Luke

“And when they could not find how they might bring him in,
because of the crowd,
they went up on the housetop
and let him down with his bed through the tiling
into the midst before Jesus.” – Luke 5:19 NKJV

Come, imagine with me!

What would it feel like in a crowded room, a really crowded space?
That’s not hard to imagine. I recall the sensations of not having enough space, of being hot, jostled, and a little bit scared with so many people taking up space.

What does Jesus look like?
That’s always hard. There is something in me that wants to get that right and imagine Jesus as the Jew he was. But I have a friend who re-imagines Jesus in today’s images. So, imagine Jesus as the most Jesus-like person you know.

Or ask yourself: Who might attract as much resistance as Jesus did in some of these stories?
The image of a young guy in a hoodie comes to mind.
I resist this.
But …. then again, maybe?

Imagine the crowd listening intently to Hoodie-One speaking, the One they crowded in to hear. I people-watch. I see faces, some thin with longing, or eyes smouldering in anger, lined with pain perhaps, or beaming in recognition. We all need something, long for something, wait for something.

They are so intent on listening for what they need, I was the only one hearing the scrapping above.

(Ok, I got a little side-tracked wondering what houses in Jesus’ day looked like, but historical details aren’t important in practicing active imagination, so I gave myself a picture and decided to look up details later.)

Anyway, there was this scrapping, then some dust. A few people made for the door, but most just look annoyed. Then there is a skylight, and four guys lower their friend down. Right in front of Jesus.

Jesus laughs out loud. I like his laugh and it makes my heart smile too. I like his laughing eyes as he reaches out a hand to paralyzed guy and lifts him up.

I feel his laughing eyes on me and I am lifted. I don’t want to leave this crowded house.
My heart warms inside this story.

And that’s all.
Well, not quite. Two things:

• Everyone can break open scripture and find themselves in a Gospel story.
• And two, Jesus is not just back then. Gospel contemplation is a practice where active imagination brings us close to Jesus, God-with-us.
  As you imagine Jesus looking at you with those laughing eyes, what happens within you? What do you hear him say? What gift does he offer you today?
  Enter Another Story
  Choose another story in Luke.
  Read the passage slowly.
  Step inside the story with your imagination.
  Notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel.
  Let Jesus notice you.
  Stay in the story as long as you need or wish.
  When you return, write or draw one thing that surprised you.

[Luke]Imagine with Me