Luke brings us together to hear Jesus preach in chapter six and then turns us loose into a rather ominous situation. For the next two chapters it seems that we are surrounded by death.
That very first scene after the sermon directs us to a centurion and his slave. Luke says that this slave was “about to die”, but he goes on to tell us that Jesus grants him good health. In the next episode we encounter one who has already died, the only son of a grieving widow. Yet, Jesus touches the coffin, speaks to the dead man, and “the dead man sat up and began to speak.” Chapter seven seems to acknowledge death and sickness as significant barriers. But, Luke wants us asking whether these things are barriers for Jesus.
Then, in the next chapter we find one possessed by many demons. One who is living among the dead, “in the tombs.” Luke does not tell us how to identify a demon. He does not give pointers on casting one out. But, he certainly wants us to know who rules in this domain. For “the man who was demon-possessed had been made well.” Afterward, we are in a situation where an official of the synagogue requests that Jesus help his twelve year old daughter who is dying. Before they reach the official’s home, they get word that she had already died. But Jesus takes her by the hand, speaks to her, “and she rose up immediately.”
In this context of death, Luke wants us to be aware that other things are going on as well. Jesus receives an envoy from John the Baptist, ministers to a Pharisee and an immoral woman, tells parables, calms a storm at sea, and heals a woman who could not be healed. While one or more of these things may add to any death related theme (for example, the disciples cry out “we are perishing”), they may also remind us that even in dire circumstances, other parts of ministry remain important.
Whatever goes through our mind while reading this section of the Gospel, Luke wants us to understand something about death. Luke just puts it out there, even before Easter, death may be a significant barrier, but Jesus rules even in this domain.
hermeneuts 