Commendable Dishonesty – Luke 16:1-13 (Sermon Notes)
I’m deeply indebted to Robert Fararr Capon and his commentary Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus
for insight into Sunday’s text. We had little notes because we simply read and engaged the two parables of servants from Luke 16:1-13 and Matthew 18:23-35. It was a difficult message and I know many had questions. Looking at Luke 16 seeing a master who has servants deep in debt there is a savior who stands between the judge and those who are guilty. The only “right” way out is judgment and punishment. Grace robs judgment of its punishment. We considered in this light we realize that grace is not what we expected or deserved. Capon captures this by revealing that the Christ figure in this parable is the dishonest manager. The dishonest manager is the one who meets those in debt beyond their means and forgiving their debts at his own cost with the master’s generosity. It’s not to say that Christ is dishonest but that his grace is so unexpected it’s scandalous. His deal of grace robs the law as Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Grace is not what we deserved, but we’ve become so used to it that grace is robbed of its surprise and scandal. In spite of our inability to understand or appreciate it, grace works.
“Thankfully we don’t have to deal with a just steward .”
- Robert Farrar Capon
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