There is a time-honored story about a man who walked into a bookstore to return a purchase. “It’s a Bible,” he said, handing it to a clerk at the cash register.

“Was it a gift?” asked the clerk.

“No, I bought it for myself,” he said, “and I made a mistake.

“Didn’t you like the translation?” asked the clerk. “Or the format?”

“Oh no,” the man said, “the format was clear and the translation was fine. I made a mistake.”

The clerk said, “Well, I need to write down a reason for the return.”

“In that case,” said the man, “write down that there is a lot in that book that is tough to swallow.” (1)

I don’t believe you will think me irreverent if I say to you that there is a lot in the Bible that is tough to swallow. Today’s lesson from the Gospel of Luke may be one of the toughest of all. It …