Advent Luke 15-18
Jesus was about 30 when He began His short ministry. He chooses the 12 in Chapter 6 so I’m guessing these chapters, from ‘The Lost Coin’ to the ‘Blind Man at Jericho’, to be about 2/3 through His ministry. Does Jesus feel His time winding down or does it read like a crescendo? I’m just making a few mentions on the topics vs a real Bible study but topics are good for meditation. Here are some summary thoughts.
There are lost sheep, lost coins, and lost people in this dialogue. The prodigal could be a son or daughter but describes lostness of direction and purpose usually caused by ignoring God and elevating self and sin. A prodigal is characterized, not just by lostness but, by profuse or wasteful expenditure and lavishness, recklessly spending, and over indulgence. When Michael Jackson (what a mess) was still alive, there was a story-clip of him shopping in Las Vegas. He stood back from art and vases so elegant and just pointed at about twelve that he wanted. He didn’t need to look at the price (value) or even touch them, as most of us would to pick the one favorite. It was the most disgusting wastefulness I had ever seen. I compared it to when my daughter showed me two different knitted caps to choose from. I am still embarrassed that I like them both the same so, when I later opened the gift, she had gotten both. Talk about a Mom-fail. And I did something like that last year when shopping for her birthday. I shopped too. That is a fun thing for us but I knew it was wrong. Every time I wear the black denim jacket she liked but was too big for her, I remember that selfishness is a challenge. Maybe that is why, sometimes, the poor hate the rich, because they don’t have to weight the prices?
The next account in these chapters is the return of said prodigal and it is glorious. The love of the Father shows us God’s love for us. What I have learned from the prodigal’s return is that the father does not pursue or go after the son but is elated by his own decision to return to God (or his father in the account). Do not beat yourself up, Christian, that not all will be saved. Show up – speak up. Following this is the unrighteousness steward. This teaches that there is right and wrong. We have choices. God and mammon follows reminding us that every good gift comes from above. God cares how we invest our time and money.
We are a self-righteous people. It is written about Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders who had lost their way, but it is in the Bible because it’s a real challenge for all of us. It is a real challenge for current religious leaders. Those who follow Jesus will find forgiveness – the others will not. Divorce is a topic I don’t wish to write about other than to say that God has provided for me and my children in every way. The rich man and Lazarus #2 (not Jesus friend who He raised from the dead) confuse me. Let me offer how I approach the things I don’t ‘get’. No fuss here. I continue to study and enjoy the comfort of God’s word. Yes there are stumbling blocks in scripture. I’ll list mine if you’ll list yours?
FORGIVENESS – may explain the entire gospel. This would be a big editorial if I was trying to detail Jesus’s teachings. Faith is the next topic and I wonder if it is so to deliberately demonstrate the outcome of asking for forgiveness when we ask Jesus into our hearts. We receive faith – we don’t always have faith. Jesus’ ministry would be incomplete without discussing lepers – the outcasts of society for medical reasons. Do we exclude the infirm in our circle of friends?
…The announcement and invitation to…drumroll…the COMING OF THE KINGDOM…is the final teaching on the fulfillment of prophecy concerning God reconciling mankind to himself. Then a telling of a widows case and the Pharisee and Publican. Ending Chapter 18, should be easy for me but it is not. Jesus receives the little children. What a beautiful picture in scripture of love and acceptance. I once experienced a school leader ban my child from a well-deserved position because I preferred to teach grade four over chemistry. I said no and this horrible man (disguised as a church leader) took it out on my child. God gives favor, not church leaders. For shame. I lost that teaching position because I did the right thing. Woe to you who compromise better values to keep the favor of men. I trust God – most of the time. Maybe I should circle back to the forgiveness section? The Passion is foretold, the peril of riches, and the blind man of Jericho. Wow – this is a lot! More snow pictures…
