Gospel Of Luke Essay

Introduction: Our pastors today love to preach about money. They love to explain how people can accept that the kingdom of God is coming and explain to people how praying certain prayers can see one become “blessed by God” (filthy rich). Any understanding of Jesus' political contribution to economics is far removed from his actions in the actual biblical text. In the Gospel of Luke, we are introduced to a Jesus who has significant authority in the businesses of others, even when he would not be considered an expert on the subject (Luke 5:1-5). We are introduced to a Jesus who begins his public ministry by proclaiming a Jubilee in his hometown (4:16-19). Using the text of Luke, I am going to walk you through several stories where Jesus'

We see him practice prayer constantly. We see him prayer before he partners with his disciples (Luke 6:12). He prays before caring for people (9:16). He is going to continue praying all the way up until the Garden of Gethsemane and while on the cross. His ministry is characterized by it. In Luke 11, Jesus' disciples ask him how to pray and his response reveals his understanding of prayer in the social dynamic. For Jesus, prayer has an impact on a societies understanding of economy. It is political and revolutionary. And it is nothing like the prosperity gospel that is so common

He then speaks about friends sharing bread with each other at night, when one has need. Placing the parable at night allows us to conclude that this kind of sharing ethic is something that is uncommon – people don’t come over at night asking for bread in a normal situation. Jesus recognizes that there is very real need in the community. His remedy is brought about by prayer. Through praying with a focus for others in the community to be provided for forces a person to consider their needs, instead of indebting them. In this way, the community can experience some economic independence brought about by the habit of prayer. In all of this, God’s name is made