The God of the weak

As i have been reading recently, Luke 6 and 7, Les Miserables, etc, i have been seeing more and more how much God cares for the weak, the poor the destitute, and how much they are drawn to him. I have even seen how, in some cases, this faith that we try to live out would make a lot more sense to them, and would be a lot more appealing than to a person whose life was together.

In Luke 6, Jesus speaks of the poor, the hurting the hungry. We take these as figurative a lot, the poor in spirit (as matthew 5 says) the "hungry for righteous" as matthew says. But i think Jesus cared just as much for these physical needs as the spiritual.

I have been thinking of what it means to be a new creation. We see taht a lot as a dying to self, and a rising up in Christ. But to us, taht involves sacrifice, like the rich young ruler. When we are happy with parts of who we are, new creation is not always a pleasant thought. But to one who is destitute, tot he Jean Valjean's of the world, new creation is a promise. A way out of a hopeless life. (i recognize that a wealthy man's life is just as hopeless in reality, but it doesnt seem that way in me moment)

so, questions:

1) why is it so easy for us to find "hope" in the things that make our life seem pleasant and good?
2) Why does the gospel appeal to the poor and hurting more than the able and strong?

Jesus draws and repels

The thing that I was struck the most by is how Jesus is attractive to some while others find him as a threat and try to get rid of him.

I see Jesus being attractive through the way that crowds gather to him Luke 5:1, 15,19,29 6:17. We also see in these two chapters that Jesus attracts fishermen and tax collectors to be his disciples, and that the leper, paralytic, and man with the shriveled hand. Jesus also attracts questions from Johns disciples.

Jesus is seen as a threat to the Pharisees as seen in his dealings with the paralytic, and when he heals on the Sabbath. The Pharisees even try to look for ways to get rid of him 6:7.

What is it that causes Jesus to be so attractive and why is he attractive to some by not others? How are we attracted to Jesus or how do we see him as a threat?

luke who?

Hey guys,
I know we have not been incredibly consistent with blogging our thoughts on here, but i still think its a good idea if we can get in the habit of it.

This isnt really about chapters 5 and 6, though i did read through them, but what i have really been thinking about is the submission of Jesus to the Father through the first few chapters.  This ties in, kind of, with what were have been talking about with the humanity of Jesus, but it is just really sticking out to me right now how much he seems to make a point of doing things based on the Father's authority (and his submission to is as a man) rather than playing the "I am God" card and using his own strength.  

I almost feel like we need to spend some time catching up and getting on the same page, maybe reading some of Luke together this week.  I want to know how you guys are processing through it and how we want to move forward.  I think we are past a lot of the out-of-town stuff for a while.  

Do y'all have any thoughts for this week?