Finishing up Luke!
Confession time: I didn't post last week on Chapters 16-20 because I ran out of time. So I want to apologize and I hope you will forgive me. I also hope that reading through Luke has been a blessing to you, as it has to me. So, without further ado, here are my thoughts on Luke 21-25.
A Poor Widow's Offering and the Temple's Fate Luke 21:1-28
We often hear about the widows offering in stewardship sermons, but there is another side to this other than her incredible generosity. A woman gives to the temple but yet there is more going on here than at first glance. This is where our chapter and verse systems actually hamper our understanding. In the previous chapter, during the same conversation, Jesus talks about legal experts who cheat widows out of their homes and then we have the story about a widow giving everything to the temple. Part of the point is that the whole system is flawed and rather than drawing people to God it is being used to exploit others.
Then Jesus begins talking about the destruction of the temple and many have taken this section to be about the 'end times.' Jesus is probably referring to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 AD. The Jewish people were expecting their Messiah to be a warrior who would drive out Rome. But Jesus refuses to turn to violence and proliferate the same violent system that had already been in place. He could have killed all the Romans but the truth is that Jesus wants to save the Romans too. Jesus wins the victory but in a totally different way! By taking the violence of the world on himself. The Jews, however, would go on to try and overthrow the Romans. Jerusalem and the temple would pay the price.
Chapter 22: Jesus last days before his death
So Jesus is getting ready for what he must do, as the powers of the day plot to kill Jesus rather than witnessing to the power of God in their midst. It is interesting that God chooses Passover, the holiday connected with the liberation of the Hebrews from Egypt as the setting for the final confrontation. Make no mistake, this is not an accident. Jesus, through his death and resurrection, is leading all of humanity on an exodus from slavery to sin and death! Sadly, in the midst of this great achievement, the disciples are debating who will be the greatest among them. We see the same struggles today. Jesus tells them that to be great is to serve, that yes they too will receive rewards but it won't be until much later.
Chapter 23: The Trial before Pilate, Herod, and Jesus' Death on the Cross
Jesus is tried before the powers of the day. Pilate representing the Roman Empire and Herod representing the Jewish civil authority. It is an important part of the story that the crowds shout "Crucify him!" Not only were the powers of the day involved, each of us are complicit, we would rather have a Barabbas, a violent revolutionary, than Jesus' way of peace. Jesus is beaten, tortured, mocked and humiliated. And yet while on the cross he has mercy for one of the two thieves. An innocent man dies on the cross and it looks like all is lost. The movement is over.
Jesus is dead and buried on the 6th day so that he can rest in the grave on the 7th day. (Spoiler: yes this is pointing back to creation).
Chapter 24: He's Back!
Several interesting stories in this chapter about Jesus' resurrection. First, it is the women who are the first to share the good news that Jesus is resurrected from the dead! They still don't know what is going on, but you can sense that they are beginning to realize this story is bigger than they thought.
On the Road to Emmaus, Jesus appears to disciples that we know nothing about: Cleopas and his friend. They are disciples, they have heard about the empty tomb but they are still leaving! Jesus explains what is going on (they still don't recognize him) and starting to get excited they urge him to stay. He essentially consecrates the meal like it is communion, and their eyes are opened...then he disappears! "Weren't our hearts on fire...(or perhaps strangely warmed?)" They return to Jerusalem and tell the disciples what happened and Jesus appears to them!
It's funny because Jesus reminds them that he told them this would happen (many times he told them). With the resurrection, everything Jesus did was vindicated and he ushers in new creation on the first day of the week. Then we are told he ascends to heaven while they await the gift that was promised (The Holy Spirit).
If you loved this book, don't worry, there is a sequel: The Acts of the Apostles!
A Poor Widow's Offering and the Temple's Fate Luke 21:1-28
We often hear about the widows offering in stewardship sermons, but there is another side to this other than her incredible generosity. A woman gives to the temple but yet there is more going on here than at first glance. This is where our chapter and verse systems actually hamper our understanding. In the previous chapter, during the same conversation, Jesus talks about legal experts who cheat widows out of their homes and then we have the story about a widow giving everything to the temple. Part of the point is that the whole system is flawed and rather than drawing people to God it is being used to exploit others.
Then Jesus begins talking about the destruction of the temple and many have taken this section to be about the 'end times.' Jesus is probably referring to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 AD. The Jewish people were expecting their Messiah to be a warrior who would drive out Rome. But Jesus refuses to turn to violence and proliferate the same violent system that had already been in place. He could have killed all the Romans but the truth is that Jesus wants to save the Romans too. Jesus wins the victory but in a totally different way! By taking the violence of the world on himself. The Jews, however, would go on to try and overthrow the Romans. Jerusalem and the temple would pay the price.
Chapter 22: Jesus last days before his death
So Jesus is getting ready for what he must do, as the powers of the day plot to kill Jesus rather than witnessing to the power of God in their midst. It is interesting that God chooses Passover, the holiday connected with the liberation of the Hebrews from Egypt as the setting for the final confrontation. Make no mistake, this is not an accident. Jesus, through his death and resurrection, is leading all of humanity on an exodus from slavery to sin and death! Sadly, in the midst of this great achievement, the disciples are debating who will be the greatest among them. We see the same struggles today. Jesus tells them that to be great is to serve, that yes they too will receive rewards but it won't be until much later.
Chapter 23: The Trial before Pilate, Herod, and Jesus' Death on the Cross
Jesus is tried before the powers of the day. Pilate representing the Roman Empire and Herod representing the Jewish civil authority. It is an important part of the story that the crowds shout "Crucify him!" Not only were the powers of the day involved, each of us are complicit, we would rather have a Barabbas, a violent revolutionary, than Jesus' way of peace. Jesus is beaten, tortured, mocked and humiliated. And yet while on the cross he has mercy for one of the two thieves. An innocent man dies on the cross and it looks like all is lost. The movement is over.
Jesus is dead and buried on the 6th day so that he can rest in the grave on the 7th day. (Spoiler: yes this is pointing back to creation).
Chapter 24: He's Back!
Several interesting stories in this chapter about Jesus' resurrection. First, it is the women who are the first to share the good news that Jesus is resurrected from the dead! They still don't know what is going on, but you can sense that they are beginning to realize this story is bigger than they thought.
On the Road to Emmaus, Jesus appears to disciples that we know nothing about: Cleopas and his friend. They are disciples, they have heard about the empty tomb but they are still leaving! Jesus explains what is going on (they still don't recognize him) and starting to get excited they urge him to stay. He essentially consecrates the meal like it is communion, and their eyes are opened...then he disappears! "Weren't our hearts on fire...(or perhaps strangely warmed?)" They return to Jerusalem and tell the disciples what happened and Jesus appears to them!
It's funny because Jesus reminds them that he told them this would happen (many times he told them). With the resurrection, everything Jesus did was vindicated and he ushers in new creation on the first day of the week. Then we are told he ascends to heaven while they await the gift that was promised (The Holy Spirit).
If you loved this book, don't worry, there is a sequel: The Acts of the Apostles!
Comments
Post a Comment