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From ‘Notes on the Formation of the Gospels’, by John Wijngaards;
published in Background to the Gospels (Bangalore & Ann Arbor 1981)
and Together in My Name (London 1991).
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
1. Luke recounts that two specific groups received advice from John the Baptist (Luke 3,12-14):
Tax collectors came to be baptised and said to him: ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ He replied: ‘Collect no more than what is your due’.
Soldiers (= police) also asked him: ‘What about us? What shall we do?’ He answered: ‘Treat no one with violence. Level no false accusations. Be content with your wages’.
Would you have expected the advice that they needed to change their occupation?
2. The ‘women who followed Jesus from Galilee’ were an important group among Jesus’ disciples (see Luke 8,1-3).
They witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion (Luke 23,49).
They assisted in his burial (Luke 23,55-56).
They were the first to see the empty tomb (Luke 24,1-11).
Why does Luke stress their involvement in Jesus’ passion and resurrection?
3. Consider Jesus’ admonition (Luke 14,10-11):
When you are invited to a party, occupy the lowest seat. Then when your host comes, he will say to you: ‘Friend, go higher up!’ It will be an honour to you in front of all those who are at table with you.
If dining with Jesus is an image of our Christian discipleship, what is Jesus saying here about our place in the community?
4. When the seventy disciples returned (Luke 10,17), Jesus thanked the Father for giving his special revelation to ‘small children’ (Luke 10,21). What do you make of that?
John Wijngaards
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