Reading LUKE - January 14-20 - Week 2 of 11

Luke 3 - 4:13
"Adam, John, Jesus" (see link to Dr. Mark Abbott's commentary on the right)

As I mentioned in last week's introductory post, I'm going to follow two themes through the text of Luke and Acts.  Here's what I'm highlighting for this week's reading, organized by the two themes:

Lukan Theme A:

An orderly account of a world-changing movement for world citizens…
emphasizing the person at the center (Jesus) and the power behind it all (Holy Spirit)

3:1 “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius…”

Luke is again speaking to the secular world to connect this story of John & Jesus to their experience of the world, naming names of the emperor, governor, and regional leaders.  In your view, how is the message of Jesus connected with world/political events?  How might relating our Christian faith to current events be a part of a witness to Jesus?

3:23 “Jesus was about 30 years old…”

Luke is the gospel writer who provides us with Jesus’ age.  Why do you think this would be an important detail?

3:16 “…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Holy Spirit sighting! Here’s where it’s helpful to know that Luke and Acts are two connected volumes. Connect this prophecy with the account of its fulfillment in Acts 2:1-4.

3:20 “Herod…shut up John in prison.”

Prison is a major setting for those in the Jesus movement, as you can see from even a cursory reading of the book of Acts. This reality appears at the very beginning of the story with a faithful witness (John) put in prison by an evil authority.  Do you know of anyone who has been imprisoned for their faith?  Google the topic and find someone to pray for.

3:21-22 “…the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.”

Holy Spirit sighting! At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit is visibly identified with Jesus. In the sight of human beings (witnesses), Jesus was now united with the Holy Spirit. When we see Jesus, Spirit is working; when we see spirit working, there is Jesus. How does this strengthen your understanding of the Trinity?

4:1-2 “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…led by the Spirit in the wilderness.”

Holy Spirit sighting! The Holy Spirit not only fills Jesus, but leads him into a time of testing in the wilderness. Notice that the Spirit doesn’t leave him during the time of trial! What do you think about the Spirit leading Jesus into something so difficult? Have you experienced something like this?

 

Lukan Theme B:

Jesus’ Mission to the Marginalized

 

3:7-9 “…for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees…”

John’s preaching starts to chop away at the pedestal of privilege. Status as Abraham’s ancestor is nothing to hide behind when it comes to repentance. John announces that God is able to replace those of privilege with some of the lowest status material you can think of –the ground beneath your feet!   Keep a look out for the fulfillment of these words throughout Luke & Acts: Who are the “stones” that God raises up to continue Abraham’s family of faith?

 

3:10-14 “What then should we do?”

John continues the tradition of the prophets in proclaiming that God is more interested in actions of justice and compassion than religious observances.

• Do you have coats & food when some don’t have any (the poor)? Share with them!
• Do you collect money from people? Don’t collect more than is owed! Treating people fairly (especially the vulnerable) is a higher priority than profits.
• Are you a soldier (or have violent power at your disposal)? Don’t use your power and threat of violence to get money out of people powerless to resist you.

Why didn’t John tell them to pray and go to the synagogue? What would it mean for you to follow John’s leading?

 

4:1-13 “command…kingdoms…glory…authority…Jerusalem…pinnacle…”

The account of the tempting of Jesus in the wilderness is full of insights for relying on Jesus in meeting and beating temptations in your life. The way Jesus responded with God’s word when tested is a reminder of the importance of reading and knowing scripture. But through the lens of Jesus’ Mission to the Marginalized, we notice how the devil is testing how Jesus will use POWER. When power is used for loving purposes – God’s purposes – it can bless people, lifting up the powerless or at least treating them gently. The big question that is being wrestled with in the wilderness is this: Will Jesus use his power to benefit himself and meet the needs of his ego or for the good of others and to further God’s purposes in the world? Will he free the oppressed or will he - like other charismatic leaders before and since - end up oppressing them? Our Lord passed the test, and offers his faithfulness to us as we face the test of power. 

How do we use our power, our abilities, our education, our earning-power…for ourselves or for God’s kingdom purposes?