This is my first weekly post for the reading of the Gospel of Luke, and I am so excited! Excited to start reading Luke again, excited that we'll transition right into Acts in the Spring, excited that we're on this journey together.
If you haven't done so, even if it's not your usual custom, be sure to go online and listen to the podcast of the biblical commentary written by Dr. Mark Abbott - there's no substitute for hearing the voice of the writer. What I write in this blog always assumes that people are reading/listening to the commentary as well as the scripture text. [see links to the right...]
This week starts with chapters 1-2. Familiar to most of us from years of Christmas celebrations, perhaps they are too familiar. Take a close look at the words/story without the lights, tinsel, and egg nog...see if you notice anything for the first time. Of course, for those of us who missed the spiritual significance of the season that has just passed, consider this a gracious do-over!
I want to emphasize two themes that will carry through the entire reading of Luke AND Acts. Dr. Abbott mentions both of them in his introductory commentary. I'll introduce them here, and also comment on where you'll start seeing them even in the first two chapters of Luke.
It is written as an orderly account based on careful research, offered to a person named Theophilus ("lover of God"). It connects God's story to the world's story -- see this in Luke 2:2 in the mention that the census of the ROMAN WORLD ordered by CAESAR AUGUSTUS took place when QUIRINIUS was governer of SYRIA. For Luke, it's important to help the reader understand how this story of Jesus and the church relates to the "secular" world that people live in.
It is the first of two volumes, followed up by the book of Acts. This reminds us that sometimes the best way to understand scripture is NOT to read them in biblical order! There's nothing wrong with reading John between Luke and Acts, but it does interrupt some powerful themes. The most powerful of the themes is the Holy Spirit, which is introduced right from the start in the announcement to Mary that the Holy Spirit will cause her to conceive...that's right, the Holy Spirit is right there at the beginning of the story before Jesus is born! The story of Simeon simmers with the Spirit as well.
2. The Messiah's Mission to the Marginalized
When we speak of marginalized people, we're talking about those in a low position of importance, influence, and power. In the historical context of Luke's gospel, we're talking about women, the poor, the childless, the widow, the outcast. All of these groups figure prominently in Luke/Acts.
As you start reading, you'll notice the emphasis on two female characters, Elizabeth and Mary. For Luke, Mary is not only the mother of Jesus, but also a devout disciple whose personal witness is meant to inspire devotion to Christ. After Jesus is born, two prophets enter the scene - and one of them is a woman! (I've known a few experienced Christians for whom this is a shocking revelation)
The poor and outcast...well, you run into them, too. They figure prominently as those God blesses in the songs of Mary and Zechariah. The shepherds - poor, manual-laboring, low in status, considered unclean - were the ones who first received the announcement from the angels and visited the infant Jesus. Anna, in addition to being a prophetess, was also an elderly widow.
When reading Luke, remember to LOOK for the LOWLY. Listen to how it might speak to your personal experience of marginalization. Read it through the eyes of the poor and outcast of
today's society. Beyond considering what the text means for you, ask these questions:
- What does this mean for people who are materially poor?
- What does this mean for people without status - those who do not have a stake in good neighborhoods, schools, health benefits, opportunities?
- What does this mean for immigrants or refugees?
- What does this mean for people who are sick?
- What does this mean for people who are alone and without family?
One last note for your reading of the first two chapters: NOTICE THE MUSIC! It's like a playlist of songs, one after another, with the characters in the story always singing to God! It's like
"Luke: The Musical"
- Mary's Song - 1:46-55
- Zechariah's Song - 1:67-79
- The Angel and the Heavenly Host's Praise Song - 2:13-14
- Simeon's Song - 2:28-32
Enjoy the show!
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