Day 28, Luke 7
We have often referred to the foundational principle that we must read the scripture to see Jesus. You can read more about this in our blog, especially this article.
Today, as we read Luke’s thorough account of the events after the sermon on the mount, we see even more detail on the healing of the Roman soldier’s son, followed by the miraculous resurrection of a widow’s son in the village of Nain. Luke’s purpose in gathering these two son stories together is to prepare us for an important exchange between Jesus and his cousin John the baptizer.
John (suffering in prison) sends messengers to Jesus to ask if He truly is the one John had declared. And Jesus responds by releasing yet more healing to the crowds around Him, and pointing the messengers to the fulfillment of all the Messianic promises that John knew so well. Jesus is saying to his cousin “I AM the Messiah.” And that heaven is pleased with the prophetic voice who trusts God is here, even though it means suffering and death for John.
Maybe you are facing a tough trial (although it is unlikely you are incarcerated awaiting execution)? Don’t lose sight of Jesus. See how life-giving His presence is, and how the impossible becomes possible in His presence. Even if your ‘impossible’ does not happen the way you desire, His promise is that the impossible of reunion with God is already yours, and guarantees you eternal hope.
Luke goes on to record that Jesus said the least of the citizens of the Kingdom of God would be greater than John, even though he was the foremost prophet of the first covenant. This is not about the value of the individuals mentioned, but a reflection of how Jesus’ Kingdom is so much greater than the original covenant. As the steward at the wedding in Cana said: “You have saved the best until now.”
The remainder of our reading shows us the stark contrast between those who can accept who Jesus is and those whose religious effort blinds them to truth that looks different from what they expected. The common people love the open door to God’s heart offered by John’s baptism, while the religious elite reject such loss of control. Rabbi Simeon hosts Jesus cautiously, and is horrified when the prostitute lavishes love on Jesus. And Jesus tells a story about the love of those forgiven little, versus those forgiven much.
You don’t need me to tell you which side of the contrast is our side. But beware the temptation to go beyond simple, ecstatic acceptance of God’s boundless generosity. As soon as you or I try to earn our place in God’s family, we begin to close our eyes to Jesus and risk losing the promises of the Kingdom.
If you’d like to wash your spiritual eyes, and see God’s love more clearly, I recommend Brian Zahnd’s book Sinners In The Hands Of A Loving God.
Have a great day!
Mark.