help me draw on Your wisdom and strength to do You will, and experience the temporal and eternal joy that comes for serving You. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God accomplishes His purposes through both supernatural and natural means. He authenticates Jesus though miracles so people will believe and follow Him. God will severely judge (with various degrees of punishment) those who reject His message. He also rewards those who deny themselves to follow Jesus.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is seen as the Son of God with power and authority, who has compassion on those in need. He delegates His power for accomplishing His purposes. He calls people to deny themselves and follow Him, yet also enjoys the company of His friends.
Us in a nutshell: We have the invitation to follow Jesus and be engaged in His agenda, or to place our priorities ahead of His, and miss out on the benefits of being close to Him. The choice to gain or forfeit our souls is ours; choose wisely. We can be tempted to place service of others as a higher priority than sitting at the Savior's feet and learning His words and ways.