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Journaling: Luke 6-9

March 8, 2020 • R. Scott Jarrett • Luke 9, Luke 6, Luke 7, Luke 8

The misinterpretation of Scripture: happens when we fail to: 1) exercise precision in regard to its application (6:1-5; See 1Sa 21:1-6 = David and his men were innocent [or “guiltless” – see Mat 12:1-8]; Jesus’ role as “lord of the Sabbath” [or master of the holy day] meant that like David and his men –or the priests [Mat 12:5], He and the “disciples” were holy/set apart to a holy mission [See Joh 15:3 – “clean” = Consecrated as holy] and therefore able to do what others could not [e.g. work for their food] on the Sabbath), 2) understand the spirit of God’s laws – i.e. the principle being established by their instruction (6:6-11 = the Sabbath was meant to bring a blessing to men/animals – not increase/prolong suffering).
Though thoroughly Jewish at its foundation (Jewish “apostles” and a Jewish Messiah – Eph 2:20), the New (Covenant) Israel would no longer be tribal (or represented by 12 tribes)(6:12-14b- “Peter and Andrew his brother, James and John” his brother).
Potential does not guarantee success (6:12-16 = No doubt what Jesus is attempting to gain thru “prayer to God” is who possesses the most potential among “his disciples” to have the greatest impact as “apostles”. “Peter” and most especially the “traitor” of “Judas Iscariot”, demonstrate that such potential does not guarantee success).
We possess free-wills (6:16 – “Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor” = Such language implies culpability. He wasn’t made a traitor by God, but chose this course of his own volition; See also 7:30 – “The Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves” = This is only possible if our wills are truly free).
Jesus was only popular when it wasn’t about obeying God’s laws (6:17-19 w/6:46).
Those who wb: 1) “blessed” with “reward” that is “great in heaven” are those whose form of Christianity (love/loyalty to the “Son of Man”/Jesus) has caused them to suffer in some way (financially/physically/emotionally/relationally) (6:20-23), 2) cursed w/ eternal poverty and pain are those whose form of Christianity has not caused them to suffer (but rather “all people speak well of [them]” like “the false prophets” before them)(6:24-26).
Even though people will persecute us (i.e. treat us unrighteously) b/c of our faith (if we are being faithful), we must continue to: 1) treat all people righteously (6:27-28, 31-33), 2) submit to the “demands” of those God has established as authorities over us in the world (6:29-30), 3) show mercy to those in the world who qualify (including lending to such individual w/o demanding interest as we would those in the covenant community – 6:34-36).
Our judgment of others: 1) must include forgiveness/restoration if we expect forgiveness/restoration w/God (IOW: if we don’t work toward forgiveness/restoration, then the same wb true w/God – 6:37-38; Mat 6:14-15), 2) will only be as accurate as those we spend the most time with/listening to (6:39-40) and the time we have taken to deal w/such issues in our own lives (6:41-42), 3) reveals the state of our own hearts (6:43-45).
LORD.BEFORE.SAVIOR. (6:46-49, 7:1-10).
The special promotional deals indicating not only the beginning of something new, but also our ability to be a part of its blessings, should not be construed as meaning there are no obligations (7:11-23; e.g. Promo ads for a new gym in town or promo deals for joining a certain branch of the military).
False Christians: 1) think they are more legitimate (in their Faith) than the greatest true Christians (7:24-28), 2) reject the practice of justice as necessary to salvation (7:29-30), 3) possess a Faith filled w/theological contradictions and failures to the human flourishing test (7:31-34, 35; e.g. penal substitution).
Those who are loving Jesus the most (thru living the most faithful to Him), are also those who will possess the most loving affection for Him (since they are those most forgiven) (7:36-50; 47 w/50//42-43).
One of the ways that Christians – especially those who can’t be in full-time ministry (e.g. women), can still have great impact for God’s glory and kingdom is by contributing to the financial needs of men who are in/pursuing full-time ministry (8:1-3; e.g. Financially helping the young men in our pastoral apprentice program).
Seeking a deep understanding of the things of God (or God’s Word) in the present is the essential key to possessing eternal life in the future (or staying the path of salvation) (8:4-18).
Jesus wants us to immediately stop identifying and fixing our loyalty to those the world calls our family and instead give such identity and loyalty to the church – i.e. “those who hear the word of God and do it.” (8:19-21; Hence Mat 10:34-39 = This is one of the signs that we lost our lives for Christ).
Jesus saw the benefits in adults taking naps (8:22-23a).
Though never deficient in their gospel (or soteriology), legitimate Christians can (and most likely will at times) possess deficient theology – including in relation to the nature of Jesus (or Christology) (8:22-25).
Possession by multiple demons: 1) may be the reason behind many who are driven to suicide (8:26-27, 30 w/Mar 5:5 = Being among the tombs and cutting himself seems to imply he desires to be dead/take his own life; A phenomenon associated w/those who commit suicide is stripping naked before attempting the act (See “Naked Suicide” in The Journal Of The American Academy Of Psychiatry And The Law), 2) requires the power of Jesus in that person’s life to put them back in their “right mind” (31-39).
Even demons: 1) are afraid of Hades and Hell (8:28-29, 31; “abyss” = Hades and Hell), 2) need to possess a living biological entity in order interact w/this world (8:32-33).
Wicked people would rather live in a world run by Satan and filled w/demon-possessed people than one w/Jesus and people in their right minds (8:34-37).
The proper response to Jesus changing your life is to tell others (8:38-39).
Unlike the (so-called) Christian ministers/ministries today, Jesus was only willing to help those who trusted Him and/or were a part of the covenant community (8:40-56).
Those Jesus has called into ministry are given the authority/power necessary to accomplish their mission (9:1-6; Phi 4:13; 2Co 2:14-3:6).
Not all those seeking Jesus/Christianity do so for the right reasons (9:7-9; Confusion and curiosity were Herod’s reasons).
Going on vacations to reflect and recharge from prior ministry is necessary to continued fruitfulness for the kingdom (9:10).
The leaders of Christ’s covenant community have the promise – and ability, to more than meet all the spiritual needs of its people. As such, never should the leaders or their people “send (their people) away” to outsiders to solve their problems/care for their needs (e.g. outsourcing our spiritual care/counseling to those who don’t have Jesus since He resides and distributes His spiritual bread in the covenant community thru its leaders) (9:11-17; Mat 14:15-21 w/Joh 6:1-14, 26-35 = The reason for making real bread in abundance was to point to His role as “the Prophet” or spiritual “bread” that (like the physical bread) is more than enough to satisfy their needs – i.e. grant them eternal life).
Truth is not determined by majority vote (9:18-20).
Following Jesus means you don’t control: 1) the narrative (He does) (9:21-22 w/Mat 16:21-23), 2) your life (HE does) (9:23-25, 27), 3) the message (HE DOES!) (9:26)
The appearance of Moses and Elijah at Jesus’ transfiguration proved that He was the new Moses (Deu 18:18-20) and that the “day of the Lord” had come (9:28-36; Mat 17:1-3; Mal 3:1-3 w/4:5).
Jesus is the only One God wants us to listen to now (9:35; Mat 17:4-8).
The reason there was so much sickness/disease among the Jews was due to their unfaithfulness (9:41; See Mal 2:10-16; Psa 119:58).
Jesus did not let His majestic mountain-top experiences as God’s Son keep Him from patiently and powerfully helping even the most pathetic people in the covenant community (even though He too became irritated/exhausted w/them) (9:37-43a).
Jesus predicted His death and resurrection multiple times before it took place (9:43b-45 w/9:21-22).
Receiving (giving ourselves to the serious discipleship and encouragement) of our children in the covenant community is one of the ways we show submission to Jesus and our greatness in the kingdom of God (9:46-48).
Though it is necessary to be a part of a legitimate church in order to be saved, people do not need to be a part of our church to be our brothers and sisters in Christ (9:49-50).
It is sin to become angry at those who do not share (or wish to help w/) our personal (spiritual) burdens (9:51-56; e.g. Evangelism on college campuses)
Jesus must be our first priority irrespective of: 1) safety/comfort (9:57-58), 2) society’s approval (9:59-60), 3) our family’s approval (61-62).