The Love of the Forgiven
Luke Chapters 6 and 7
Luke 6:1-11: Jesus on the Sabbath
The purpose of these two pericopes is not so much to make a statement regarding a Christian view of the Sabbath, as to further build on what has already been said about Jesus’ power (4:14, 36; 5:17) and authority (4:32, 36; 5:24) by revealing Jesus, the Son of Man, also as the Lord of the Sabbath.
Luke 6:12-16: Choosing Disciples
In Luke-Acts, prayer preceded every major decision or crisis in the life of Jesus and the early Church. “All night he continued in prayer” (v. 12) underscores the importance that Jesus placed on prayer.
Luke 6:17-48: Sermon on the Plain
Luke’s ‘Sermon on the Plain’ parallels Matthew’s ‘Sermon the Mount’ but there are a few differences including the number and ordering of beatitudes as well as Luke’s corresponding “woes”. Several attempts have been made to explain these differences but most commentators agree that it is two versions of the same sermon.
The Beatitudes
Key hermeneutical issue:
Do the Beatitudes express requirements for entering God’s kingdom (evangelistic exhortations for salvation) ~or~ simply pastoral words of comfort/blessing for Believers (encouragement for those who already profess the faith)?
We believe the latter for several reasons found within the passage:
1. Mt 5:1 and Lk 6:20 shows he was addressing his disciples.
2. The concluding beatitude refers to those who are persecuted for the Son of man (Lk 6:22, Mt 5:11)
3. The beatitudes end with the statement that those to whom these beatitudes are addressed have a great reward in heaven and places them in the same category as the OT prophets (Lk 6:23, Mt 5:12)
These are words of comfort & encouragement because they know their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58).
“Happy” or “Blessed”
Some translation use the term “happy” in place of “blessed” in the beatitudes. However, happiness is a feeling and what is referred to here is not the feelings of believers but their status and situation. If you want to think of another word other than “blessed”, the word “favored” is probably a better choice.
· “poor” – more theological than economical: humble/”poor in spirit” (Mt)
· “hunger” – spiritually hungry, hungry for God’s kingdom (Mt – hunger and thirst for righteousness
· “weep” – due to the opposition mentioned in the next beatitude (Mt – “mourn”)
· “when men hate you” – hate them or “exclude them” because of Christ. When Luke wrote this, Jewish Christians had already been expelled from the synagogue. “Spurn your name as evil” may have referred to Jesus’ followers being called “Christians”.
“Your reward is great in heaven”
There is no idea of ‘earned merit’ in this passage - Contrast this with Luke’s words in Lk 17:10. It is still pure grace that causes God to reward his followers, but a reward there will be!
“Woes”
The woes should all be understood in light of the beatitudes. The beatitudes were not four separate blessings to four separate groups but to one group. The woes are also to one group but a much different group is envisioned.
Luke 6:27-36
These are important directives (as being the first presented in Luke’s gospel) but were directed to those already disciples, and should not be seen as “conditions” to be met to become disciples.
-The command to love lies at the heart of Jesus’ ethical teaching.
Luke 6:37-45
Do not judge – having a tendency to frequently criticize or find fault in others and the speck/plank illustration is hyperbole to further illustrate the concept of being blind to one’s own faults while judging others.
A bad tree produces hate and judgment on others and a good tree produces love (even for enemies) and a non-condemning attitude. Whenever we are wronged by others we must think on the Gospel and what Christ endured for us while we were yet sinners.
“House on the rock”
A house that does not have a foundation built on the teachings of Jesus will be headed for “ruin”.
Luke 7:1-17
The two miracles further illustrate Jesus’ power and authority here on earth. Him healing the Centurion’s servant and the Centurion’s words illustrate his authority. His miracle of bringing to life the widow’s son illustrates his power over death.
Luke 7:18-35: John the Baptist
Most commentators believe that John’s question regarding Jesus as the Messiah was a result of doubt because most Jews envisioned a very different type of Messiah than Jesus’ ministry – overthrowing the Roman rule and casting judgment on evil doers. John’s doubt may have also been aggravated by his place in prison.
Jesus’ answer to John’s messengers was a repeat of OT prophecy (Lk 4:18, 19).
“the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he (John)” = John would be beheaded before the kingdom of God that Jesus was preaching and proclaiming would be made a reality, for he was still a part of the old covenant system. Those after John live in the age of fulfillment following the coming of Jesus.
Luke 7:36-50: A Sinful Woman
Could either debtor pay their debt in Jesus’ parable? When they could not pay, the moneylender cancelled both of their debts! We owed a debt we could not pay but Jesus Christ paid that debt for all who believe! Aren’t you thankful for the Gospel!!
Luke 7:44-48 – Their actions were a reflection of their hearts. Simon was not preoccupied with Jesus while the woman who anointed his feet was willing to go through ridicule to give him his rightful glory.
Luke 7:50 – “Your faith has saved you”. It was her faith that saved her, not her actions or even because of her love. Her actions and expression of love were evidences of her faith in Jesus.
Kay Arthur Discussion Questions
1. If we are going to follow Jesus, what should be our response to Luke 6:20-49? What would it take to live such a life? What was Jesus calling us to?
2. Who are the blessed and why? Who suffer woe and why?
3. According to this passage, what does if really mean to call Jesus Lord?
4. What does our fruit show? What do you think fruit is? How is it manifested?
5. What did you learn about Jesus Christ this week? Whom did he encounter and how did He treat them?
6. How did he handle John the Baptist when John began questioning whether Jesus was truly the Messiah? What does this teach you about Jesus? About handling people who are dealing with doubt?
7. What was the most significant truth you saw this week? How did it impact you and why?
(Questions 2 & 3 are best answered in light of the context provided above.)
Additional Questions for Consideration:
1. Jesus and the early church placed a big emphasis on the importance of prayer. Luke illustrates this in his writings in that both Jesus and the early church prayed before any big decision or crisis. Furthermore, as we saw last week, Jesus regularly withdrew to pray. How can we as Christians practically ensure that prayer is an important aspect in our lives?
2. How can we ‘put into practice” the teachings of Jesus so that our “foundation” is built on solid rock?
3. Contrast the actions of the Pharisee and the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. What is a believer to do if their own actions do not reflect the faith they profess?
No comments:
Post a Comment