Not to sound like a broken record but Jenny and I would love to get your feedback and your responses to the questions below. OR if I don't explain something in the passage we cover, feel free to either ask through a comment or a private message on Facebook. No question is dumb, too detailed or too difficult (I'm not ashamed to say I don't know and get you an answer)!
Let's get to it!
Read Luke 10:21 - 11:13 (find it here)
I love the happiness that Jesus expresses over the work of his 72 disciples. Here's the clear explanation, that I previously noted, as to why Jesus brought a child among the disciples. Jesus says that only the "childlike" will experience the knowledge of being used by God. Again, don't get childlike confused with childish. God is pleased to humble the proud and empower the weak!
Only those who know Jesus will really know God. Only Jesus knows God completely, because He is his father. Those who accept Jesus receive the privilege of knowing God.
How appropriate! In verse 25, a proud expert in religious law decides to test Jesus with the question, "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" He asks the "expert" to revert to his education to answer his own question because he has definitely read the first five books of the Bible (or law of Moses).
The "expert" quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 as one statement.
Jesus affirms the expert's quote and assures him that if he were to do this he would have eternal life (verse 28). The next verse is interesting. Luke now calls the "expert" simply a "man" (notice that?). The man wanted to justify his actions, which means that he HASN'T been loving his neighbor as himself. He pretends to be innocent in asking, "Who's my neighbor?"
Jesus' answer would definitely rub this man, formerly referred to as an expert, the wrong way.
Now most people know the story of the good Samaritan. But now, you know that Samaritans are hated by Jews, right? They are considered "half-breeds." Well, Jesus gives an example to the "man's" question of a good Samaritan (which would be an oxymoron to a Jew) who is the only one to help a Jewish man who was attacked. The Samaritan is painted in a more positive light than even a priest and temple worker!
Now Jesus asks a question. "Which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked?" The man didn't even want to muster the despicable word Samaritan from his mouth, so he said, "The one who showed him mercy." (verses 36-37) Now that the former expert has his answer, Jesus leaves no doubt or reason to ignore his neighbor. Jesus commands him to "go and do the same."
As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, they were welcomed into Martha's home. Her sister, Mary, could only focus on Jesus' teaching. Martha gets frustrated that she's doing all the work while Mary just sits and listens. Even though Martha felt short-changed, Jesus tells her that Mary is focusing on the only thing that's worth being concerned about (he was speaking of himself). There's no need to worry over pointless details in this life!
Speaking of an important detail, Jesus is praying again. The disciples were obviously noticing how much and passionately he was praying so they wanted him to teach them how to pray.
This is where we get the "Lord's Prayer."
If I were to completely rephrase Jesus' prayer, it would be something like this:
Father, may Your name always be treated reverently (as a pastor would reference God's name).
Come set up heaven on earth soon.
Give us the food we need,
Forgive our sins as we forgive others.
Don't let us fall into temptation.
If you've ever recited the Lord's Prayer, you'll notice that there's one addition line quoted by Matthew in Matthew 6:13 ("deliver us from evil").
Jesus implies through the following story (about going to a friend's house at midnight to borrow bread), that if we are shameless and persistent in our prayers, God will ultimately respond to our requests. Notice that the request for "bread" is a need-based request, this doesn't mean that if we keep asking for a new car that God will give it to us just to shut us up. Make sense?
Jesus puts the disciples in God's place. What if your child asks for a fish (a need-based request, right?), do you give them a snake? (11:11) If parents know how to provide for their children, don't you think God can provide even greater things, even the Holy Spirit, for His children?
Questions
1. Jesus turns an "expert" into a hypocrite by proving that a neighbor is essentially everyone, even your enemies. Have you been justifying your behavior or attitude towards people you don't like? Do you only love the ones who love you? How would the world be a different place if people DIDN'T justify their behavior?
2. Many people truly believe that if we repeat our prayers enough that God will answer every request with a yes. Would it be a good thing or bad thing if God said yes to every prayer request? Why or why not? Do you find yourself praying for needs or wants? How about others' needs?
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