Luke 19
Tax man. Insulated by money. Still interested in getting to Jesus, though perhaps not by conventional ways. Jesus finds him, calls him, claims him. Z was an outcast in his day. So, having just typed that, what do I think of the big money funders of this political season? Does that give me a more charitable view of them? Jesus received Z, and then he repented and made restitution. Do I have that much faith in the power of God (over the lure of cash) for this day and time? Hm... Making me think here, in a direction I had not anticipated going....Z was likely used to "possessing" people--EP says, "He was delighted to take Jesus home with him." But Jesus wasn't to be bought out. He's always after change of heart, change of life. Z was talking about his present philanthropy, at least in the tense that EP uses. That's different from what I remember...thought the philanthropy was resultant from his encounter with Jesus.
Parable of the talents/money/reliable servants. "Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag."
"His master needs him." The colt's owner? The colt? Could be either, or both. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.
EP: Life of Jesus isn't a success story; it's a salvation story.
1 Timothy 4-6
"Some will give up the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars...Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God's word and our prayers make every item in creation holy." Bothered. What is the creation theology of those (like those at the district day with the Bishop) who suggest that GLBTQ persons are not created by God? As if there is another creator in the world? They were wholesale condemned as unclean and irredeemable. I know folks with whom I disagree who might not got that far, but where is the line of demarcation?
Concern in pastoral epistles is "sound" teaching. Timothy is told to clean up the mess, to teach sound truth, which leads to a healthy body. Words in Ephesus had gotten sick. Gossip was rampant. So was rumor, fantasy stories. Timothy served up truth to get people healthy again.
Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Read Scripture, give counsel, teach. Keep a firm grasp on your character and your teaching.
Legitimate and illegitimate widows. Interesting. Can understand what he's saying... ( must be +60, married only once, have a reputation for helping out with children, strangers, tired Christians, the hurt and troubled). Any Christian woman who has widows in her family is responsible for them. They shouldn't be dumped on the church.
Don't appoint persons to church leadership positions too hastily. If a person is involved in some serious sins, you don't want to become an unwitting accomplice. Keep a close check on yourself.
"A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough."
Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble.
"Pursue a righteous life--a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses...Go after God who piles on all the riches we could ever manage--to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they(rich in the world's wealth) do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life."
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