The Wrong Kind of Guy
Sometimes it feels like Jesus’ parables were in an accidental order a hodgepodge – but then take a step back and look at the order and content. The grouping in chapter 18 before these verses deals with: An unjust judge who grants a widow justice because she is persistent, a pharisee who thought he was righteous - and a tax collector who knelt at Jesus feet begging for mercy knowing he was a sinner, he is the one who Jesus says is justified. We also hear the parable of the rich man who followed the law but couldn’t give away all his belongings and is then told it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. A blind man at the gates of Jericho had such strong faith that Jesus tells him his faith has healed him. And now – we enter Jericho having listened to parables about righteousness, wealth, and mercy. Maybe we have it figured out – let’s see. Luke 19:1-10 (NRSVue) He entered Jericho and was ...