Daily Bread for Oct 29, Luk 6-7

Today’s readings are Luk 6-7.

Luk 6 recounts some of the same scenarios as Mat 12.

Because of His teaching, Jesus begins to attract crowds. Many are healed, many demons cast out. Still, all those who were blessed by Him will ultimately desert Him. The throngs in Galilee and the surrounding region will prove to be faithful only so long as they get what they expect from Him. When Jesus eventually gets to the harder, more in-depth teaching, nearly all will leave Him. Finally, He will go to the cross alone. How many in the church today are there for what they can get? How many would leave if the going got tough?

While He has the attention of the crowds, Jesus teaches the Beatitudes (Luk 6:20-38.) This version differs from that in Mat 5:3-11, as it would with any teacher/preacher that preaches a message in multiple locations at different times, but the underlying theme and teaching remain unchanged. To sum them up, He says the Law pointed toward a far more holy life than anyone thought. Worldly ways lead to condemnation. To walk in His ways, those who follow Him will have to act in a manner that is opposite of how the world behaves.

Jesus also warns that the Pharisees are spiritually blind and unable to lead them (Luk 6:39-42.) The people are in danger of making the mistake of listening to the Pharisees without fact-checking what they say to the word of God. Furthermore, it is becoming clear that the Pharisees, Sadducees and many others are saying/teaching one thing but living/doing another.

Events begin to amp up with more healings (Luk 7:1-10) and, now, a resurrection (Luk 7:11-16)! Jesus is revealing the full extent of His power and authority, and it far eclipses anything anyone has ever seen. He forgives a known prostitute, further antagonizing the leaders with His common-sense application of the Scriptures (Luk 7:41-50).

Christ simply does not conform to anyone’s idea of who He should be or what He should do. Christ is God in the flesh. He will define Himself and will operate according to His will, not that of any man or woman. The irony is that Jesus will not only define Himself, but He will also define those who try to define Him. He is the measure of all people ever created. Those who are in Him are one with Him and will live in glory with Him forever. Those who reject Him are doomed.