Another look at Luke: What's unique?

[paradox3]

After the visit of the wise men, Mary doesn't seem to have any particular reaction to them or their gifts. If she does, Matthew doesn't mention it.

In Luke's gospel, she treasures up the words of the shepherds and ponders them in her heart.

 

[paradox3]

Luke 2: 41 - 52 Jesus in the Temple

When Jesus is 12 years old, he goes with his parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

As the family is leaving for home, Jesus remains behind in Jerusalem. They suppose he is in their group of travelers and look for him after one day's journey. When they do not find him, they return to Jerusalem.

After 3 days, they find him in the temple courts, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. The teachers are astonished at his understanding.

His parents are overwhelmed and chastise him for worrying them. He replies, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Mary and Joseph do not understand this comment.

They return to Nazareth, and Jesus is obedient to them. Mary keeps all these things in her heart.

Jesus continues to develop and he grows in favor with God and with people.

For reflection:

“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2: 49 NKJV)

AND

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2: 52 NKJV)

 

[paradox3]

This story has always been one of my favorites, and it contains two verses which I must have committed to memory years ago. I like them so much I have selected both of them for reflection.

Luke gives us the only childhood story about Jesus in the gospels. Comparing Luke's birth narrative to Matthew's, Mendalla said earlier:

I think the whole thing feels a bit more "real", too.

This account of Jesus at 12 years of age makes him seem even more "real" to me.

 

[paradox3]

This is a great little story about someone wise beyond His years. Have you ever met anyone like this? How were you affected?

This is a story about a young man answering a call from God. Have you ever felt called by God?

This is a story about family dynamics. Does it bring you a sense of relief to know that even the Holy Family had its dynamics?

This is another story about Mary, holding things in her heart. What do you hold close in your heart?

 

[Redbaron]

They always told us in Sunday school that Jesus was perfect, never sinned. All I can say is if I had been in Jesus' shoes, and my parents in Mary's and Joseph's stead, that perfect record would have been considered besmirched then and there. I always wondered about this when I was la lad... Why does Jesus get a free pass on this, when in most families the kid would have been in BIG trouble?

 

[paradox3]

Bit of a brat, wasn't he?

Some people think Mary and Joseph were irresponsible in not checking for Jesus earlier.

It is interesting that Jesus was obedient to his parents when they returned to Nazareth.

 

[paradox3]

Luke 3: 10 - 14 John answers questions

John the Baptist is speaking to the crowds who come out to be baptized by him. "What should we do?" the people ask.

John replies that those with two tunics must share with the person who has none. The person who has food must do likewise.

The tax collectors ask what they should do. He tells them, "Collect no more than you are required to."

Some soldiers ask the same question. John tells them, "Take money from no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your pay."

For reflection:

The person who has two tunics must share with the person who has none. (Luke 3: 11 NET)

 

[paradox3]

Unique to Luke's gospel, John the Baptist provides ethical teaching to the people. Arguably, he does not outline a complete frame of reference for ethical living. But imagine if everyone in the world followed these teachings:

• Share with the needy.
• Do your job honestly and without extortion.
• Be content with your earnings.

We would have a completely different world, would we not?

 

[paradox3]

Luke 3: 23 - 38 The Genealogy of Jesus

Luke outlines the ancestry of Jesus back to Adam.
We can contrast to this to the genealogy provided in Matthew's gospel. It gives us the descendants of Abraham down the line to Jesus.

 

[paradox3]

By the end of Luke 3, the gospel writer has given us a considerable amount of background information on both John and Jesus.

The chapter concludes with the baptism of Jesus. Luke does not actually say that Jesus was baptized by John but it is probably implied. As in Matthew and Mark, the Spirit descends like a dove and God's voice is heard.

 

[Redbaron]

Interesting that Luke mentions John's arrest before describing the baptism of Jesus. Is this significant? Is it a sign of a growing dispute or split between the disciples of John and the disciples of Jesus? I wonder how, if any writings from John's disciples had survived, they would have described Jesus' baptism.

 

[paradox3]

Luke 4: 14 - 30 Rejection at Nazareth

Jesus comes to Nazareth and enters the synagogue on the Sabbath Day, as is his custom. He stands up, takes the scroll and begins to read from the prophet Isaiah.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and the regaining of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (v.18-19)

Today, he tells the assembly, this scripture has been fulfilled in your presence. All are amazed at his gracious speech, and ask, "Isn't this Joseph's son?"

Jesus predicts that they will quote the proverb, "Physician, heal thyself" and notes that no prophet is acceptable in his own hometown. He tells them that in the days of Elijah, there were many widows in Israel but Elijah was sent to a widow in Sidon. There were many lepers in Israel at the time of Elisha, yet none was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.

The people react with outrage and force Jesus out of town to the edge of a cliff. They intend to push him over the cliff but he passes through the crowds and goes on his way.

For reflection:

All were speaking well of him, and were amazed at the gracious words coming out of his mouth. (Luke 4: 22 NET)

 

[paradox3]

Here is a crowd which quickly turns on Jesus, desiring to get rid of him by pushing him over the edge of a cliff. He makes his way through the crowd in an unknown manner, leading some to conclude that this is a miraculous event. Does anyone think this story could foreshadow Holy Week?

Mark 6 and Matthew 13 parallel each other with another story about Jesus being rejected at Nazareth.

Luke moves the incident to the beginning of Jesus' ministry, setting it right after his baptism and the temptations in the wilderness. Unique to Luke is the fulfillment of the prophet of Isaiah. Luke also adds the details about the widow in Sidon, the leper in Syria, and Jesus passing through the crowd.

The gospel writer is building a remarkable narrative. We have already seen continuity with the Hebrew scriptures and a miraculous conception. The Holy Spirit has descended on Jesus, and we have heard God's approving voice. Now Jesus himself claims to be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah.

The groundwork has been set for the story which follows.

 

[paradox3]

Luke 5: 1 - 11 A Miraculous Catch of Fish

Jesus is preaching at the side of the lake, when he spots two empty boats. The fishermen are nearby washing their nets. Jesus gets into Simon's boat and asks him to go out onto the water. Jesus begins teaching from the boat.

Next he addresses the fishermen, "Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon agrees although they have worked all night and caught nothing. When they lower the nets, they catch so many fish the nets start to tear. Both boats are so filled with fish they begin to sink. Simon is afraid and falls at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

Jesus says, "Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching people." When the boats are brought to shore, Simon, James and John leave everything and follow him.

For reflection:

Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch. (Luke 5: 4 NET)

 

[paradox3]

Luke combines the calling of the first disciples with a miraculous catch of fish.

This story is often taken metaphorically but I suspect the gospel writer means it as a miracle story.
Luke continues to add layers to the character of Jesus.

 

[Mendalla]

Sorry I've been scarce. Life's been a bit busy and I had a new distraction (a cool new category on a writing site that I just had to write something for). I am debating whether to just pick up here or circle back with my comments on the items from Luke 3 and 4.

I think the miracle catch is multipurpose. It's certainly a miracle story, showing Jesus' power over nature. However, it also, as Jesus clearly explains, has the symbolism of them moving from catching fish to catching people (presumably not using nets ).

The response to Simon's line, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man" is interesting. Jesus doesn't contradict his identification as "sinful" but just tells him to not be afraid and then calls him. Recognition that being "sinful" is the human condition and not a barrier to discipleship? Or a tacit way of suggesting Simon isn't as "sinful" as he thinks.

 

[Mendalla]

Skipping back to Luke 4:

Luke's expansion on the rejection by the people of Nazareth is interesting. He fleshes out what Jesus actually said in the temple, talking about himself as fulfillment of Isaiah as well as the stories about Elisha and Elijah, so clearly relating himself to the prophets (so is he a prophet?). But he also makes the rejection more dramatic. Mark and Matthew just tell us that they took offense at his teaching and "he could do no deed of power there". In Luke, they literally run him out of town and almost toss him off a cliff, leading to the seemingly miraculous escape (though I'm picturing one of those movie scenes where the crowd is so stupid and blind with rage that he just manages it with a sneaky move or three). It really seems to ramp up the drama and paint the people of Nazareth in an even more negative light. A foreshadowing of the crowds turning on Jesus later? A literary device to really drive home his line about a prophet not being without honour save in his own home?

 

[paradox3]

Luke paints a nice contrast between the townspeople in Nazareth and the fishermen who so quickly make the decision to follow Jesus.

 

[Mendalla]

He does, indeed. Had not thought of that.

 

[paradox3]

The response to Simon's line, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man" is interesting. Jesus doesn't contradict his identification as "sinful" but just tells him to not be afraid and then calls him. Recognition that being "sinful" is the human condition and not a barrier to discipleship?

This is my reading of the text. I find it interesting that in Luke's narrative, Jesus has not yet called anyone to repentance.