Reading the Gospels Together The Storyline of Luke’s Gospel – Part 7 Luke moves on to a new day and tells of the disciples of Jesus asking him to teach them to pray just as John the baptist taught his disciples to pray. This is one more connection between Jesus and John. Jesus proceeds to teach his disciples a simply prayer we have come to know as the Lord’s Prayer. Luke’s version is shorter than Matthew’s but it recognizably the same prayer and likely was found in the material Matthew and Luke shared. Matthew had placed this prayer in the first of Jesus’ discourse in his gospel – the Sermon on the Mount. Luke emphasizes the need for persistence and trust in prayer by telling a parable of a man who is finally convinced to answer the need of his friend. And Luke says God is far more willing to answer prayer than this friend. He adds to the parable some words he shares with Matthew about asking, seeking, and knocking and how just as a parent gives good things to their children so God gives good things to those who ask. Luke now goes back in picks up an episode from Mark’s gospel he had dropped out earlier. It’s the story of the religious leaders accusing Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan. We may remember that Mark had imbedded the story of Jesus’ own family thinking he was crazy in the midst of this story which is likely one of the main reasons Luke dropped the story earlier. But he finds use for it now – without the part about Jesus’ family. Rejection and welcome are two themes of this section of his gospel and this is a prime story of rejection. Luke will add to it a story he shares with Matthew about the unclean spirit that returns to his former home and matters are worse than before. Luke now adds a short story only he tells. It’s of a woman who thinks the woman who bore Jesus is blessed. Jesus tells her that the truly blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey. Once again the theme is welcoming the visitation of God. Luke now begins a long section on the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders. Most of this material he shares with Matthew. The first story is of the demand of the people of that day that Jesus give them a miracle. Jesus has already done lots of miracles. But miracles do not necessary lead to faith or reception of Jesus. And Jesus refuses to give them a miracle but does give sign – the sign of Jonah whose word to the people of Nineveh brought repentance to them. Jesus also points to the Queen of Sheba who saw the greatness of Solomon. Gentiles were able to see when God’s own people did not. The story is one of rejection. Jesus now uses what might be thought of as a parable to point out that if the eye is sound the whole body is full of light. Again the point has to do with reception or rejection. And then Luke tells of Jesus going to another meal – this time in the home of a Pharisee. Jesus has been at a meal in the house of a Pharisee before. Only Luke puts Jesus in these settings. In the house a dispute arises about ritual cleanliness. We might remember that in the “great omission” from Mark, Luke had omitted a similar situation from Mark’s gospel. Perhaps this is a shortened version of what we find in Mark, or perhaps Luke has another source from which he received this material. At any rate the point is once again the rejection by the religious leaders of Jesus. Again sharing words that are found in Matthew, Luke provides his readers with a series of woes given by Jesus regarding the hypocrisy of the teachers of the Law. The episode ends with the teachers of the Law plotting to trap Jesus. Jesus now addressed his followers and warns them about the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and tells them that they are not to fear them but rather to fear God. And the whole section ends with Jesus assuring his followers that those who welcome him will be welcomed by him in heaven. Welcome and rejection are the twin themes of this section. At this point Luke moves on to address another threat to discipleship – the threat of wealth. He begins with a parable of Jesus about a rich man who is abundantly blessed. But he is not rich toward God and in the end he loses all he has. Luke’s Jesus is very aware of the power of wealth to captivate and overcome those who possess it. Only Luke tells this parable of the wealthy man who gains the whole world but loses his soul. Luke adds to this parable the words of Jesus to his followers not to worry about food or clothing or any of the other need of this world but rather to seek God’s kingdom trusting that God will provide. And then Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid but to rejoice that it is his father’s good pleasure to give them the kingdom. Jesus says the powerful words – “where you treasure is there will your heart be also.” How we regard the things of this world matters. Luke now moves on to the concern about the end of all things. He tells his readers of Jesus’ command to his follower to be ready at all times and to have their lamps burning. Readers of Luke gospel can’t help but remember Matthew’s parable about the ten virgins as they hear this story. Is there perhaps a common story that lies behind both Luke and Matthew? Luke’s point is to be ready at all time since we cannot know when the master will come. This story is followed by another like it with the same theme. And that is followed by a warning that Jesus does not come to bring peace but division. After telling his readers to be wise regarding the times Luke concludes this section with a call to settle affairs with ones opponents. Much of this material Luke shares with Matthew although Matthew has put it all in various places in his gospel. Readers of Luke’s gospel may have noticed by now that Luke is drawing together a whole series of episode that seem somewhat unrelated and events which would fit into almost any context. The “journey motif” seems to have been left to the side and one wonder if this is a “travelogue” or something else. Luke will continue to provide stories and teachings for a while until he will finally return to the destiny of Jesus.