Daily Devotion for Lent - Day 17

Scripture Reading: Luke 10

Luke is pushing the boundaries in this chapter in a number of ways.  This would reflect the mission of the church in Luke's time to the wider Gentile world and expresses God's prevenient grace available to all people.

The mission of the seventy expands the previous ministry of the twelve in chapter nine.  This expresses the expectation of hospitality that Jewish towns should offer to the stranger.  There was the habit of some during that time that when they went outside of Judea, as they returned, they would wipe the unclean dust off their feet as they entered their homeland once more.  The wiping of dust off the feet of the disciples becomes a sign act that sends the message that this inhospitable town does not reflect a town in the Promised Land.  They are not acting like God's people.

The Samaritan in the parable follows the ethic of hospitality even to one who would normally be at odds with him.  When we read this parable in mind with the expectations of the earlier Judean towns, it really expresses how we are to treat the stranger among us.

Of course, this parable also speaks to Luke's message that God works through people outside Judea.  It is interesting to note that what may be the most famous of all the parables is only told by Luke.

But Luke is not content to stop there with expanding the role of who God is going to utilize as we end the chapter with a woman sitting in the role of a disciple.  As we consider the hospitality that was expected at the beginning of the chapter, Martha seems to be offering it while Mary sits at ease.  But sitting at the feet of a rabbi was a euphemism for learning as a disciple.  Martha may have been embarrassed at this flaunting of convention by her sister and tries to move her back to more acceptable roles.  I think Martha was giving Jesus an easy out for this uncomfortable situation.  But Jesus is not the one who is uncomfortable and expresses a new view for what is available to women.  Mary has chosen the better way!

Could Mary be learning to cast the peace before a household?  Could she be learning to also cure the sick and proclaim the Kingdom of God has come near?

We are the spiritual descendants of Mary.  We are seeking to sit at the feet of Jesus daily as we read through Luke's Gospel during Lent.  How does this particular chapter move us from being those who pass by to those who stop and help?  How does it help us to provide safe space in life for fellow travelers?

Prayer for the day:

God of the Open Table, we are welcomed by you throughout our lives.  Allow this blessed hospitality to transform who we are.  May we see welcome as a grace - as a way of life.  Help us to overcome those obstacles that worry and distract us.  Let us offer peace to someone today.  Amen.

Photo by Dennis Gotta via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.