Rev. Andrew D. Taylor's Blog

Jesus has an interchange of discourse between three individuals that share one thing in common. They were not a part of the socially accepted crowd. In Lk 7:1–10 Jesus speaks with a centurion—a gentile. In these Lk 7:11–17, Jesus encounters a widow. Then in the closing of the chapter (Lk 7:36–50), probably the most powerful encounter, Jesus speaks with another woman that is labeled as a “sinner.” These three encounters tell us that Jesus is not afraid to deal with the rejects of society. Jesus reaches out to those outside the race of Jews, to the woman that is weeping, and to the woman that is called a “sinner.” I pray that we never prideful enough that we never are willing to help those that are in need. Even the individuals that are rejected by the rest of society. Bock elaborates, “In the last two pericopes, the major subjects are women, showing that Jesus' work has no gender gap. And in the first pericope of the section, a Gentile has faith, showing that there is no racial g...

Today we will finally get to finish our study of the Sermon on the Mount as it is recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The conclusion of the sermon gives a strong warning for all the disciples that are listening. The conclusion can be boiled down to this simple statement: “If you are truly a disciple of Christ, then you will obey His commandments.” I have been making this point over and over again. There is no such thing as a Christian that is not a disciple of Jesus Christ. You cannot be a believer in Jesus’ work on the cross and resurrection as the only means necessary for salvation, and then say that His commandments too heavy to bear (1 John 5:3). And now Christ, God in flesh, is calling us to obey the commandment that He has stated for us in this sermon. If we do not do them, they we cannot call ourselves disciples. Before we begin this conclusion, let us look at the commandments that are stated in this sermon. (Words in the imperative voice are italicized.) “ Rejoice ye in tha...