Dave Dishman

I always wanted to dunk a basketball. Unfortunately, my hops never matched my hopes. Unless I used a trampoline, the best I could do was a lay-up. Dunking proved too difficult, far beyond my capability. But an NBA center? They dunk all day, barely leaving the floor. With the right ability what’s impossible to most of us proves easy for others.

Even more so with Jesus. Listening to him teach on a Sabbath day, a gang of religious leaders waited to pounce. They wondered if Jesus would heal a man with a withered hand sitting in their midst. Jesus knew their thoughts (did he read their minds or was it just obvious on their faces?).

Jesus called the man over, then turned to the leaders. Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And after looking around at them all he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored.

Healing represented work according to Jewish rules, and these leaders were upset that Jesus worked on the Sabbath. But healing a crippled hand was no effort for the Lord of the Universe. It’s more work for you or me to walk to the refrigerator and open the door. It was ridiculously easy for Jesus to heal. More siesta than sweat.

But the religious leaders saw Jesus as worse than a Sabbath breaker. He represented a threat to their hold on society, their grip on power. And in this they were correct. Earlier Jesus taught that the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath. He came to upend the religious edifices keeping men and women from God, and to draw all people to himself.

Healing for Jesus? Easy. Dying on the cross for our sins? Much more difficult. But Jesus accomplished this for you and me as well. Should we turn our hearts to this amazing God? That’s a slam dunk.

Luke 6:5-11

Photo by Tom Briskey

Simon Peter didn’t know the itinerant preacher who asked to borrow his boat for a temporary stage. But after the teaching session, the man instructed Simon to cruise out to a deeper part of the lake and catch some fish. Skunked the night before, Simon cast his nets on the word of the man in the boat.

Immediately the nets swarmed with leaping, flashing fish. So many the boat began to swamp. Simon called another boat and filled to the gunnels, both boats struggled to shore. These professional fishermen enjoyed the greatest catch of their lives.

I wonder if Jesus called fish from all over the lake to fill those nets, or did he simply create the load of fish in the moment? However it happened, Simon Peter recognized the miracle and understood Jesus to be more than a mere teacher. Falling to his knees he begged, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Jesus didn’t leave Peter, but instead called him to follow. A large catch of fish revealed the true nature of the man in the boat. What reveals the true nature of Jesus today? A stunning sunset? The gift of family and friends? An abundance of material goods? Like all those fish, every good thing comes from his hand.

An abundant catch of fish and an abundant life. Both spring for the hands of the man in the boat.

Luke 5:1-11

Photo by Burkhard Kaufhold

A few years ago an ad featured a man performing surgery. As he gave closing instructions to the attending staff it was discovered that he wasn’t really a surgeon at all. The man replied, I know, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night. The commercial ends with the tag line, It won’t make you smarter. But you’ll feel smarter.

Not everyone who claims authority can back it up. I tend to distrust those who push themselves forward, at least until I see some evidence for their self-proclaimed expertise. As Jesus burst upon the scene people held similar views.

When teaching in Capernaum, a crowd sat amazed at his authoritative nature. Then a deeply troubled man entered the room, and the demon within him cried out, Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God (even the demons knew him and shuddered).

After sending the demon to the abyss, the people in attendance marveled at Jesus. What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!

Notice the listeners did not comment on Jesus’s demeanor or delivery or looks or entertainment value. No comments on style or clothes. Instead, dominance rumbled through the synagogue. A simple rebuke tore a demon from a human soul. What is this word?

The teachings of Jesus still carry authority. You and I can access them today. Read the Gospels and ponder his words. Listen to them through your headphones. Better yet, say them out loud. Jesus spoke and the demon fled. Give attention to the words of Jesus and see what demons slip from your life.

Luke 4:31-37

Photo by Jon Tyson

The Bible says a lot about angels, but a visit from one remained a rare occurrence.

An angel appeared to a priest named Zechariah, who initially cowered in fear (angels always create fear in those who see them). But Gabriel brought good news, Prayers answered, his barren wife would have a son. Zechariah’s response? How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years. The angel rolled his eyes. I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Then, as a lesson regarding incredulity, the angel struck Zechariah mute until the baby arrived.

Gabriel then visited a young woman named Mary. In response to her alarm the angel replied, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Mary also responded with a question, How will this be, since I am a virgin? But rather than skepticism, Mary asked in wonder. She was worldly enough to know how babies are made, but innocent enough to believe the Holy Spirit could place a child in her womb. She reflected on Gabriel’s closing words—nothing will be impossible with God.

I relate way more to Zechariah. What! No way! Impossible! These are my usual reactions to an act that seemingly comes from God. But after a period of thought I come around. Perhaps that’s why the angel muted Zechariah. Hold your tongue and think on it, and you might see the hand of God at work.

On the other hand, Mary listened, took in the message, and basked in God’s attention. Allowed her voice, she wrote the Magnificat, a song of praise which begins, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Now that’s the way to respond to an angel.

Luke 1

Painting: Henry Ossawa Tanner, “The Annunciation,” 1898