On Line Bible Study - For the Week August 1-7, 2011
Lesson 504
Luke 20: 45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Maybe it's because the presidential campaign is already beginning to ratchet up in the US, but this section of Luke's Gospel, beginning with the first verse of chapter 20, sounds like Jesus, Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees (the folks who asked the question about the resurrection), and teachers of the law are locked in a debate for the hearts and minds of the people. Whose vision will win the day? With whom with the people cast their fate?
Some of the debate has to do with issues - like resurrection, for example; or the question of the lawfulness of paying taxes to Caesar. There are also elements to the debate that have to do with calling into question the character of the other. With the questions of Jesus' authority fresh in everyone's mind (see Luke 20:2), he now comes back at his opponents.
Beware the teachers of the law, he cautions. He then casts doubt on a habit that everyone had simply taken for granted. Why shouldn't the teachers of the law deserve respect and the better seats? Isn't that a natural thing to afford those who have authority over us? How many politicians sit in the bleachers when they attend a sporting event? Don't they usually get box seats and at least one camera shot on them?
The appeal of Jesus' message is not unlike the appeal to our own sensibilities when, in a time of economic downturn and rising unemployment, members of congress do not take a pay cut or a reduction in their own benefits. Jesus is "running", if you will, as a "Jerusalem outsider". His message of serving - of a willingness to allow others to go first, of giving rather than taking - is in direct contradiction to the practices associated with Israel's religious leaders.
Jesus accuses the religious leaders of acquiring their prestige and wealth off the backs of the poor. It is passages like this that push us to consider the issue of entitlement. While it may be true that the leaders worked hard to hone their academic skills and their knowledge of the law, it is also true that their opportunities to acquire such knowledge are predicated on a certain life situation the likes of which not everyone enjoys! In other words, these leaders have been given much; they have become insensitive to the two streams of their spiritual and material wealth. God has given them the aptitude and circumstances have put them in the place of privilege; the people yield to their expertise and provide on-going material support. Religious leaders ought not to be holding anything over anyone; rather they ought to be examples of humility and gratitude.
That's the message Jesus is pitching. Will it take?
Some of the debate has to do with issues - like resurrection, for example; or the question of the lawfulness of paying taxes to Caesar. There are also elements to the debate that have to do with calling into question the character of the other. With the questions of Jesus' authority fresh in everyone's mind (see Luke 20:2), he now comes back at his opponents.
Beware the teachers of the law, he cautions. He then casts doubt on a habit that everyone had simply taken for granted. Why shouldn't the teachers of the law deserve respect and the better seats? Isn't that a natural thing to afford those who have authority over us? How many politicians sit in the bleachers when they attend a sporting event? Don't they usually get box seats and at least one camera shot on them?
The appeal of Jesus' message is not unlike the appeal to our own sensibilities when, in a time of economic downturn and rising unemployment, members of congress do not take a pay cut or a reduction in their own benefits. Jesus is "running", if you will, as a "Jerusalem outsider". His message of serving - of a willingness to allow others to go first, of giving rather than taking - is in direct contradiction to the practices associated with Israel's religious leaders.
Jesus accuses the religious leaders of acquiring their prestige and wealth off the backs of the poor. It is passages like this that push us to consider the issue of entitlement. While it may be true that the leaders worked hard to hone their academic skills and their knowledge of the law, it is also true that their opportunities to acquire such knowledge are predicated on a certain life situation the likes of which not everyone enjoys! In other words, these leaders have been given much; they have become insensitive to the two streams of their spiritual and material wealth. God has given them the aptitude and circumstances have put them in the place of privilege; the people yield to their expertise and provide on-going material support. Religious leaders ought not to be holding anything over anyone; rather they ought to be examples of humility and gratitude.
That's the message Jesus is pitching. Will it take?
posted by Mark D at 2:42 AM
1 Comments:
Unfortunately, if we history as a barometer it won't.
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