God Reigns, Let the Earth Be Glad!

Sunday's Text

Luke 6:1-16

Sermon Notes For Discussion

Sunday Recap of the week... by Elaine Pierce

Thoughts on Luke 11 thru 15

God reigns; let the earth be glad! Thoughts on Chapters 11-15 in the Book of Luke

We at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church are reading the Gospel of Luke together twice before Easter. This week we read 5 chapters, and we'll be ready to start re-reading Luke towards the end of next month. It is certainly a change from our typical Daily Worship scripture readings: the passages are  longer, and we're sticking with one book of the Bible every day. It is a different experience to immerse ourselves in one book, and I hope you are challenged and encouraged as we study together.

Today we're going to look at the 5 chapters (Luke 11-15) that we read this week in Daily Worship. In Luke 1-10, we learn a great deal about Jesus from what he does and from what others say about him. His birth is miraculous. His parents are filled with wonder as they raise him. He astonishes the temple leaders as a young boy with his knowledge. He performs miracle after miracle, even on the sabbath. He is not a typical rabbi - he teaches with wisdom and power unlike anyone who has come before him. He gathers followers from the working class.  He does not build a military base.

We don't see nearly as many miracles in these next 5 chapters, but we hear much more direct teaching from Jesus, and some of it, frankly, is not very gentle. Yes, he does have harsh words for the Pharisees in earlier chapters, but in these chapters, he has harsh words for them AND for all of us:

• "Woe to you Pharisees - 4 times in chapter 11 alone.
• Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees - 12:1
• "Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth?  No, I tell you, but division" -12:51
• You hypocrites" (to the crowds) - 12:56
• "Unless you repent, you will all perish" - 13:5
• "You hypocrites" - 13:15 - in response to the synagogue ruler
• "Away from me, you evildoers!" - 13:27 - from the parable of the narrow door
• "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted"-14:11 (noticing how the Pharisees chose the place of honor at the dinner table)

This is not "Jesus meek and mild," is it?  (And I would note that crowds continued to grow as Jesus taught - they were not repelled by these strong words). Jesus does not sugarcoat our sin and our need for a savior. We can dress up and smile and fool others, but God knows our hearts, and without Christ, we are lost.

"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." 12:2

Don't run from these words. On our own, we will most certainly fall short. Jesus is calling, as he says in 12:32, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." We are part of his 'little flock.' The kingdom is ours. We can't earn it, but we can accept it.  

The last verse of chapter 15 is a good way to end this devotion:  "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus is calling. He is waiting, eagerly, for you. Come to him. You will be fed.