Gospel According to Luke

Full commentary by Philip G. Roets is 62 pages.
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Introduction to Luke and His Writings.

We know St. Luke as the medical doctor who was a convert of Paul. Luke became Paul's personal physician and companion on his missionary journeys. The source for Luke’s Gospel is Mary and Paul.

Tradition tells us Luke left us three writings. Two we know for sure because they are in the Canon and claimed by him. One is this Gospel and the second is Acts of Apostles, which is primarily the story of some of the work of Peter and Paul, and ends before the death of these two men. The third work is not known. This seems really unusual, to say the least. For a man so important in the Pauline communities, for a man who had left such important writings, to have a whole writing lost without a trace seems almost impossible.

We do know that Luke edited some of the letters of Paul to remove the rough, insulting language that often appeared. My own theory is this: The third writing of Luke is the editing of all the letters of Paul as they are in the New Testament today.

Gospel According to St. Luke (LK). LUKE’S STORY circa 75 A.D.

“Gospel according to Luke” tells us that these ideas have Luke as their source but were not necessarily written down in this order by him.

Certain themes run through this Gospel. Luke is called the Gospel of Mercy or Pardons because this theme runs in detail through some of the events. It is called the Gospel of the Poor because this theme is stressed and developed in several ways. It is called the Gospel of Total Renunciation or Self-Denial because there is great stress on giving up everything to follow Jesus. It is also called the Gospel of Prayer, Gospel of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of Messianic Joy. This does not mean that Luke’s writings have an exclusive corner on these topics. It means these topics are stressed in a special way in the writings and events.

BIRTH OF JOHN BAPTIST FORETOLD. Luke 1:5-25.

The Gospel begins with this story about the parents of John the Baptist and his coming. John's parents were Zachary and Elizabeth. This is followed by the account of a messenger telling Mary, betrothed of Joseph, that she would have a child. Gabriel salutes her: “Rejoice, Most Favored One! Yahweh is with you.” When Mary understands, she replied, “Behold, the Handmaid of the Lord! Be it done unto me according to your word!” And then the angel left her.

Mary is given a new name by the angel, “kecharitomene.” The full meaning of this word is hard to translate. The root of the word means “favor.” The form of the word signifies a quality that is present totally and in the highest possible way. So she is greeted as the “Fully Favored One.” It is a title or name that is not applied to any other human being in the whole of biblical history. The writer clearly wants his readers to see that the entire plan of salvation rested on the consent of this one young lady and her betrothed.

Background information: BIBLICAL BIRTHS: PRECEDENTS.
So many times as we start the comments on the Annunciation and birth passages in the gospels, we fail to recall the numerous precedents for these passages in the Old Testament. Something special is said about the conception and birth of Old Testament leaders. This does not mean that all of these births were difficult or impossible without the special intervention of God. It means only that from the very start of their lives these men were destined by God to have a special role in his plan.

This is characteristic of heroes in every age and civilization. Take the two great heroes, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as examples. These men were little known until their adult public lives. Washington is honored as the founding father of this country. Abraham Lincoln is noted as the savior of the country when it could easily have been destroyed by a fratricidal war.

Gradually, because of the magnitude of their contribution to the welfare of this country, stories about their early lives are told and retold. Did all these things happen? Who knows. It would be impossible to verify the incidents now. But they glorify the men who are truly important for the foundation and preservation of the country and so they are told and retold. Everyone is free to accept the stories as historically accurate or mere folk-tale.

BIRTH OF JESUS. Luke 2:1-20.

When was Jesus born? Luke gives us a definite time but the references are hard to pinpoint. For specific details, look up the technical articles and books written through the centuries.

The decree from Rome was concerned with a census to determine population for taxation. The people had to go to their town of origin to be registered. This meant that Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem. In the course of that trip, Jesus was born. Luke’s account is succinct. I think this is due to the account he received from Mary. There were lots of details she could have supplied but did not. Her son, her first-born, the son that had been foretold, the son whose lifework was to be so important, starts his life as a poor outcast of society.

Background information:
Jesus was called the “first-born.” The first boy was always given the title of “first-born” even if there were seven sisters born before him. The title is technical and very important. The first-born was the boy who was to carry on the family name and look to the welfare of the whole family. For this reason, the first-born always received a double portion of the family inheritance.

Luke’s Gospel says that the child would be a source of unlimited joy and an equal depth of pain and sorrow. The reason was not to be found in the child, but in the reaction of people to him, his teaching and work.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE PUBLIC LIFE OF JESUS. Luke. 3:1-4:13.

JOHN BAPTIST AT WORK.

Luke started his account of Jesus’ life as an adult with the story of his cousin, John - a stern preacher who accepted no sham conversions. He addressed them as “brood of vipers.” If you Americanize the phrase, you'll see that John was calling them snakes of the most poisonous kind.

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JESUS AT PRAYER.

Luke makes a special point of Jesus spending time in prayer. We will treat each incident in its proper place but it will be good to get the total perspective now.

Prayer: The Baptism of Jesus. Luke. 3:21.

We have seen how Jesus was at prayer after this Baptism. It was presented as a type of meditation on the role that was his in the fulfillment of all the promises made in the past. Jesus had worked out much of the picture of what was expected of him. However he still had a long way to go before the picture was complete.

Prayer: After the Cures. Luke 5: 16.

We are told that Jesus spent time praying. Again it is seen as a sort of meditation on what he had been able to do and the results that his works had on the people around him.

Prayer: Jesus Chooses the Twelve. Luke 6: 12.

Here is another important event in his life. Out of all his followers Jesus was going to choose the ones who would carry on his work as leaders and teachers. He spent the time in prayer, thinking over his choices, and then picked the twelve.

Prayer: Peter‘s Profession of Faith. Luke 9:18.

In Luke, Jesus asked what effect he was having on the crowds. It was almost a plea for understanding. He got a resounding act of confidence from Peter and the others went along with him. Jesus had just been praying. Luke seemed to hint that he was mulling this question over in his mind and needed reassurance.

Prayer: The Transfiguration. Luke 9:28-36.

Here again, Jesus had Peter, James, and John on the mountain. He was praying and they were sleeping. Jesus was moved with an extra strong understanding and acceptance of his vocation as Messiah. It showed in his face and whole deportment. This was something new for the apostles but they don’t tell anyone until after his glorification.

Model Prayer. Luke 11:1.

Jesus was praying again and the apostles wanted to learn to pray the way he did. They wanted this total absorption in their goals and works. So Jesus taught them the way to pray. The Lord’s prayer was recited. It was intended as a summary theology of all prayer as taught and modeled by Jesus.

Prayer: The Struggle In the Garden . Luke 22:41.

There is no doubt that this was a turning point in the story of Jesus in each of the Gospels. Luke’s picture is more detailed but we shall treat those details in their regular sequence.

Summary of Prayer.

The above paragraphs summarize the times that Jesus was at prayer in Luke’s Gospel. We see that the intent of the writer was to show that Jesus’ life was surrounded by prayer. It was prayer of petition but emphasized the meditative or thinking aspect more.

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JESUS AT WORK IN GALILEE: Luke 4:14-9:50.

A. Jesus returns to Galilee. Luke 4:14-15.
1. Luke stressed that it is the spirit of Elijah that turned Jesus’ footsteps back to his home area, of Galilee.

2. Luke also stressed that Jesus was well received. This was a strong point with Luke, probably because of the way in which the same people turned totally against Jesus in a short while. (cf. 4:37; 5:15; 7:17).

3. This acceptance would also be a strong point with Luke in the early days of the Christian mission. (cf. Acts 2:41+; 6:7+).

4. Luke also told us that Jesus taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. However, the opposition of the leaders was quick to come because they saw Jesus as

a threat to their position of authority.

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D. Peter’s Mother-in-law Cured. Luke 4:38-39.
After the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon Peter’s house. Peter’s mother-in-law was in bed with a severe fever. Jesus went over and sternly commanded the fever to leave, and it left. The mother-in-law got up immediately and prepared a meal for her guests.

E. Summary of Jesus Healing. Luke 4:40-41.
Luke could have described one cure or event after another. Instead he gave us a summary saying that this was a good picture of the life of Jesus. He healed all the diseases the people put before him and he sent the demons howling on their way.

F. Off to Judea. Luke 4:42-44.
Jesus knew he could not stay too long in anyone spot. He had to get the news of the coming of the Messiah presented to everyone so that they could choose him and his work intelligently. He summed up his work as “proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God.” The choice of words in this phrase is important and instructive. The word to “proclaim” is the verb used of the herald who goes about making known an official decree or announcement. Hence the manner in which Jesus was teaching had a sense of urgency to it. The “Good News” is a technical term used throughout the New Testament and borrowed from Isaiah.

Now Jesus was appealing to the ideals and goodness of people. People who refused to listen had only themselves to blame. The “Kingdom of God” is not a simple territorial government or place. The word used is “Basileia.” It is an “eia” word in Greek. This means that it is an action word much as our English syllable “ing.” It is really the “Kinging of God” and refers to the people who are called to participate in the power and dignity and extent of the Kingship of God.

It may sound mundane but the “Kinging of God” has the same notion as “kinging” in the game of checkers. The “kinged” checker has more influence because of earned position. The “Kinging of God” did just exactly this to an ordinary person. The follower of Jesus had new power in all his actions. The Christians together are to change the face of the earth and the community of human beings.

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K. Who Should Fast? Luke 5:33-39.
How does the Old Law relate to the New Dispensation that Jesus was establishing? First, Jesus compared what he was doing to a wedding feast. He said that you do not ask the members of a wedding party or the invited guests to fast while they are celebrating the wedding. After the wedding is over and the newly-wed couple had gone its way, then the people could return to the routine of daily life.

The same was true for the followers of Jesus. His presence was like that of the Bridegroom. While he was with them he would be instructing them in how they were to live their lives and continue his work. However he would not impose all the obligations immediately. They would have to mature in their acceptance of the new code and way of life.

Then Jesus used two comparisons to bring out the relationship between the Old Law and the New Law. He talked first of putting a patch on an old cloak. He said you do not cut a piece out of a new cloak and sew it on to an old one. You will have torn the new cloak and the piece from the new cloak will not match the old cloak. The New Law or Dispensation that Jesus was talking about was not merely a patch on the Old Law. There was no comparison between the Old and the New. The Old Law was preparation for the New, but the New Law will stand on its own.

Secondly, Jesus compared the New Law and the Old Law to new wine. The bottles for wine were made each year out of the skins or the intestines of the animals. These skins were pliable and could stretch and then gradually harden and get set. This allowed the new wine to “work” or ferment until it was ready for use. If this new wine was put into old, hardened skins, the fermentation process would burst the skins. If the new wine was put into new skins, they could expand with the fermentation and then gradually get set.

Jesus also said that it took a while to get used to the difference between the old and the new wine. The old wine mellowed and had a “kick” to it. The new wine bit and had a sharp taste. Only if they were kept separate could they be truly appreciated.

L. Picking Grain On the Sabbath. Luke 6: 1-5.
To understand the importance of this story, two points must be kept in mind. First, there was the custom of picking grain as you walked through a farmer’s field. The grain was planted on both sides of the path. Anyone walking along the path was entitled to reach out and take a handful of the grain as long as the traveler did not leave the path to do so.

After the person had a handful of the grain, he had to rub the grain back and forth in the hands to remove the hulls from the kernels. Then, the prospective eater would blow the hulls out of his hand and the grain would be clean. Then it could be popped into the mouth and the person could begin to chew it. The grain would make paste, something like gum, and then it could be chewed or swallowed.

This practice was perfectly licit in the society of those days in Palestine. The problem, as the Pharisees saw it, was the Sabbath. People were not allowed to do any work from sun-up to sun-down. However, rubbing the grain back and forth in the hands was considered work. Therefore this was not permitted on the Sabbath.

Jesus advised these legal sticklers to go back to the life of David and read how he acted in reference to the Law about food. (1 Sam. 21:4-7; Lev. 24:5-9) The Loaves of Proposition were to be baked in a special way. They were to be put in the Holy Place and left there for a week. Then the priests, and the priests alone, were allowed to eat these “sacred” loaves. David stopped by the Tabernacle. He and his men were on the way to a fight. They were without food and were hungry. David went into the priests and talked them out of some of these “sacred loaves.” They were not supposed to get them, but David saw it as an emergency and so the law did not bind in the situation.

Jesus drew a basic principle from his conduct and that of David’s. “The Son of Man is master of the Sabbath.” He placed himself above the legalistic rituals of the Sabbath. This was the rankest audacity and heresy to the Pharisees. (Be sure to look up the comments on this incident in Matthew. The description is more thoroughly developed.)

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THE CHOICE OF THE TWELVE. Luke 5:12-16.

This is another occasion when Jesus spent the night in prayer. It would be good here to look up the description of Moses in Exodus 33:7-11. Moses had a special tent outside the camp. When he wanted to consult with Yahweh about his next move, he would go to this tent alone and there receive his instructions.

Jesus, as the new Moses, went into the hills alone to spend the night in prayer. This time, the prayer was a prelude to the choosing of the twelve apostles. Luke did not make a big story of this event. He said they were picked from all his disciples or followers. They were called “apostles,” - the people SENT as ambassadors. There were twelve and their names are listed. Matthew would be the other name for Levi.

The number 12 was probably a deliberate and symbolic choice. They were to be the leaders of the New Israel and therefore there would be 12 of them as in the Old Israel. Judas, son of James, was the one called Jude or Thaddaeus. Judas Iscariot was always pointed out as the one who would be the traitor.

THE "BIG SERMON" - SERMON ON THE MOUNT. Luke 5: 17-49.

This is the collection of teachings that is known as the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew's Gospel. Luke presented a much shorter version. He introduced the ideas by telling us that they were on level ground. A large crowd of people were pressing around Jesus. He was healing all sorts of diseases and ills. Then Jesus began to talk.

Beatitudes.

Luke did not develop all these ideas. Instead he stressed poverty, hunger and sorrow. Christians were from among the poor classes and may have grumbled a bit at their lot. Luke tried to assure them that their hardships were not overlooked and they would be rewarded for them. He stressed the reward they would receive and that this was the same way in which they had treated the prophets before them.

The Woes!

Then Luke gave us a list of “Woes.” He was really saying the same thing again, except the language was more forceful. The word “woe” is a powerful word and has to be described rather than translated. Luke stressed that people who are rich, eat well, or enjoy life now, would be miserable and sorry later on. In fact, said Luke, if people like you and speak well of you, take another look at your life. This approval was the way in which the people of the past greeted the FALSE PROPHETS. If the world liked you, you may be on the wrong track.

Love of Enemies.

Luke developed this idea thoroughly. We can understand why. Luke was writing for the communities established originally by Paul. They were in the Diaspora and would be pounced on by Jewish communities and the pagans alike. The tendency was be to lash back and defend themselves. Luke said this would not win the good will of the people and lead them to the harmony, love and peace intended by Jesus. Their model was to be God himself who took care of the good and the bad alike.

Luke gave us a figure of speech to indicate how great our kindness and compassion to others should be. He used the example of a person selling a bushel of wheat. He said that the grain was to be put in the basket, then pressed down, shaken well, and even running over. Every Jew had a catch-all pocket in the front of his cloak on the chest. If the merchant followed the customs, he would fill the basket as described. Then he would open this pocket and throw extra grain into it.

Luke stressed that this kind of generosity is absolutely essential because you will receive according to the way in which you give.

Sincerity and Integrity.

Luke then talked about the necessity of sincerity in daily life. He stressed the fact that a Christian was not supposed to be bothering about the faults of others or correcting them until he had removed all his own faults completely.

The very thought of hypocrisy was taboo for these early Christians. If they were going to ask something of others, they had to be sure they were living the principle first. Sincere guidance to others can come only from a sincere heart in oneself. A person’s words must flow from the abundance of one’s own heart. In other words, one cannot pick delicious fruit from weeds.

Solid Foundations.

The life of the Christian is like the building of a house. The most important part is the solid foundation. Then no matter what the storm, the superstructure will be able to withstand it. The Christian way of living has to have the stability of bedrock.

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THE PENITENT WOMAN. Luke 7:36-50. SIN -- SORROW -- FORGIVENESS

This is an exceptionally beautiful and pointed story. Jesus was invited to a dinner by a Pharisee, named Simon. Keep these points in mind about an occasion such as this. First of all, when a guest arrived, the host met him at the door. The host presented the visitor with water to wash the dust of travel from his feet. If possible, he would have a servant to do the menial task. Then the guest would be given a special cloak to wear during his stay and his head would be anointed with perfumed oil. These were all common courtesies expected in the society of that day.

Secondly, the guests reclined on long couches at the table. Their feet were stretched out away from the table so this lady could easily reach the feet of Jesus. Thirdly, we do not know who the woman was. Some try to make her Mary Magdalen or Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus. There is no certainty for either of these identities.

In the middle of the dinner, this lady came into the banquet room. She went right up to Jesus and began to cry bitter tears over his feet. Then she dried them with her hair. Simon was amazed and said, “If Jesus knew who this woman is, he would not even let her touch him.”

Jesus picked up on the attitude immediately. He told his story about two men were in debt to the same person. One owed five hundred denarii and the other owed fifty. A denarius was a good wage for a whole day at the time. So the first man owed two years wages, the other owed seven weeks. Neither could pay his debt, so the creditor canceled both debts instead of putting them in debtor’s prison.

“Which man would love the creditor more?” Simon saw that there was only one possible answer. “The man who was forgiven more.”

Jesus said, “That’s right! Now apply this to the present situation. I came into your house as a guest and you insulted me socially by not showing me the amenities of a guest. This woman exceeded common courtesy to wash my feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. Therefore her sins, even though many, have been forgiven. The person who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then he turned to the woman and said, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace!”

The point of the story is clear. Jesus was not establishing a kingdom in a vacuum. The people who followed him would have their faults and commit their sins. However, if they were motivated by love in their lives, their sins would be forgiven. Without love there is no forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a matter of ritual or routine. Forgiveness demands evidence of true sorrow in the life of the person.

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THE PARABLES. Luke 8:4-18.

The first important difference between Matthew and Luke in their account of the parables is the number and the orientation. Matthew listed seven parables - all in a cluster and all geared to developing the notion of the Kingdom of the Heavens. Luke listed only two of the parables and used the stories to stress how people must react to the teachings of Jesus.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER.

The parable is almost the same as that told in Matthew. The farmer was sowing his grain. Some of the seed fell on the footpath and was trampled on and the birds ate it. Some fell on the stones and sprouted immediately but then shriveled and died because of lack of moisture. Some seed fell among the weeds and was choked out by the weeds. Some of the seed fell on good ground and produced a hundred-fold.

In the explanation, Luke said that the seed was the word of God. The seed on the path represented the people who hear the teaching, but the devil came and snatched it away before they truly believed and were saved. The seeds on the stones were the people who received the word gladly but there was no follow-through. The word shriveled and died without fruit. The seeds among the weeds were the people who accepted the word but then the cares and worries about money and pleasure choked out the true values of life. The seed on the good soil was the people who received the word into dedicated and courageous hearts and they yielded a harvest of good works through patience and perseverance.

THE PARABLE OF THE LAMP STAND.

The second parable in Luke is the parable of the lamp. The lamp was lit and put on a lamp stand so that everyone in the household might see by the light of the lamp. This parable is part of the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. Luke gives it a little different slant in his interpretation.

The purpose of the lamp is to make sure that everyone’s life is clear and out in the open for all to see. The person who uses his talents will be given more. The person who does not use his talents, will lose even the ones he thinks he has.

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WHO IS THE GREATEST? Luke 9:46-48.

Jesus settled the whole question in a very dramatic way. He set a little child down beside himself and said: “Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name, welcomes me. Anyone who welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me. For the least among you is the greatest.”

In short there is room at the top for everyone. Greatness in this kingdom of Jesus is not external prestige or worldly honors and ribbons. Greatness is determined by service and simplicity.

WHO WORKS WITH YOU? Luke 9:49-50.

John brought up a new problem. They had found a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus. However, he was not one of them. He did not belong to the twelve. So they tried to stop him.

Jesus said: “Don't stop him. If he is not against you, then he is on your side.” If a person is doing the work of Jesus, it does not make a particle of difference who he is. He is working to make the world the brotherhood of man. In the end, all the works will be shown together.

If this principle had been followed from the Council of Nicea to the present day, much wrangling and enmity could have been avoided and much good could have been accomplished. The Roman structure insisted they were the “one and only” and all others were to be outcasts. The result has been greater and greater disunity.

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THE MISSION AND QUALITIES OF THE DISCIPLE. Luke 10:1-16.

Jesus intended to blanket all of Israel. He picked out 72 disciples and sent them in pairs to get the people ready for his coming. Here is a list of the demands of the job and the traits of the workers.

1) The harvest is rich and the laborers are few so they have to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send more laborers.

2) The disciples are going like lambs among wolves.

3) They are to take nothing extra for the trip. They are to stop and talk with no one along the way.

4) When you enter a house, offer the people “Peace.”

5) Stay in that house and be content with the food, drink and lodging put before you. The laborer deserves his hire but he should not waste time looking for the best.

6) Offer everything you have to the people who receive you. If a town does not accept your presence, leave that town and shake its dust off your shoes. When the Kingdom of God arrives, it will be worse for that town than for Sodom.

7) The people who listen to you, listen to me. The people who reject you, reject me.

The 72 disciples finished their mission and came back all aglow. They had great success. Even the "demons" listened to them when they invoked his name. They shared in the powers of Jesus.

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The Good Samaritan

Jesus told one of his most quoted stories. It was a story called the “Good Samaritan.” A certain man was on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell in with a band of robbers. They took everything he had, beat him up, and left him half-dead alongside the road.

A priest came along. He saw the man, crossed over to the other side and kept going. A Levite came along. He, too, saw the man, crossed over and kept going. Then along came a Samaritan who was on a business trip. He saw the man and felt sorry for him. He bandaged his wounds, using his own oil and wine for the job. He put the man on his donkey and took him to the nearest inn. He left him there and gave the innkeeper two denarii (two days’ wages) to take care of the man. He said he would be back and if there was any further charge, he would take care of it.

“Now, who was friend to him who fell among the robbers?” The lawyer said, “The one who took pity on him.” Jesus said, “Go and do likewise!”

Some social notes must be added here. The man who helped was a Samaritan. The man who was wounded was a Jew. Samaritans were absolutely hated by the Jews. If the Jew had been conscious he could very well have demanded the Samaritan’s death for daring to touch him. The Priest was a Jew. The Levite was a Jew. They were men who were finishing their stay at the Temple and going home. They actually looked right at their fellow Jew, turned and walked away.

The story has power and where these ideals are lived, the society is successful, peaceful, and growing. This is the ideal of love as Christ presented it to us.

MARTHA AND MARY. Luke 10:38-42.

This is a short human interest story that packs a wallop. It can be easily misconstrued and the wrong conclusions drawn.

Two women, Martha and Mary, lived in a village. They were the sisters of Lazarus as we know from other incidents. However that fact is unimportant here. Martha was a marvelous housekeeper. When anyone came to visit, she felt obliged to be doing something for their comfort - at all times. Mary preferred to sit and visit.

In this case, Martha was scrambling to make Jesus’ visit pleasant and Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus visiting with him. Finally, Martha stopped in front of Jesus and said, “Mary is leaving all the work to me. Tell her to give me a hand.” Jesus smiled and said, “Martha, Martha, you worry and are so busy about everything and yet so little is needed. Mary has chosen the better part and it shall not be taken from her.”

Jesus certainly appreciated the concern of Martha for his comfort. He wanted to stress that he was there on a visit. Mary was visiting, and therefore, she was doing exactly what she was supposed to.

This is not a condemnation of those who are busy and who keep the home rolling smoothly. However, they are reminded there is more to life than wearing yourself to a frazzle to get all the little details done. Enjoy people and life and do what is necessary to make things comfortable.

THE LORD’S PRAYER. Luke 11:1-4.

Jesus was praying and one of the twelve asked him to teach them how to pray as John Baptist had taught his followers. Jesus said,

The format is a bit different from that of Matthew, but all the essential elements are here. It is worthy of note that this is not presented as a prayer to be said. Rather it is a summary of the qualities of all prayer. It shows the kind of life a person must live in order to be able to approach God in prayer of any kind.

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FOR OR AGAINST. Luke 11:23.

Jesus said there was no possibility of standing on the fence with regard to him. Either they accepted his teaching and lived by it or they were opposed to his teaching and worked against him.

NO HALF-HEARTED CONVERSIONS. Luke 11:24-26.

When an unclean spirit is driven out of a person, that spirit roams the earth looking for a place to light. He finds none, so he decides to go back to his previous dwelling. When he gets there, he finds the person is healed and strong. So the demon gets seven other demons worse than himself and they come back and infest the man. The second condition of the person is worse than the first.

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THE LIST OF WOES. Luke 11:37-54.

This is one of the strongest attacks that Jesus made in his public life. He is so often presented as the meek and mild person who got along with everyone. He is shown with a benign smile for everyone. Hence we forget how tough Jesus really was toward willful opposition.

The opposition was coming from the Pharisees and the lawyers. The Scribes were included because they worked closely with the Pharisees. Jesus used the word, “Woe,” to start each of his condemnations. This word is so powerful and meaningful that it would not appear in modern literature if fully understood.

THE WOES. Luke 11:42-54.

Woe 1: They keep every tiny ritual prescription but ignore justice and love.

Woe 2: They look for all the empty signs of honor on the streets and in the synagogues.

Woe 3: They are unmarked tombs. People stumble against them and are ritually unclean.

Woe 4: They load unbearable burdens on the shoulders of others but do not lift a finger to carry the burdens themselves.

Woe 5: They build monuments to their ancestors whose lives were filled with crime.

Woe 6: They take away the key of knowledge and are too stupid to use the key for their own betterment.

Conclusion: The Pharisees and lawyers were furious and tried to trap Jesus with all kinds of tricky questions.

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ATTACHMENT TO MATERIAL WEALTH. Luke 12:13-21.

A man in the crowd wanted Jesus to pass decision on a money disagreement he had with his brother. Jesus said that he did not come to take care of such trivial problems. Then he drew a general application in a parable.

A man had harvests so large he had no room for storage. So he tore down his barns and silos and granaries and built bigger ones. Finally, his crops were all stored away. Then he relaxed to have a good time. Jesus said: “You fool! Tonight, you will die and then who gets all the things you slaved for? If you want to store treasure, do it with God where it is always safe and waiting for you.”

NO WORRY. NO FEAR. Luke 12:22-32.

Why worry? What can you accomplish by worrying and fretting? Look at the crows. They neither sow nor reap. They have no storehouses or barns. Yet God sees to it that they have plenty to eat. Look at the flowers. Is anything more beautiful than one of these? Yet they do not toil or spin and they are more beautiful than Solomon in all his splendor. Set your sights on the Kingship of the Father and all else will be added. The Kingship of the Father is at your disposal.

TREASURES . Luke 12:33-34.

Lay up treasure that will last. For where your treasure is, there is the center of your life also.

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SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE . Luke 12:54-59.

This little unit is a takeoff from Wisdom 13:8-9. The author of Wisdom was talking about the stupidity of people who could look at all the good things in the world around them and then develop a cult of idols. If they could see and understand the good things in the world, then they should be able to reach the God who made and takes care of these things.

Jesus picked up this same theme. He told the crowd that they read the weather signs constantly. They looked up at the sky and saw a cloud rising in the west, and they said there will be rain in a few hours or a few days. They felt the wind blowing in from the south out of the desert and they said it was going to be a “scorcher.” How could they read these weather signs so easily and yet could not read the signs of the selfishness in the society in which they lived?

He stressed one particular custom. As soon as there was some little dispute, they did not try to settle it among themselves. Instead, they ran to a lawyer and the court. Lawsuits were as common as they are today. Jesus said this had to stop. People had to learn to settle their differences among themselves. This was a very important part of the sharing he was here to establish.

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THE CRIPPLED WOMAN HEALED ON THE SABBATH. Luke 13:10-17.

This woman had been crippled for 18 years. She could not even lift her head up. Jesus saw her, placed his hands on her, and cured her. She immediately started to praise God.

The leader of the synagogue was outraged. This was the Sabbath. There were six other days in the week when she could have been healed. Why didn’t she come and get her cure on one of those days?

Jesus was angry: “Hypocrites!” He said, “Your donkey or your ox is tied to the manger. It needs water. Do you untie it and bring it to water on the Sabbath?” Of course, they did. Yet, this woman was a daughter of Abraham and she was not to be cured on the Sabbath. The adversaries had no answer and the people rejoiced.

THE MUSTARD SEED. Luke 13:18-19. THE LEAVEN. Luke 13:20-21.

There are two parables in a very succinct form. The morals are not explicitly stated. Luke seemed to have presupposed that the readers or listeners could draw their own conclusions.

The comparison to the mustard seed stressed that the Kingship of God is to be established in the smallest of actions or people. The comparison to the leaven or yeast brings out that the Kingship of God works from the inside out. It is not an external coat but internal being.

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SALT. Luke 14:34-35.

Salt is a valuable seasoning. If salt loses its power to season, it is good for nothing. There is nothing that will restore its seasoning. It cannot be thrown into the ground or a compost heap. It can only be tossed on a path or a road to be walked on.

THREE STORIES: GOD'S MERCY AND CONCERN. Luke 15:1-32.

These stories are referred to as the “Lost Sheep”, the “Lost Coin”, and the “Lost Son.” They have been topics of sermons for centuries and subjects of art for even longer times. The stories were told to emphasize a point. Jesus was accused of welcoming sinners and eating with them. No Jewish teacher would dare even think of such conduct. Jesus told the stories to show that his selection was deliberate and in perfect harmony with the action of God.

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TRUE SERVICE. Luke 17:7-10.

Jesus stressed the idea that there must be a true sense of humility in all the work that we do. No matter how important the work or essential the service, you must always remember that someone else can do the same. You are not essential to the plan.

In other words, a follower of Christ must realize that he/she is important enough to be loved and saved by Jesus and yet, at the same time, he/she is no more important than anyone else in the community. The importance of this notion is not quite as apparent in our society as it was at that time or as it is in some societies today. In a society where there are slaves or castes or classes, there is danger of looking down on or snubbing some people as beneath you. This is intolerable for a truly Christian community.

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THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU. Luke 17:20-37.

The phrase that is used here is a puzzler: “entos hymon.” The question is whether it means that the Kingship of God is within each person individually - an internal quality which motivates all actions. Or does it mean that the Kingship of God is a trait that permeates the whole group and is manifested by their “koinonia” or sharing? Both aspects of the answer are possible and make good sense.

The point that Jesus made here was that the Kingship of God is not something that can be pinned down to a particular spot. It is not something that can be contained in a given area. This Kingship is as big as God Himself. We are dealing with a fact that is beyond total human comprehension. It is a truth which will grow and grow and always be out in front to attract the believer to follow.

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ATTITUDE TOWARD WEALTH. Luke 18: 18-30.

Is material wealth good or bad? In the Christian ideal, it is neither. Wealth is what you make it. It cannot be the sole goal of your life. Living in utter poverty is not necessarily good. Everyone should strive for the material things that are necessary to live in the society of their times. But this pursuit of wealth must never interfere with their pursuit of God.

The danger of too much wealth is that these possessions can easily become the sole pursuit of life. Jesus compared it to a camel trying to go through the eye of a needle. The image was one of utter impossibility. This was exactly what Jesus wanted to teach. Attachment to wealth makes salvation almost impossible.

The attitude that is stressed is the proper use of material things. They are means to live in this world and a help toward sharing with each other. However, they must never become the goal of life. This danger must be carefully avoided because it can creep up on a person so easily.

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USE YOUR GIFTS. Luke 19:11-27.

This is another story told by Jesus. A certain Jew was going to a foreign country to be appointed king. Many of the people did not like him and tried to block this appointment. However he became king.

Before he left, he gave ten of his servants each a pound of money. When he returned he asked for an accounting. The first came in and said: “Sir, your one pound has made ten.” The king was pleased and said, “Since you have been faithful in a small thing, you shall be given something big. You shall be the governor of ten cities.” Another servant had made five pounds profit and he in turn, was put in charge of five cities. Finally came one servant, who had the initial one pound. He said he was afraid of the king because he was such an exacting man. He was afraid he might lose it so he wrapped the one pound and hid it. He offered the same pound to the king. The king was angry. He had them take the one pound away and throw the man out. Then he gave the one pound to the man who already had ten.

The conclusion is important: “To him that has, more will be given. To him that has not, even that which he seems to have, will be taken away.” The application of this story is important. Jesus was talking about the abilities that each person receives. You will not be judged on what you received, but on what you did with what you received. Abilities are gifts that are to be used. If they are neglected or lost, you will have nothing.

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THE WIDOW’S TINY OFFERING. Luke 21:1-4.

Jesus watched as the people put their offerings in the public treasury box. Then a poor widow came up and put in two tiny coins. Jesus called attention to her. “This poor widow has given more than all of them. They gave only of their extra wealth. This poor widow gave from the tiny portion she had to live on.”

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FINAL DAYS OF JESUS' LIFE. Luke 22:1-23:56.
THE ROLE OF JUDAS. Luke 22:1-6.

Luke presented this betrayal as a plot in which both sides were ready but had made no contact as yet. Then the opportunity came. Judas, one of the twelve, saw a way to make some extra money. There was no indication he was going to keep it for himself or that he actually expected Jesus to die. In fact, the indications in the text seem to say that Judas figured on selling Jesus for some money. After he had collected the money, Jesus would disappear as usual. He would be safe. The coffers would be richer at the expense of the leaders and Judas would be praised for his cleverness.

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THE GOOD THIEF. Luke 23:39-43.

One man who was crucified with Jesus joined the crowd in making fun of Jesus. The other man told him to hold his tongue. He said they were on the cross because their lives deserved the punishment. But Jesus was innocent. Then he said to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom.” Jesus said: “I tell you solemnly, this day you will be with me in paradise.”

Many a point has been made of this scene. This man had been a thief. He was dying because of thievery. His last act was to “steal” heaven. He was the first beneficiary of the act of redemption and salvation.

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THE RESURRECTION STORY. Luke 24:1-53.
THE EMPTY TOMB. Luke 24:1-8.

On Sunday morning, the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb with their spices. They were going to give Jesus proper burial. When they got to the tomb, they saw that the body of Jesus was gone. Suddenly two men in brilliant clothes stood beside them. They were properly scared. But the men said. “Why are you here looking for Jesus among the dead? He has risen as he told you he would.” Then the women remembered what Jesus had said.

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JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES. Luke 24:36-43.

The apostles were still talking about all these events when Jesus appeared in their midst. His greeting: “Peace to you!” This is the new “Shalom” - the sum total of all that is good. This is the peace that is to be the fruit of the new age of Christian life.

The apostles were still afraid so Jesus pointed out that he could be no ghost since he had a body just as they did. He asked for food and ate some grilled fish. Finally they were convinced.

It is important to note what the risen body is like. It is different and yet has all the qualities needed to recognize each individual.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS. Luke 24:44-49.

Jesus spent the time recalling what he had said and done. He showed how all the promises were fulfilled. Their work was to spread the teaching and life of Jesus. The heart of the Christian message is the complete change of outlook (metanoia) and the forgiveness of all sin.

They will receive the power from on high to do this work. It will be the Holy Breath, the Breath of the New Creation, given to and by the Second Adam.

JESUS ASCENDS. Luke 24:50-53.

Jesus blessed the apostles and then was lifted out of their midst. This time they were not sad or distraught. They went back to the city, full of joy, and wait to begin their new life’s work.