Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: We’re getting deeper and deeper into challenging concepts from Jesus that confused the original Jewish leadership while making modern theologians search for answers. In this case, Jesus is casting out a demon and fields objections by those in the crowd: But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving …
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: The last few days of February are upon us. Hard to believe! Here we are at Exponential in Orlando and the last paragraph in chapter 9 reminds us that the cost of following Jesus is higher than we can imagine. Luke provides three examples of men who physically encountered Jesus with the proclamation: I …
Read: Luke is already beginning to point to Jesus’ resurrection, though it’s a bit early in the narrative, as His ministry spreads. It’s interesting that Jesus doesn’t hesitate to not only go through Samaria, but made plans to stay in the area much despised by the Jewish leadership. The messengers sent to prepare a place …
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: Three chosen disciples, the inner circle, were able to see the kingdom of God through the transfiguration, the single event when the glory of Jesus was seen for a moment. Matthew and Mark talk about the disciples being terrified and frightened, Luke took them into the cloud, frightened, and John’s gospel account seems to …
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?”