Luke 16:9-18

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie too (coming home Wednesday)!

“Notice what you notice.” “…unrighteous mammon…” (vv. 9, 11) is a confusing construction. The ESV notes say that the Greek word is “mammon”, which means money or possessions and is translated as money in verse 13. The word “unrighteous” seems a bit harsh. Seems like a better translation would be “worldly wealth”. Either way, Jesus does not in any way condemn worldly wealth, but advises us on how best to use it – make friends, but don’t let your quest for money replace your service to God.

Luke writes in verse 14 that the Pharisees were lovers of money and ridiculed Jesus for his treatment of “worldly wealth”. Every one of us has a bit of Pharisee in our hearts. We may not have a major focus on our wealth, but we would rather have more money than less money. And money problems for a single person or a family can lead to a whole host of other problems. I think Jesus is saying that it’s all a matter of perspective – how hard we seek it and what we do with it when we have it. We don’t talk much about money from the pulpit at St. Andrew’s. Our standard is the Biblical tithe and most people understand that. We give generously, especially to needy causes (note our recent experiences with the Odubenas) and typically leave our budget in surplus most years. But even with our generosity, at Vestry meetings we are regularly talking about other things that we would like to do if we had a larger budget. It’s hard to get away from a “love of money”, even when your heart is “right”.

Slava Bohu!

Luke 16:1-8

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

I wonder at why I truncated today’s reading at verse 8. It would have made more sense to read verses 1-13. But I’ll leave my comments to the first eight verses.

“Notice what you notice.” I had the same thought in today’s reading as the notes in my Study Bible. One person owed 100 and the steward said to pay 50; another owed 100 and the steward said to pay 80. My thought was that this happens today when people get in over their head with credit card debt. Debtors can negotiate directly with credit card companies or through agencies and have their debts reduced if they set up payment plans and begin to pay off their debts right away. Much credit card debt is accumulated interest (at 20+%!), so the credit card companies are not really losing anything except that accumulated interest. For them it makes sense to collect at least the original indebtedness and lose the interest instead of losing the entire debt. My Study Bible notes hinted at the same thing, that the original debts may have been overcharged and that the steward was simply asking the debtors to pay the correct amounts.

Verse 8a says The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. So I wonder if the master changed his mind and kept the steward on, especially given my Study Bible notes and my thoughts above? But that doesn’t really matter – it’s easy to forget that Jesus is telling His disciples a parable to make a particular point; He is not talking about a real-life situation. But His conclusion in this parable in verse 8b is intriguing: For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. When Jesus talks about “this world”, He is typically speaking of it in contrast to His Kingdom. He seldom has anything good to say about “this world”, so I would think that His phrase, “the sons of this world” suggests evildoers – robbers, cheats, thieves. So effectively He is saying that His disciples (and His future followers?) are not very “world-wise”, especially compared to the worldly connivers. I am really uncertain as to what He means here. Blessed ignorance…

Slava Bohu!

Luke 15:20-32

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

“Notice what you notice.” All too often it seems that I can see the Pharisees’ perspectives when they have difficulties with Jesus. And now today I find myself sympathizing with the older brother. He was probably very angry at his younger brother for demanding his share of the family wealth and horribly offended when his father fulfilled the younger son’s request. So the younger son’s return was not a happy time for him. Even the father’s pleas for the older son to receive the younger might have fallen deaf on my ears. I think I hold resentments too closely within me.

But I also have an unusual perspective on the younger son. For a couple of years (at least two Christmases) one of my (step-) brothers went missing. I can distinctly remember my (step-) mother crying each of those Christmases. Finally another of my brothers found hints of where he might be and went to look for him. He found him and persuaded him to return to the family. He came back to the family some months later, but was never comfortable. He felt like we in the family hated him for his taking off and staying out of touch. He had not “robbed the family’s resources”, but his absence had had a profound effect on his relationships with each of the rest of us. I suspect the younger son shared some of those same feelings. He returned completely repentant, but I doubt that the father’s love and the many “gifts” bestowed to the younger son could overcome his guilt at what he had put the family through. He was probably as afraid to meet his older brother as his older brother was angry at his return.

I agree with Jim R. that it’s a powerful story – probably my favorite parable. There are so many Biblical truths we can bring to bear – especially God’s love and mercy. And even though Jesus told this as a parable, a story, we all know that a similar reality has happened thousands / millions of times in families across the USA and around the world. “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.” (A prayer from my Catholic childhood…)

Slava Bohu!

Luke 15:11-19

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

“Notice what you notice.” Yes, I intentionally split the story of the Prodigal Son into two parts. And yes, it was because I wanted to keep all our readings under twenty verses (even though we’ve already failed in that respect). But it also presents us with a challenge. Reading only through verse 19 and not knowing the rest of the story, we could – as Jesus’ listeners did – wonder how it would end. The son has come to his senses – repented in his heart. Will he carry it through or have second thoughts on his way home? And if he continues, how will his father receive him? With warm affection or anger and judgment…? And what about the older brother? Will he be glad to see his younger brother or will he be angry with him for wasting the family’s resources – his own future! So, let’s read it again, only up through verse 19 and let the Holy Spirit speak to you.

Wealth (NASB), property (ESV), livelihood (NKJV)… Three different translations of the same Greek word, with three different meanings. Although we tend to think of property as something physical, especially land, that doesn’t make sense in this context. In verse 12b (ESV) the father is dividing his property between his sons, which could be land holdings. But then in verse 13b (ESV) the son squandered his property in reckless living. It doesn’t sound like “property” in this verse is land. Wealth could include property, but it is also more general and could easily be precious metals and cash balances that could be more easily divided – and more easily squandered. The third meaning, livelihood, puts the biggest bite on the father. Imagine the father’s livelihood being his flock of sheep, then selling one-third of the flock (the older brother would inherit twice what the younger brother would get) to meet his younger son’s request. Clearly the father’s livelihood has been reduced. Whatever meaning you choose, the son has dealt his father a mean blow.

Slava Bohu!

Luke 15:1-10

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

“Notice what you notice.” Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled… (vv. 1-2a) I’m trying to picture the dynamic between these sinners and “saints”. I can see the Pharisees and scribes tailing Jesus from a distance, not wanting to appear to be too interested, but more than willing to challenge Him if an occasion arose. Then imagine their increased scorn when sinners throng to Him…!

My Study Bible suggested that Jesus may have been speaking with irony when He said …there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (v. 7). As I think about it, I can agree that Jesus was speaking ironically – there is NO ONE who does not need repentance. It may be that the scribes and Pharisees had set themselves above the sinners, but in God’s eyes they (and we) are all sinners in need of repentance.

Finally, I always imagine the scribes and Pharisees to be a wealthier lot, people who might be owning 100 sheep, but certainly not tending them. So I can’t imagine they could relate much to the love a shepherd might have for that one missing sheep. Also, I can’t imagine them having only ten silver coins and losing one. Maybe 10,000 silver coins and losing 1,000, but that’s a different perspective. Bottom line – it’s clear to me that this parable was meant for the sinners and not the “saints”. So, fellow sinners, take a lesson!

Slava Bohu!

Matthew 18:10-14

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

“Notice what you notice.” So it is not the will of My Father Who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. (v. 14) This verse (along with John 6:39) always speaks to me. The Father wants to lose NONE of His little children. My (step-)mother was killed in a car-train wreck, but my 19-year-old younger brother lived. He was not wearing a seat belt and ended up with two broken ribs, a punctured lung, and burns over 25% of his body. Within a week of that accident I was reading John 6:37-40 and was convinced that my mother was in Heaven but that my younger brother was not killed because he was not ready to go. Some twenty years later he did come to the Lord and remains with Him today. Our Father is patient with us. I am (mostly) convinced that He will not take us if we are not already His – until He knows that our heart is stone cold and would never turn.

A second item that touched me was “…their angels in heaven…” (v. 10). I’ve always believed in “guardian angels”. Maybe losing a mother at age 4 locked me into “all things heaven” at an early age. But I think having our own children solidified that belief. Carol and I had an awareness that we were limited in how well we could care for them and protect them and have always trusted in our Lord and His angels to watch over them. The end of that verse is particularly powerful: …their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. These guardian angels are in constant contact with our Father. What a blessed thought – a thought that is enormously mind-boggling, to imagine how it all comes together. Guardian angels with us 100% of the time, who are also before the Father’s face “continually”, and He Himself is watching over us 100% of the time. GLORY!!

Slava Bohu!

Luke 14:25-35

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

“Notice what you notice.” So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (v. 33) So, what does it mean to “renounce all that we have”? I can mostly understand the hyperbole of “hating” the members of one’s family – since I understand the “hate” relative to one’s love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And I can understand “counting the cost” of being a disciple, even though those costs at the outset may be largely unknown. But “renouncing all that I have”…?? Here’s how The Message interprets verse 33: Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple. I don’t think I’ve ever been tested to any length that is even close to the challenges that Jesus sets forth. Your thoughts…??

Slava Bohu!

Luke 14:15-24

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

“Notice what you notice.” I’m sure that when most of us read these words that Jesus speaks, we expect that He is speaking to the lawyers and Pharisees without naming them by name. That is, in today’s Parable of the Great Banquet, we imagine that those who were initially invited to the Banquet were the Jewish leaders. But each of them had an excuse for not coming to the Banquet – that is, for not listening to Jesus’ words and following Him. We saw a similar outcome yesterday, when the Pharisees were choosing the places of honor and Jesus chastised them for seeking honor and not being humble.

But I’m sure that many of us also look to ourselves and our own behaviors and attitudes when we read Jesus’ words. I mentioned yesterday my own problem of “self-seeking”. Today I have to ask myself whether I am making excuses for my behavior in my relationship with our Lord. Or better put, what excuses AM I making? …in my prayer life? (I’m too easily distracted.) …in my personal evangelism? (I’m nervous about sharing my faith.) …in my ministry? (I’m just too busy to take on that chore.) …in my use of my personal resources? (I’m saving for retirement; I don’t want to be a burden to my kids.) What could (or should) I be doing differently in all these activities? Jesus’ words force us to do some serious soul-searching. But as my dear wife is prone to say, “It’s a good thing.” Glory!

Slava Bohu!

Luke 14:7-14

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty – Debbie and Julie also!

“Notice what you notice.” OK, I have to be careful here not to exalt myself in telling a story. For many years I have loved this incident in today’s reading – since Carol and I lived something of the sort.

We were on a short business/educational trip to Slovakia and had been invited by the Dean of the College to a reception. There were a number of tables set in an open rectangle, enough seating for about 20 to 30 guests. When Carol and I arrived we set our “things” (purse, phone, etc.) down in the middle of one of the long rectangular sides, got drinks and stood in the area where our seats were located. Soon thereafter the Dean recognized us and came over to greet us. When he saw our “things” he told us to pick them up and he escorted us to the head table, to sit beside him and his wife. Immediately today’s reading came to mind! Yes, we were honored – and also humbled!!

I personally have a problem with self-exaltation. Years ago our Bible Study leader referred to my problem as “blowing your own horn”. There are roots for this character defect deep in my childhood, but that does not excuse the behavior. It’s something I am constantly working on. Today’s reading comes to mind – a lot!! So please pray for me in this area. Ask the Holy Spirit to help me become truly humble.

Slava Bohu!

Luke 14:1-6

Let’s continue to remember to pray for Jim and Marty.

We had a phone and Internet disconnect this past Monday, with only spotty Personal HotSpot connections for the entire week. So my Internet posts and e-mail notes have been challenged and have been, at worst, only delayed. We are now again hooked up and are back to our horrible Windstream service.

“Notice what you notice.” Today is now at least the third occasion where we have Jesus dining with a Pharisee. See also Luke 7:36 and Luke 11:38. So why are they inviting Jesus to dinner? Two possibilities immediately come to mind, that they are truly seeking Him or that they are testing Him. I lean toward the latter, especially since Carol informed us all about the Pharisees and their intensity toward rejecting false messiahs. In addition, it often seems that the invitation is less than genuine – there is often a “plant” in the room, some way to test Jesus. For today’s reading, the “plant” is a man with dropsy. And it’s a Sabbath meal…!!

So the man with dropsy is there on the Sabbath, very possibly so the Pharisees can challenge Jesus for whatever He might do. But Jesus gets the drop on the lawyers and Pharisees by asking them if it’s lawful to heal on the Sabbath. When they have no response, He heals the man. He then explains logically what they misunderstand theologically.

So, a takeaway from this incident… Jesus is a Master at asking questions, by reversing “the test”, if you will. In our Gospel sharing sessions, maybe it’s better if we learn from Him to ask questions instead of stating facts. Asking “What do you believe?” might be a better ploy than stating “This is what I believe.” It’s also simple, common courtesy – letting the other person know that we care about who they are, where they are coming from, and what they are thinking. But we have to be genuine about it! Help us, Holy Spirit!!

Prayers for Debbie and Julie also!

Slava Bohu!