This week’s ongoing Biblical study series on the Social Gospel Blog with Rev. Paul J. Bern will be part 1 of Luke chapter 19

Forgiveness for Cheaters, Hustlers and Crooks

(Luke chapter 19, verses 1–10)

Today as we start chapter 19 of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus and the Twelve — along with an entourage consisting of many believers plus a few accusers — had left the place where Jesus had healed the blind beggar, and had just arrived in Jericho. Presumably the beggar Jesus had healed was among that number, if for no other reason than he was actually able to see Jericho for the first time. But there was more to it than just that, as I pointed out last week. That formerly blind beggar was transformed in his mind, not just his eyesight. He put those newly healed eyes to good use, as the scripture says (“Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God”). He became a follower of Jesus in Spirit and in Truth, which is exactly what should happen when we give our lives to Christ.

The blind beggar who had been healed became a minister of the Good News of Jesus, and we have a responsibility as authentic believers to emulate Jesus just like that healed beggar did. One thing you can be sure of — that formerly blind ex-beggar was well taken care of for the entire remainder of…