Luke 7-10

Note: I have transferred the following notes from Pressing On, an MSN blog I started at the beginning of 2008, my first attempt at my Bible Reading Blog. My original intention was to jot down things I hadn't noticed in previous reading or comments and questions I had about the text. If you have seen my more recent postings, you'll see I somehow can't resist outlining the text, which, of course, is why more than a year after I started I'm still trying to finish Isaiah in the Old Testament and Paul's epistles in the New.

Luke 7
14-16 - Sometimes Jesus causes fear.

30 - It appears that God had a purpose for the Pharisees and lawyers, but by refusing to be baptized by John, they rejected that purpose.

Luke 8
11-17 - Connection between the two parables. The good soil is not just those who "remain faithful," or keeping coming to church. In the NRSV, that could apply to the seeds among the thorns: "as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature."

To be good soil, we must grow in our faith, having less and less interest in the cares of this life. The good soil is described as those who "hold the word fast in an hones and good heart, and BEAR FRUIT with patient endurance."

Then the next parable is about not hiding our lights. I'm not sure how to understand the next couple of verses, which teach that everything hidden will eventually be disclosed, and come to light, with an injunction to "pay attention to how you listen." It may again have something to do with growth, for "to those who have, more will be given." So when we listen to understand, our ability to understand increases exponentially.

Luke 9
10-12 - The reason they were in a deserted place with no access to food was for privacy - "they withdrew privately." Yet when the crowds came, Jesus was not only gracious, he fed them all.

14 - Again, this fear caused by God. This time, at the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John were "terrified" when the cloud overtook them, and God spoke from heaven. Afterward, they told no one – out of obedience to Christ? (9:22), or because it was something that had affected them so deeply they couldn't talk about it?

Luke 10
1 - Jesus sent the 70 disciples to towns where he "intended to go" – kind of a reconnaissance trip. Question: Why did he instruct them to "greet no one on the road"?

20 - An important reason to rejoice – not because God's power is with you (in this case, enabling the seventy to have power over demons), but "rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

21-24 - This seems to be a highlight in Jesus' ministry. He is so thankful for the way the seventy have responded and thanks God for their simplicity. Then he tells the disciples how blessed they are for seeing things that prophets and kings desired to see but could not.

42 - Story of Mary and Martha. Observation: To sit at Jesus' feet is better because "it will not be taken away from" us. Household duties, chores, job lists – all disappear – as we age, or lose abilities or interest, or lose opportunities. But the Word of God remains with us forever.