justindetmers.com

by Justin Detmers, GRTS 7/29/10

In Luke’s Gospel, Luke was writing after carefully researching the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth for the explicit purpose providing a consecutive order of events so that Theophilus would know the “exact truth” of the things he was taught; this goal is clearly stated in the prologue (Luke 1:1-4 NASB). In his writing, Luke recorded many parables, which are extended similes that are easy to remember. Of these, perhaps one of the most renowned is the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is located in Luke 10 just after the sending out and joyful return of the 72.

It is imperative to be considerate of the immediate context of the parable; v25-37 records Jesus communicating to an expert in the Law who, “stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ (NASB, v25).” Interestingly, after being questioned by Jesus, the lawyer gives a correct answer; he appropriately responds to his own question with scripture (Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18). Darrell Bock comments, “The lawyer is confused, even though his answer is correct, because he still thinks that eternal life is earned rather than received in the context of a love relationship with God.” However, as we soon learn, just because the Pharisee transmitted the right reply didn’t mean that his heart and life had been transformed to be right before God. (Luke, 197)

In His brilliance, Jesus exposed a profound dimension of the heart by telling the famous parable. Grant R. Osborne discusses the provocative dynamic of this teaching device by noting that parables communicate in such a way that is, “indirect and demands that the hearer react. It does not appeal to the mind as much as the whole person.” (Hermeneutical Spiral, 293)
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I love the way Francis Chan opens this teaching and ties it to faith…

“Roses are red, violets are blue, I am schizophrenic, and
so am I.”

- Bob Wiley

Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Delta Spirit “Bushwick Blues” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

It is good to pause every once in a while to acknowledge God’s hand … This past week I was impressed with God because of Dragon’s Blood trees. (These trees get their names because of the red sap they produce.)

Interesting WIKIPEDIA facts:

The trees can be harvested for their crimson red resin, called Dragon’s blood which was highly prized in the ancient world and is still used today. Around the Mediterranean basin it was used as a dye and as a medicine, Socotrans use it ornamentally as well as dying wool, gluing pottery, a breath freshener and lipstick…The local inhabitants of the city in the Socotra Island use the Dragon’s blood resin as a cure for all. They use it in general wound healing, as coagulant, curing diarrhea, for dysentery diseases, for lowering fevers. It is also taken for ulcers in the mouth, throat, intestines and stomach. Dragon’s blood of Dracaena cinnabari was used as a source of varnish for 18th century Italian violin-makers. It was also used as tooth-paste in the 18th century. It is presently still used as varnish for violins and photoengraving.

I’ve long been frustrated by those who assert deep thinkers are irrelevant, pretentious, and insincere.

I’ve long thought that the depth & accuracy of our thinking dictates our potential to love God.

…that’s why the following clip stirs my heart.

I know I won’t have the time or money to go to this conference … but, I love the premise.

Garden O’Detmers from Justin Detmers on Vimeo.

True prophets of God both afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.

- Willem A. VanGemeren

I’ve realized that I need to quit playing spiritual Nerf ball.

…wondering what tangible thing could a fitting “next step.”

Knowing myself, I know I need to be pushed, I need structure, and I need to imitate excellence & rigor. So, because some full-contact learning is required … a bit of seminary may be called for.

That’s right, seminary; something occasionally scoffed at, thought to be intimidating, unnecessary, or perhaps even counter-cultural.

But being just six weeks in, I’ve become a believer … spurred on by passages like these:

2 Timothy 1:6-7

2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 3:14-15

The Backward Creed of the Upstream Swimming Fish from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.

Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

- C.S. Lewis