Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: The narrative today begins with the words “then” and “therefore” as a reminder that it’s important to remember this is a continuing story related to the previous lesson on greed. The next section of this chapter continues the lesson, but it seems prudent to post in smaller bites as long as we keep the …
Read: Invited to dinner with the Pharisees, Jesus is quick to point out their deficiencies as a group. The way Luke records this is fascinating. He sits down, doesn’t wash ceremoniously to get their attention, then proceeds to tell them they are fools! Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, …
Continue reading “Luke: Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders”
Read: The Twelve disciples have watched Jesus pray on many occasions. Finally, they stop and ask Him to teach them just as John taught his disciples. What a lesson on discipleship! I love the fact that Luke captures the expanded lesson in the text here. It’s not so much a step-by-step guide as Matthew provided. …
Read: Of all the stories Luke has to choose from, and I’m sure there were literally hundreds, he selected a scene were two sisters appeared in conflict. In an age where women were minimalized overtly, we are asked to consider who is doing the most important thing. Martha takes charge while Mary doesn’t say a …
Read: This is probably one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, both in and out of church walls. A guy gets beat up, snobs walk by, then an undecorated hero steps in and helps the guy without any fanfare or hope for something in return. End of story, with one exception: Jesus told …
Read: Luke’s masterful writing and arrangement of the text gives us a narrative that’s quite compelling. I love how the first two words of this chapter sets up the significant story: After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was …
Read: Last week we kicked off the Lenten season for 2018, February 14 through April 1st. Mardi Gras (Feb 13th) is probably celebrated with more enthusiasm than Ash Wednesday, but the timing of this season with reading Luke 9 and following is interesting. As we approach Easter, the pivotal event that ultimately defines Christianity, I …
Continue reading “Luke: Tough Lessons Through Healing and Prophecy”
Read: I really have a hard time appreciating the gravity of this assertion: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. In our modern society we don’t require criminals to bear the instrument of death upon which they will be publicly humiliated, tortured, and ultimately …
Continue reading “Luke: Are You Sure You Want to be a Disciple?”
Read: Jonah is a short story that has captured the imaginations of countless people of all ages, but especially children in Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools around the globe. It’s ironic that children enjoy the story while adults, if they would answer honestly, will most likely say it’s a fictional or allegorical work based …
Since we celebrate Valentine’s Day today, I took some time to look through photos curated as “love” from my favorite photo source at unsplash.com. The photo above shows children walking together with their parents leading in the distance. The powerful legacy that I hope Zoë and I can leave our children: follow the narrow path dear …
Continue reading “Love is from God — Let Us Learn to Love One Another”