Blessings, Woes, Love & Hate

An Open Call for Training in God’s Real World

In Luke, the Sermon on the Plain is the substantial beginning of Jesus’ teaching of the Kingdom of God in a way that challenges the minds, imaginations, hearts, hopes, life aims, ambitions, ethical relations, and self-identity of his disciples. The great reward is the we gain ourselves as the children of God that God created us to be. Not shortsighted and distorted.

It helps us begin to envision how God can do the grace-filled, loving things God does in Jesus and how we fit into that. Jesus is beginning to lead his disciples including us into the central mystery, the meeting place of God and us in Jesus.

It follows the event of healing the withered hand on the Sabbath, which becomes a clear break with those recognized as the primary teachers in most of Israel – the Pharisees and instructors in the Law called scribes. They were calling Israel to a rigorous commitment to obedience to the Law. They argued that all Jews following practices that were originally intended for the priests, because the Jews were supposed to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Ex 19:6).

Read more

Sabbath and the People of God

Sabbath and the People of God

Thomas Robinson, Luke: Anointed with God’s Spirit 15, November 7, 2021 Luke6:1-16 Trans.TR

Jesus’ Disciples Pick Grain on the Sabbath

1 And it happened one Sabbath, that Jesus was walking through the standing grain, and his disciples started plucking and eating the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. 2 Now, some of the Pharisees asked them, “Why are you doing what’s not lawful on the Sabbath?”

3 Then in response Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read what David did when he himself was hungry, along with those with him? 4 How he entered into the house of God, and then taking the Loaves of the Presentation, he ate them and gave to those with him [1 Sam 21:1-6]. And it’s not lawful for any to eat those loaves, except only the priests?”

5 And he used to say to them, “The Son of the Human is Lord of the Sabbath.” Jesus Restores a Man’s Crippled Hand on the Sabbath

6 And it happened on another Sabbath, that he entered the synagogue and was teaching. Now a man was there, and his right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees were closely watching Jesus, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, because they wanted to find a reason to accuse him.

8 Now he himself understood their ways of reasoning, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand in the center.”

And he rose and stood. 9 And Jesus said to them, “I’m asking all of you, whether it’s lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?” 10 And after looking around at them all, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.”

And he did so, and his hand was restored.

11 But these men were filled with mindless fury and they began talking intensely with each other what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus Names Twelve Disciples as Emissaries

12 And it happened during these days that he went out onto the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in that prayer with God. 13 Then, when day came, he called together his disciples and selected twelve of them, and these he designated “apostles”:

14 Simon, whom he also named Peter (“Rock”), and Andrew his brother, and James (Jacob)

and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of

Alphaeus, and Simon who was called a zealot, 16 and Judas (Judah) the son of James, and Judas

Iscariot, who became a betrayer. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Exodus 20:8-11 From the Ten Commandments
8 Remember the Sabbath day, and consecrate it. 9 Six days you shall serve and do all your

labor/occupation. 10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God; you shall not do any of your labor – you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day. Therefore, Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it. [Gn 1:1 – 2:3]

Read more

We Are One in the Spirit: An Anthem of Resistance

As Jesus followers, we are to be known as people who love others. But, we have to be honest with ourselves; outside of these walls, there is a lot of doubt as to whether Jesus' followers are, in fact, people who love others. Christians are being conformed to the patterns of our world rather than transformed by the sacrificial love of Jesus.


Today we will spend some time reading Paul's thoughts on this (because church people not living into their identities as Christ-followers is nothing new). By meditating on this powerful song, I want to share with you how I am challenged to let go of "Cheap Unity" and embrace an identity that pulls me into unity with each of you in the shape of Jesus and the Cross.

Read more

Creating Inclusion & Release

Thomas Robinson, Luke: Anointed with God’s Spirit 13, October 10, 2021 Jesus Heals Leprosy and Paralysis and More We’re in the early days of Jesus Galilee ministry. Lk told us about Nazareth, positive response turns bad when Jesus talks about a Gentile widow and leper, Naaman. In Capernaum he casts out an “unclean being of power” (demon). He calls Simon as a disciple with no training, declaring himself a “sinful man.” Now two amazing healings. It’s good to “hear a text for the first time.” Note how Lk makes the settings general. These are side by side for meaning. Lk leads us toward Jesus’ ultimate meaning. Lk is using Mk with events that shaped controversy and clarify Jesus’ distinction. Lk shows how Jesus sees varied human problems together. He heals fever like a “demon.” Gentiles, lepers, demons, paralyzed, sinful – all show human brokenness. Freedom from Exclusion First, the “leper.” (5:12-14) [Remember Naaman. In Lk 17, ten lepers, one Samaritan.] “Leprosy” a horrific disease: Mother Teresa, Father Damien, Dr. Paul Brand, Gift of Pain. But this is the “leprosy” law of Lev. 13-14 – long, strange. Not about the disease we call leprosy, but forms of skin scaliness, flaking (eczema, psoriasis), after burns or boils; leprosy in clothes, in walls of houses, etc. A visible sign of ritual uncleanness, impurity, like touching the dead, bodily emission, etc. But devastating result. Not sick or contagious, but excluded from human contact. This is an archetypal purity boundary. Jesus says it’s now over. Jesus intentionally breaks the law, the boundary. Jesus touches and impurity doesn’t flow to him, but the man is cleansed. We’ve had such boundaries! W.E.B. Du Bois, “the color line” (1903); a girl pregnant out of wedlock; a divorced person; a person who grows up with same-sex attraction and discovers that they’re gay; sometimes a person who disagrees with “us” about church organization or worship practice. People didn’t cheer when Jesus touched him. Jesus knows the assumptions are deep. Don’t talk. Go offer the sacrifice. Let the priest certify you. Free your life. Freedom from Bondage Next, Lk really emphasizes the unity of human brokenness and Jes’ power/authority to heal. It a teaching situation: Pharisees, law experts & God’s power to heal. A man is disabled, can’t walk, but maybe quite vocal and engaged. Lk & Jes both call him “human”/anthropos to show all of us in him. He & friends break open roof to get to Jesus. Wow, What a scene! Jesus sees faith in breaking roof boundaries. Jesus breaks back – through physical disability to human brokenness of sin, like Peter. Teachers are disabled; can’t see how God heals the whole person – “blasphemy.” Jesus, son of the human (Dan 7:13-14), lives out God’s authority to renew humans. Jesus raises the human to new life – to walk in freedom, whole, released, at home. This is the Gospel in anticipation. Jesus will take on our suffering, sin, & give life! A kind of ecstasy breaks out – even some Pharisees? But it’s also scary. God engages not just mighty rulers but ordinary broken, bold humans like us. “Incredible things”!

Read more

Calling a Sinful Fisherman

Peter’s Story of Becoming a Follower of Jesus

This is Luke’s distinctive way of beginning the story of Jesus’ disciples. Mark is much briefer. Jesus starts his ministry: confrontation (Accuser, hometown, beings-of-power, fever). Message: “Authority, power.” People throng for healing. Other towns. People push in. He sees two boats by Lake Gennesaret. Simon’s!

A fisherman’s boat was found in 1986, 27 ft long, 7.5 wide, 4.5 deep. From 1st cent. Lk focuses on working fishermen. Jesus interrupts Simon indirectly, for teaching.

Jesus challenges Simon with disruptive instruction. He could say no. But he’s seen Jesus: “Master.” “On the basis of your word...” That clear authority! But Jesus doesn’t know what he’s saying. Or does he? He gets crew & unfinished nets. They row out on foolish task. But then the Catch happens! Two boats full of fish.

This is the start of Peter’s great story. Note how strange. Jesus is a teacher, the proclaimer of God’s kingdom. But Simon’s no student of scripture. Lk gives no content of Jesus’ teaching. He’s not grasped by Jesus’ message. By what then?

Lk want us to watch an ordinary man who really “sees.” Jesus’ authority, power! It’s not called miracle or sign. It just happens where Jesus is. Simon Peter sees!

Seeing Jesus’ Authority – Fearsome and Fascinating

Peter’s first reaction is No! He realizes this is a challenge to him. He sees himself. He knows he’s not ready, not the right person: “a sinful man.” Ordinary person.

But more. This is uncanny, fearsome. If this can happen, what’s next? It’s far too much. “Go away from me.” It’s like casting out those “beings-of-power.”

Luke wants us to see that Jesus comes not with an attractive teaching, clarifying philosophy, wisdom for successful life. That will come in compelling form! But if we’re going to hear it, we need to “see” who Jesus is, his authority. Why listen! Peter stands for James, John and all the others who’ll follow. Jesus comes not to give good guidance and advice,

but to open a new world, change our thinking, bring us sinners into the healing grace and love of the Holy God who is Abba!

Beginning the Journey of Learning Jesus

“Don’t be afraid...” But a new life opens. They leave the fish behind. And the boat! What’s the language of fishermen? Boats, keeping nets in repair. Hard work through the night, Fish. Getting by. Jesus speaks to them in their own language. Not in words but experience. An empty lake becomes abundance. Where Jesus is.

They let go, release (same word as “forgive”) everything. The ordinary traps, wrongs, enslavements of everyone’s life. Lk 5-7 a lot about sin and release/forgiveness.

They follow Jesus. They don’t understand him. They start the journey. They’ve experienced his authority. They don’t know where it will lead – but 2 boat- fulls! They’re going to catch people, for life, for abundance, for God’s promises. Go!

Read more

Good News of a Realm of Healing

Traveling with Jesus: Jordan, Wilderness, Nazareth, Capernaum

Luke is leading us into the heart of Jesus’ ministry, pointing out distinct scenes that give us tools to understand what’s to come. It’s no ordinary biography because Lk knows Jes’ living identity in his own life, in communities of believers, & world. We hear words of Gabriel, Mary, Elizabeth, Simeon, et al, even Jesus – who he is.

Jesus is baptized in the Jordan: God’s affirmation: “My beloved Son.” (3:21-22) Then, testing by Accuser in the wilderness: “if you’re son of God…” “Worship me.” (4:1-13)

The Accuser departs. Jesus goes home to Nazareth with the Spirit. (4:14-30). In the synagogue he reads Isaiah’s words to express his identity and mission: Anointed, Spirit, Good News, Poor, Sent, Release for Captives & Oppressed, Sight for Blind….

Release from Powers that Blind, Capture, and Oppress Us

Each word has multiple facets that the Gospel illuminates. Each facet is contested. Jesus will heal the blind, but the people in Nazareth are blinded & can’t see Jesus. They certainly can’t see welcoming outsiders, Gentiles like Naaman. Who are the captives/oppressed? Yes, all oppressed by Rome. Many enslaved in war/piracy.

Jesus goes to Capernaum. (Cana & Magdala on the way.) Synagogue, teaching, authority. Lk points us to events one Sabbath (like Mark). The Accuser departed but not beings & structures of power (daimonion) that seize human life. But the being tells facts: Jesus is God’s Holy One! Why silence? He knows but without trust. Blindness. Will Jesus destroy an enslaving power? Yes. But he gives release/ forgiveness to man. Oppression, exile result from human wrongs that enslave. God proclaims new release.

People look on with astonishment. They talk: Message (logos), authority, power together, actually removing corrupting spirits. Noise, not understanding, spreads all around.

Jesus goes to Simon’s house (future Peter). His wife’s mother is held/oppressed with fever. We learn that Jesus had treated the daimonion like he treats any disease. He has the power of the creator to release and renew. He gives the man (or Mary Mag.) back his life & identity. He releases Simon’s mother-in-law. She responds in service.

Jesus healed on the Sabbath, but in evening people feel free to come. And they bring every disease & enslavement. We hear cries of truth: “Son of God,” “Anointed King,” but people have no way of grasping that yet. Paradox of a reality-breaking message. Lk helps us see what blind crowds couldn’t. They want help. Jesus touches each one.

Announcing the Healing Kingdom of God

Lk also wants us to see how amazement & need become demanding. Jesus goes to the wilderness. Crowds try to keep him (captive) from leaving them (reverse Naz).

Jesus refuses. He returns to the words of Isaiah. Good News for poor/everyone is God’s Kingdom. Not kingdoms; not to Herod in Tiberias! He goes to villages, people. The healings are signs toward that deep reality of God’s healing, forgiveness, release that will heal human brokenness & death beyond imagination. Can we see?

Jesus is sent with a purpose that must unfold. Everything we expected will be remade!

Read more

Baptism of the Beloved Son

Baptism within a Long History

Lk comes to Jesus’ Baptism. Only 2 verses! Focused on 2 signs: Holy Spirit and Voice from God: Jesus as God’s beloved son, God’s delight. As with birth and crucifixion, Lk interprets it by the narrative surrounding it. Here, John’s ministry and arrest and a long genealogy. Wider, Recall Jesus in Nazareth (Lk 4): Reads Isa 61: Lord’s Spirit, Anointed. Gabriel to Mary (Lk 1): Mary’s Son, Son of Most High, Throne of his father David, Holy Spirit, Son of God. Glory & promise surround his baptism/plunging in water.

Lk puts John’s arrest before Jesus’ baptism. Not to distance Jesus from John, but the glory of God’s Son like the greatness of the prophet doesn’t protect from suffering. Like Mary isn’t protected from the sword through the soul. Jesus is baptized to affirm & embody the “change of heart & mind” that John proclaimed for God’s people.

Son of God, Son of David, Son of Mary and Joseph

Baptism brings together Spirit & Father around Son: comm-unity of Love in “Trinity.” Spirit is power in God embodied in Jesus. Power in Jesus’ ministry, Power in Acts. Signs are important: Dove (Jn 1), Wind, Fire (Act 2, Jn 3), Gift to include all people.

“You are my Son whom I love” echoes deep in scripture. Back to Isaac & Abraham (Gn 22); Israel in Exodus. David’s Son/Messiah (2Sam 7); Servant in Isaiah. Here the voice of God gives a simple emphatic statement: “In you I take delight!” What does it mean? Nothing bad can happen? The whole Gospel is answer! That’s the journey! God’s delight, Jesus’ delight, the Spirit’s power includes God taking on human sin & suffering, conquering death, creating new Life, bringing all peoples into one body.

Standing on the Shoulders of the Past

After 2 verses on Jesus’ baptism, 15 verses on genealogy. 76 generation back to Adam. Important for people then, also for Lk. It adds to the meaning of Son of God. Note: We can’t know the source. People compiled gens. We have gen. also in Mt 1. Overlap in names before David, but David to Joseph almost entirely different. Both gens. of Joseph as supposed father. Human kinship is important but challenging.

In relation to Mt, notable that in Lk, David is the only king in the list. Not a royal line but ordinary people, like Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph. The royalty comes from God. But through Joseph we look back on names, most unknown after David, that span Israel’s life with God. Then extend before Abraham to “son of Adam, son of God.” Jesus embodies all humanity’s relation to God as beloved children, God’s delight.

Those unknown names stretch out across history to tell of all that flows into Jesus. Pompey, Maccabees, Alexander, 2nd Temple, Babylonian exile, Temple destroyed, time of prophets, divided kingdom, etc. So many broken hopes wait on Jesus’ life!

Read more