David Bahn – Reflections

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” ²⁷ And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸ And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

²⁹ But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”³⁰ Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.³¹ Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. ³² So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.³⁴ He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.³⁵ And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ ³⁶ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” ³⁷ He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

”Leaders lead. Leaders speak first. Leaders frame the question.” That was Lyle Schaller’s aphorism on leadership. I especially like the last one. Questions are powerful tools in helping people discover their own answers to life’s challenges. They may be thought of as neutral, but truly no question is without bias.

That is certainly true with the lawyer’s question. He has an agenda. He wants to trap Jesus and justify himself. Jesus answers the lawyer’s firsts question with a question. When the lawyer answers Jesus tells I’m to “do this, [keep the Law] and you will live.” Then comes the lawyer’s second question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan in order to set up yet another question. He asks, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”

Once the answer comes, Jesus then says, “Go and do likewise.” But there is so much in that story that will make it difficult for the lawyer go and do likewise. He would have to be like the hated Samaritan. He would have to admit that the example of loving one’s neighbor would be a loathsome half-breed. All that in answering Jesus’ question.

Jesus was a master question-answerer. Zach and Allison Zehnder founded the Red Letter Challenge, and in November of 2022 posted The 305 Questions Jesus Asked with One Shocking Discovery. I’d say Jesus was good at asking questions. And framing them. In other words asked questions that would challenge people, invite people to reconsider their place in God’s kingdom, and bring comfort to those who looked to him.

In this case Jesus was asking who acted like a neighbor in order to get the lawyer out of the loophole looking paradigm and see how God’s love is to be shared with all kinds and sorts of people. Even syncretistic foreigners.

Jesus, however, didn’t ask questions about how we are to treat one another. He was clear, direct, and unwavering in His command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Go and do likewise. No question here. Just go and love like God has loved you.

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

⁴⁶ An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. ⁴⁷ But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side ⁴⁸ and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

⁴⁹ John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” ⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

⁵¹ When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. ⁵² And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. ⁵³ But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” ⁵⁵ But he turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶ And they went on to another village.

⁵⁷ As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” ⁵⁹ To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” ⁶² Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. ² And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³ Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. ⁴ Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵ Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. ⁸ Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. ⁹ Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ ¹² I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

¹³ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴ But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

¹⁶ “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” ¹⁸ And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

²¹ In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²² All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

²³ Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Maybe you remember the book Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche by Bruce Feirstein. The book poked fun at traditional masculine stereotypes, particularly the idea that “real men” should be rugged, tough, and only eat stereotypically “manly” foods like steak and potatoes—not something delicate like quiche. Personally, I like them both!

I thought of that as I read of the conflict between the disciples who are arguing about who was the greatest among them. Jesus knew they were stewing about this so he told them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Issue settled, right? Not so fast. Luke tells us that John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” Sounds to me like they didn’t get it at all. They were worried about someone else getting credit for their hard work.

Then comes the challenge of Jesus: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” That in response to those who come to him, wanting to sign up for his discipleship course. This will be a long haul, he is saying. If you’re in. Stay in. 

With that background Jesus appoints 72, sending them on ahead of him, telling them they must rely on God’s provision and the kindness and hospitality of the persons of peace they meet along the way. They are to heal diseases, cast out demons and announce the presence of the reign and rule of God.

They return in delightful joy because they saw the work of God through their ministry. “Even the demons were subject to us in your name,” they recount. Jesus replies, “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Real disciples get caught up in petty squabbles about greatness, worry about who is getting the credit, sometimes want to turn back from following Jesus, and are nonetheless sent by Jesus on remarkable missions of proclamation and healing.

We may not fit in all of those categories, but the next time you feel discouraged about your faithfulness, effectiveness, character, or qualifications, consider these examples. If I’m reading this right the 12 are hung up on their own personal preferences and protections while the 72 are sent to do amazing things. Yet the 12 are still the 12, and the 72 are not to boast in their personal accomplishments.

Real disciples follow Jesus – however well they are able. And that is our calling. And our names are recorded in heaven.

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” ¹⁹ And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” ²⁰ Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

²¹ And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, ²² saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

²⁸ Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰ And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³² Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³ And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. ³⁴ As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” ³⁶ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

³⁷ On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. ³⁸ And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. ⁴⁰ And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” ⁴¹ Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” ⁴² While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ⁴³ And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

We were at a Michael W. Smith concert. He is a remarkably gifted musician, composer and performer. We used to listen to his music all the time. I recall, however, at the concert that when he walked on stage, I did not recognize him. “Who is that?” I asked Diane. She said, “That’s Michael W. Smith!” or maybe, “That’s him!” I should have known. He’s smaller in person than I had expected. But boy, oh boy, could he sing! The concert was excellent! Michael W. Smith has blessed me and many people.

But Michael W. Smith doesn’t hold a candle next to Jesus of Nazareth. And even though the context is different the events of this text prompt me to reflect on just who this Jesus is. Who is this man? Do we recognize him for who he is?

Jesus asks his disciples who the people say he was, and Peter confesses, “You are the Christ of God.” Christ means anointed one. Jesus is the anointed one of God. Anointed, set aside, consecrated, ordained by God for a singular mission. He was set aside to usher in the fullness of God’s reign, the Kingdom of God. Though he would “be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed,” he would usher in the Kingdom of God, because would be raised from the dead on the third day. 

He is the one who will come in “his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Then he tells his disciples that some were standing there who would “not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Some might think this is a prophecy that Jesus would return within the lifetime of some of the disciples. But Luke makes it clear that Peter, James, and John see the kingdom of God. They see Jesus with Elijah and Moses as Jesus’ appearance and clothing changed, shining with unborrowed light. 

But not only do Peter, James, and John get to see the kingdom of God. When Jesus comes down from the mountain he shows his reign over all things–even the evil spirits. He casts out the evil spirit who convulsed the son so that “he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.” Luke tells us, “Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.” Then he adds, “And all were astonished at the majesty of God.”

Did we recognize this Jesus is God in the flesh? Do we see it only in the dramatic healing of the man’s son, or the majesty of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration? God’s majesty is veiled in the person, life, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But make no mistake: This Jesus is God’s majestic Son, Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Friend!

Soon afterward Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

⁴ And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, ⁵ “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. ⁸ And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

⁹ And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, ¹⁰ he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ ¹¹ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. ¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵ As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

¹⁶ “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷ For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. ¹⁸ Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

¹⁹ Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. ²⁰ And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” ²¹ But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

At one point Jesus’ family thought he had lost his mind. Mark recounts: “Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind.’” (Mark 3:20-21) John 7:5 has, “not even his brothers believed in him.” Luke’s record here may the the same event, or another incident recorded in this context. If it is two different occasions, his family may yet be concerned that Jesus was going too far. in is ministry. He had gotten carried away with his ministry and taken on too large of a challenge.

Then he dismisses his family and makes the point that his true mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. He seems to dismiss his family, which might also explain how his brothers dismissed him and his mission. Maybe he has gone too far.

And what about the women traveling with Jesus? They are accompanying him and supporting him from their own means. I wonder if whether their friends and family thought they had gone too far. They may have thought that these women had gotten carried away.

Were these women and Jesus like the seed sown on the path that the birds carried away?

Do you ever get carried away with Jesus?

When I was in college I got very serious about sharing my faith. I took my Bible to my philosophy class and shared from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. When I told a girl who I had interest in dating (she was also a Lutheran but totally not interested in me), she said, “Don’t get carried away, Dave.”

Sometimes our faithful witness can make us seem fanatical. People might feel as though we’re getting carried away with Jesus. Maybe so. But Jesus carried away our sins to the cross, and then he was carried away from his cross to a borrowed tomb. Now he reigns at the right hand of God. He did that to secure our eternal salvation and give us hope and a future.

For that I’m thankful. And I may get carried away once in a while in praise and witness to his perfect grace, goodness, and love.

¹¹ Soon afterward Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. ¹² As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. ¹³ And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ¹⁴ Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” ¹⁵ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. ¹⁶ Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” ¹⁷ And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

¹⁸ The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, ¹⁹ calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” ²⁰ And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” ²¹ In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. ²² And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. ²³ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

²⁴ When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵ What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. ²⁶ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” ²⁹ (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, ³⁰ but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)

³¹ “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

³³ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ³⁵ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. ³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

⁴¹ “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Some churches have a sending at the end of the service that goes like this: “Go in peace. Serve the Lord,” says the pastor. The congregation responds, “Thanks be to God!” I have appreciated this sending sentiment. I was reminded of the “go in peace” portion as I read this passage. Jesus forgives the woman of her sins, commends her faith, and tells her to go in peace.

What does that mean?

It does not mean that we’ll never face death or have to deal with grief. Even though Jesus raised the widow’s son, he will one day die. His mother will die. The disciples will die. Jesus will die. We all must face death—unless Jesus returns before we die. We can go (on) in peace even in the face of death because Jesus has power over death. And the young man’s resurrection prefigures Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection has eternal implications for those who believe.

Going in peace also does not mean we’ll never have doubts. John had doubts, and he is the one of whom Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). He had doubts because he was languishing in prison even though he was Jesus’ forerunner. Yet Jesus promised a peace that transcends even this dark hour.

To go in peace certainly does not mean dismissing Jesus’ ministry. The Pharisees were decidedly without peace as they saw what Jesus was doing. They were holding to their own power and position. They feared losing their influence at the hands of Jesus’ teaching. We cannot dismiss Jesus’ teaching—be it convenient or convicting.

A life of judgmental condemnation of others is not a life of peace. If we’re constantly worrying about how someone else is living out her faith, we won’t find peace. If all we can see in another person’s life is how God seems to treat him more favorably than us, our hearts will be distressed. If we expect God to conform to our sensibilities we will not experience the joy of the Lord and beauty of his grace.

Going in peace requires that we are humbly aware of our faults, failures, sins, and shortcomings. The widow at Nain, John in prison, and the woman of the city, a sinner forgiven: all knew a peace that passes understanding.

If I am to go in peace I must ask myself a question or two. Is my life aligned with God’s will insofar as it is possible with me? Am I expecting God to align himself with my ideals rather than living in humble faith in his goodness? Do I realize how great a debt Jesus took on and paid for my sins? Do I believe Jesus who said, “In this world you will have troubles. But rejoice! I have overcome the world”? Do I believe his promise, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)? Jesus’ resurrection greeting, “Peace be with you,” is a blessing we all need and which Jesus freely gives to those who trust in him.

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. ² Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. ³ When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, ⁵ for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” ⁶ And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. ⁸ For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ⁹ When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” ¹⁰ And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

I love this story of the centurion. It has so much faith. So much grace. So much grist.

First the faith! The centurion heard of Jesus and sent for him to come and heal his servant. Faith comes from hearing. And hearing from the word of God. We hear all kinds of things these days—perhaps more now than ever. I can spend an hour reading the news from the various email news outlets I subscribe to each day. But the centurion’s hearing was quite different. He heard not just from the most reliable news outlet. He heard from God. Jesus is God’s Word made flesh. And the centurion hears about Jesus and believes. He believes. He realizes Jesus is the One in whom he can put his fullest trust. He will call for Jesus to come. Then he will say Jesus doesn’t need to come. He knows Jesus is over all things. He knows that one word from Jesus is one word from God. The God who spoke creation into existence can speak a word of healing and it will be so. The centurion is a man of great faith for his faith is in Jesus. God’s Son. Savior. Healer. Friend.

And what grace does Jesus have! His heart is moved by the centurion’s faith. He realizes that the centurion has honored him greatly by his faith in Jesus. He realizes that the centurion’s request honors him as the One who can do all things—including healing his servant. And Jesus—properly honored as the Son of God—responds not with a curt nod or a simple smile of appreciation. He heals the servant. No reason other than his grace. Accessed by faith. The gift of faith embraces the gift of healing. So much grace!

Then there is grist. I used to think that the centurion was all wrong with he spoke of himself as one “set under authority.” I would have thought he would have said, “I am a man with authority.” Like it was his own authority. But he is appealing by his wording to an even greater authority than his commission. He is set under the authority of Caesar. His commands are great and authoritative because they come from Caesar.

Jesus’ authority is from the Father. This man is under God’s authority. He is not speaking from his own. Just as the Holy Spirit does not speak from his own authority (cf. John 16:13). Somehow—and please don’t ask me to explain this, for this is within the mystery of the Triune Godhead—Jesus is true God, yet under the authority of the Father. His word is God’s word.

That’s why I want to be under someone’s authority when I serve. Whether it is of the church’s voters, their board or in the case of when I was senior pastor at St. John, the Mission and Ministry Council. I didn’t have authority just because I was ordained. I was acting under their authority. And they, as duly elected servants, were acting under the authority of God.

So when I pronounce absolution, I am ultimately doing so under Jesus’ authority, the One who has been given all authority (Matthew 28:18). Whenever we share the gospel we are doing so under the authority of Jesus. Whenever we forgive one another we are doing so under Jesus’ authority.

Grist. Grace. Faith. Authority. A powerful combination.

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, ⁴⁴ for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. ⁴⁵ The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? ⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: ⁴⁸ he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Ron was a very intelligent man. Well read. Thoughtful. Faithful Christian. Biblically literate. Quick minded. He once told me of a conversation he had with a coworker. They were talking about one of their suppliers and his coworker made a very disparaging remark about the supplier’s motives and intent. Ron’s immediate response was to say something like, “Evil speaks as evil thinks.” He immediately regretted saying it, for it was a judgmental comment against someone who was being judgmental.

I say that because that thought echoes Jesus’ teachings here: “for out of the abundance of the heart the evil one’s mouth speaks.” There is much evil in the world. It flows from the hearts of evil men and women. We may wish it were not so, but we all get caught up in it ourselves. How many times have I called someone stupid (thinking of dangerous drivers)? How many times have I thought poorly of another person? How many times have I wrongly assumed another’s motives were unkind? 

Jesus does not pull punches when it comes to calling out evil in men and women. He called Peter Satan. He asked, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

How do we build our houses on a solid foundation—we who do not follow Jesus’ words and commands as we should? The key is found in the previous chapter of Luke. He records Jesus’ words, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke will also record Jesus’ teaching in chapter 13, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

The solid rock upon which we must build our lives is one of repentance and faith. From such a heart will flow good fruit of love and good works. The good treasure in the heart of such a one is the gospel: the message of God’s love, grace, forgiveness, and salvation. This treasure is centered in Jesus, sent from the Father, and made sure by the Holy Spirit’s constant work in our hearts. Without the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts our ruin would be great. Come, Holy Spirit, dwell in our hearts so that we build on the strong foundation of Jesus’ love and truth.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; ³⁸ 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.”

³⁹ He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰ A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. ⁴¹ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

I’m pretty happy with how I’m treated at the gym where Diane and I work out. There is not an excessive amount (or too little amount?) of Spandex. And the other much younger folks there seem genuinely welcoming and happy to have us in the class. I am definitely the oldest person in the class, and I have to modify in some manner almost all of the workouts we do. But it seems to be a no-judgement zone. No body shaming. No finger-pointing. No eye rolling.

Everyone has his or her own issue. We all have our unique challenges. I’ve got plenty to work on myself without worrying about how well my gym partner is doing – except to help her if she falls.

The church should be such a place as well. This is made clear in the teachings of Jesus. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned,” he says. Take the log out of your own eye before you try to remove the log from your brother’s or sister’s eye. 

This could be regarded as wisdom literature: advice for getting along well in life. Jesus knew his Old Testament. These verses echo Old Testament themes about judging, forgiving, and giving. They are very much like the wisdom literature of Proverbs. These writings reflect how life typically works under God’s design but are not absolute promises. The book teaches discernment and virtue, shaping the heart and mind to walk in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.

But Jesus was not prone to espouse wisdom literature without some deeper application. In other words, these are important markers of followers of Jesus. These are markers of Jesus’ disciples. The world is full of judgmental people, who refuse to forgive, and close their wallets and bank accounts with two-factor authentication. And those two factors are greed and hubris. Jesus would say to that, “It shall not be so among you.”

Let the church be a no-judgment zone. Leave the judging to God. He’s much better at it. His judgment fell on Jesus so that we can approach the throne of God’s grace in faith and receive the blessings Jesus earned by his life of perfect obedience to these and all of God’s laws.