Tag: Luke

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Unexpected stories from extraordinary people.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke was not one of Jesus’s original 12 Apostles. So he wasn’t an apostle, but he sure acts like one. It is believed that Luke was most likely one “of the seventy,”. History tells us that Luke was a really smart guy! He was a physician, a theologian and a historian. If you see the trifecta of those skill sets you know why Luke starts his gospel, his account of the life of Jesus with such bravado. “Many people have attempted…” but I also have investigated and decided to write an accurately ordered, successively, one after another account!

According to history, Luke had not been a follower of Jesus before he died. Being biologically Jewish but culturally Greek, he had to have followed the controversial stories of Jesus admitting that He was THE Messiah. Luke became a believer, then a follower of THE WAY (a common phrase used to describe Jesus people). Luke not only journaled, he also journeyed with Paul, eventually writing the book of Acts. Luke was the best of biographers, writing one about the life of Jesus, the other the life of the early Church. It is believed that Luke wrote Acts in such a way that Paul would present the “book” to Caesar himself in Rome. Acts is a full testament of truth about the power of Jesus to transform a religious terrorist into an evangelist while watching the fulfillment of a promise of bringing salvation to the Gentiles as well.

Luke writes to Theophilus, a title given to a person of great wealth and influence. It is not clear whether this man was a High Priest in Jerusalem just after Jesus’ day, or that Theophilus was a high-ranking, influential Gentile official. Most likely the latter. Either way, Luke tells Theophilus, “you can be secure in the truth” of what you have been taught.

Secure in the truth – oh how I wish this generation would anchor themselves to the faith they were raised in, knowing that it is not a truth, it is THE truth. These facts about Jesus aren’t “my” truth nor “our” truth – it is God’s truth. These two books (Luke and Acts), written by Luke, were used to bring many people to faith in Jesus Christ, and to believe in His death and resurrection! Then help guide them to follow Jesus, obeying what he taught, doing what he did for the rest of their lives. Luke’s book are more than just stories about Jesus, they are also systems of how to live our life being a disciple and making disciples. Thank God for His living Word inspired, directed and recorded by men like Dr. Luke!

Prayer

​Dad,
The consistency and wonder of your Word just continually amazes me. Most of the men and women recorded in the Bible were just normal, if not ordinary people. However, then comes these really unique and driven people like Doctor Luke and the Apostle Paul. Thank you for working in and through all of us, making wise the simple and using the weak to speak to powerful rulers. Amen.

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Is it really you?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

After 400 years of silence, 700 years since Isaiah made his bold proclamations about the ONE, THE Messiah, expectation had almost disappeared. Think of that! In our modern times, what stories, predictions or promises have made it further than fifty years or even a hundred years? None. Our social, generational structures aren’t strong enough to even pass down events or stories from our great grandparents!

The Jewish people had an amazing ability to teach and pass down their stories – much of it because of the way they stored their ancient scrolls, the writings of God’s laws. It is a spectacular miracle that 100% of the copies of the original Old Testament parchments has remained intact for thousands of years! The first book of the Bible was written some three thousand five hundred years ago, while the last one was completed nearly two thousand years ago. The text of the Bible not only has survived throughout the centuries, it has survived virtually unchanged.

John the Baptist as well as every religious leader during the time Jesus walked this earth had patiently waited for the messiah. Jesus coming as a baby, born in Bethlehem and preaching in the area of Galilee, had fulfilled anywhere from 300 to 570 Old Testament prophecies. Although there were a few who proclaimed to be THE Messiah before or during the time of Christ, there have been hundreds of false messiahs since! Jesus did not just align and fulfill every single prophetic promise, he also performed about forty miracles, ranging from turning water into wine to raising Lazarus (and others) from the dead. For John and his disciples to ask Jesus if he indeed was the one and only Messiah was more of a desire of an announcement than proof. They wanted Jesus to clearly articulate the proclamation the he is the messiah and would ascend to the throne of David, defeating Rome and restoring Israel to its previous glory.

Listen to Jesus’ response – he gives God’s plan of healing and saving people not kingdoms! The good news, the gospel, was given to all who are suffering, poor and needy. The more I learn about the facts, the truth of what the Bible declared and fulfilled, plus the life of Jesus himself, I realize this – for people who want proof of the existence of God, the reality of Jesus living among us to bring salvation to all human kind, there is more than enough. Most do not need proof, they need faith. The answers are all written and have been proven to be trustworthy and consistent throughout all human history. Yet, folks, bent on denying God, desiring their own way, their own will, pick at popular lies and stories “disproving” God’s Word. It is by faith that one comes to Christ. The same reports that John’s guys brought back to him still are true today – the miracles of Jesus still exist today. Jesus still heals, saves and preaches good news to the poor and those who know they are in need of a savior!

Prayer

​Dad,

My generation, my cultural existence, has no sense of connected history beyond my grandparents! Our stories, our history, is nowhere as beautiful and significant of those who are Jewish. Even our own “God stories” and testimonies of your greatness rarely make it past our children. So the idea of waiting for hundreds of years for the fulfillment of a promise has no real understanding today. We can mentally imagine waiting for the promised Messiah, but have no way to emotionally bear that weight of time and patience of faith. I can see how your faithfulness extends far beyond what I can comprehend! Thank you for keeping Your promises. Amen.

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The widow and the secret of the thirteenth trumpet.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.” Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke records this brief story highlighting a widow and her extraordinary gift to God. Luke as well as Mark both include this story. Mark’s version has far more detail.

As I read through the gospels I do so with “western” eyes. I read through my modern, cultural and historical lenses. I can’t help it, it just happens. But as I read these ancient texts, I have come to realize there is so much more going on that I have no idea about.

When Robin and I visited Israel, I came to see that at least one third of our understanding of God or theology is anchored in geography! The physical geography of the land of Israel holds so much rich and helpful background to text. I’ve also come to believe that similar is true with the historical and cultural significance of these stories, places and characters mentioned in the Bible. No worries, God’s revelation of Himself to us comes through crystal clear even without the geographical, historical or cultural clarity. However, when you find out about the full 360° view of where the story took place and the full-color of the context, well it is just mind-blowingly beautiful! This is the case with this story.

Luke just writes about where Jesus was (in temple) and what he was doing (people watching). But oh, there is so much more about these details alone. I’ll give you a link to my notes on this story here – https://bit.ly/13thtrumpet.

Let’s just say this, where Jesus sat, why he sat there and what was looking at, is truly amazing. I’ll give you a hint. The Bible says “THE collection box.” But the Greek word is gazophulakion or treasury. There wasn’t just one box or treasury, there were THIRTEEN of them. Which one did the widow drop her little “mites” into? You’ll have to get the notes to find out.

Prayer

Dad,
Finding out that these recorded stories have a full and colorful background all on their own was so eye-opening for me. I’m happy that the truth of your Word and what Jesus’ said doesn’t need some expert dissertation to understand. Yet, with just a little bit of background, it gives a brighter experience to know more of the human character and authenticity of our shared context living on this planet. I deeply appreciate the text more with this fullness. It helps me understand that people were just people then and the same is true today!

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Elizabeth did you know?

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭41‬-‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As with Mary, Jesus’ mom – yes, she did. I’m so jealous of these two women. Before Acts 2, before the general outpouring of the Spirit of God coming on all who would receive, Elizabeth gets this supernatural visitation that was rare in the Old Testament, but would be common in the New Testament and from there on. Little baby John leaped in utero and Liz was filled (plḗthō, filled to capacity)!

Ezekiel had prophesied this would happen, hundreds of years earlier, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬. The gals experienced this right at very beginning of the New Testament story. Was this infilling permanent? Or, was it a temporary visit like it was in the old days? Was it just to cover their time of carrying the child in their womb? Who knows!

Mary experienced it first, ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭35‬. Then Elizabeth. Then even Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭67‬). All three, being filled with the Holy Spirit, began to know things, Mary and Zach burst into these powerful prophetic prayers. Liz seemed to know exactly who the child was in Mary’s womb, saying “mother of my Lord,” even knowing about Mary’s extraordinary faith to believe! These three folks, in the Christmas storyline had supernatural things happening because of the Holy Spirit within them.

You realize that Luke is the author here as well as the author of the book of Acts, right? He writes in Acts 1, “In my first book I told you, Theophilus…” Luke had a particular interest and knowledge about the whole subject of the Holy Spirit and God’s ability to come and dwell not just “with” us as the Logos, the Word made flesh (Jesus), but also “within” us as the third person of what we call the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). And with God living within us, believers have both the Spirit in our heart as well as this unique and constant Spirit of God swelling up within like a supernatural eruption of power when we are also “filled” as Jesus, and the other New Testament writers speak of.

Peter watched in amazement as Cornelius and his friends were filled ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭44‬-‭47‬. Paul asked some Ephesians believers, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19‬:‭1‬-‭2‬. They had even been baptized! In both scenes with Cornelius and the Ephesian crew, they spoke in tongues and even prophesied.

Supernatural things happen when the Holy Spirit comes flooding out from within instead of pouring out on us from above. Every believer can have, should have these experiences happening in and through them as God brings about the Kingdom of a God here on earth! Why not me? Why not you? Why not more often? These are questions for another time. Question to believers: “Follower of Jesus, did you know?”

Prayer

Dad,
I knew from the moment you flipped my heart and my life around that you live within me. I had a conscience, a sense, a new “knowing” of you and things around me. But learning how it all works and what it means has taken a lifetime to just begin to figure it out. I think the understanding and ways you work through us is sparked and fueled by faith. But as I have gotten older, I don’t like the feeling or idea of getting it wrong or looking like a fool about it. When I was young and in many ways a social outcast, I didn’t care. Now, sadly, I care too much of what others might think. I was more eager to obey than to care what others thought. Now, sadly, that has flipped around. What happened to those deep and compelling urges to obey? Are they still there? Are they just dormant? Can I change? Can I be more aware and obedient to the Holy Spirit moving in my life now?

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The impossible becomes probable.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬-‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Gabriel has two assignments: visit Zechariah and visit Mary, and tell them what is going to happen. To Zach, the angel tells him about his son that will be born. Zach, being old, has a difficult time believing. Gabriel tells him, oh IT WILL happen, then removes Zach’s ability to speak until he writes out his son’s name – “His name is John.” To Mary the angel says she is favored and blessed (eulogeó: to speak well of). Luke records that Mary is extremely agitated and thoroughly confused by this visitation especially because of these unexpected, encouraging words. Gabriel hadn’t even told her the message from God! And in that moment, Mary couldn’t understand why she was greeted in this way. “Why am I considered favored and well spoken of?” she pondered in her mind. What teenage girl believes that they have a good life and reputation in their friend circles? Gabriel tells her not to be afraid while she was still struggled with a genuine compliment! Then the high ranking angel continues, “you have found grace with God!” All of this is overwhelming to Mary. The super affirmation and the declaration that God has extended grace to her – and she has done nothing but exist as an average, quite invisible teenager living in the poor, armpit community of Nazareth. Gabriel tells her not to fear, but I get the impression she was overwhelmed with the lavished kindness and attention that she could not even fathom. Maybe she felt worthless, unseen, small, insignificant and completely unimportant in those moments. She had to have asked herself… “who is this?” and more disturbing, “who am I?” She never saw herself as worthy of ANYTHING and now God has put a holy spotlight on her. Gabriel then tells her the purpose for the visit, you’re going to have a supernatural baby boy and you will name him Joshua (Jesus in Greek) – God saves. Mary, like Zach, had her doubts, but doesn’t offend Gabriel by saying, “how can I really know, know this will come true?” Instead she responds, “But how can this exist or be? I have not experienced a man.” Mary’s humility and curiosity is not offensive to Gabriel, so he tells her. The Holy Spirit will come upon you. And the power of the most high will overshadow, envelop you. And you will give birth to the holy one, called the son of God! The plot thickens up until the day Jesus is born.

Prayer

Dad,
Such a wonderful, mysterious way to announce the coming of the Messiah! I wouldn’t have expected anyone to really know how you planned to pull off such a monumental revealing. And the fact that you did so through a high priest, Zechariah, and a very average, normal young girl to bring all this about. It is still the best mid-story shocker! It’s like your jump-the-shark episode, except it was done really well. Bravo and I can’t wait for the final season!

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Shut your trap!

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Wow, things just don’t change all that much in the “set the trap,” let’s catch ‘em in a juicy sound-bite moment. Tisk, tisk, tisk, good luck catching God tripping up on some cheap word-trap and moral dilemma.

Luke gives us such a rich background to this moment. With words like “opportunity,” “spies,” and “reporting,” who wouldn’t be drawn into to this scene?

The guys, supposedly working FOR God, are trying to trap God to get him to quit interfering with their job of protecting God from rift-raft, fakes and false prophets. They never considered, even for a moment, that the REAL messiah, would show up and they would find themselves on the wrong side of truth. Can people get so turned around that they find themselves on the wrong side of truth?

Luke writes “they sent spies,” pretending (hupokrinomai), like actors on a stage, to be earnest in their query. Then they actually try to butter up God by telling him what a great guy he is!

Oh, you’re so honest Jesus.
Oh, people love following you Jesus.
You’re such a great leader Jesus.
What a bunch of DUNG!

It’s all fake flattery, dripping with barbs to trap Jesus into saying something useful, self incriminating and heard by so many. It was an excellent trap that everyone of us has fallen prey to.

The ol’ speak ill of the government trap.

Who hasn’t stepped in this one? The wacky laws, the ridiculous misuse of power and oh, don’t get me started on how they are spending MY tax money! I would have fallen for it and failed.

All Jesus needed to say is, “I can’t stand that Caesar and his wicked, mindless, money-grubbing cronies around him.” “Taxes? I wouldn’t give him one shiny new denarius, he’s a hack!”

His comments would have been captured, then reported and bada-bing, no more Jesus. Oh, but God will not be trapped by human traps and schemes. God is still not trapped by human schemes. In fact, God uses our ill-intents and petty manipulations to bring about His will and purpose bringing the reality of the Kingdom of God here on earth!

Jesus doesn’t fall for it. He asks for a coin, looks at it and flips it back to its owner. Cool as a cucumber he asks the owner of the coin, with the crowd waiting to hear the SNAP of the SNARE, “who’s image (eikón), who’s imprint (epigraphó) is on that coin?” The trickster responded, “well, of course it’s Caesar.” Jesus said, “then obviously give him back his coin!” The crowd was stunned, the religious leaders… silenced. This story is famous for this question, “who’s image and imprint does the coin bear?” It’s famous, because we, humans, are the image bearers of God. ALL of us. No one can flip our souls from one side to the other and not clearly see that we are unique and hardly “self-created!” We bear the image and imprint of God stamped on us. No other creature, flora nor fauna carries that same image, because God breathed Himself into our souls. So Jesus words are stingingly accurate even today, “Give to God what is His!”

Prayer

Dad,
I now know that I was bought with a price and I am yours. I know and love the fact that I am more than just a friend of God, like “I know Him!” But, I am your son. I’ve been twice adopted. I am in the family of God and my life bears your image and imprint. I return what “belongs” to you everyday. I am so thankful to bear your name and be your son.

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Confidence without cockiness.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus was teaching and preaching IN the Temple. This is the pro league if religion were a sport (and to the religious leaders, it was). It was written elsewhere that Jesus spoke with authority and the common folk noticed and liked it. The religious leaders, comparatively, had the authority to speak, given by long-standing rights and privileges passed down to them and conveniently given the stamp of approval by their mentors.

The religious leaders, of which three power-groups are mentioned, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law and the elders approached Jesus. Sounds intimidating right? What were they asking? And why were they asking? There were systems and steps that one had to go through to gain the right to speak in the temple, or even a local synagogue for that matter. Those steps were incremental and had the guidance and blessing of a “master” Rabbi so to speak. That master Rabbi would have been well known and approved by others himself. Ray Vander Laan writes, “Jesus seems to be a type of rabbi believed to have s’mikhah or authority to make new interpretations. Most of the teachers were Torah teachers (teachers of the law) who could only teach accepted interpretations.”

I can almost see these powerbrokers of the temple getting together and trying to figure out who was Jesus’ master Rabbi. Was it Nicodemus? Was it Gamaliel? These religious leaders could not connect Jesus with any known Rabbi, yet he spoke with “authority.” Jesus not only quoted other Rabbi’s from time to time, he also did something extraordinarily rare, he interpreted the law and the prophets making application from the entire Old Testament passages. Who gave Jesus that authority? Who gave Jesus this right to interpret? God himself!

Jesus answered their own question with a brilliant question. He said, “Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” Ah, yes! There was another Rabbi who spoke with authority and interpreted scriptures as well – John the Baptist. Jesus knew how much religious leaders STILL couldn’t stand God’s spokespersons (Prophets). And Jesus knew how the locals, the “people” loved hearing the pure truth of God spoken with power.

This power group, approached Jesus to shut him down and ended up being scolded for not recognizing the Spirit of the one they were supposed to be working for! Jesus flat out told them, “I’m not telling you who gave me my credentials.” Most of them ended up referring to Jesus as Rabbi from that point on.

I understand that leaders can start out being protective, like a good shepherd should. Knowing who is speaking on behalf of and leading others in the ways of God. But when it twists and turns into controlling others, this is where it goes badly. Power and authority is to protect NOT to control!

Prayer

Dad,
Help us, as leaders, as “religious” Rabbi’s so to speak, always lean towards protecting and not controlling others. Help us to be servants, humble and meek, taking every opportunity to love and give and reflect the true nature of a shepherd to those who believe. Help those in positions of influence be careful to lead, only reflecting Jesus and not themselves. Help us gain back the trust we squandered in the past.

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Intended consequences.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.” Luke‬ ‭19:1-7‬ ‭NLT‬

Luke writes this story in the context of the oldest city in Israel. This was the city the 12 spies surveyed and 10 of them thought it impossible to conquer; whose walls collapsed straight down into the earth.

This was a wealthy city. There was a sizable Roman garrison stationed there, and high ranking officers chose this city to retire from their military career. Jericho also held the biggest retirement population of Jewish priests.

What was Jesus doing in Jericho? Luke tells us after this story. The gospel writers often leave breadcrumbs of truth woven into these stories. One of them is the idea that people want to SEE Jesus. They’ve heard the stories spread from city to city, but they want to see for themselves. The other one is that Jesus (God) sees individuals, not just massive crowds. Jesus was the kind of guy that you could talk to and it felt like no one else was in the room. His gaze, his attention piercingly focused on just you. When Luke says this man wanted to see Jesus, it was far more than a looky-loo curiosity. Zach was drawn to Jesus because although he had everything a man would want, he was empty inside. Not all wealthy people are empty by the way, but Zach was.

Luke also points out that Zach was height challenged, which is super frustrating in a crowd. Jesus stopped, looked up and called out Zach’s name. He’d either heard of Zach’s reputation, or his name was murmured in the crowd as people looked ahead, or – the Holy Spirit gave Jesus the name well ahead of time in one of Jesus’ morning meetings with his Father. Having God see you and call out your name is a powerful experience.

As a young believer, I was in my bedroom, busy with something, when out of nowhere I heard my name called out. I didn’t think anyone else was home, so I just ignored it and thought was just hearing things. Then I heard my name a second time, it was quiet and clear. Being so new in my walk with Jesus, I just answered, “Yes God.” The moment moved to a nonverbal conversation with the Holy Spirit. That memory still gives me chills.

Jesus invited himself to Zach’s house for dinner. Zach was thrilled! Then Luke notes, the “people” were displeased. We know who those people were – the religious leaders. They were upset because of Zach’s reputation and they thought no self-aware holy person would be soiled and sullied by eating with a man like this! Ah, but it was quite the opposite wasn’t it? Zach can’t stain the Savior with his sin, but the Savior can remove the sin in Zach.

The religious leaders could not possibly imagine that Zach was so eager to change he gave half his wealth to the poor. Where would that money go? To the temple treasury, in a restricted fund which the Pharisees oversaw! Luke then tells us why Jesus came to Jericho – “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” The lost was both the religious leaders and Zach.

Prayer

Dad,
Of course it was wrong for the religious leaders to judge this man for his reputation. I have often judged far worse. I have judged for how people are dressed, or how they talk or how they carry themselves. I only see what they have or don’t have, own or don’t own. I have judged both rich and poor. And in that judgment, I cannot see what you always see. You see people in their need. You see their heart. You call their name, inviting yourself to meet with them. I need to see people as you see them or I will miss these amazing moments where their hearts are turned towards you and real change happens in their life. I don’t want to miss that opportunity to see you at work.

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Cannot see but set on being seen.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Luke‬ ‭18:35-39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is so much packed into this story Luke brings, highlighting Jesus’ compassion, attention to details, human needs as well as elements of faith. What I like is the triple surprise effect. The beggar, the BLIND beggar obviously had his spot at the gate. We’ve all seen the similar and consistent characters on our own neighborhood street corners. Surprise! That day wasn’t going to be normal at all. All the other days are mundane if not miserable, but this one – oh no – everything changed. Days can be like that for us, right? God can and often does surprise us.

The blind beggar man had lost his sight, but hadn’t lost his ears or voice. He had instincts, street-smarts and knew when something unusual was happening. I’m guessing he could sense trouble or the thrill of a crowd. What a great situational awareness skill! The crowd heard him, yet didn’t really see him. And, even though they themselves were excitedly talking, possibly even shouting, they did not feel the beggar needed to distract the miracle working Rabbi. Maybe the crowd had their own needs and we’re pressing in around Jesus, similar to the mob with the woman and her medical issue. Yet, the blind beggar would be heard.

There is something refreshing when someone has gumption, the nerve, the determined drive to be heard. Luke writes, “when Jesus heard.” The crowd had been listening, but Jesus was not yet close enough. Luke says “he stopped.” He told some of the people, bring him to me. You can feel the tension of the medical-powerball-lotto ticket numbers being read.

Surprise. Then Jesus does this thing I’ve only seen in one other situation. He asks the man, “what do you want me to do for you?” Now, before we might say, “isn’t it obvious!” I have to remind myself that “obvious” is only what WE see, not what God sees. The man that was paralyzed, you know where his friends lower him through Peter’s mother-in-law’s roof. It was obvious to everyone that he NEEDED to walk again. But Jesus knew he needed forgiveness! The paralyzed man by the pool of Bethesda only wanted a push into the miracle-stirred water. Yet Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be well?”

The blind man now SEEN by Jesus had an immediate response – “I want to see.” And surprise, Jesus says, “receive your sight!” Two miracles just like that. Being seen by Jesus, then seeing God! The first person his eyes would see was the only one he would ever really need to see!

Prayer

Dad,
How do I get the blind beggar skills without having to be blind myself? This guy was super-enabled! His grit and determination. And, his faith! Wow. I have great eyesight, yet there are so many times I do NOT see. I don’t see the needs of other. I don’t see your hand of grace and mercy. I don’t see Jesus nearly enough living in the mundane days. The blind beggar teaches me so many lessons. Thank you for these stories. Thank you for the surprises throughout the day. I am humbled.

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The priest and the politician.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:” Luke‬ ‭18:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus told a lot of stories. And, they are eternally effective. No matter what character you may relate to, you’ll find the commonality of humanity in these stories. It would be a mistake to overly identify with one and not the other. At some point in our walk of faith, our journey, it is likely that we play BOTH roles, depending on the stages of our spiritual maturity. Hint, the more “mature” stages can be the most unaware.

Jesus aims his word crafting skills at those with great confidence in their own righteousness. The confident compare and contrast with these regimented, performance based behaviors – what I do. The humble also compare to things they’ve done in the past and recognize them as wrong. One character mentions (to God, btw) how they are nothing like those around him. The —cheaters, sinners, adulterers, and most certainly (glancing over at) the tax collector! It is said that the sins you recognize and rail against are likely your OWN sins and desires, mirrored back in another human being. Obviously, a lavished lifestyle based on taking financial advantage of others instead of earning it is frowned upon. If the stereotype fits…

Then for the Pharisee, the bonum officium, good duties, are mentioned only to mask what’s really in his heart – “I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’” The other character, also, not only prays, but his entire posture lends to contrition. He stands off, away from others. He doesn’t even “lift his eyes to heaven.” And as he reflects on his own sin and standing before a perfect God, he “beat his chest in sorrow.” Then he prays “‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’”

What’s tough here is that one dutifully fasts and prays, the other rips people off and that seems all wrong. Is God applauding bad behavior and criticizing well known spiritual practices? No, no no – Jesus is wanting his audience to compare and contrast, not to each other, but to God – actually himself.

Can we compare to Jesus in purity of heart and behavior? Both characters pale. Can performance of spiritual disciplines stink before God? Are the smells of sins of comparison and judging others EQUAL to the smell of sins of ill-gained wealth and usury? Aren’t both sins as seeing ourselves to be entitled and deserving of advantage? In the light of motivation isn’t cheating and adultery both sins of using people for our own pleasure? Can fasting and tithing for the purpose of recognition, and personal power over others be exactly the same? Jesus is just showing us two sides of the same coin.

Jesus did not, would not do anything for this self-motivated glory we so crave! Jesus did not play the pharisee nor the politician in this story. He played the role of God and demanded his audience compare to that perfection. What about our characters, what happened to each? One of them “returned home justified before God.” The other went home, sadly unchanged, and worse off, further from God than ever. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Prayer

Dad,
When I compare to others, I may seem better than or worse, depending on my lens (wealth, spirituality, confidence, social standing). But when I compare myself in my thoughts and behaviors to you… well that’s just embarrassing! I must stop seeing others as less or more than me! We are ALL broken. We ALL fall short. We all fail at righteousness on our own. In this comparison game, I must remember not only who I WAS, but who I AM – a sinner saved by grace.