We will finish up our discussion of Matthew next time. I hope we will at least get a start on the Gospel of Luke. Please read through Chapters 1-12 or the Gospel of Luke.
Luke has been called "the most beautiful book ever written," and it is, for many people, their favorite gospel. Pick out a verse or passage that you think particularly well shows why people find this gospel attractive and explain your choice of this particular book.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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23 comments:
Holly Jones
Luke 1:1-4
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; ....
Luke starts out why he is writing his account of the life Jesus. We need to know that Luke was a Gentile who was Dr. (Colossians 4:14) and a practing historian. He wants us to have eyewitness accounts of Jesus life and ministry.
Because Luke was a Dr. he checked out the stories about Jesus. He wants us to known as christians teaching and ministry are our roles. These are like our job.
As a historian the accounts must be written down with great details so they may last the test of time. He does this by his wording; the word "Theopilus" means "one who loves God" and those that teach his words must love him.
This message of love and praise is written down with each parable, story and account in the book of Luke.
Luke 6:37-38 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
The gospel of Luke is attractive, because it offers a way to conduct your life. For me, if I know what is wrong and right I have no reason to act any other way. However, if I do I have only my self to hold accountable for those adverse actions.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Jade stole mine... This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I think that this speaks to how we would like all people to behave. This passage makes everybody equal and puts responsibility on individuals.
The story of the sinner who washed Jesus' feet with her ointment and her hair is also a story that I think is very pleasing to the Christian audience. It is comforting to know that it doesn't matter how far you have strayed from the path of righteousness. You have the opportunity to find your way back and to be saved. Sort of a He'll do what it takes to make sure that you can be with Him in heaven. All you need to do it believe and try.
Luke 5: 13-14
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleaning, as a testimony to them."
This passage at first glance doesn't look very attractive because all that Jesus does is heal a man which he did for many people, but at the end when he tells the man not to tell others, but to go right to the priest and tell him to have sacrifices for his cleaning, this shows us how Jesus would like people first to give praise to the Lord first before you start to go tell everyone else because he is the one that healed you and he should be the first to get your thankfulness.
Eric Bengs
Annie Merkel
Luke 7:11-15 "Soon afterward he went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother."
Throughout the entire Gospel of Luke, there is example after example of all the miracles that Jesus performed. This particular passage is yet another illustration of a miracle Jesus performed. Personally, this passage is one of the best miracles because it brings to life a dead man - that does not just happen every day.
Many people enjoy the Gospel of Luke because it provides stories that illustrate an action that just does not occur very often. The passage I choose is merely one example of a colorful story that displays the power of Jesus.
Luke 6:20-26
The majority of the people who followed Christ and his disciples were poor and the kind of people more likely to have true faith. These people would have struggling fields to farm, tithes and taxes to pay, and would be considered the burdens of society by those above them.
For Christ to say endure and take it willingly because you will have the greater reward than those who feast upon your struggles in his afterlife would mean everything to those who keep their faith intact.
And to those who feast in times of famine, Christ warns that the afterlife will not be so pleasant which they probably laughed off. And Luke also shows how Christ instructed those who followed him and taught in his name to take nothing for their pilgrimages and accept what is offered. Sending a person to teach you who has nothing except his clothes is a good example of how complete their faith is and would have a greater apppeal to the masses who own little more.
Brian Johnson
Luke 10: 30-37
These verses tell the parable of the good Samaritan.
That parable represents why many people consider Luke to be such a beautiful book and why many people consider it their favorite.
The message is one that everyone has come to associate with Jesus and Christianity. That message of course is one of kindness and treating your neighbors well.
It also gives a message of love that doesn't exist only within or is extended only to certain groups. The Samaritans were considered the hated enemies of the Jews, and yet the two Jews who had the opportunity to help their brother declined, while the Samaritan, a supposed enemy, went to great lengths to help him. It is a great example of charity and selfless service.
brett newton
"friend, your sings are forgiven"
Luke 5:20
The reason that this comment and idea is so important is because it shows the kind of love and heart that God has for his people on earth. Sometimes we misunderstand the relationship with our father. It is meant to be one of love, faith, trust, and hope. Not of distance and curiosity.
God isn't here to be our principle or overseer that wants to point out all the sins and wrongs that we have committed. He is not there make life hell. He is here because he loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. And just like every great relationship that we have, it involves friendship.
Along with the friendship, he also speaks of forgiveness. We will never be perfect and this is telling us that he realizes our faults and accepts them, but will forgive us in love.
Sam Merkel
Luke 5:4-6
And when they had this done they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Simon showed great risk by putting down his net and gave his faith into Jesus to provide food for him. It would be difficult to quit your job and put your trust in a man that you don't know much about. Having to provide food for a family and a stranger comes to you and tells you to quit and that he will provide for you is something hard to believe and hard to put your trust in. This is an important verse I think because it showed how much faith and trust people had in Jesus.
I chose the passage Luke 11:46-54. Jesus condemns those who wastefully use their money, say its for the good and call themselves righteous.
Luke I believe is a great book because it is easy to read but most importantly throws out the ideas of wasting money to 'serve' god. Beautiful churches are great but what about using that to help the needy for the greater good. Jesus tells people not to have others over for dinner that can repay you, such as relatives and neighbors but to have the poor over. Then you will feel really righteous and fulfilled. All of this talk about not using your money to be in god's favor really really upset the Pharisees, because Jesus was coming in and saying in order to be right with god you have to actually work for it and step out of your comfort zone.
The book of Luke and Jesus himself transform the Jewish/Christian religion from great useless sacrifices to helping others. I believe that following the golden rule of doing to others what you would want done to you and overall being a decent person is a much better way to live then being rich and rude, which is not an any way fulfilling. I believe this is why Luke is appealing to so many.
Jenna Doblar
Luke 12:4-5
"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"
These verses had to be a source of inspiration for the christian's who would be persecuted by the Romans. They would also serve as inspiration for missionaries in places such as China, Ethopia, and other countries. So the beauty of these verses would be how they are relevant to today's missionaries as well as future missionaries.
While the Gospels can be beneficial, some people and politicians use certain well-known verses to defend their own behavior. "Judge not lest you be judged," was used by Allan Colmes to defend one of the current president's "spiritual advisers." If one were to ask Mr.Colmes to name the book, and chapter this verse comes from I suspect he would not have been able to answer.
Luke 10:38-42, the story of Mary and Martha.
I have enjoyed reading the Golpel of Luke so much more than that of Matthew and for me it is getting easier to understand why so many there are more than one version of the same story. Matthew deffenatly tailored his writing to a differnt crowd than Luke.
The story of Mary and Martha is my favorite from the assigned reading. Martha complains to Jesus because Mary is listening to him preach and not helping her serve hors d'oeuvres, and Jesus basically says its ok for her too be working, but he would never stop Mary from learning what he has to teach. Luke added a lot of stories like to teach what Jesus taught, not like Matt's long Sermon on the Mount.
Jon Hepola
In the Gospel of St.Luke it speaks more of St.John the Baptist. It speaks at the beginning of the Gospel of his parents Elizabeth and Zachary and how Zachary was made mute after questioning Gods Word. The Gospel and later speaks of his purpose.
In Luke 3:4-6 "as it was written in the book of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain.
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
Luke 2:49
And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that must be in my Father's house?"
I think this is a very good passage because Jesus is telling Joseph and Mary that he is the son of God. This is a very important passage for the same reason. If anyone wants a good passage where Jesus is proclaiming himself the Son of God all they need to do is look here. All in all I think Luke chapter 2 is very attractive because it tells of Jesus' birth.
Luke 10:29-37
This is the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is especially attractive because it addresses more than just one person helping out another which is a very wonderful thing in itself. It is also a story about discrimination. The Samaritans were despised by Jews in Jesus’ time. Jesus making a Samaritan the hero of the story could have given those listening to Jesus something to talk about.
We are all called to have true relationships with those who are different from us. When we have real relationships with others, especially those who are different from us, we are less likely to discriminate – to love all individuals as Jesus loves them.
Amanda Imberi
Luke 2:10,11
But the angle said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;He is Christ the Lord."
I think that this verse is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible because of the message it sends. It tells us of the birth of our Savior Jesus on that first Christmas night. It is such a beautiful verse because it reminds us that God sent His Son to come in to the world to live a perfect life and to die on the cross for all of our sins. Without Christmas there would be no Easter, and that is why we celebrate Christmas every year. It is a chance to remind ourselves of the greatest gift ever given to mankind: God's Son Jesus.
John Rawerts
Zach Anderson
Luke 6:42
"How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me remove the splinter which is in your eye, you yourself not seeing the beam which is in your eye? Hypocrite, first remove the beam from your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the splnter which is in your brother's eye."
I really enjoy this verse and feel it is very important in the life of a christian to follow this parable. To me it goes a long way in showing that we must first make ourselves worthy of god before we can help others.
This verse speaks also to the selfless nature of Luke that once you are a righteous person all of gods gifts will come to you, and you shall not want for anything.
Luke 2:8-14
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
-----------------------
The preceding was featured in a memorable scene in "A Charlie Brown Christmas," recited by Linus.
Christmas specials aired at the time did not focus on the true meaning of Christmas; the "Peanuts" special was pivotal in promoting the story of the Nativity on television.
But the beauty of these verses offer hope and a new beginning for the people of the world: "Fear not," "Good tidings of great joy. . . for all people," "peace, goodwill toward men" contribute to the promise foretold by those who have heard God's will.
In comparison to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the Gosepl of Luke is the most intricate, explains the most about Jesus's life and teachings, and offers the greatest amount of promise to the multitude of people.
The selected verses are important to me because it tells to great detail about how Jesus's life started. These verses could also get people interested in putting their faith in Christ. A man who has been sent by God Almighty to redeem the world of its trials may keep a large amount of individuals interested. Could he free them from Roman rule? Could he give Israel back to the Hebrews?
Luke 6:27-36
"But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you..."
The passage goes on longer, but I think this gives you a general feel for the passage, as well as the gospel of Luke. Luke is portraying the message that Jesus is indeed the savior, and he is attempting to reaffirm this after various accounts of the gospel have already been heard. This passage is also a beautifully written passage, almost poetic. The message, like its language, is also a beautiful one. A message like this had never really been heard before, and this verse is even more special for it.
Tim Baustian
Luke 9:1-6
....he gave them(disciples)power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
I like these verses because it shows how Jesus is already preparing for his impending death. He is preparing the disciples to carry on his work on earth. He is giving them great powers, but with these powers is the charge to not abuse them. Live simple, appreciate hospitality, get used to denial and hostility. Jesus in his infinite wisdom knew the things that the disciples would face as they would preach the gospel. He was constantly preparing the disciples both spiritually and in practical matters for the day that they are to carry on his work on Earth.
Luke seems much more focused on the Gentiles than Matthew was. Matthew was constantly making references to the Old Testament as if he is trying to win over the Jews. Luke rarely makes mention of the Old Testament.
Ruth Wilson
Luke 46-56 Mary's Song
This is practicaly unthinkable; poetry from a woman? A young, unmarried woman, pregnant before the bans and pleased about that? This must be strange to the Jews, but I find it so uplifting. This entire gosple is full of stories about sinful, widowed women and children. The other gospels get down to the parables and life of Jesus, the nitty-gritty, and this one shows the faces of those he helped, most of them not fit for society.
Luke has been called "the most beautiful book ever written," and it is, for many people, their favorite gospel. Pick out a verse or passage that you think particularly well shows why people find this gospel attractive and explain your choice of this particular book.
I think that the passage under 8:19-21 about Jesus and his Family really protrays the beausty of Luke. I think that since Jesus says that anyone is is his mother or brother that hears the word of God and acts on it. I think the sense of family that church give people is very important. I think it is neat that a person who lets say has no blood family can still have a family thru faith. That the word of God acts like a brotherhood and that since people reconize that it is very special.
Luke 4: 3-4,7-8
And And the Devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but every word of God.
If thou therefor wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.
These are a couple of my favorite passages of Luke because of Jesus's rejection towards Satans evil ways, and he shows how He wants others to follow his ways by worshiping only one God, and being faithful to that one God. This also shows just one of the many things that Jesus has sacrificed for the well being of other people. He is always willing to give up alot for us, and this passage shows that well.
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