Luke: The Upside Down Kingdom of God

What Do You Value?What Do You Value?

Features Unique to LukeFeatures Unique to Luke

Jesus’ concern for outsiders, the poor, Jesus’ concern for outsiders, the poor, “sinners”, Samaritans“sinners”, Samaritans

Reversal of fortuneReversal of fortune

Emphasis on role of women in Jesus’ ministryEmphasis on role of women in Jesus’ ministry

Zechariah, Elizabeth and JohnZechariah, Elizabeth and John

Luke 1:6 They are upright and observant.Luke 1:6 They are upright and observant.

But… 1:7 Elizabeth was barren.But… 1:7 Elizabeth was barren.

1:18 She is “well along in years.”1:18 She is “well along in years.”

A pattern—a connection to the OT:A pattern—a connection to the OT:

Sarah/AbrahamSarah/Abraham

Rachel/Joseph (Genesis 30:22-23)Rachel/Joseph (Genesis 30:22-23)

Hannah/SamuelHannah/Samuel

Elizabeth/JohnElizabeth/John

Zechariah, Elizabeth and JohnZechariah, Elizabeth and John

Luke 1:19, 13 Good news!Luke 1:19, 13 Good news!

If we will be upright and observant,If we will be upright and observant,

The old will be productiveThe old will be productive

The barren will be fruitfulThe barren will be fruitful

Our disgrace will be taken away (Luke 1:25)Our disgrace will be taken away (Luke 1:25)

Q: How has/will God done these things in your Q: How has/will God done these things in your life?life?

Mary: The Favored of the LordMary: The Favored of the Lord

Facts about Mary:Facts about Mary:

1. She was very young.1. She was very young.

2. She was female.2. She was female.

3. She was poor.3. She was poor.

4. She was defenseless 4. She was defenseless

and vulnerableand vulnerable

Mary: The Favored of the LordMary: The Favored of the Lord

What does God say about Mary? Luke 1:26-28What does God say about Mary? Luke 1:26-28

1. You are highly favored.1. You are highly favored.

2. God is with you.2. God is with you.

Why Mary? Luke 1:38 Luke 1:45 (a great memory verse)Why Mary? Luke 1:38 Luke 1:45 (a great memory verse)

Good News:Good News:

The old will be productiveThe old will be productive

The barren will be fruitfulThe barren will be fruitful

Our disgrace will be removedOur disgrace will be removed

We will be greatly favored and God will be with us We will be greatly favored and God will be with us

If we will: Be righteous and observantIf we will: Be righteous and observant

Believe that what the Lord has said will be accomplishedBelieve that what the Lord has said will be accomplished

Luke and SalvationLuke and Salvation

Q: What does it mean to be saved?

Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah’s Songv. 71 rescue from those who hate us.

v. 79 knowledge, light in darkness

Luke and SalvationLuke and Salvation

Luke 7:36-50A sinful woman is saved, but a Pharisee is lost

Luke 18:18-30A righteous rich ruler is lost, but those who give

up everything will be saved (even though they don’t have very much)

Luke 19:5-9The lowest of the low is saved.

Acts 4:8-12Salvation in the name of Jesus.

Luke and SalvationLuke and Salvation

Acts 2:38-40 Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.

We can save ourselves? We are saved from the corruption of this world.

Joel Green:

Salvation embraces the totality of embodied life, including its social, economic and political concerns. For Luke, the God of Israel is the Great Benefactor whose redemptive purpose is manifest in the career of Jesus, whose message is that this benefaction enables and inspires new ways of living in the world.

The Birth of JesusThe Birth of Jesus

Jesus’ birth turns everything upside down. He Jesus’ birth turns everything upside down. He breaks all human expectations.breaks all human expectations.

Luke 1:51-53 Luke 1:51-53

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

He has scattered those who are proud in their He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughtsinmost thoughts

He has brought down the rulers from their He has brought down the rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humblethrones but has lifted up the humble

He has filled the hungry with good thingsHe has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.but has sent the rich away empty.

The Birth of JesusThe Birth of Jesus

Announced to lowly Announced to lowly

shepherds (Luke 2:17)shepherds (Luke 2:17)

A ministry of salvation A ministry of salvation

(Luke 2:11, 30)(Luke 2:11, 30)

A light to the Gentiles A light to the Gentiles

(Luke 2:32)(Luke 2:32)

A sign spoken against A sign spoken against

(Luke 2:34)(Luke 2:34)

IV. Jesus’ Galilean MinistryIV. Jesus’ Galilean Ministry

Luke 4:16-30 Jesus’ first sermonLuke 4:16-30 Jesus’ first sermon

Q: What will the message of his first sermon Q: What will the message of his first sermon be?be?

Jesus Brings Good NewsJesus Brings Good NewsLuke 4:18-19 Isaiah 61:1-2Luke 4:18-19 Isaiah 61:1-2

1. Good news for the poor

2. Freedom for prisoners

3. Healing for the sick.

4. Release the oppressed.

5. The favor of the Lord.

Jesus: “Today this Scripture is

fulfilled in your hearing”

Luke 4:31-44 Jesus fulfills Isaiah 61:1-2Luke 4:31-44 Jesus fulfills Isaiah 61:1-2

Jesus frees the prisoners (Luke 4:31-37) Jesus frees the prisoners (Luke 4:31-37)

Jesus heals the sick (Luke 4:38-44, 5:12-14, Jesus heals the sick (Luke 4:38-44, 5:12-14, 5:17-26). 5:17-26).

Jesus releases the oppressed (Luke 4:41)Jesus releases the oppressed (Luke 4:41)

Jesus proclaims the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:43)Jesus proclaims the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:43)

All this is used to point to the breaking out of All this is used to point to the breaking out of the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)

Luke 5:27-32 Luke 5:27-32 Jesus Calls Sinners to be His DisciplesJesus Calls Sinners to be His Disciples

Jesus calls Levi (Matthew)Jesus calls Levi (Matthew)

Who is Jesus hanging out with? The Who is Jesus hanging out with? The Pharisees? NO!!Pharisees? NO!!

A A crowdcrowd of tax-collectors of tax-collectors

Luke 5:31 Good news for (those who admit Luke 5:31 Good news for (those who admit that they are) sinners. that they are) sinners.

Who Will Be in the Kingdom?Who Will Be in the Kingdom?The Poor, the Despised and the OutcastThe Poor, the Despised and the Outcast

An outsider—a Centurion—has more faith than anyone in Israel (Luke 7:1-10)A poor widow’s son is raised from the dead (7:11-17)A prostitute is praised (Luke 7:36-50) Luke 18:9-14 Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collectorLuke 15:11-32 the Prodigal SonLuke 19:1-10 ZacchaeusLuke 23:39-43 Repentant thief on the cross

“Those who have been forgiven much love much and those who think they need little forgiveness love little (Luke 7:47)

The Poor are Saved Before the RichThe Poor are Saved Before the Rich

The rich fool Luke 12:13-21

Invite the poor, the lame and the blind to your banquets. Luke 14:12-13

The Pharisees sin? They are lovers of money Luke 16:14

The Parable of the rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

The Samaritans are Preferred to the JewsThe Samaritans are Preferred to the Jews

James and John rebuked for calling fire down James and John rebuked for calling fire down on a Samaritan village Luke 9:51-16on a Samaritan village Luke 9:51-16

The Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke The Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:29-3710:29-37

The only leper who returns to thank Jesus is a The only leper who returns to thank Jesus is a Samaritan Luke 17:11-19Samaritan Luke 17:11-19

Women Come Into the Kingdom Women Come Into the Kingdom Before MenBefore Men

Luke lists 13 women not mentioned in the other Gospels

Women with great faith:

ElizabethMaryAnaWidow of Nain Luke 7:12-15Woman who anoints Jesus’ feet Luke 7:36-50

Jesus and Women

Women supported Jesus financially Luke 8:1-3

Woman healed of bleeding Luke 8:43-48

Mary and Martha Luke 10:38-42

Crippled woman healed on the Sabbath Luke 13:10-17

The poor widow Luke 21:1-4

Women were the chief witnesses and comforters of Jesus at the crucifixion Luke 23:49

Women were the first to witness the resurrection Luke 23:55-24:11

Luke 6:17-49Luke 6:17-49The Sermon on the Level PlaceThe Sermon on the Level Place

Luke 6: 17-49 Radical Kingdom Ethics.

Theme: In the Kingdom of God there will be a radical kind of love and righteousness which will greatly exceed that required by the Law of Moses.

Who is blessed in the Kingdom of God?

The poor.The hungry.The sorrowful.The persecuted.

This matches Luke’s theme perfectly!What is valuable in the Kingdom

is despised in the world

The Upside-down Kingdom of GodThe Upside-down Kingdom of God

6:24 the rich already have their comfort!6:25a the well fed will go spiritually hungry6:25b those who laugh will mourn6:26 those well thought of will be at the bottom

6:27-36 Jesus spells out the upside-down kingdom ethic.

Love your enemies 6:27-36Praise those who curse you Give to those who take from you

Luke 6:36 In doing these things you will simply be acting like God.

What Do You Value?What Do You Value?