rest

April 5, 2019

Why be anxious? (Lk 12:26-12:26)

“If then you are not able

To do as small a thing

As that,

Why do you worry

About the rest?”

 

εἰ οὖν οὐδὲ ἐλάχιστον δύνασθε, τί περὶ τῶν λοιπῶν μεριμνᾶτε;

 

This appears to be a unique verse in this longer saying that Luke shared with Matthew about worrying.  Jesus said that if you are not able to do as small a thing as that (εἰ οὖν οὐδὲ ἐλάχιστον δύνασθε), why do you worry about the rest of the things (τί περὶ τῶν λοιπῶν μεριμνᾶτε)?  Jesus seemed to indicate that if you cannot add to your lifespan by worrying, why worry about anything else.  What, me worry?  What do you worry about?

March 12, 2019

The role of peace (Lk 10:6-10:6)

“If anyone is there,

Who shares in peace,

Your peace

Will rest

On that person.

But if not,

It will return

To you.”

 

καὶ ἐὰν ἐκεῖ ᾖ υἱὸς εἰρήνης, ἐπαναπαήσεται ἐπ’ αὐτὸν ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν· εἰ δὲ μήγε, ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἀνακάμψει.

 

Luke indicated that Jesus said that if there was a son of peace (καὶ ἐὰν ἐκεῖ ᾖ υἱὸς εἰρήνης) or anyone there who shared in peace, their peace would rest or remain on that person (ἐπαναπαήσεται ἐπ’ αὐτὸν ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν).  But if not (εἰ δὲ μήγε), that peace would return to them (ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἀνακάμψει).  Matthew, chapter 10:13, had something similar when Jesus was talking to his 12 apostles before their missionary expedition.  If there were worthy people or the house was worthy, they should let their peace come upon them.  However, if they are not worthy or deserving, their peace should return or turn back to them, the same as Luke here.  I am not sure how you would get your peace greeting revoked in some way.  Have you ever been mad because someone did not return you peace greeting?

March 1, 2019

Bethsaida (Lk 9:10-9:10)

“On their return,

The apostles

Told Jesus

All that they had done.

He took them

With him,

As he withdrew privately

To a city

Called Bethsaida.”

 

Καὶ ὑποστρέψαντες οἱ ἀπόστολοι διηγήσαντο αὐτῷ ὅσα ἐποίησαν. Καὶ παραλαβὼν αὐτοὺς ὑπεχώρησεν κατ’ ἰδίαν εἰς πόλιν καλουμένην Βηθσαϊδά.

 

Luke said that on the return of the apostles (Καὶ ὑποστρέψαντες οἱ ἀπόστολοι), they told Jesus all that they had done (διηγήσαντο αὐτῷ ὅσα ἐποίησαν).  He then took them with him (Καὶ παραλαβὼν αὐτοὺς) as he withdrew privately to a city (ὑπεχώρησεν κατ’ ἰδίαν εἰς πόλιν) called Bethsaida (καλουμένην Βηθσαϊδά).  This opening to the multiplication of the loaves story can be found in all four gospels, Matthew, chapter 14:13, Mark, chapter 6:30-33, John, chapter 6:1-2, and here.  Luke was the only one to mention the town of Bethsaida, while the others talked about Jesus in a boat.  This gathering of the apostles around Jesus after their mission can only be found in Mark and in Luke.  Mark said that they told Jesus everything that they had done and taught.  Thus, Jesus had a debriefing session with his apostles where he found out what had happened to them on their missionary adventures.  Then Mark said that Jesus wanted to get away to a deserted place in a boat, but somehow the crowds followed him along the bank of the sea, so that Jesus and his apostles could not get away by themselves.  Mark wanted his disciples and apostles to rest for a while, to take it easy.  Many people were coming and going, so that they did not have any leisure time to eat.  Thus, they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.  Jesus was concerned about the apostles’ mental state.  He wanted them to have some down time.  Matthew had pretty much the same story about Jesus and the boat with a slightly different twist.  Jesus left in a boat to be in a deserted or secluded place alone.  However, the crowds heard about it, so that they followed him on foot from the various towns.  Jesus could not get away by himself.  Do you ever want to get away by yourself?

November 16, 2018

Are you still sleeping? (Mk 14:41-14:41)

“Jesus came

A third time.

He said to them.

‘Are you still sleeping?

Are you still

Taking your rest?

Enough!

The hour has come!

The Son of man

Is betrayed

Into the hands

Of sinners.’”

 

καὶ ἔρχεται τὸ τρίτον καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Καθεύδετε τὸ λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε· ἀπέχει· ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα, ἰδοὺ παραδίδοται ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν.

 

This is almost word for word in Matthew, chapter 26:45.  In Luke, chapter 22, and John, chapter 22, there is nothing more about these sleeping disciples of Jesus.  Mark recounted that Jesus came to his 3 disciples for a 3rd time (καὶ ἔρχεται τὸ τρίτον).  He spoke to them (καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς).  He wanted to know why they were still sleeping and taking their rest (Καθεύδετε τὸ λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε)?  Jesus told them that this was enough (ἀπέχει).  He woke them up to tell them that the hour had come (ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα) when the Son of Man was going to be betrayed or handed over (ἰδοὺ παραδίδοται ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) into the hands of sinners (εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν).  The time for sleeping was over.

 

September 10, 2018

Going to a deserted place (Mk 6:31-6:32)

“Jesus said to them,

‘Come away

To a deserted place

All by yourselves!

Rest a while!’

Many were coming

And going.

They had no leisurely time

To eat.

They went away

In the boat

To a deserted place

By themselves.”

 

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Δεῦτε ὑμεῖς αὐτοὶ κατ’ ἰδίαν εἰς ἔρημον τόπον καὶ ἀναπαύσασθε ὀλίγον. ἦσαν γὰρ οἱ ἐρχόμενοι καὶ οἱ ὑπάγοντες πολλοί, καὶ οὐδὲ φαγεῖν εὐκαίρουν.

καὶ ἀπῆλθον ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ εἰς ἔρημον τόπον κατ’ ἰδίαν.

 

This opening to the multiplication of the loaves story can be found in Matthew, chapter 14:13, and Luke, chapter 9:10.  Jesus wanted to get away to a deserted place in a boat.  Mark related that Jesus said to them (καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς) to come away to a deserted place all by themselves (Δεῦτε ὑμεῖς αὐτοὶ κατ’ ἰδίαν εἰς ἔρημον τόπον).  He wanted his disciples and apostles to rest for a while (καὶ ἀναπαύσασθε ὀλίγον), to take it easy.  Many people were coming and going (ἦσαν γὰρ οἱ ἐρχόμενοι καὶ οἱ ὑπάγοντες πολλοί), so that they no leisure time to eat (καὶ οὐδὲ φαγεῖν εὐκαίρουν).  Thus, they went away (καὶ ἀπῆλθον) in the boat (ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ) to a deserted place by themselves (εἰς ἔρημον τόπον κατ’ ἰδίαν).  Jesus was concerned about the apostles’ mental state.  He wanted them to have some down time.

July 15, 2018

Jesus wakes up his favorite apostles (Mt 26:45-26:46)

“Then Jesus came

To the disciples.

He said to them.

‘Are you still sleeping?

Are you taking your rest?

See!

The hour is at hand.

The Son of Man

Is betrayed

Into the hands

Of sinners.

Get up!

Let us be going!

See!

My betrayer

Is approaching.’”

 

τότε ἔρχεται πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Καθεύδετε λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε· ἰδοὺ ἤγγικεν ἡ ὥρα καὶ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν.

ἐγείρεσθε, ἄγωμεν· ἰδοὺ ἤγγικεν ὁ παραδιδούς με.

 

This is almost word for word in Mark, chapter 14:41-42.  In Luke, chapter 22, and John, chapter 22, there is nothing more about these sleeping disciples of Jesus.  Matthew and Mark both recount that Jesus came to his disciples (τότε ἔρχεται πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς) for a 3rd time.  He spoke to them (καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς).  He told them that there would be plenty of time for sleeping and taking rest later (Καθεύδετε λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε).  He woke them up to tell them that the hour had come (ἰδοὺ ἤγγικεν ἡ ὥρα) when the Son of Man was going to be betrayed or handed over (καὶ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται) into the hands of sinners (εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν).  They had to get up and get going (ἐγείρεσθε, ἄγωμεν).  The betrayer was approaching them right away (ἰδοὺ ἤγγικεν ὁ παραδιδούς με).  The time for resting was over.  All hands-on deck!  The betrayer was coming to get him right away.

April 20, 2018

The easy yoke of labor (Mt 11:28-11:30)

“Come to me!

All you who are

Growing weary!

All you who are

Laden with a heavy burden!

I will give you rest.

Take my yoke!

Learn from me!

I am gentle.

I am lowly in heart.

You will find rest

For your souls.

My yoke is easy.

My burden is light.”

 

Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς.

ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς καὶ μάθετε ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν·

 ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν.

 

Matthew concluded this chapter with a unique saying of Jesus.  Jesus wanted his followers to pick up the yoke of his message.  A yoke was put on the shoulders of farm animals to help with plowing and planting.  The term was also used to represent the yoke of the Torah on the shoulders of many Israelites.  Jesus invited all those who were growing weary to come to him (Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες).  He wanted all those with a heavy burden (καὶ πεφορτισμένοι), so that he might give them rest (κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς).  They were to take his yoke (ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς) and learn from him (καὶ μάθετε ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ).  He was gentle and lowly in heart (ὅτι πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ).  They would find rest for their souls (καὶ εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν) because his yoke was easy (ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς) and his burden light (καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν).  The yoke of Jesus was light in comparison to the yoke of the Torah.

December 31, 2017

Patrolling the earth (Zech 6:7-6:8)

“When the steeds came out,

They were impatient

To patrol the earth.

He said.

‘Go!

Patrol the earth!’

Thus,

They patrolled the earth.

Then he cried to me.

‘Look!

Those who go toward the north country

Have set the Spirit of Yahweh

At rest

In the north country.’”

The horses were impatient to get going to patrol the earth.  The angel told them to patrol the earth.  Thus, they went on their way, patrolling the whole world in every direction.  Then this angel told Zechariah that the black horses with their chariot going north had the Spirit of Yahweh, the Holy Spirit, so that they were going to bring rest to the north country.

September 13, 2017

Use up the days that you have (Dan 12:13-12:13)

“But you!

Go your way!

Rest!

You shall rise

For your reward,

At the end of the days.”

Finally, this linen clothed man told Daniel to be on his way. Get some rest. He was going to rise as a reward at the end of time. Thus, ends the short chapter on the end times.

March 3, 2017

The hard life (Lam 5:5-5:6)

“With a yoke

On our necks,

We are hard driven.

We are weary.

We are given

No rest.

We have made a pact

With Egypt.

We have made a pact

With Assyria

To get bread enough.”

Once again in the first person plural, they complain about yoke on their necks as in Jeremiah, chapter 28. They are tired because they are forced into hard labor without much rest. They had to make a pact with Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread to eat. Actually, Assyria had already disappeared.