Luke 9:1-11 | Hebrews 13:1-9a
One good reason to read the gospels over and over is to receive the collective, full witness of Christ. A lot is said about Jesus, what he did, said, and who he was and is. But the gospels are the fullest witness.
Jesus is so attractive and magnetic that over time, we can imagine him into things he is not.
Jesus is nice.
Jesus is my friend.
Jesus loves everyone.
Jesus would never say anything bad.
There are different levels of truth to each of these statements and others like them. But portions of today’s short passage and others like it remind us that there are many angles to Jesus.
Shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.
That doesn’t seem very nice...
Jesus withdrew privately…
Seems kind of exclusive…
Jesus is often even different things at different times. He sometimes says opposing statements in different contexts. All this is simply to say that we should be cautious in making universal statements about Jesus without really knowing his story and example.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
True. But maybe that sameness is bigger than we can truly imagine.
Luke 9:1-11
Jesus called the Twelve together and he gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal sicknesses. He sent them out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick. He told them, “Take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, no bag, no bread, no money, not even an extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. Wherever they don’t welcome you, as you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.” They departed and went through the villages proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
Herod the ruler heard about everything that was happening. He was confused because some people were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. Herod said, “I beheaded John, so now who am I hearing about?” Herod wanted to see him.
When the apostles returned, they described for Jesus what they had done. Taking them with him, Jesus withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds figured it out, they followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about God’s kingdom, and healed those who were sick.
Hebrews 13:1-9a
Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. Marriage must be honored in every respect, with no cheating on the relationship, because God will judge the sexually immoral person and the person who commits adultery. Your way of life should be free from the love of money, and you should be content with what you have. After all, he has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. This is why we can confidently say,
The Lord is my helper,
and I won’t be afraid.
What can people do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke God’s word to you. Imitate their faith as you consider the way their lives turned out. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Don’t be misled by the many strange teachings out there.
Prayer
God,
Help me to know Christ in his fullness.
Please, for sure: help me know Christ for myself. Show me his person in the particularities of my life. Flesh out his being in my context.
But also help me to see his fullness in situations that are not like mine and in ways I do not understand. Show me Christ the Lord for the whole world. Give me realization of his person as complete and total for any and all cultures. Help me know the Lordship of Jesus across creation as he is redeeming all things.
When I really think about it, this seems like a pretty big task. So if nothing else, at least give me the openness I need to see, know, and live Christ in the particularities of the day in front of me.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.