Casting Hope

The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event outside of us; we are joined to Jesus. This means we can "practice resurrection" (Berry) today. We are joined to Jesus in his death and his new life. And so we can walk in new life today. Showing the world what our future resurrection will one day look like.

Life is scary. Matthew's report of the resurrection of Jesus does not erase this truth. In fact, the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection were afraid even as they worshipped the Risen Jesus. But Jesus gives us two gifts when we are afraid: 1/ a merciful response to our fear, and 2/ a purposeful mission. We will explore both this Easter Sunday.

Jesus describes what it means to follow in his Way. We practice forgiveness and humilty. Both of these practices are humanly impossible. But God gives us a mustard seed of faith.

Jesus says to the Pharisees: "you are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts." Jesus is calling us to live before an audience of one.

Jesus tells three stories to describe, and invite us into, his welcome.

Jesus looks at a large crowd of people following him around. And instead of rejoicing in his own fame, he challenges his followers to consider what it means to truly follow him. As Hans Bayer once said, following Jesus is like giving him a blank check. We surrender our life to his purposes. At first this seems impossibly bad. But it is the truest path to freedom.

Who will eat at the table with God? This is actually a question the Biblical story wants us to ask. And it is answered by Jesus while dining with the Pharisees and Bible scholars of his day. His answer very much surprised them. And it will also surprise you.

It's been said that Luke's gospel centers around eating. Jesus is either heading to a meal, at a meal, or leaving a meal. This week, Jesus is at a table and will give us new Spirit-empowered table manners that are meant to spill into all of life.

Jesus embraced rejection on our behalf. This was no accident of history. The cross was at the center of Jesus' work he set out to complete.

Jesus continues to describe his reign. Paradoxically entrance to his kingdom is very narrow; and yet once you are inside it is very spacious.

The way that Jesus describes his new Kingdom is surprising. What can we learn about what it means to be a citizen of his surprising Kingdom?

Sometimes those with the strongest commitment to godly living can miss the point and more tragically miss out on Jesus.

We all crave a confident definition of God. And so we listen to confident voices online, or in our life, for clear statements about God. But what if, instead, we meditated on the authoritative voice that says: "Here is your God!" in Isaiah 40:9?

The Lord says comfort and speak tenderly to his people who are struggling. This Sunday we hear one of three voices who do just that. A voice cries out to prepare. What does it mean, day to day, to prepare for the Lord's coming?

The Lord says to comfort and speak tenderly to his people who are struggling. This Sunday we hear one of three voices who do just that. A voice cries out to prepare. What does it mean, day to day, to prepare for the Lord's coming?

We love our routines. And so we hate interruptions. But what if Jesus is the interruption we most need? Will we welcome him?

One of the most important questions we can ask and answer is: "where are we heading?" Jesus orients his disciples to the day of his return. He teaches us readiness.

The answer to greed, worry, and fear is not technique or will-power. It's an inside-out heart change that only Jesus can provide.

Jesus calls us to pay attention to our interior lives. This calling is essential in every age, but more than ever today.

The gospel is an announcement of Jesus' victory and rule. So there is no neutral ground: we are either embracing the news or evading it. Jesus is urgently challenging us to join him today.

Apprenticeship with Jesus begins with this question: "Jesus, teach us to pray."

In this world of same old same old, we expect and extend surprise (because the good news of Jesus is the truest surprise of all).

We are taking a brief break from Luke in order to focus on the practices and priorities of Hope. What we could call our Hope habits.

We are taking a brief break from Luke in order to focus on the practices and priorities of Hope.

As Jesus sets his face to Jerusalem, we join his disciples in this wilderness journey. How do we follow Jesus in the wilderness today?

Sometimes discipleship feels like we are going to drown. What can this episode in Luke teach us about trusting Jesus in times of fear?

God is like a prodigal (lavish, extravagant, "wasteful") farmer in the sowing of his life-giving Word. How will we respond to his extravagant invitation?

Do you feel stuck in a life of selfishness? Jesus provides the only escape from the self-inflicted torment of living for ourselves.

Because of the incarnation, Jesus reveals exactly what it looks like when God visits his people. It is not what we would expect.

What is the difference between hypocrisy and integrity?

The resurrection is a revolution. United to Jesus, we too are made new.

Jesus calls his community to take on his Father's likeness. To our surprise, this looks like active enemy love.

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.

Jesus is doing something new, which calls for feasting and fasting.

This passage is very important in the life of our church. We believe it encapsulates our mission: to receive and then extend the welcome of Jesus.

We have tamed down what it means to follow Jesus. Let's allow Luke's Gospel to re-wild our faith.