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Luke 9:51 - 19:27 : Progress to Jerusalem: Doings and Teachings.
i) Power outworked - the Kingdom in action.
10:1 - 12 & 16 - 20.
(v1 - 3) The 72 are sent out to teach by example, in a form of practical ministry, empowered by the Master. The number itself is symbolic, as 72 is the traditional number of Gentile nations in Jewish thought. (Sometimes the number is 70, and so are the disciples). Thus the idea, particularly relevant in the theme of Luke's work, as the Gospel for all peoples. It could even be read as a prophetic action. Sending these out in pairs is a matter of practicality. Two witnesses are less easy to ignore than one (Jewish law required a minimum of two). Two may travel together in greater safety than one alone, either from disabling illness or 'enemy action'. Two may encourage one another when the times are hard. But the process of acting in pairs provides a further safeguard in respect to an individual's pride! At the same time they are warned of their exposure to trouble. v3. A typically parabolic term of phrase, characteristic of Jesus; the inoffensive against the strong.
(v4 - 5) These 72 were sent out in a mission of preparation, to let those they met know of who was following, in the manner of a herald. They also went unprepared by anyone's standards. So either that journey was in haste, or a test of faith for those sent. They were also prohibited from greeting any on the road, a feature which bemuses many people. It is not to be viewed as a deliberate strategy of unfriendliness. Eastern greetings were formal time-consuming affairs, particularly entailing offers of hospitality which could not easily be declined without offence. Therefore it is a matter of sheer practicality; taking the message without undue delay. The term 'Son of...' is a particularly Jewish term of speech. Compare it to the labelling of James and John as the sons of thunder (which may have related to their temperament!) (v6) Note how the disciples are limited to one house for lodging and hospitality. they are not on tour, neither are they beggars.
It should also be noted that where blessings are not received judgement is delivered upon that place, and that in leaving the messengers take every last bit of their blessings with them and leave only condemnation. The coming of Jesus Kingdom brings blessings to those who receive, but terrible consequences for those who do not.
(v17ff) All the doings were important, but the stress remains upon the not upon them, but upon the coming of salvation and acceptance of God.
ii) Preaching received - the Kingdom inaction.
10: 38 - 42
The passage is well known, and needs no further comment other than the need to remember we have to counterpoint the doing for God with the 'being' for and listening to God. There are times for both and both are essential.
i) Pattern.
11: 1 - 4
The prayer known as the Lord's Prayer is well known, as is the fact that the number of requests varies among the Gospels, as well as between various church denominations and traditions. There is some dispute as to whether this prayer was ever meant to be used parrot-fashion; Matthew uses 'like this' rather than Luke's 'say this'. Whatever the case it sets a pattern and includes the following features:
- a recognition of the sanctity of God, and that this is a desirable state of affairs.
- a recognition of the kingdom, or rule, of God, and the desire for its coming.
- a recognition of our daily needs, and God as the provider. (The Greek may be rendered as 'keep giving us our daily allotment', although there is a school of thought that the intention is 'give us today the bread of tomorrow [necessities and blessings of the future, today].
- a recognition of our own individual inabilities and fault. Since sin is a debt paid for by God, we are forever indebted to Him.
- a recognition of our need of God's protection.
ii) Parable.
11: 5 - 8
Rules of hospitality demand that a friend be fed, and a good friendship will assist the needs of another. The household would probably be confined to a single room, so that answering the door would require not only stepping over the other sleepers, but also waking them up to move them so that the door could be opened. In the long term it takes less hassle just to get up and open the door than to resist and give in later. The parable tells us not that God is necessarily a reluctant giver, but rather the aim is to show that we have the friendship with God in the first place, man to God, and thus the right to ask. Persistence may be necessary, but that's not the main issue.
iii) Promise.
11: 9 - 13
We are to be assured that God does answer prayer, and that God desires to help his children, even if sometimes we may have to wait awhile. The purpose behind the 'fish-snake' verses is the idea that God gives the genuine article not an imitation or something that looks similar. A fish and a snake both have scales, a curled scorpion is shaped like an egg, and in Matthew's account of this parable (Matt. 7: 7 - 11) the Jewish flat bread is likened to a stone. God will not only give us the best, but also the best of His Presence through His Holy Spirit!
This page last updated November 2001. The Bibliophobe's Guide to the Gospel of Luke is ©:1995 Dr. S.N.Mousir-Harrison.
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