Dei Time NT

Who Do You Think Jesus Is?

Luke 9:7 – 20

Next Luke tells us is that Herod Antipater was trying to see Jesus, but the Lord did not go to the ruler. Herod's interest was not based in his need for a savior, but in his superstitious fear that this popular teacher and relative of John, whom Herod had beheaded, might be able to cast a curse upon him.

When the apostles returned from their missions, Jesus tried to withdraw with them for a time of peace and teaching, but the crowds found them. Jesus' compassion would not allow Him to send them on their way, so He took the time to speak to them. This pause led to the need to feed the vast crowd

Luke then records the story of feeding 5,000 men (let alone the women and children present). Again, we read of the many healings that Jesus' granted the masses that followed after Him. Some critics claim that the miracle of the dinner was that so many could be happy with so little, but this hardly explains the twelve baskets of leftovers picked up after the meal.

Though Jesus had told the three apostles present (Peter, James, and John) at the Transfiguration not to tell anyone, Luke wrote over 25 years after Jesus' resurrection, when these events were shared as signs of Jesus' special nature as God and Man. Luke, the Greek-minded physician and intellectual, did not doubt the supernatural events in Jesus' ministry. Any questions that he may have had were satisfactorily answered by his interviews with eyewitnesses of the events.

In verse 18 Jesus asks His apostles who the crowds claim Him to be. Numerous answers ring out and then Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?" It became very silent for a moment or two. You can imagine how you would feel—what if I say He is the Son of God, and He just laughs at me. After all, it seems so impossible. Peter, always the bold one, overcame the silence and blurted out, "The Christ of God." (vs.20)

Both Matthew and Mark also record this event, but the question that I have already posed two times bears repeating. Who do you say that Jesus is? It is the most important question that you will ever confront. What is your answer?

The Dead Live Again

Luke 8:49—9:6

As Jesus was completing His dialogue with the woman, a messenger from Jairus' home arrived with the news that the synagogue leader's daughter was dead. There was no hope anymore. Jesus, however, reassured Jairus and encouraged him not to lose faith. Then they hurried to his home.

After Jesus arrives His statement that the girl is just sleeping is greeted with derision. Apparently not all of Jairus' Jewish family and servants were as impressed with Jesus as was their master. Luke, the physician, clearly says that the girl really was dead. Although he was not present, he most likely interviewed Peter, John, and probably the girl's parents, or perhaps the girl herself. They convinced him of this fact.

After resurrecting the girl back to perfect health (vs.55), Jesus tells the parents not to spread the word. This healing was another mark of Jesus' compassion. He did not want the publicity that this resurrection would generate to interfere with the work yet to do; or to mislead the people into believing Him a magician; or to give the religious leaders more ammunition with which to charge Him with blasphemy (in this case, claiming to be God).

Chapter 9 begins with an assignment that must have excited the apostles. Can you imagine their thoughts as they set out to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons? Was the day one of complete anticipation of success; was it one of fear of failure; or both?

These men had not yet experienced Good Friday or Easter. They knew only that their Master was like no one they had ever seen. They believed He was the Messiah, but didn't really understand what that meant. At this point they probably believed that He would lead a revolt against Rome and one day rule Israel. As they set out they probably anticipated defeating evil throughout the countryside and telling people about Jesus.

In a note of less cheer, Jesus warned them that not all people would listen to them or believe. He said not to waste time with these, but move on to find others who were eager for the good news.

A Woman Hopes

Luke 8:34-48

After the "Legion" demons were driven out of the man of the Gerasenes (vs.33), people were intrigued, but they were also afraid and asked Jesus to leave. What better witness to the fact that Jesus was not one of the typical "magicians" that traveled the land; nor was He anything like the hundreds of false messiahs of the time each claiming to be the one sent by God. Jesus was unique and His power undeniable and real. Meanwhile, the man freed of the demons was instructed by Jesus to go and tell the people what God had done.

On His way to Jairus' home to see the synagogue leader's sick daughter, Jesus was approached by a woman with a chronic bleeding problem. Today, she would receive sympathy from her friends and help from her doctors, but not in Jesus' time. According to Jewish law the woman in verses 43-48 was always ceremonially unclean and anyone touching her would also become ceremonially unclean.

At the edge of the busy crowd and dusty road she stood, afraid to approach Jesus, but still sure that if she could even touch this Man's clothing, she would be well. Of course, Jesus knew who she was and where she was, but would not let her leave thinking that He would not concern Himself with her. His question/command (vs.45) forced her out of the shadows of the crowd so that He could assure her of His love and forgiveness.

In verse 48 Jesus says to the woman, "Your faith has healed you." We have to be very careful not to take a single verse, such as this one, and make it a law for all Christians. Some Christians have claimed that if you have enough faith you will be healed of anything. That is called "proof texting" God's word. That is, finding a verse that supports your opinion instead of reading the whole in order to see God's message. In this case, how could you demand that strong faith always heals without explaining why St. Paul asked God to heal him of an annoying physical ailment three times, but was never healed? Don't box God by proof texting your own desires.

I believe that in this case Jesus may have meant this: The woman had exercised her God-given faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and followed the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, by her willingness to place herself in a crowd which could reject her violently if they chose, in order to just touch Jesus' clothing in the hope of healing. It was God who healed her condition out of compassion for her situation. Am I right? I don't know, but I do know that many Christians who are strong in their faith in God do continue to suffer in various ways, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. What do you think about this passage?

Storms and Swine

Luke 8:22-33

We might ask why the apostles were afraid; they who had already seen miracles performed by Jesus. On the other hand, they knew to Whom to go for help. We also become afraid in the storms of life: divorce, illness, social concerns, death, financial trouble, confused relationships, etc. In our fear do we turn first to Jesus for assurance and peace? Don't most of us turn to God as a last resort, after we have exhausted all other avenues? The disciples in the boat were indeed afraid that they were about to die, but they chose to run to Jesus for help.

Jesus said to the fishermen, "Where is your faith?" That question may be confusing because we all know from Ephesians 2:8-9 that faith is not generated by us, but by God. Jesus, however, several times indicates wonderment at the lack of faith in His followers. Faith is like muscle in that if it is not exercised, it grows weaker. There is one advantage to the frustrations and difficulties that we face each day—as we find ourselves unable to find the answers alone, we are forced to turn to God; to exercise and strengthen the faith which He has given us.

When the apostles see Jesus calm the storm, their faith is both challenged and strengthened as they comment to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?" (vs.25)

Verses 26 through 49 describe the man of the Gerasenes who was tormented by many demons who verbally described themselves to Jesus and His companions as "Legion". In verse 28 they identify Jesus as the "Son of the Most High God." Then they beg the Son of God to not torment them but to send them into a herd of pigs. We need not sympathize with the herdsmen—if they were being faithful to their Jewish heritage they would not have owned and sold pigs, long identified as "unclean" and unfit for Jewish consumption.

The point of the swine story is simple for us today. Even demons were forced to obey Jesus. God's power overwhelms evil and demons. They will, at the proper time, be driven from the face of the earth and into an eternal abyss. Movies that stress the impotence of God and His agents against the power of the devil are presenting the story backward. It isn't man that can overcome demons; it isn't demons that can overcome God or His plan; it is God who is in control of the outcome of the spiritual battle around us.

 

 

How is Your Light Doing?

Luke 8:16-21

Have you hidden your light lately? In our culture it is becoming more and more difficult to resist the temptation to hide the light of Christ that glows within us. Who wants to confront the silence that can quickly overtake a lunch with friends if you say, 'Well, things are pretty bad in the economy these days, but I don't lose sleep over it—I know that God has a plan." That's a pretty innocent statement but, believe it or not, it can cause an uncomfortable moment or two. We live in a time when telling a coworker, while in the office, that "Man, I'll be praying for you", can potentially bring a complaint from someone who hears---and to actually pray with a friend while in the workplace? Don't even think about it.

However, God doesn't give us the option of remaining silent or invisible as Christians. When we are tempted to bite our tongues, or resist wearing that Christian sweatshirt in public, because we don't want people to look at us like we're strange or unworthy, we need to reflect on Jesus hanging on the cross. That's the death He was willing to suffer so that we would have a light to shine.

Verse 18 refers to the people of Jesus' time and our own who hear the gospel of salvation. "Be careful how you listen…" because to believe Christ's words and work will lead to a deeper commitment and a deeper faith. To listen poorly—to reject the truth—will eventually erode what we do hear until it is gone forever.

Verses 19-21 have puzzled experts for centuries. Was Jesus rejecting his mother and brothers? Since the verses do not tell us the end of the story, we don't need to assume that Jesus ignored His mother's request to see Him. He may just have taken a moment to use this event to teach those around Him that the relationship with God is stronger than even the one with our immediate families. This is not a bad thing because God makes it clear time after time that our family relationships are very important to Him, and it is His desire that we remain in a close and loving relationship with one another. He is the one who is our closest helper in this goal.

Which Seedling Are You?

Luke 8:1 - 15

In verses 1 through 3 Luke tells us about some of the women who encountered and supported Jesus. He does this more than any other gospel writer. These verses are an example of his willingness to include all people in his account of Jesus' life. In the Jewish world of the time, women held no legal status except that which God had commanded. God had declared, for instance, that daughters be able to inherit along with sons (Numbers 27:3-8). In their homes women were empowered to take care of the family and direct servants. Only a few women were able to own their own business. Gatherings described by Jewish writers were always counted by the number of men, disregarding, for instance, the additional hundreds or thousands of women and children who were miraculously fed by Jesus on two different occasions.

Luke included more about women because he is the only Greek writer of the Bible. In his culture women held a higher position. In God's plan they held an equal position to that of men.

We know almost nothing about the women who supported Jesus and the apostles, but that is not unusual. Jesus was the writers' primary topic; nothing else was as important. Like the women, most men mentioned remain unknown except for the moments in which they encountered Jesus. We do know, however, that the followers of Jesus came from all walks of life, even from the inner court of Herod Antipas who had executed John the Baptist.

Verses The next section of the chapter concerns Jesus' parable of the sower. In His explanation of the parable, it becomes clear that new—and old—believers need fellowship, practice, and guidance in our journey of faith.

We have all seen examples of the parable's failed seedlings. These are the frequent and tragic consequences for new and old believers when left alone to face Satan's attacks. Nothing is as dangerous to Satan's plans as faith, and he will fight it with every resource and lie available to him. In verse 15 Jesus declares the importance of persevering—of not letting our faith remain unused, untried, or unshared. If you are among the struggling seedlings, the Holy Spirit is pulling you back—He never gives up on us. His love never stops.

Is There Sin?

Luke 7:30-50

Luke says that those who understood John's baptism of repentance believed Jesus' words, but those who did not accept John also rejected Jesus' words.

Jesus then compares the religious establishment to children who become angry when others do not readily agree with them. Jesus and John seemed to reject them, in their opinion, even though they had offered them the religious laws and beliefs of the time. On the other hand, no matter what Jesus and John had done in their own ministries, the religious leaders could find fault.

Jesus then visits the home of a Pharisee named Simon, where a woman comes in and cries while anointing Jesus with perfume—apparently an action of great honor to the recipient. The Pharisee, Simon, considers this a breach of behavior on the part of Jesus and thinks that the Teacher should have rejected her actions.

Knowing what Simon was thinking, Jesus chides him, and at the same time tells us why the woman was crying. This becomes clear when Jesus finishes His parable by asking Simon who of the two in the parable would be more grateful. Though Simon answered correctly, he probably still did not understand that the woman's tears were probably tears of joy at meeting her Messiah.

The first lines of this story do not tell us Simon's reason for inviting Jesus to dine, but Jesus' continuing words tell us that Simon was not a follower of Jesus. Simon had neglected to give Jesus the honors that were to be shown to any visitor in your home in those days.

Jesus then courageously announces His mission and His person in front of many by forgiving the woman's sin. Even the Pharisees and Sadducees acknowledged that only God could forgive sin.

The world in which we live seems to have an unsolvable dilemma when it comes to sin. While it genuinely hates and pursues evil, which comes in the form of murder, terrorism, genocide, and other atrocities, our culture at the same time seems to reject the concept of sin. We live in a world that prosecutes evil, yet believes that there is no sin or absolute truth. There can be no sin if there is no truth by which to judge character and events. (One could even question how there can be evil if there is no truth by which to recognize it?) However, since God has been rejected by the "intelligent" of our culture, I guess it is good that there is no sin. Who would there be to forgive it?

Jesus Answers John

Luke 7:18 – 29

John the Baptizer's disciples were following along with Jesus, witnessing the miracles and His teaching. After collecting their observations, they went to John, who was imprisoned because of his criticism of Herod Antipas and his wife, Herodias.

John sends a question back to Jesus by way of his disciples, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" (NIV) Why he asked this question has been a point of argument for centuries. Some say that John would never doubt, and sent the question as an assurance for his followers; others that John needed reassurance himself. Since the apostles all doubted at some time in their lives—especially at Jesus' crucifixion, I don't think that it is unkind to think that while sitting in a dungeon awaiting his fate John would wonder if he could have been wrong. Jesus' reply to his question is wonderful for all of us to hear because by it Jesus reassures John that, Yes—the Messiah has come.

Verse 21 repeats the truth that is mentioned numerous times in the gospels. Jesus did not just heal a few people. Some think that the only miracles happening in Jesus' ministry were those explicitly described. In reality there were hundreds of people healed of diseases, sicknesses, evil spirits, and blindness.

After John's disciples depart, Jesus turns to the crowd and tells them about John, affirming that John was the one foretold by the prophets who would prepare the way for the Messiah.

Then Jesus throws us a curve, saying that the least in the kingdom of God was greater than John. Most believe that what Jesus meant was that John would not live to see this side of the Cross. We are more blessed than John because we have the Cross as our witness to the truth that John preached. Though they were saved, like us, by grace through faith, John and all believers before him did not have the blessing of knowing exactly how God would accomplish that salvation.

A Soldier’s faith and Jesus’ Compassion

Luke 7:1 – 17

This centurion of the Roman army doesn't fit the usual picture of these officers. Generally They are depicted as cruel tyrants lording it over the conquered peoples of the Empire.

This Roman officer was different. He had built the local synagogue with his own money, and the Jews tell Jesus, "He loves our nation." It was truly rare for the Jewish leaders to praise any Gentile in such a way. Was this centurion a believer? It surely wouldn't be improbable to speculate that his respect for Jesus and the healing of his slave led to his becoming a Christian at some time in his life.

A few days later, Jesus went to Nain, a small town about 25 miles from Jesus' home in Capernaum, Galilee. There He comes upon a funeral procession. The deceased man's mother was a "widow", which tells us all we need to know about her situation. As a widow, her son had been her financial supporter, as well as her much loved relation. Without him she would become destitute in two ways. Raising the son demonstrated to the people that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, but there is something else in the story that is important.

Luke says that Jesus "felt compassion" for the widow. The gospel writers often tell us that Jesus felt compassion. He was the Lord of the universe, able to work truly supernatural miracles, knew of His coming death on a cross, but yet had compassion for the very people whose sin made His death necessary.

How about us? Do we show compassion, or anger, or hatred? Do we show compassion for our enemies; for other sinners; for those who need our help; for politicians with whom we disagree?

Jesus showed us how to stand strong in our beliefs without resorting to hatred. He showed us how to state the truth in love; how to be hard, or even angry, and at the same time feel and show compassion.

Today the resentment against Christians is growing. We are beginning to suffer non-violent persecution in America, and Christians in some countries die for their faith. We have to stand up to evil; we must stand firm in our faith and the proclamation of our faith—yet avoid the "us versus them" mentality of selfish anger and hate.

How can we do that? Get to know Jesus and His "methods" by knowing the Gospels. Begin to understand that Jesus was tougher on those who thought they were religious than He was on "sinners". Pray that the Holy Spirit will keep us standing strong and tall—and compassionate.

Hiatus

Sorry to have been off for so long, but needed a hiatus, sabbatical, time-off, vacation, etc., but now Dei TIme NT is retuning. Regular posts will begin next Monday, October 26th. It's good to be back!