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Luke 22
Jul 12, 2008 9:41:57 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jul 12, 2008 9:41:57 GMT -8
Post your comments, questions, and discussion starters on Luke chapter 22 as replies to this post.
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Luke 22
Jul 15, 2008 20:10:50 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jul 15, 2008 20:10:50 GMT -8
Luke 22:24-38
24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 33But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
35Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.
36He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
38The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
This is the passage we discussed last Sunday. I chose it because I thought several parts, especially the bolded parts, echoed things that our church is currently facing. I see us as enacting the kingdom ethics of service to each other, and that excites me.
We are being sifted, but we have the assurance of Jesus, similar to that he gave to Peter, that the trial will end in our strengthening.
Lastly, we need the reminder, like Jesus gave the disciples, that the way will not be easy. It will be fraught we danger and we are to be "on guard" but not in flesh. Rather we are to be ready and armed for spiritual warfare.
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Luke 22
Jul 22, 2008 15:49:41 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jul 22, 2008 15:49:41 GMT -8
Here's the primary text we'll be looking at this Sunday:
Luke 22: 39-46
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
(italicized part not found in earliest manuscripts)
Thoughts?
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Luke 22
Jul 29, 2008 12:21:19 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jul 29, 2008 12:21:19 GMT -8
So, as I said yesterday, I think this is one of the most shocking and interestingly helpful passages in all of Scripture. Jesus' full humanity and the paradox of that in conjunction with his full diety is fully in view in His prayer in the garden here.
Jesus asks for something He wishes in His humanity, nevertheless He submits to His Father's will. Jesus Himself, in effect, gets a "no" answer from His father.
That's huge. For lots of reasons.
One, as an example of the relationship of personal request to submission to God's will in our prayer lives (both are encouraged and are healthy parts of prayer).
Two, as a reminder that God in Jesus knows exactly what it's like to receive a "no"- exactly what it's like to be torn in our own feelings over a very difficult trial. We are not alone when we feel like that.
Incidentally, this is one of those kind of passages which give the gospels a mark of authenticity. Co-conspirators creating a deceptive mythology (whether purposeful or less than intentional) would hardly invent an episode like this, where their chief hero, portrayed as speaking the very words and performing the very acts of God, is now suddenly humiliated to the point of either a) waffling on his committment to suffering or b) having his prayer request denied.
Much easier to leave this all out... unless it actually happened and was already in the common Christian memory.
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Luke 22
Jul 29, 2008 12:27:08 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jul 29, 2008 12:27:08 GMT -8
Robin,
What do you think of the perspective of McGee that you brought up on Sunday?
I find it hard to see Jesus' reference to the "cup" as to anything else but death with all the other precedents in Scripture for "cup" referring to death/ destruction.
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