Foreshadowing and Plot Twists

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 31 to study Luke 9:37-62 (or as far as we get).  A lot happens in this passage, so there will be plenty to look at.  One of the important elements is how Luke connects everything in a literary manner.  This is one of the places Luke is very different from Matthew and Mark.

Read through the passage several times.  Focus on the bigger picture of what is happening, but then focus on the pieces.  The smaller elements are broken up into topics of discussion.  In some sense they are connected, but sometimes it seems loosely.  If you put yourself into the action, the connections can become clearer.  Make sure to jot down questions and insights you gain as you do this.

After you have looked at the passage thoroughly, go through with a commentary or two.  Revise your questions, add some new ones, and see what new insights you gain.  Remember to consider why a commentator thinks what they do, and feel free to challenge that reasoning.

After you have gone through the passage go back through again with the questions below:

• In Matthew, Mark, and Luke the casting out of the demon is present.  But there are slight variations between the accounts.  Mark has the most detail, but in all three the statement of Jesus about putting up with this perverted generation is present.  Why do you think that is so important?  What do you think Jesus means by it?
• Luke compresses the aftermath of the account, omitting the question of the disciples about why they couldn't cast it out.  And Luke has a shorter statement by Jesus about His coming death.  Why do you think Luke might be shortening this section?  He keeps the point focused.  What do you think Luke is focusing on here?
• In all three accounts, the mention of Jesus' suffering is followed by a discussion of who is the greatest disciple.  What do you think might be the reasoning behind that?
• In all three accounts this correction by Jesus of who is greatest is followed by James, John, or another disciple mentioning the person they hindered from casting out demons in Jesus' name.  Why do you think the disciples would connect a child being greatest to a random exorcist operating in Jesus' name?
• Verse 51 is the "hinge" in the plot for Luke.  Think through how it connects to what is before and after in this passage.  How do you think the discussions leading to this verse support Luke's literary focus?
• After this verse, Samaritan villages don't welcome Jesus.  The reason given, that He is headed for Jerusalem, isn't unusual for Samaritan villages, it's sort of normal business for them to treat Jewish pilgrims this way.  So why do you think James and John wanted to respond by calling in artillery fire from Heaven?
• Jesus' response to the disciples is not the same in all versions of the Bible.  Commentaries should have some explanation of it.  The problem is that none of the other Gospels have this event, so how the extra text got in there, and where it came from is a mystery.  In general, the shorter reading is preferred.  Why do you think that might help in this instance?
• The last three statements of Jesus in this chapter come in response to persons either He invites or who say they want to follow Him.  Why do you think the person wishing to follow Him is told Jesus has no home?
• What do you think it means for Jesus to actually invite someone to follow Him when He's headed to His death?
• Why would Jesus tell the person to "let the dead bury the dead"?  What do you think Jesus means by this?
• Jesus then tells the man to go and proclaim he Kingdom of God.  How do you think the man would be capable of that?  Who do you think this guy might be?
• The last one is the most frightening.  What do you think it means to put your hand to the plow and look back?  What do you think that might look like today?

That should be more than enough to keep us occupied, probably for a few weeks.  I know this much material can be overwhelming, so think it through in smaller chunks to find those things that wake you up.  What elements is the Spirit using to jar you Awake?  What do you Honestly see in yourself when you look at these accounts?  What Action do you need to take in response?  Repeat those questions for each element that jumps out at you.