12-7, 12-8 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c_mPdQR6anfmviJ7dxMt8ZB10lRpbuCf24xLRw8aslQ/edit?tab=t.0
slavery was awful, but the wilderness feels like a death sentence. But God doesn’t let them die or abandon them there. He’s testing Israel, showing them his loyal love and inviting them to see their world differently—to see him as their sole source of life.
4.26
He says this is the new humanity that God wants to create in us so that we become people in whom God's image is being restored, people who will move the human project forward.
Evil causes relationship vandalism - pollutes the land and makes it unclean.
Blood represents life. Sprinkling it around is representation of how god is cleaning away the indirect consequences of evil in their community - called purification.
In fact, Jesus himself used Isaiah's words when he said that he came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.
And that word ransom refers to the sacrifice of atonement and so all over the New Testament we hear about how Jesus' death was an atoning sacrifice for us.
It covered the debt that humans owe God for contributing to all of the evil and death in His world but the new testament authors also talk about Jesus death as providing purification.
and so we hear about Jesus' blood as a symbol of his life having this ability life having this ability to wash away the vandalism that evil has caused in and around us so we can now live at peace with God
exalting self" is the act of taking pride in our accomplishments instead of giving God credit for what He is doing in our lives.
1 Peter 5:6-10 NASBS Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, [7] casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. [8] Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
11-25, 12-6, Emphasizing humility, forgiveness, and generous care for our neighbors, Jesus encourages people to choose God’s way of love, which will eventually renew all of creation. He calls this restored world God’s Kingdom. This is a realm in which Heaven and Earth are inseparably combined, a place where life flourishes that’s free from injustice, suffering, and death.
Don’t fight evil with the power of evil, Jesus says. Instead, join God in creating goodness throughout the land. If Jesus’ followers listen to his words, they will start seeing their enemies as neighbors and miracles of God who are worthy of love. All evil and every oppressor will ultimately be defeated, Jesus teaches, not with swords but with God’s creative, renewing love.
11-20, 11-23, 12-6 respond to Jesus’ invitation by practicing radical generosity and serving the poor. Jesus’ disciples lead by serving and live by peacemaking and being deeply pious but rejecting religious hypocrisy.
Luke tells this story to make a powerful point about following Jesus. When a person imposes their agenda and view of reality onto Jesus, he remains invisible and unknown to them. We will only see and know the real Jesus when we submit ourselves to his Upside-Down Kingdom, epitomized in his broken body on the cross that was offered in self-giving love.
