The Gospel of Luke (Extra Credit)
Many Romans of the imperial period followed Virgil, Ovid, and Horace in hoping for a political leader who would solve Rome's problems. At the same time, many other Romans were looking to an entirely different hope. The Gospel of Luke is particularly good at describing that hope. Please read through a chapter or two of Luke's gospel, and pick out a verse that might have had particular appeal to those living under the rule of Imperial Rome.Many different Bible translations are available at the Blue Letter Bible site.
posted by Ancient Art at 11:28 AM
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And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Luk 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luk 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luk 5:6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Luk 5:7 And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luk 5:8 When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Luk 5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
I don't know if tese passages answer a part of the question but I always thought the story of the fisher king interesting. Jesus was considered a fisher of men. He showed his power by feeding the people and helping the sick. A man that would care for the people is a man worth following.
LK 17: 20-21: "Asked by the pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, 'The coming of hte Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce,'Look here it is' or 'THere it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.'"
This can be hopeful for those living under Imperial Rome and the uncertainty about the sanity of the Roman Emperor. It can especially be hopeful to those who had been conquered by Rome and wanted their freedom back. Living under an empire as a conquered land is not always pleasant. God's kingdom is considered to be perfect and just and for people to e told that it is already here and all around them means that though they still live in an unjust world, there is at least some justice, some good in the world that makes life worth living. SImilar to what samwise Gamgee tells Frodo in Lord of the Rings. Also, if you are mistreated, it is good to know that in the end, the person who mistreated you will ultimately be punished.
” Luk 1:32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Perhaps an eternal kingdom from the son of God would intrigue the Romans about Christianity. The afterlife of Virgil’s “Underworld” sounds kind of morbid. Maybe the idea of Heaven under a compassionate God would interest a Roman. They may be a bit reluctant because of the Jewish context of David’s throne, but if you go on reading in chapter 2:
“Luk 2:30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luk 2:31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luk 2:32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
The reader learns that Jesus’ salvation is for all people, not just the Jews.
-Nate Mills
These three verses work together in a small, but useful way to the Roman audience. It speaks of a prophet who predicted the coming of a mighty ruler- a lord over all other lords- who will set everything right again. It seems to me in the times of great trial, chaos, good emperors and very corrupt emperors, what the people are looking for is just such a person. This is a definite hopeful thought for those who are looking forward to something better than what they had been living through.
Luk 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luk 3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth;
Luk 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
I choose Luke chapter 20 verses 19-26.
"[19] And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. [20] And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.[21] And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person [of any], but teachest the way of God truly: [22] Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? [23] But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? [24] Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. [25] And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. [26] And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace."
These verses strike a blow to those that believe that the Romans are the ultimate authority. Jesus tells his disciples that they should give up temporary goods to those in charge. Render unto the authority what they deserve. The temporary kingdoms of the earth will eventually fall. Those that render unto God what is His will be rewarded with a place in the kingdom of Heaven.
Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Although short, this verse may have appealed to the citizens of Rome. Those who believed in God were more than likely strengthened in their belief after reading this verse. The Christians believed that with undaunting commitment to the Lord they could overcome anything. This was seen in ancient Rome and the persecution of the Christians. The Roman emperors believed that the Christians were causing Rome's problems and tried to force them to change their beliefs otherwise they would be killed. Many Christians truly believed that with God nothing was impossible and therefore stood by their beliefs and were killed for them.
Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
With all the stress in Rome at the time.. People needed a reassuring word.. and the chapter and verse selected here gives that guidence. It seems to say "you do nothing but forgive, and the trespasser will be taken care of"
Luke 1:30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luke 1:31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
Luke 1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will givehim the throne of his ancestor David.
I chose this passage because it provides the ultimate hope of a leader. Here a messenger of God tells Mary that she will be the mother of the greatest King Rome or the world will ever see. This should have given the Roman people great hope that their perfect King was on the way. Of course this probably scared them at the same time because there were plenty of other individuals who thought they were godlike and deserved to be king.
For with God nothing shall be impossible luk 1:37
like the passage says nothing is impossible with god. Therefore this gave the people living in rome the hope that some thing better will come. And to push forward not matter the cost because there is always some thing better with god.
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