Luke 14: 1-14 

Laterally Luke…Pentecost + 12…Revised 2019

Fathers’ Day reminds us life is about relationships. With God, & between human beings. It’s worth bearing that in mind as we preach today. The RCL allows omitting vv. 2-6, but to keep them in highlights the ‘Opportunity Principle’ Jesus works by: do what’s good in God’s eyes anywhere, anytime, for anybody!

It’s Sabbath again. Jesus has been invited to dine with a prominent Pharisee - strict keepers of the Law. Others present include religious lawyers, watching Jesus closely. In religious circles, legalism never seems far away, in Jesus’ day, or ours. How legal-istic are we in circles where we preach? Who’s watching who? With loving eyes, or critical ones? To help us come up higher, or to keep us confined?  

‘Reuben’ (let’s call him) a man suffering from what we’d call an oedema, turns up uninvited; no doubt watching from a distance. Aware of Jesus’ presence in such unusual company, & ready to grasp a once in a lifetime opportunity. Has the grape-vine been at work regarding Jesus’ movements? Does our local grape-vine alert others that we are people who represent Jesus in their midst today? Jesus discerns Reuben’s predicament & after testing & silencing His host & friends, heals him. What’s been causing Reuben to swell up, physically, yet narrow down his life, is dealt with. As he’s healed, life expands to normality again. Jesus, though, scores another black mark from those who think Sabbath-keeping over-rides healing a person in need. Jesus’ enemies are in the narrowing down business, rather than the opening up of people to new life. Today, Sabbath keeping isn’t as much of an issue among most Christians as is our applying the opening up rather than narrowing down principles to our lives, & encouraging others to do the same. Are we among the legalist, narrowing down camp - as we’re seen to be by many - or open for business as He is? 

When He heals ‘Zara’ last week, & now, Reuben, Jesus demonstrates God’s expect- ation of all citizens of the ‘Kingdom’; ‘Kingdom’ being God’s way of ruling by opening people up, rather than closing us down. Each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, personally, or in public worship, let’s be aware in all our senses that praying God’s loving, healing rule on earth will happen now. As it is in heaven means doing our bit to make that happen - now! Next time we pray the prayer Jesus taught us, let’s pray it, whether liturgically or in private, from our personal experience of an opened-up life as Reuben does in our hearing today. And teach those to whom we preach to do the same.

Brian

Afterthought: 

The godly bishop who confirmed me long ago, preached on today’s: ‘Friend, come up higher!’ Encouraging us to take this aspect of Jesus' teaching to heart & live it out. Every now & then, though, we all need a prod from Holy Spirit to live that higher life - & preach it!