@daveburb And thinking on timescales a bit further, I think that's one reason why there are so many parables about a master who leaves and then returns unexpectedly -- because if we can't comprehend God's timescale, then what feels to us like "it's been so long, maybe it's going to be *never*", may feel like, to God, merely the blink of an eye.
"All times are 'soon' to Aslan."
#LentenBibleReadingChallenge #Luke #Bible #Prophecy #Christian
Luke 21
One thing I've heard said about prophecy, is that it is like describing a mountain-range; that the things said are all in the future, but they aren't necessarily all the same distance away, just like mountains, one behind the other, are not all the same distance away.
That, at least, is how I make sense of the "this generation will not pass away before this happens" as being referring to the Siege of Jerusalem, while other things spoken of, have not happened yet.
"Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled"... well, many of the folks at Wycliffe Bible Translators believe that it won't happen until the bible has been translated into every language, thus giving every human on earth the opportunity to hear the Gospel in their own tongue (that it not be misunderstood) and to say "yes" or "no" to it. Thus, the corrollary to that is that their mission is to hasten the Second Coming. I find that an interesting piece of speculation.
Thing is, God tends to have a different timescale than we do: "a day as is a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day". If God says that something is "soon", that could be tomorrow, or it could be a hundred years, or more. (How long were the Israelites in Egypt?)
@daveburb #LentenBibleReadingChallenge #Luke #Bible #Christian
Luke 20
It's interesting that in this version of the "By what authority do you teach?" questioning, the Chief Priests were said to be afraid "that the people would stone them" - which is a rather more dire situation than just "being afraid of the people" -- which I had taken to be mere pride, a fear of being unpopular. Really was everyone so violent then? That's hard to take in.
@daveburb #LentenBibleReadingChallenge #Luke #Bible #Christian
Luke 19
I wonder how many riches Zacchaeus had left after he'd done all his giving, what with "repaying fourfold" everyone he had cheated. I guess that depends on how often he'd cheated people. I gather it was pretty standard practice for tax collectors to collect more than what was owed, and pocket the difference - and the Roman government evidently didn't have any anti-corruption laws in place at all; they only cared about getting their taxes, not the means by which they were collected.
Again we have "he was a sinner" -- were all tax collectors automatically sinners, then?
The parable of the servants... yes, it was a bit confusing about the other seven servants, but your interpretation makes sense, that these were the ones who had spoken against their ruler.
At least, here, the phrase "to those who have much, much will be given, and those who have little, even that will be taken away" makes sense in this context of being faithful servants who are diligent with what they have been given. The third servant... was *afraid* of his master, afraid of making a mistake and therefore he made nothing. But it is interesting that there were no examples of a servant who tried to make money and lost it instead. I suppose he would be equally chastized for not putting it in the bank, so there was no point? Mind you... it is odd, now that I think about it, that a bank is mentioned, and interest (the King James has "usery") because that was a practice that was frowned on by the Jews, so why would it have been a "good" thing to do?
@daveburb #LentenBibleReadingChallenge #Luke #Bible #Christian
@daveburb (yes I am very behind)
Luke 18
I actually prefer the interpretation that a "camel" is a kind of rope - because it is closer to the kind of thing which one might actually want to put through the eye of a needle, it being a textile.
But on the other hand, it really does not matter whether one takes it at face value or if one re-interprets what the "camel" or the "needle" are -- the point is, that the metaphor is about something which is impossible to do.
One thing which struck me here is that Jesus told them that he was going to be put to death, and "it was hidden from them". Presumably they understood it later, after the fact, or it would never have made it into this gospel. But it makes me wonder... why? Why was it hidden from them? Would they have tried to stop him? I think they might have.
Luke 21
Today's chapter is an expanded version of Mark 13's eschatological writings. Some of this is because it was written after the siege of Jerusalem in 70CE - therefore the author can expand on Jesus' words.
We can see verses 9 & 10 happening today. However these have happened many times over the centuries - so current events just appear more apocalyptic to us. Verse 8 - "watch out you are not deceived". Jesus will return when God decides so - we have no say in it, and will get no warning.
However I am wondering what verse 24 means by "until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
For the next two chapters, I will remain silent. I encourage you to go to the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at your local church instead. Like me, still do the readings - you will find these match what we are remembering. I have been doing this challenge for many years now, and each time I find these two chapters add to the day itself. I pray it does similar for you.
Feel free to leave Saturday's reading until Sunday so it matches the events celebrated on the day.
Luke 20
Here we have Jesus in the temple crossing swords with the religious rulers. The Sadducees (including the "Chief Priests") mostly stayed around the temple, while the Pharisees were to be found in the synagogues throughout Israel. While Jesus has been mostly dealing with Pharisees up until now, we are now seeing the Sadducees. This group seems to be trying to trap Jesus into saying something wrong - and failing. In return Jesus has a couple of goes at them - with parables and questions, and then a straight out attack at the end of the chapter. Thanks to Jesus they were losing the respect of the people - no wonder they wanted him out of the way.
Luke 19
As promised we have Jesus entry into Jerusalem. I recall commenting on this, and the cleansing of the temple last time, so I will not this time.
I am more familiar with the parable in verses 11-27 in Matthew 25. In that one, there are only three servants, and the first two double their money - and that is the version usually used in church. I think this is the first time I have read Luke's version properly - so it is effectively new for me. Each servant starts with only one mina. The first servant is obviously talented at investing. The second servant has also done an excellent job. We do not find out what happened to the third servant who earned nothing. I guess he went back to his old role. What about the other seven servants who also got a mina each? We have to assume these were the ones who didn't want the noble to become king. It seems it didn't matter how much they earned with what they were entrusted. This is all different to Matthew's account. I think I now need to pray and research this different story.
It is worth noting that Zacchaeus was the _Chief_ Tax collector in Jericho (and the surrounding region). This would have made him very unpopular with EVERYBODY. Yet Jesus sought him out, and look what happened.
Verse 10 (NIV) - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." - what are we doing to assist our Lord on this mission?
Luke 18
I want to revisit The Rich Fool story I mentioned two days ago - however I referenced the version in Mark 10.
Here Jesus talks about a camel going through the eye of a needle. Over the years I have heard a few different versions of what this means. When I was much younger the most common version was "the needle" was the nickname of a small gate in a town wall that allowed access after hours. However I tend to agree more with a version I heard much more recently. A camel would be the largest creature Jesus' listeners would be aware of. They would also be aware of what a common needle looked like. Today Jesus would be more likely to say 'elephant' instead of 'camel'.
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday - the start of Holy Week. If you have been reading these thoughts, but not the #Bible, I highly recommend you start with Luke 19 on Monday - it includes the entry into Jerusalem. From here, you will find the daily readings travel along the Holy Week journey with us. I find it deepens my appreciation of the week.
Luke 17
It's somewhat confusing, at the start of the chapter, that Jesus refers to "these little ones" -- but there doesn't seem to be context which shows to whom he is referring. Children? Or... who?
We have two contrasting examples about "giving thanks". On the one hand, we have, immediately after the talk of "faith as a mustard seed" (yes, the mustard seed again), the parable that a servant should not expect thanks for merely doing their duty. (Is this supposed to be connected to the faith-as-a-mustard-seed example or not?) Then we have the lepers, only one of whom returned to give thanks.
And, yes, I think all ten of the lepers had faith, because (a) they called out to be healed, with expectation that he could do it, and (b) they obeyed him ("go to the priest").
So... the question I'm wondering... was Jesus miffed that the other nine did not give him thanks, or was he thinking "ah, I was just doing my duty to God, I should not be expecting thanks." I don't know.
Then Jesus is being asked about the coming of the kingdom, and again, it is "don't be decieved, it will be bloody obvious when it has happened - and there will be no warning."
@daveburb #LentenBibleReadingChallenge #Luke #Bible #Christian
Kerr Avonsen (she/her)
DaveB