Numbers 24 and 25
Luke 4
Numbers:
Chapter 24 concludes the Balaam narrative, reminding us that it is fruitless to seek to curse people God has blessed. Does the church today still try to do that?
In chapter 25, the people start "mingling" with the neighbors. Worse than the sexual behavior is the fact that they start worshiping the neighbor's gods too. What do you think of this gruesome story?
Luke 4 should serve as a reminder to those who want to argue that the Gospel promises us either prosperity or an easy life. Because as soon as Jesus is baptized, God's own son in whom God is well pleased, he is tempted by the devil. There is no correlation between baptism and an easy life.
He then goes on a preaching tour and is praised by everyone. Even in Nazareth, his hometown. Until he mentions that he's not coming to bring good things just to his hometown. It reminds me of a member of congress telling their constituents that they are voting for a lot of programs for every community but theirs.
When Jesus discloses the radical nature of the inclusion of people into God's grace, that's when they want to throw him off the cliff. So he leaves Nazareth and walks down the hill to Capernaum. Capernaum is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The picture below is the ruins of what has traditionally been called Peter's House. There is a church built over the ruins. Whether or not it was Peter's house, it is the ruins of a house from that era. You can also see the ruins of the synagogue from Jesus' day.
In Capernaum, they were amazed at his teaching, at his authority, and at his ability to heal and cast out demons. What amazes us today?
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