Stroll through Scripture for February 16, 2025

Based on Luke 7:18-35

Each week I’m struck by how relatable the Gospel is.  Of course this is nothing new, or at least it shouldn’t be.  Humanity has dealing with the same challenges for what feels like eons.  And the Gospel shows us repeatedly that the things humanity focuses are not what God is about.  Humans are addicted to worldly success, great wealth, the use of force, and controlling others.  Yet Jesus shows that is not his focus.  All those things have never been his focus.  

Luke 4 shares the account of Jesus in the wilderness and his encounter with the devil.  The devil attempts to tempt Jesus with worldly power, controlling others and nature, and more.  Jesus rejects all of it.  How many human beings have done the opposite and leapt towards the devil’s temptation?  We humans are good at rationalizing anything – telling ourselves that with such power and wealth, we would certainly use it for good.  Yeah, sure we would.  History is full of stories of how that has turned out.  

In the reading for Sunday, we hear about John the Baptist sending his disciples to check on Jesus and find out if he is the “One.”  John is in prison for telling the Herod Antipas the truth about his marriage to his brother’s wife.  Telling the truth gets him in trouble and will ultimately cost him his life.  But I doubt John would trade that for living or speaking a lie.  

The disciples ask Jesus on John’s behalf.  And I think it’s important to note what Jesus says.  Jesus’ answer is nothing more than a summation of what he said he would do when he gave his first sermon (that really ticked off those hearers), back in Luke 4.  There, Jesus quotes Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the bling, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18).

Jesus answers John’s disciples by telling them “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them.  And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (Luke 7:22-23).  

Jesus has been consistent since the beginning.  In some ways, he is predictable.  He said what he would do, and then he does it.  Yet, why are people so surprised by this?  How many people are still looking for Jesus in all the wrong places?  Far too many times, humanity keeps looking for God in the places of worldly power.  We put on God human qualities and attributes – believing that God’s version of power and might look like an emperor.  But nothing could be further from the truth.  Jesus hangs out with people who are deemed outsiders of society.  Yet, humanity has twisted and morphed Jesus into someone else – a Jesus that is comfortable with the status quo, excuses the use of force, turns a blind eye to oppression, and casts out the poor, the stranger, and those on the margins of society.  Humanity seems more concerned with Jesus being made in its image, rather than us following Jesus to the margins of society to offer healing, hope, good news, and transformation.  

Questions for Reflection:

• In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells us what he is going to do, and then does it.  Where do we see Jesus doing what he said he would do?  Where do we see him active around us?  In our congregation?  In the community?  In the world? 
• Are we surprised by this?  Why?