‘Tony Malonley’ is an imaginary character I created this past Sunday to illustrate the parable of the dishonest manager in Luke 16:1-13. You can enjoy the sermon for yourself here.
To set our meditations in a slightly different direction, commentators note that Luke has a number of parables in which people of status are brought low and need help from those in a less fortunate position.
A traveler on the road who is set upon by thieves receives help, not from his Jewish contemporaries, but from a Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37). A son who squanders his inheritance begs to become as one of the hired hands. (Luke 15:11-32). In our parable a manager of dubious character seeks help from his debtors.
Elsewhere scriptures teach us to be modest in our self-apraisal and to ‘Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord”. Jesus suggests that it is better to be engaged in taking the plank out of our own eye, than seeking to take the speck out of the eye of another.
Greg Carey, Professor of New Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary
comments “Perhaps this is why the Lord praises the corrupt manager. The manager's sagacity lies in his ability to discern his own situation. He may be "ashamed to beg" (16:3), but he is prudent enough to recognize when his status has evaporated”
Our traditional denominations no longer occupy the lofty role they once played in society. As we seek to discern our own situations, there is a lesson here for us. The old ways of doing and being just don’t work in todays world. As individuals the same can also apply. It’s not so much about who we were. It is who we are seeking to be in the current moment that will define our future.
Prayer: Lord, we confess our tendency to cling to our status and hold onto that which we know best. Changing days call for changing ways. Help us have humble hearts eager to be directed by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment