Reading Luke - Week 8 of 11 - February 25 through March 3

Luke 16-18 …And More Parables

This week Jesus continues on his way to Jerusalem teaching in parables.  And we continue to notice that his mission to the marginalized shines forth in his words and actions.

 

Jesus told stories where the one with less wealth, status, or power is very often the “hero” of the story.  This leads me to ask “who are the heroes of our society’s stories?”  Over the past month our society has gathered around a special storytelling event each Sunday – many of us joined in watching the Super Bowl, the Grammy Awards, the NBA All-Star Game, and the Academy Awards.  Among the high-status celebrities, flashes of wealth, and alluring advertisements, what kind of story is being told about meaning in life?  Contrast this with the story Jesus is telling about God’s kingdom.

Follow this guide through Jesus' parables and his encounters with people on his journey to Jerusalem and the cross.  Consider the characters and the unlikely heroes.  Ask yourselves the following questions:

 

• Why is this person the hero?
• What kind of person would read this and rejoice?  Do I have cause to rejoice?
• What kind of person would read this and be upset?  Do I have cause to be upset by what Jesus is saying/doing?
• From this story/encounter, how is Jesus calling me to grow in following him as a disciple? 

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager ... Luke 16:1-13

Characters: A rich man and his dishonest manager

Hero: The dishonest manager!

Key verse: “No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (16:13)

The Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus ... Luke 16:19-31

Characters: A rich man, a poor man named Lazarus, Father Abraham

Hero: The poor man Lazarus, neglected by the rich man in life but rewarded in eternity

Key verse: “But Abraham said ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony…’” (16:25)

Jesus Cleanses 10 Lepers (ministry encounter) ... Luke 17:11-19

Characters: Jesus, 10 Lepers (one of whom was a Samaritan, a despised people)
Hero: The one Samaritan leper who returned to give thanks

Key verse: “Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (17:18)

 
The Surprise Coming of the Kingdom (teaching) ... Luke 17:20-37

Characters: Multiple examples from regular life and Old Testament stories

Lesson: Our lifestyles and what fills them - “eating & drinking, buying & selling, planting & building” – will suddenly come to nothing when the kingdom of God comes in fullness.

Key verse: “Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it.” (17:33)

 
The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge ... Luke 18:1-8

Characters: A bothersome widow and a disrespectful judge

Hero: The widow

Key Verse: “And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?” (18:7)

The Parable of the Pharisee & the Tax Collector ...Luke 18:9-14

Characters: A self-righteous Pharisee and a contrite tax collector (these folks were considered sinners)

Hero: The tax collector

Key verse: “I tell you, this man (the tax collector) went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (18:14)

Jesus Blesses Little Children (ministry encounter) ... Luke 18:15-17

Characters: Jesus’ disciples, people bringing infants to Jesus, the little children themselves

Heroes: The little children & the people bringing them to Jesus (definitely not the disciples!)

Key Verse: “But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.’” (18:16)

 

The Rich Ruler (ministry encounter) ... Luke 18:18-30

Characters: a ruler who couldn’t let go of his wealth, Peter, …and a camel

Hero: The camel!

Key Verse: “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’” (18:24)

A Blind Beggar Recognizes the Son of David (ministry encounter) ... Luke 18:35-43

Characters: A blind man begging on the roadside, a crowd following Jesus
Hero: The blind beggar.  Yes, he was healed by Jesus, but this blind man was also the only one to recognize that Jesus was the "Son of David,” the Davidic ruler who was about to enter the Holy City of Jerusalem.
Key Verse: “Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (18:39)

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Lord Jesus,
Show us your heart for the marginalized, lowly, poor, hurting, forgotten.  Reveal to us your care for us in our blessed imperfections and struggles.  Empower us to be your agents of compassion and reconciliation among the downtrodden, in our neighborhood and around the world.  Amen.

Pastor Kurt