13 Solid foundations

6:17-49

coming down . on level place , laid a foundation on the rock;

9:37-51

coming down from mountain Lay ye in the ears of you sayings these

6:17-49 And coming down (from the mountain) with them he stood on a level place. There was a crowd of his disciples with him and a big multitude of people from all of Judea and Jerusalem and the coast country of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be cured from their diseases. Also those being tormented by unclean spirits were healed. All the crowd sought to touch him because power went out from him and cured all. He lifted up his eyes to his disciples and said. "Blessed are the poor because the kingdom of heaven is yours. Blessed are those who hunger now because you will be satisfied. Blessed are those who weep now because you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you and when they separate you out and reproach you and cast out your name as being evil because of the Son of Man (Jesus). Rejoice in that day and leap for joy for behold your reward in heaven will be great. For they did the same things to the prophets of their fathers. But woe to you - rich ones, because you have your consolation. Woe to you who are filled up now because you will hunger. Woe to those who laugh now because you will mourn and lament. Woe to you when all speak well of you for their fathers did the same to the false prophets. But I tell you who are prepared to listen. Love your enemies. Do well to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray about those who insult you. For the one who strikes you on the cheek, turn the other one also. And regarding the one taking your garment. Do not prevent them from taking your tunic as well. Give to everyone who asks you for something. Do not ask for things back from those who take your things. As you would like people to do to you, do you to them likewise. If you love those who love you, then what thanks is there for that. Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks is there for that? Even the sinners do the same thing. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what thanks is there for that? Even sinners lend to sinners when they will receive back something that's equal. But love your enemies and do good and lend without despairing about getting something back. Your reward will be great. You will be sons of the Most High because he (the Most High) is kind to the unthankful and to those who are evil. Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge so you will not be judged. Do not condemn so you many not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given back to you measured out well, with the measure pressed down, shaken and running over. It will be put into your lap. For in whatever measure you measure out, so it will be measured out for you in return. Continued

9:37-51 And it came to pass that on coming down from the mountain they were met by a great crowd. And behold a man from the crowd called aloud saying "Teacher I beg you to look at my son because he is my only born. Behold a spirit takes hold of him and crying out suddenly it throws him down with the boy foaming at the mouth. It scarcely ever departs from him without bruising him. I begged your disciples to expel it but they were not able." Answering Jesus said "Unbelieving and perverted generation until when shall I be with you and have to put up with you? Bring your son here." Yet while approaching him the demon tore at him and threw him violently. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit. He cured the boy and restored him to his father. All were astounded at the majesty of God. And while all marvelled at the things which he did he said to his disciples. "Take note of what is being said. The Son of man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men." But they did not know what this meant. It had been veiled from them lest they should perceive it. They feared to ask him about what was said. A debate arose Continued

Continued He told them also a parable. A blind man cannot guide a blind man or else both of them will fall into a ditch. So also a disciple is not above the teacher. But everyone who is fully taught will be as his teacher. Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye but you do not consider the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother. "Brother let me take out the speck in your eye" when you do not see the beam in your own eye. Hypocrite. Take out the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly the speck in your brother's eye in order to take it out. For there is no good tree producing bad fruit. Nor again does a bad tree produce good fruit. Each tree is known by its fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns. Nor do they pick a grape from a thorn bush. The good man brings forth good from the treasure of his heart. The evil man brings out evil from what is evil. For it is out of the abundance of the heart that one's speaks. And also, why do you call me "Lord Lord" yet you do not do what I say? As for everyone coming to me and hearing my words and doing them. I will show you what he is like. He is like to a man who is building a house. He dug the ground and deepened it and laid a foundation on the rock. A flood occurred and the river dashed against that house and was not able to shake it because it was well built. But as for those who hear and do not follow advice, they are like a man who has built a house on the earth without a foundation and against which the river breaks. Immediately it collapsed and great is the ruin of that house.

Continued amongst them as to who might be the greatest of them. Jesus, knowing about the debate in their hearts took a child and stood it beside him. He said to them. "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is lesser amongst you, that one is great." Answering him John said "Master we saw someone expelling demons in your name and we stopped him because he does not follow with us." And Jesus said to him "Do not prevent him. For whoever is not against you is with you." And it came to pass, as the time for him came to be delivered up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

"he set his face to go to Jerusalem" (9:51)

Both the above paragraphs have an emphasis on the dispositions of one's heart. Also note this point is given priority as it is at the end of the list about qualities required. for the building of an order-based society. Recall that for those in a society that is based upon Order, people need to be wary of a tendency in such a society to be hard of heart. In the first case stress is placed heavily on the need for a kind heart, almost to the point of the practicality of this being questionable. In the second paragraph the disposition of one's heart relates to effectiveness. One may think that the boy referred to in the second paragraph was having some sort of epileptic fit. But for Luke the first century writer, this kind of illness could have been more closely associated with spirit possession than at present. At the same time the gospel writers deliberately connect the apparent possession of a person by a demon with the situation of someone else who clearly has a 'bad spirit' re their approach to religion and people in general. Being able to improve the 'spirit' of a situation requires a child-like heart.

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