Subtle Contrasts in Scripture
I am working on a sermon from Luke 14:1-14 and it is interesting to see the contrasts in that passage, even though they are not mentioned outright.
This passage comes in a series of events which are recorded that highlight what the Kingdom of God looks like from who is in the Kingdom to how the people in the Kingdom act.
This passage is a "how the people in the Kingdom act" passage.
1-5 contrasts the legalists view of the law versus how it should be interpreted.
7-11 contrasts Kingdom humility with Earthly (i am not making a spirit flesh dichotamy here) humiliation that comes from pride.
12-14 Contrasts Kingdom inclusion with Earthly exclusion.
Now, the contrasts are not there explicitely, but if you consider the context, they were there in the mind of those present and the first readers/listeners of this account.
Here Jesus is showing how the Kingdom of God operates on Earth and it goes against the cultural norms of the day (and even today's norms), and it goes against the natural selfish bent that we humans possess.
This passage blows me away and exposes so much in me and in the human condition.
1-5 We like to follow our rules. Bring our deeds to the table to show God why he should accept us.
6-11 We want to be first place.
12-14 We want to be loved by the "important" people of society, not the outcasts. We want to love those who are easier to love and can return our love with something beneficial to us.
1-5 God doesn't care about your good deeds, or the hedges you put around His Law.
6-11 Humility is honorable in the Kingdom. Realize you're not as good as you think you are.
12-14 Everyone is made in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect. Treat the crippled, poor, lame and blind with honor. Remember you were a crippled, poor, lame and blind sinner until God brought you to His table and made you His child.
There's just so much good stuff there.
This passage comes in a series of events which are recorded that highlight what the Kingdom of God looks like from who is in the Kingdom to how the people in the Kingdom act.
This passage is a "how the people in the Kingdom act" passage.
1-5 contrasts the legalists view of the law versus how it should be interpreted.
7-11 contrasts Kingdom humility with Earthly (i am not making a spirit flesh dichotamy here) humiliation that comes from pride.
12-14 Contrasts Kingdom inclusion with Earthly exclusion.
Now, the contrasts are not there explicitely, but if you consider the context, they were there in the mind of those present and the first readers/listeners of this account.
Here Jesus is showing how the Kingdom of God operates on Earth and it goes against the cultural norms of the day (and even today's norms), and it goes against the natural selfish bent that we humans possess.
This passage blows me away and exposes so much in me and in the human condition.
1-5 We like to follow our rules. Bring our deeds to the table to show God why he should accept us.
6-11 We want to be first place.
12-14 We want to be loved by the "important" people of society, not the outcasts. We want to love those who are easier to love and can return our love with something beneficial to us.
1-5 God doesn't care about your good deeds, or the hedges you put around His Law.
6-11 Humility is honorable in the Kingdom. Realize you're not as good as you think you are.
12-14 Everyone is made in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect. Treat the crippled, poor, lame and blind with honor. Remember you were a crippled, poor, lame and blind sinner until God brought you to His table and made you His child.
There's just so much good stuff there.
posted by Bobby's blog at 1:42 PM
2 Comments:
Bobby, I wonder if there is a chiasmus buried in those contrasts... It would make the sermon preach all that much more neatly. Worth checking out, no?
I was thinking about a chiastic structure outline.....it would work.
Good to see that someone doesn't think I'm crazy.
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