This week, I take on The Lord's Prayer as found in Luke (see Luke 11:1-13). The version in Luke is briefer and leaves out some of the language we are most familiar with. But it still covers the most important parts of this prayer.
Now, it would be possible to do an entire sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer. Whole books have been written on these few lines of scripture. We can find everything from short devotionals like Roberta Bondi’s A Place to Pray to thick academic tomes such as C. Clifton Black’s volume in the Interpretation commentary series. So please bear with me as we do our best to consider this important prayer in such a setting as this.
There are several factors to consider as we look at this text from Luke today. Last week I mentioned my love for Luke’s gospel and talked briefly about some of the ways it stands out for me - from servanthood to the elevation of women to the sometimes contradictory statements that make us really wrestle with what God’s kingdom looks like. But today we are reminded of another key feature of Jesus’ life that Luke highlights for us - Jesus’ commitment to a life of prayer
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God Beyond Boundaries: A Woman's Place
We often forget about the assumptions we bring with us when we read the Bible, particularly when we read a story we have read or heard countless times before. Today we have a familiar story of Jesus and his disciples relying on the hospitality of Martha and Mary in the home (see Luke 10:38-42). But, in the words of Luke Skywalker, this is not going to go the way you think.
Now, I have to admit that Luke is my favorite gospel most of the time. There are occasions when I prefer the more mystical take that John gives us. But Luke brings us a focus on the teaching and ministry of Jesus that I really like. Luke highlights the servanthood of Jesus and the call to emulate that ministry that I feel particularly drawn to.
Now, I have to admit that Luke is my favorite gospel most of the time. There are occasions when I prefer the more mystical take that John gives us. But Luke brings us a focus on the teaching and ministry of Jesus that I really like. Luke highlights the servanthood of Jesus and the call to emulate that ministry that I feel particularly drawn to.
God Beyond Boundaries: The Unexpected Neighbor
Today we return to a familiar parable to see how God pushes beyond the borders and boundaries we surround ourselves with to do something different. Today, we read the parable of the Good Samaritan again to see what this passage in Luke has to tell us about a God that doesn't see people and borders the same ways we do.
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Now those of you in our live studio audience and those that have been following along at home may have noticed that not only is our text today a familiar one, we just used it three weeks ago. But please don’t worry - I promise this is not a rerun.
When we read this text a few weeks ago, we were in the midst of our Vacation Bible School series on Going Beyond. We focused primarily in that service on the ways in which the Samaritan in the parable went beyond what was expected by not just helping a man in need but by continuing to provide for his care. He didn’t just bandage his wounds and send him on his way; he carried him to an inn, made sure the man would be cared for, and promised to pay back the innkeeper any additional expenses upon his return.
Today, we’re going to be looking at the reason and impact of this story for those that Jesus was dialoguing with. You see the text starts with a legal expert wanting to test Jesus. Some translations call him a lawyer. Others suggest that he was an expert in religious law.
* * *
Now those of you in our live studio audience and those that have been following along at home may have noticed that not only is our text today a familiar one, we just used it three weeks ago. But please don’t worry - I promise this is not a rerun.
When we read this text a few weeks ago, we were in the midst of our Vacation Bible School series on Going Beyond. We focused primarily in that service on the ways in which the Samaritan in the parable went beyond what was expected by not just helping a man in need but by continuing to provide for his care. He didn’t just bandage his wounds and send him on his way; he carried him to an inn, made sure the man would be cared for, and promised to pay back the innkeeper any additional expenses upon his return.
Today, we’re going to be looking at the reason and impact of this story for those that Jesus was dialoguing with. You see the text starts with a legal expert wanting to test Jesus. Some translations call him a lawyer. Others suggest that he was an expert in religious law.
Beyond Borders and Expectations
Today we turn to the Hebrew scriptures to hear another healing story involving a foreigner (see 2 Kings 5:1-19). But this time, it is not only a foreigner but a general from a nation that has been actively hostile to Israel. But this does not stop God from healing.
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As we consider our text this morning, you may have noticed a few familiar things going on that are similar to our story last week where Jesus healed the ten men suffering from a skin disease, commonly translated as leprosy. In that story, after realizing they were healed, one of the men, a Samaritan and foreigner, returned to give thanks to Jesus, praising God as he did.
In today’s story from the Hebrew scriptures, we have another foreigner who is central to the storyline. Naaman is described as a great man and a highly regarded general from the kingdom of Aram. We learn that God has just given this man a victory in battle. He is a mighty warrior for his king, but he has a skin disease. This is the same skin condition that the ten men we heard about last week suffered from. And in this time it would normally lead to the same results - being cast out and marked as unclean.
No matter that Naaman was a mighty warrior. No matter that he is a general in the king’s army. No matter that he is highly regarded. This skin condition, once it is widely known, will cause him to become an outcast as surely as any other.
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As we consider our text this morning, you may have noticed a few familiar things going on that are similar to our story last week where Jesus healed the ten men suffering from a skin disease, commonly translated as leprosy. In that story, after realizing they were healed, one of the men, a Samaritan and foreigner, returned to give thanks to Jesus, praising God as he did.
In today’s story from the Hebrew scriptures, we have another foreigner who is central to the storyline. Naaman is described as a great man and a highly regarded general from the kingdom of Aram. We learn that God has just given this man a victory in battle. He is a mighty warrior for his king, but he has a skin disease. This is the same skin condition that the ten men we heard about last week suffered from. And in this time it would normally lead to the same results - being cast out and marked as unclean.
No matter that Naaman was a mighty warrior. No matter that he is a general in the king’s army. No matter that he is highly regarded. This skin condition, once it is widely known, will cause him to become an outcast as surely as any other.