Luke's Funniest Story

Fifth Saturday of Easter

Lectionary Texts for Saturday:

Isaiah 45:11-13, 18-19

John 16:25-33

 

Lectionary Texts for Sunday:

Acts 10:44-48

Psalm 98 (UMH 818)

John 15:9-17

 

Please read Acts 19:8-20.

 

What's the difference between miracle and magic? Quite a few scholars say none at all. Others say, "If the good guys do it, it's miracle. If the bad guys do it, it's magic." For others, magic is done for entertainment; miracle; for someone's good. Or we could say, if God does it, it's miracle. If humans do it, it's magic. Others say it's something of a sliding scale.

Verses 8-10 are a Lucan summary statement of Paul's missionary work in and around Ephesus for the next two years. This is longer than he has stayed in any one place since his mission began. Paul moves his preaching from the synagogue to a public lecture hall during this period. It's another example of the movement of the gospel from the Jews to the gentiles. Let me note again that the word Asia here refers to Asia Minor, the west coast of Turkey. 

In vv. 11-12 Luke refers to some miracles of Paul that verge on magic. A handkerchief or apron that had touched Paul's skin is brought to touch the sick and heals them or exorcises their evil spirits. 

Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists, the seven sons of the priest, Sceva, try to use the name, "Lord Jesus," as if it's a magic word, like "Abracadabra," to cast out evil spirits. A delightfully witty evil spirit responds to their efforts by saying, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?" The evil spirit then turns on them, strips them, and they run away naked. The scene is so ludicrous as to be hysterically funny. 

The Ephesian public takes the incident far more seriously. The result is a subsequent book burning of magic books. 

As odd as this story is, its moral points are obvious. God can heal through the work of a true apostle. "Jesus," is not a magic word. Using his name for your own glory, as well as using his name in vain, will work negatively for you. Is a less obvious moral point that God can use an evil or an evil spirit to work for good (Cf. Genesis 50:20).

Lord Jesus,

You are above all spirits, above all evil. Help us to see what is good and to go for it. 

Amen.

Faithfully,

Christian