Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: For those who have rendered Jesus as their personal companion, friend, and a buddy of sorts, the scene in the temple courts should provide some evidence that He did not come here to be best friends. The seriousness of His mission comes into focus as we enter the last section of Luke’s gospel. Beginning …
Continue reading “Luke: Jesus in the Temple Courts — Not So Friendly”
Read: Most of this passage is focused on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as prophesied hundreds of years before. The text contains highlights of the momentous occasion, songs, and joyful celebration as well as tears from Jesus as He reflects on the future. Let that last thought sink in for a moment. Only …
Read: Interestingly, just after we read about Zacchaeus’ conversion, Jesus continues with a parable that uses money management to make His point. Much like Matthew’s account (), Luke presents three servants to depict those who do and those who do not. From the outset, it’s important to appreciate this is not a parable of the …
Read: Luke presents the wealthy, cheating, scum of the earth, tax collecting thief known as Zaccheus as the center point for teaching us how to reach those who are lost. Well, that’s probably what the people were thinking when they saw him run ahead to climb the infamous sycamore-fig tree. Jesus is going through Jericho, …
Continue reading “Luke: Zacchaeus – Sought and Saved By Jesus”
Read: I ordered a new set of reading glasses this morning, something I need, pretty common for people my age. My distance vision is great, but when I read, it’s a strain. This is quite a switch from when I was very young and couldn’t see the board at school. Eye doctors quickly figured out …
Read: In the moment, the disciples are unable to comprehend what Jesus is telling them. It’s so easy to look back and criticize them, but Jesus’ actions were unprecedented, no one did the things He did, well, that is the point, right? Here in the midst of some amazing teaching, Jesus takes the disciples aside …
Continue reading “Luke: Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time”
Read: Luke recalls a time when Jesus had the opportunity to interact with an authority figure, someone who carries the title “ruler.” Matthew’s account of this interaction notes this is a “young” ruler (), someone of social and civic prominence. It never ceases to amaze me how Jesus gets into these conversations. He gets invited …
Read: Luke makes a special note to address two particular groups of people in today’s passage: the self-righteous and children. The first comes in the form of a parable, the second is more direct. Both compel us to pause and consider these particular red-letter words from Jesus. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but this …
Continue reading “Luke: Self-Righteousness and Little Children”
Read: A few days ago we read about the shrewd manager, a nice way of referring to the guy who was about to get fired so he reduced the debt of his master’s clients to gain favor. Today we read a story where Jesus refers to a worldly character, in this case, an unjust judge, …
Continue reading “Luke: The Persistent Widow and the Power of Prayer”
Read: Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” The Left Behind series, among a host of fiction novels that explore this concept, dive into the end times, those days we look forward to with great anticipation and fear. In the next few paragraphs, I’ll make this all …