We want Jesus to teach us how to love like it takes a methodology or more faith than we have. Instead, Jesus shows how that misses the point.
Jesus and the teaching of uncommon forgiveness
Proper 22C
Luke 17:1-10
by the Rev. Drew Downs
We jump into the story with the apostles shouting “Increase our faith!” It makes it all sound random. They’re clearly responding to something.
Remember Jesus is talking about discipleship, widening the circle, and seeing God’s love beyond human expectations. Hold onto that.
So after finishing that amazing parable from last week about a rich man separating himself from the poor, Jesus speaks directly to that sin. And how not to fall victim to it.
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus teaches his followers not to be a stumbling block. I imagine the sneaky jerk hiding where someone won’t see him and throwing his body right in front of another person’s feet.
And when the person trips and falls, they jump up and laugh at them. Or judge them for tripping.
But Jesus continues…
The full text may be found here.
For a limited time, the audio may be found here.