Advent Readings: Luke 23

Luke 23

The chapter of trial and crucifixion. Or, even better, the chapter of trial, crucifixion, and burial. For all the elements are essential for the ministry of Messiah. So, let’s talk about the burial. Luke points out that Joseph from Arimathea buried Jesus in the tomb “where no one had ever yet been laid” (Luke 23:53). Jesus is the first who will use the tomb.

From the story of triumphant entrance to Jerusalem we know that the disciples prepared for Jesus a colt on which no one has ever yet sat (Luke 19:30).

Jesus was the firstborn of Mary, so He first was in the womb in which no one was placed before.

He invited Levi Matthew to be His disciples, no one else would offer a spiritual leadership to the one who served Roman occupational authorities…

There are other instances I can point out, but I hope you get my point – Jesus is the one Who goes first. That’s why we don’t need to be surprised when St. Paul writes: “and He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:18).

I believe Mary had other sons and daughters (Mk. 6:3). I can’t imagine that the owners of the colt would mummify the poor animal and never use it again. I’m pretty sure they did. It is more than possible that the tomb was used by other people and Jesus emptied the space…

Same with the resurrection. He trod the path into eternal life for us. Now we should simply follow Him. Through our trials, our death and burial into resurrection. Thanks be to God!

Advent Readings: Luke 8

Luke 8

The chapter is full of women. First, we with a list of women who accompanied Jesus. In the middle of the chapter, we see mother of Jesus. She comes with the brothers of the Messiah (if the believe in a literal sense of the Biblical text – the perpetual virginity of St. Mary goes through the window). Then the chapter ends with a double story. The main plot develops around the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter. Sandwiched within the story there is a healing of a woman who touched a fringe of His garment – the fulfillment of the prophecy from Zechariah 8:23. All of these “women environment” is an important part of Christ’ ministry. Mary raised Him, some of them were near to support and provide for the disciples. Many were healed or even raised… from the dead.

All of this leads to an important observation – having God the Father and the Son, there should be a global “mother” figure in the life of a Christian. For some believers this place is occupied by Mother Mary. I don’t think this is a good theology. Don’t take me wrong – all nations should call Mother Mary blessed (Lk. 1:48). But the greater figure is the Church. Church is where we are born of the water and the Spirit, Church is where we are raised in faith and godliness, being fed by the Word and Sacrament. Church will sing after our departure a song, glorifying the One Who brought us into His marvelous light. 

Advent readings: LUKE 1

LUKE 1

St. Luke begins his story of Jesus, introducing himself as a true historian. He interviewed, compared his notes, and did diligent research, trying to achieve one goal – that you, most excellent Theophilus, may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught (Lk. 1:3b-4).

Then he begins a story of John Baptizer’s birth and sandwiched within the story there a prophesy of Jesus’ birth. The chapter has a general chiastic structure:

a. 1:5-25, Birth of John the Baptizer foretold

  b. 1:26-38, Mary listens of Jesus birth

    c. 1:39-45, Mother of John the Baptizer and mother of Jesus meet

  b’. 1:46-56, Mary talks/sings about “visitation of God”

a’. 1:57-80, Birth of John the Baptizer

For a great detailed analyses of these passages, I recommend commentary of Arthur Just on the Gospel of Luke in 2 volumes.

I will just mention two things. First, we meet Zechariah [father of John the Baptizer] in the Temple. It is important to see that Jesus came in the “templish” environment. Sacrifices, psalm singing, fellowship of believers in the Temple courtyard etc. The Messiah came not to abolish the LAW (Torah, the Teaching of God), but to fulfill it (Mt. 5:17). Zechariah is a priest (not a High Priest), who served and waited faithfully the realization of the Old Testament prophecies. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48) – this is why his is discipled with a vow of silence as a result of questioning the abilities of the Creator. When his son is born and John receives his name, Zechariah bursts out with a beautiful hymn, Luke 1:67-79.

Our liturgical tradition kept this song in the rites of Matins and Morning Prayer (cp, LSB 226 and 238). Unfortunately, not many of our churches have morning services on weekdays or prior to Sunday Divine service. That’s why not many people are familiar with this deep theological confession of faith.

Second, Magnificat or my soul magnifies the Lord (Lk. 1:46-55). This song is a part of Vespers or Evening service (LSB 231 and 248). On one hand, the song can be seen as a unique example when a Biblical saint exhibits not a humble behavior – think of how Mary states that all generations will call me blessed (Lk. 1:48b). On the other hand, she doesn’t say anything else but confirms what was said previously by Angel (Lk. 1:28) and Elisabeth (Lk. 1:42). I believe that Mother Mary shows us an example of a proper identification. She knows [to some extent] what awaits her as a mother of Messiah. Very often we think of too high or too low. Unlike us, Mary had a balanced view of herself. She neither calls herself a savior, or lordess, or goddess, not a worthless worm. She responds to Angel – “I am the servant of the LORD; let it be to me according to your WORD” (Lk. 1:38). 

Overview of the Bible: Judges

 Book of Judges  

Title: Judges – the title of the leaders of Israel during this pre-monarchial period  

Date of writing: traditionally, by Samuel around 1020 BC

Date of Narrative: 1406 – 1048 BC – period of Republican confederation

Structure:

A. Two introductions:

 A1, 1:1 – 2:2, Compromised conquest

 A2, 2:6 – 3:6,

  B. Two exemplary Judges:

   B1, 3:7-11, Othniel – “Lion of God”

   B2, 3:12-30, Ehud – “Joining together”

     C. Two unlikely Judges:

      C1, 4 – 5, Deborah (bee, cp. Is.7:18), a woman

      C2, 6 – 9, Gideon (Cutter down, brave soldier), a youth

  B’. Two compromised Judges:

   B’1, 10 – 12, Jephthah (whom God sets free)

   B’2, 13 – 16, Samson (solar, like the sun)  

A’. Two conclusions:

 A’1, 17 – 18, Levite failed to guard the worship of Israel

 A’2, 19 – 21, Levite failed to guard the moral of Israel      

 

Main themes:

As the seventh book of the Bible Judges is very concerned with the true worship. Lack of it leads Israel to a constant cycle of disasters, being rejected by God.

We also see leaders of worship – Levites who do not carry out their mission properly (two last stories).

Similarly, the civil leaders of Israel exhibit immaturity (Barak), impatience (Gideon and Jephthah) or careless about the mission of the LORD (Samson).   

Main Characters: Joshua, Caleb, Othniel, Ehud, Barak, Jael, Deborah, Gideon/Jerubbaal, Abimelech, Jephthah, Jephthah’s daughter, Samson, Delilah, Micah, tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin.     

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

Judges picks up the story of conquest but take a very different angle.

Ps. 19:5-6, 10 gives a poetical depiction of Samson

In Judges we see the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15) fights back with “the serpent” (ch. 4-5, 9, 13). Later on, Isaiah picks it up in his prophesy of Emanuel (7:14). We see the fulfillment of this in the birth of Jesus the Messiah from Mary.  

The appearance of God as the Angel of the LORD continues from Genesis (ch. 18 and 32) and Exodus (ch. 24) through Joshua (ch. 5) to Judges (ch. 6 and 13). We see Him a number of times in the Old Testament (f.ex. Dan 10:5-6) as it leads us to the conclusion of the Bible (Rev. 1:12-20).     

Lutheran teaching: Luther uses the examples of God’s actions in the Book of Judges to summarize the theology of grace” And in the Book of Judges one can see the good that God did through… (list of people) … though the people were not worthy of it.” (LW: 46:192-193). See further in Relevancy of the Book.

Lutheran hymnody:     

LSB 666 – OLittle Flock, Fear not the Foe (v. 2, about Gideon).

Relevancy of the Book: The Book of Judges gives us a hard, sobering, and comforting lesson. The hard part is that sin brought Israel – the chosen vehicle of His will in the world – to the brink of destruction. The sobering fact is our society does not differ much from the society Israel (in its morals and godlessness). Yet, we can find comfort in the fact that the LORD did not give up then – time and time again He would provide a savior. Sending His Son to be our Savior, God tells us that He does not give up now.     

Memory verses:

21:25: In those day there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.