From here he goes about among the villages teaching. And then he sends the twelve out in two's with authority over unclean spirits- and with interesting instructions.
To this point the disciples have just been following Jesus around- camping with him, out in the desert places because of his fame, spending time in the crowded house in Capernaum, probably helping with a whole lot of logistical things in order to feed such a group- transport across the lake, What did they sleep on when out in the country- what did they cook with? I imagine some of them were responsible for some of these things. They had been picked by Jesus as apostles- (with close connections to apostellw- sent with a commission) – but up until this point not a lot of sending has happened. They have had many eye opening experiences- I imagine the lake tempest, and pig possession was still fresh in their minds (they may have been for the rest of their lives) – it doesn't seem that long ago they were asking, “Who then is this?” and now they are sent out on a preaching mission- casting out demons and healing people as they go.
They certainly don't have the complete picture- but they also do have a good grounding- having lived with Jesus for how long now? Heard him teach on numerous occasions and had that teaching explained to them in private. There were others such as the man possessed with the legion, who were 'sent' straight away- a living example of the effect of the coming of the rule of God. And then because of the nature of his mission there are others who he tells not to tell anyone what has happened to them. Still- It would seem that 'sentness' is not that far around the corner if you follow Jesus for any length of time. And he is not concerned if you do not have the complete picture.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Home town- 6:1-6
Chapter 6
and they left from there, and came (erchetai) into his own home town – patrida- patris 1. a relatively large geographical area associated with one's familial connections and personal life, fatherland, homeland
2. a relatively restricted area as locale of one's immediate family and ancestry, home town, one's own part of the country.
I wonder if a certain amount of time has passed since the happenings of chapter 5.
A homecoming; but Jesus is not welcomed back with open arms. Nazareth sounds as though it was smaller than Capernaum- He was well known here- oukh houtos estin ho tektwn, o wios tes Marias kai adelfos Iakwbou kai Iwsetos kai Iouda kai Simwnos; kai ouk eisin hai adelfai autou hwde pros 'emas
Is this not the Carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon and are not his sisters here with us?
This is a bit of a classic and perhaps shows how well Jesus did incarnation. He had been the tektwn or the son of the tektwn for somewhere around 20 years- and worked for at least 15 of those. This is how he is known- as evidenced by the way his fellow townspeople fit him into the scheme of things- occupation/ family. There does not seem to be any suspicion that Jesus may have turned out like this- We always thought that boy was destined for great things- he always was wise beyond his years- there was that time he healed gertrude's boy. Somehow Jesus the Carpenter was too normal a jewish Carpenter to warrant the possibility- too good a fit to be sprouting such wisdom and doing such deeds of power through his hands. So they took offence at him- sounds very Australian- tall poppy stuff. (Can work the other way too- the hometown/family environment can hold you back- like Harold in Nowra feeling people had this set idea of her and it was hard to 'be' out of that)
Shack quote------ (We routinely disqualify testimony that would plead for extenuation. That is, we are so persuaded of the rightness of our judgement as to invalidate evidence that does not confirm us in it. Nothing deserves to be called truth could ever be arrived at by such a means. -Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam).
His family have already had a similar reaction – now the people he grew up with.
Would seem to point to Jesus not doing any deeds of power before his public mission- and not particularly doing any teaching either- maybe no discipling either- what was he up to? Former teachers and mentors of mine would say that he had failed to live up to his potential- been a bit of a disappointment. What exactly was happening when Jesus got baptised?
And in those Nazareth years what was running through Jesus head- did he know at 25 he wasn't ready yet? Still had to reach the flower of manhood- still had to grow in his experience and understanding of his Father?
The preparation is thorough.
Jesus quickly puts his finger on what's going on- (did he know what would happen when he went back? or did he suspect it and not fully know- but went anyway?)
There is a contrast in Nazareth to the amazing events that have come before- here he could do no deed of power, except a few minor healings. He marvelled at/ wondered at there unbelief. Seems pretty significant the effect of lack of faith. What was the root here of Jesus marvelling at the lack of faith. Was it because he knew (and loved) these people he had grown up with- knew there ways and their goodnesses, wanted to share the kingdom with them, was hoping many of those old friends and acquaintances would enter in- and hardly any did- that in this case it was the villagers not living up to their potential?
and they left from there, and came (erchetai) into his own home town – patrida- patris 1. a relatively large geographical area associated with one's familial connections and personal life, fatherland, homeland
2. a relatively restricted area as locale of one's immediate family and ancestry, home town, one's own part of the country.
I wonder if a certain amount of time has passed since the happenings of chapter 5.
A homecoming; but Jesus is not welcomed back with open arms. Nazareth sounds as though it was smaller than Capernaum- He was well known here- oukh houtos estin ho tektwn, o wios tes Marias kai adelfos Iakwbou kai Iwsetos kai Iouda kai Simwnos; kai ouk eisin hai adelfai autou hwde pros 'emas
Is this not the Carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon and are not his sisters here with us?
This is a bit of a classic and perhaps shows how well Jesus did incarnation. He had been the tektwn or the son of the tektwn for somewhere around 20 years- and worked for at least 15 of those. This is how he is known- as evidenced by the way his fellow townspeople fit him into the scheme of things- occupation/ family. There does not seem to be any suspicion that Jesus may have turned out like this- We always thought that boy was destined for great things- he always was wise beyond his years- there was that time he healed gertrude's boy. Somehow Jesus the Carpenter was too normal a jewish Carpenter to warrant the possibility- too good a fit to be sprouting such wisdom and doing such deeds of power through his hands. So they took offence at him- sounds very Australian- tall poppy stuff. (Can work the other way too- the hometown/family environment can hold you back- like Harold in Nowra feeling people had this set idea of her and it was hard to 'be' out of that)
Shack quote------ (We routinely disqualify testimony that would plead for extenuation. That is, we are so persuaded of the rightness of our judgement as to invalidate evidence that does not confirm us in it. Nothing deserves to be called truth could ever be arrived at by such a means. -Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam).
His family have already had a similar reaction – now the people he grew up with.
Would seem to point to Jesus not doing any deeds of power before his public mission- and not particularly doing any teaching either- maybe no discipling either- what was he up to? Former teachers and mentors of mine would say that he had failed to live up to his potential- been a bit of a disappointment. What exactly was happening when Jesus got baptised?
And in those Nazareth years what was running through Jesus head- did he know at 25 he wasn't ready yet? Still had to reach the flower of manhood- still had to grow in his experience and understanding of his Father?
The preparation is thorough.
Jesus quickly puts his finger on what's going on- (did he know what would happen when he went back? or did he suspect it and not fully know- but went anyway?)
There is a contrast in Nazareth to the amazing events that have come before- here he could do no deed of power, except a few minor healings. He marvelled at/ wondered at there unbelief. Seems pretty significant the effect of lack of faith. What was the root here of Jesus marvelling at the lack of faith. Was it because he knew (and loved) these people he had grown up with- knew there ways and their goodnesses, wanted to share the kingdom with them, was hoping many of those old friends and acquaintances would enter in- and hardly any did- that in this case it was the villagers not living up to their potential?
Astounded with great utter amazement- 5:41-43
Takes a dead girls hand and says Talitha Cum- immediately the girl gets up and begins to walk about – and not surprisingly those looking on are overcome with amazement (no distinction made here with the family or the disciples). Another direct remembrance from Peter- those words and their effect etched into his memory- so that even though this is a greek work, they still get handed down in the original aramaic they were spoken in.
*kai exestesan [euthus] ekstasei megale
lit, stand outside oneself, be astounded- the euthus is according to Z and G no more than a mere Marcan mannerism here, then ekstasei means utter amazement, megale- great.
They were astounded with great utter amazement
BDAG- they were quite beside themselves with amazement
He tells them to give her something to eat. - how much of the actions were for the little girls benefit- we don't want her becoming a 'freak celebrity'? Surely that was a part of the mix in all this- Jesus concern for her and her family.
What a week for the disciples. Near death experiences from which they are rebuked for being scared, mass pig possession with a tomb wanderer with super human strength sitting calmly at Jesus feet afterwards, a woman cured of a 12 year illness on the way to bringing a 12 year old back from the dead. I wonder if for Peter looking back, the 'Talitha Cum' was bound with the words to Jairus, 'Do not fear only believe'. And for Jairus and his wife- and for the 12 year old girl who would have heard the story from her parents. They experienced this utter amazement-
*kai exestesan [euthus] ekstasei megale
lit, stand outside oneself, be astounded- the euthus is according to Z and G no more than a mere Marcan mannerism here, then ekstasei means utter amazement, megale- great.
They were astounded with great utter amazement
BDAG- they were quite beside themselves with amazement
He tells them to give her something to eat. - how much of the actions were for the little girls benefit- we don't want her becoming a 'freak celebrity'? Surely that was a part of the mix in all this- Jesus concern for her and her family.
What a week for the disciples. Near death experiences from which they are rebuked for being scared, mass pig possession with a tomb wanderer with super human strength sitting calmly at Jesus feet afterwards, a woman cured of a 12 year illness on the way to bringing a 12 year old back from the dead. I wonder if for Peter looking back, the 'Talitha Cum' was bound with the words to Jairus, 'Do not fear only believe'. And for Jairus and his wife- and for the 12 year old girl who would have heard the story from her parents. They experienced this utter amazement-
Do not fear, only believe- 5:35-40
While all this is going on, some people come from Jairus's house to tell him his daughter is dead, so why worry the teacher any more- but Jesus overhears this interaction and says- 'Do not fear, only believe'. I'm sure Jairus' anxiety levels have been high throughout the day- and receiving the news your daughter had died would only heighten this- What do you do with a statement like that from Jesus? Did he just keep on with him- well we'll see this through- or was there some hope at that reply. Its a sentiment that Jesus seems to express often- Do not fear, only believe- and when the disciples are afraid in a force 10 storm- he rebukes them in similar words.
And at this point, somehow Jesus stops the 'Jesus show spectacle', and goes on with just Peter, James and John, and Jairus. How did he do this? There is this strong public property effect that mostly Jesus welcomes or allows- He takes the disciples away to be alone for some recuperation time, sees the crowd coming has compassion on them and allows them to intrude- But here is a boundary for Jairus and his families sake. This is not a sideshow alley act. I imagine he said it with sternness- and that that authority that the people picked up on when first hearing Jesus was in operation here. - A force of character to sway a crowd.
Again when he reaches Jairus's house and is met by a whole lot of mourners- after them laughing at him for telling them she is not dead only sleeping so why weep?- “then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.”
Sounds very much like he took command of the situation once Jairus had asked his help- Doesn't seem to ask Jairus to move his extended family members and mourners out of the room- does it himself- and gives the family space. He tells them she is sleeping (when he knows she's not) is this to try and combat the sensational factor? He 'strictly orders' the family that no one should know this. I wonder what the motive is- there were too many people involved to keep it a secret- Jesus often is downplaying what he does in a sense- going for understatement- but his actions are speaking louder than his admonitions.
And at this point, somehow Jesus stops the 'Jesus show spectacle', and goes on with just Peter, James and John, and Jairus. How did he do this? There is this strong public property effect that mostly Jesus welcomes or allows- He takes the disciples away to be alone for some recuperation time, sees the crowd coming has compassion on them and allows them to intrude- But here is a boundary for Jairus and his families sake. This is not a sideshow alley act. I imagine he said it with sternness- and that that authority that the people picked up on when first hearing Jesus was in operation here. - A force of character to sway a crowd.
Again when he reaches Jairus's house and is met by a whole lot of mourners- after them laughing at him for telling them she is not dead only sleeping so why weep?- “then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.”
Sounds very much like he took command of the situation once Jairus had asked his help- Doesn't seem to ask Jairus to move his extended family members and mourners out of the room- does it himself- and gives the family space. He tells them she is sleeping (when he knows she's not) is this to try and combat the sensational factor? He 'strictly orders' the family that no one should know this. I wonder what the motive is- there were too many people involved to keep it a secret- Jesus often is downplaying what he does in a sense- going for understatement- but his actions are speaking louder than his admonitions.
Blessed public property- 5:25-34
I'd imagine the streets of Capernaum were dusty. How narrow? The large crowd is thronging around him, “followed him and pressed in on him (sunethlibon). Listened to a podcast yesterday on the Holy Spirit from Pete Vol. He was talking about how Jesus became public property- and that this is where the Spirit wants to take us – to places where Mother Teresa or Boenhoeffer have been- to self forgetfulness (made a distinction there with unselfishness).
And there was a woman in the crowd that day that was glad Jesus had decided to do that. 'Since this crowd is not respecting your privacy, I shall take advantage of that and push through the throng to touch your cloak. Ah the 'right' of privacy – it runs deep in me. I don't know if they'd understand in quite the same way in 1st Century palestine the way our individual western world goes about this. I do feel sometimes like descriptions I've heard of American foreign policy- swinging from isolationist to interventionist, times of wanting to be off in the bush, walking on my own or perhaps one or two good friends- not wanting to engage with the problematic world around me- and other times where I do.
She has had a rough run (simply and minimally stated by Mark). Suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years. Had 'endured' (can get a bit of an insight with that word with Teresa- different doctors saying very different things- Naturopaths recommending things they do) much under many physicians, had spent all she had- was no better- in fact had grown worse.
So here's another last ditch effort- what have I got to lose- he might be able to help me (like Jairus, the disciples and the demons- the last group knew very clearly what they had to lose). It it pays off- though not quite like the woman would have hoped. We have too 'euthus's' (immediately's) in quick succession. The woman knows straigtaway that the bleeding has stopped and she has been cured of her disease (she felt in her body). What a feeling that must have been. But there is no time to enjoy it. Jesus immediately feels power has gone out of him, and he stops and questions the crowd. The disciples think this is ridiculous- and politely tell him. But Jesus isn't interested in the slinking away overjoyed approach. The woman is terrified and comes and owns up- And then Jesus gives her a chance of deeper joy- he interprets the event for her- and sends her with grace on her way. “Daughter your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.”
Probably a deliberate choice of words by Jesus- your faith has made you well- get the feeling he's talking about more than just the physical healing. And then as corrective against my private world thinking- he tells her to go in peace and be healed of her disease. She already was healed of her disease- but I think Jesus is saying- your action was legitimate and has my blessing- it was not some impersonal 'power' transaction- that's why I didn't let it go at that though you would have liked that.
And her gratitude can flow in a more helpful direction- Jesus has pointed her to the fact that her healing was or could be more than just physical – more global- when she thinks of this event- it wont be just the coat touching- the thing that will occupy centre stage is the personal interaction with Jesus- unexpected, scary but in the end so very welcome.
There was a whole crowd there- the woman was very aware of that at the start- was seeking privacy among them- and then when called out, it was in front of all those people- but I imagine by the end she's largely forgotten about the crowd (they are still there all around her), and felt like she was having this personal interaction with Jesus- she's in a far more self forgetful place at the end- with heightened joy I would think.
And there was a woman in the crowd that day that was glad Jesus had decided to do that. 'Since this crowd is not respecting your privacy, I shall take advantage of that and push through the throng to touch your cloak. Ah the 'right' of privacy – it runs deep in me. I don't know if they'd understand in quite the same way in 1st Century palestine the way our individual western world goes about this. I do feel sometimes like descriptions I've heard of American foreign policy- swinging from isolationist to interventionist, times of wanting to be off in the bush, walking on my own or perhaps one or two good friends- not wanting to engage with the problematic world around me- and other times where I do.
She has had a rough run (simply and minimally stated by Mark). Suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years. Had 'endured' (can get a bit of an insight with that word with Teresa- different doctors saying very different things- Naturopaths recommending things they do) much under many physicians, had spent all she had- was no better- in fact had grown worse.
So here's another last ditch effort- what have I got to lose- he might be able to help me (like Jairus, the disciples and the demons- the last group knew very clearly what they had to lose). It it pays off- though not quite like the woman would have hoped. We have too 'euthus's' (immediately's) in quick succession. The woman knows straigtaway that the bleeding has stopped and she has been cured of her disease (she felt in her body). What a feeling that must have been. But there is no time to enjoy it. Jesus immediately feels power has gone out of him, and he stops and questions the crowd. The disciples think this is ridiculous- and politely tell him. But Jesus isn't interested in the slinking away overjoyed approach. The woman is terrified and comes and owns up- And then Jesus gives her a chance of deeper joy- he interprets the event for her- and sends her with grace on her way. “Daughter your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.”
Probably a deliberate choice of words by Jesus- your faith has made you well- get the feeling he's talking about more than just the physical healing. And then as corrective against my private world thinking- he tells her to go in peace and be healed of her disease. She already was healed of her disease- but I think Jesus is saying- your action was legitimate and has my blessing- it was not some impersonal 'power' transaction- that's why I didn't let it go at that though you would have liked that.
And her gratitude can flow in a more helpful direction- Jesus has pointed her to the fact that her healing was or could be more than just physical – more global- when she thinks of this event- it wont be just the coat touching- the thing that will occupy centre stage is the personal interaction with Jesus- unexpected, scary but in the end so very welcome.
There was a whole crowd there- the woman was very aware of that at the start- was seeking privacy among them- and then when called out, it was in front of all those people- but I imagine by the end she's largely forgotten about the crowd (they are still there all around her), and felt like she was having this personal interaction with Jesus- she's in a far more self forgetful place at the end- with heightened joy I would think.
Jairus' mindset?- 5:22-24
No teaching happens here. Jairus seizes his opportunity (I wonder how many times he'd heard Jesus before – or had seen him heal people). Was he someone that had posted lookouts, or himself was roaming the shore? He's one of the leaders of the Synagogue- (I presume in Capernaum). What sort of discussions had he had with his fellow leaders? What was going in his own thinking about Jesus? Does that all get sidelined by a family crisis? To thugatrion mou eschatws echei- my little daughter is at the end- or at the point of death (Z &G). And though he still hasn't quite made up his mind about Jesus, he has no choice but to take a chance on him- like the disciples in the boat, or the demons in the man. They roll the dice with hope.
“Come and lay your hands on her on her that she might be saved and might live.”
Interesting- a different approach to the Centurion, he sends a servant, just say the word- Here's a religious leader of the people and he wants him there in person- Is part of this their different worlds – that approach made sense to a soldier- the laying on of hands makes sense to a jew- are there Mosaic regulations about this sort of thing?
Jesus goes with him- and the crowd just follows along to gawk. (Did any leave at that point in respect for the leaders privacy?).
“Come and lay your hands on her on her that she might be saved and might live.”
Interesting- a different approach to the Centurion, he sends a servant, just say the word- Here's a religious leader of the people and he wants him there in person- Is part of this their different worlds – that approach made sense to a soldier- the laying on of hands makes sense to a jew- are there Mosaic regulations about this sort of thing?
Jesus goes with him- and the crowd just follows along to gawk. (Did any leave at that point in respect for the leaders privacy?).
lake criss crossing- 5:21
There's a bit of criss crossing going on here over the lake. I'd say we're in the next day- so they spent a night in the region of the Gerasenes- and then get asked to move on, like when you're travelling around and camp near a park in town, or maybe like Gypsies- Not very high up in the social hierarchy. They had a massive day the previous day- was going across the lake a chance for them all to recuperate a little before going on? There are other times when Jesus does this- and on that occasion the crowds find them pretty quickly- Jesus looks at them and has compassion on them (great word- splangchnizomai). It would seem that they are often getting thwarted- and that plans have to change accordingly. Good to remember this- that they weren't walking around in a vacuum- but often and increasingly like outcasts- and as they went on Jesus had to be careful of where he chose to go (hence Tyre and Sidon?) so as not to be arrested before the opportune time.
He comes back to somewhere near Capernaum and the reception is somewhat different to his last – a demon possessed tomb roving man, to a great crowd. Were there people on the lookout for him as he came back? It would have only been the day before most of them were listening to Jesus, as he sat in the boat and taught them. What about the local economy? I suppose full days of teaching didn't always happen- perhaps not even the majority of the time- were there times where Jesus talked during lunch break- did they have siesta's? I suppose word of mouth, was the way news travelled most of the time in this area.
There were times when the crowd sat and listened to Jesus for three days- and pretty well had no food for that time- How does that work in terms of where they stayed- did they just camp out?
Definitely a world away from modern Australia.
He comes back to somewhere near Capernaum and the reception is somewhat different to his last – a demon possessed tomb roving man, to a great crowd. Were there people on the lookout for him as he came back? It would have only been the day before most of them were listening to Jesus, as he sat in the boat and taught them. What about the local economy? I suppose full days of teaching didn't always happen- perhaps not even the majority of the time- were there times where Jesus talked during lunch break- did they have siesta's? I suppose word of mouth, was the way news travelled most of the time in this area.
There were times when the crowd sat and listened to Jesus for three days- and pretty well had no food for that time- How does that work in terms of where they stayed- did they just camp out?
Definitely a world away from modern Australia.
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