Are you dazed and confused?

(72) Dazed and Confused in Jerusalem

So… a rich son can get lost and be redeemed and a poor shepherd can rejoice in a lost sheep and the beggar on the street corner might get invited to a banquet. It’s no surprise if Jesus’ listeners, even his disciples, are confused. But now he’s going to confuse them (and maybe us) some more. Read Luke 16:1-2

1.       Given what Jesus’ has been talking about, who might the disciples imagine is in the wrong at this first sentence—the rich (Pharisee?) perhaps? Who have the Pharisees been accusing of squandering God’s teaching? So… who might they imagine the steward represents?

2.       Okay, that’s not how we usually read the story, but remembering Jesus has a sense of humor, read Luke 16:3-4 and imagine how the disciples might react to “I can’t dig and I’m ashamed to beg.” Can you imagine Peter calling out “Ah, but can he fish?”

3.       How was Jesus going to be “removed” from his ministry (or lose his job in other translations)?

4.       Read Luke 16:5-7 What has Jesus done to the amount we owe?

5.       Which people, listening to Jesus’ story, will be nodding sagely and smiling at how “clever” the steward was?

6.       Read Luke 16:9. The Pharisees think it’s good to be clever with money. Does Jesus, or was he talking about something else?

7.       Will friends made through money be able to welcome you into eternity? How does this apply to modern life?

Christians have argued over how to interpret the parable for… a long time. Probably Jesus’ listeners were arguing too. So Jesus goes on to redirect their arguments, away from money and toward faithfulness. Read Luke 16:10-13

1.       Read verse 11. Does money (and our use of money) matter to God?

2.       Read verse 12. What property of “your own” are you trusting God will give you?

3.       Should your neighbor’s salvation be important to you? Why or why not?

4.       Read verse 13. What can go wrong in our use of money? And what other “masters” might we serve?

5.       Read Luke 15:14-15. What master does Jesus imply the Pharisees might serve?

6.       But the Pharisees believe they serve God’s law. Read Luke 15:16-17. What’s wrong with serving “law”?

7.       Do we want a stroke of the pen do drop out of the law? Why or why not?

8.       Read Luke 15:18. Jesus refers to a (sadly) familiar bit of “law.” Do you suppose this “interpretation” would make any of his “good” listeners guilty in the eyes of the law? So… do we want to be saved by law?

Riches were considered the natural reward for being good; the Pharisees thought they had it made. Whatever Jesus says, they still think they’re good and the rabble are lost. But Jesus’ next parable suggests otherwise. Read Luke 15:19-31

1.       Lazarus means “whom God helps.” What would people think when Jesus describes someone destitute as “whom God helps”? Do we see people that way?

2.       Jesus doesn’t call the rich man evil or the poor man good. What might this tell us about God’s judgment?

3.       Read verse 25. Ascetics have argued that we need to be uncomfortable in life to be saved in death. Is Jesus saying this or just inviting a contrast? Where would you rather be comfortable?

4.       Read verse 26. Theologians argue over whether anyone can get from heaven to hell or back. Is Jesus speaking to this argument, or emphasizing a point? What point? (And who did the Jews think they were separate from?)

5.       Read verse 29. Who only had Moses and the prophets, and which of Jesus’ listeners had more?

6.       Read verse 31. Who persuades you? And what are you persuaded of, after reading these parables?