Which is your favorite narrative on the life of Jesus? Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John? For me, that’s an easy answer: Luke. This is because on a practical level, I love details and Luke is full of details! Luke devoted time to collect his research and present the facts. But the deeper reason Luke is my favorite is best described by Bruce M. Metzger: “Luke includes details that describe the graciousness of Jesus’ personal character and His concern for the people of all races and classes. . . Luke’s Gospel also includes fuller information than the other Synoptics concerning women and the new place of importance that they hold among followers of Jesus (7:36-50; 8:3; 10:38-42). . . Luke depicts particularly what may be called Jesus’ humanitarian concern: His deep sympathy for the plight of the poor, the oppressed, and the outcast” (~ The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content).
This flows into my quiet time I had in Luke 18 and Isaiah 58 (a great chapter on God’s heart for social justice). I spent most of my time pondering Luke 18. Story number 1 is the parable of the persistent widow who continues to “bother” an unrighteous judge for justice (verses 1-8). She won’t take “no” for an answer. Jesus uses this parable to teach people to pray always and not lose heart. But why did Jesus choose to use a widow for the parable? A widow did not have much “power” in the days of antiquity. She was vulnerable to injustice. In fact, in modern days, there are still cultures who do not recognize a woman as human; she’s property. Therefore, property cannot own property legally and a widow is vulnerable to others stealing her property. Even today, this story resonates of an incredibly courageous woman who teaches us not to loose heart in prayer.
Point 1: A widow (the vulnerable) receives justice and teaches us the importance of endurance in prayer even in the face of the impossible.
The next story is about a Pharisee and tax collector (verses 9-14). Both went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee says, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (11-13). Do you remember Jesus’ final analysis? The tax collector was justified but the Pharisee was not. The Pharisee sounds like a pretty upstanding guy in this parable: honest, just, faithful to his wife, and goes to church. The tax collector, hated by society, knew his depravity. In humility, he showed repentance.
Point 2: A repentant tax collector (hated by society) was justified by God.
Story number 3 (verses 15-17) is about Jesus receiving children even though they are initially rebuked by the disciples for bothering Jesus. Jesus says, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Point 3: Children (those deemed insignificant by the disciples) receive the kingdom.
Story number 4 is about the rich young ruler (verses 18-34). Now here is an upstanding person! He has followed all the commands since he was young: he hasn’t murdered, he’s faithful to his wife, he does not steal, he doesn’t lie, he is honoring to his parents. What more could someone ask? But Jesus says he is lacking in one area: He tells him to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him. The rich young ruler walked away. In other words, he was willing to obey God in EVERY area of his life EXCEPT one. Wealth was his idol. To the disciples’ shock, this man was not part of the kingdom.
Point 4: It matters very little if we have fifty idols OR just one idol keeping us from being wholly committed to Jesus.
Last story (verses 35-43) is about a blind man begging on the roadside as Jesus was passing through. He cried out to Jesus, but others tried to silence him. He was not deterred (like the persistent widow) and continued to call out to Jesus. Jesus healed the blind man and he followed Jesus.
Point 5: A blind man (an outcast) received his sight. (Note: sight is not always physical!)
As I reviewed my notes, I had a very humbling moment. I realized I am in the “high risk” category. If I look at the list of “good things” done by the Pharisee and rich young ruler, I can resonate. And the crazy part, one was not justified and one chose to walk away from following Jesus. Will this be said of me? Or will I humble myself to learn from the examples from the teachings of Jesus? May I be persistent in prayer/ seeking justice (and fight with those who need an advocate). May I be repentant (and extend mercy on the repentant). May I have childlike faith (and cheer on others). May I endure persecution as I seek “sight” from Jesus (and not extinguish another’s pursuit). What about you?
By the River Together 