The teachings of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel by Luke are quite embarrassing for the average Christian.
Rather than avoid them, we do well to ponder them often.
In chapter 11 the Lord denounces hypocrisy.
In chapter 12.9 “If
anyone denies Me here on earth, I will deny that person before God’s angels”.
He calls the disciple to unashamed commitment to God and Himself, and this
being accompanied with simple dependence upon God for all things. He does not
promise present rewards, but anticipates the blessedness of being ready for the
return of the Son of man. Indeed the words are ‘wisdom teachings’ and to us
Gentile believers, some of the expectations of the Master seem unreasonable e.g
“sell your possessions and give to the poor” . Another – “ Do you think that I have come to give peace
on the earth? No, I tell you rather division.”
Statements like this can be given a contextual interpretation, however I
think we should let the general thrust of them ‘wash us clean’ from the culture
in which we live. Often our culture is one of self centred greed and peace at
any price.
Dr Luke presents in this Gospel, the strong moral teaching
(some might call it philosophical teaching) of the Lord Jesus. Matthew concentrates
on the Kingdom teaching. Luke’s presentation reaches deep into the conscience, the character and behaviour
of the disciple. It is obvious why the
Lord Jesus became unpopular with the leading men of His day.
It would have been interesting to know more about Luke the author, who though a
doctor, followed along with Paul in keeping with this teaching. It would appear
he did indeed ‘pay the price’ of discipleship.
The effect on myself is this – ‘how small I am in the light of
such teaching! How little faith I really
have! How quickly the demands of this world take over! How uncommitted I am to
the path of true discipleship !
I conclude with another one of those seemingly hard sayings – “So
no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for Me” (Luke 14.33)
Let me suggest a different perspective – objective rather than
subjective - who is this one making such
extreme demands of His followers ????? A mere rabbi? An important prophet?
This is the Son of God who in Himself trod this path before He
asked anyone else to follow. The one “who was rich, yet for your sakes became
poor” (2 Corinthians 8) . Luke presents the man in who God finds perfect
delight, and we do well to ponder often the one of whom the Father said “in Him I am well pleased.”
John McKee
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