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The world we live in today is not the world that God made. Deep down there's a breakage, a disconnect with the God we expand

The world we live in today is not the world that God made. Deep down there's a breakage, a disconnect with the God we are commanded to love. The story of the Bible is the story of God turning things the right way up. The cross shows once and for all that God's agenda is not the same as our agenda; the greatest reversal is the resurrection. What is most surprising in this passage is how Jesus deals with His disciples who kept looking for Him in all the wrong places. He doesn't just say "Look, it's me!" During a seven-hour walk, He opened the scripture to two of them - He probably explained all the books of the Old Testament to them. But it is at a meal where Jesus finally reveals Himself... back

As Jesus is tried before Pilate and Herod, the charges are now recast from religious charges to political charges. But even expand

As Jesus is tried before Pilate and Herod, the charges are now recast from religious charges to political charges. But even the political leaders in this passage can't help but recognize and pronounce that Jesus is innocent. Luke is clearly saying that the expected Messiah will not be a political leader that will overthrow Rome, but a silent Lamb of God lead to the sacrifice table, who will take away our sins once and for all. The narrative is rich with Old Testament fulfillment. In the previous chapter, we see Peter denying Jesus three times. Here, strangers, politicians that have not even seen His miraculous deeds proclaim His innocence. And symbolically as God fulfills His plan, it is a sinner crucified with Jesus who recognizes who He really is, asks for forgiveness, and receives it instantly. And, a gentile centurion who praised God saying also that "this man was innocent". Bishop Barnett offers us two main points to remember... back

In this passage, we see Jesus in great turmoil, but trusting entirely in God. Although He would have loved to have the &# expand

In this passage, we see Jesus in great turmoil, but trusting entirely in God. Although He would have loved to have the 'cup' removed He did not crumble under pressure, instead we see Him faithful and steadfast to God's purpose until death. In contrast, we see the disciples sleeping when Jesus asks them to support Him in prayer. And because they failed to pray, we see four inner flaws, and see them failing to identify with the teacher they love, and scattering when times are tough. What does this passage teach us when we face the same challenges? back

This is a monumental passage where Jesus replaces the old covenant with a new one, and the Mosaic liturgy with a new one expand

This is a monumental passage where Jesus replaces the old covenant with a new one, and the Mosaic liturgy with a new one. In Exodus God invited Moses and Israel's elders into a feast with Him. Here, Jesus brings the apostles (the representatives of the church) into a fellowship meal with Him, and He points us forward to the future wedding feast in His Kingdom. Jesus leaves us with a way to continue to celebrate a rich communion with God until He comes again. back

Jesus spells out the implications of His death and resurrection. There are three main points: (1) where is history going expand

Jesus spells out the implications of His death and resurrection. There are three main points: (1) where is history going? (2) what is the shape of history? (3) what is the impact of history, i.e. how does history impact us? back

The resurrection is at the center of this passage and is mentioned half a dozen times. It's ironic to see the Sadducees expand

The resurrection is at the center of this passage and is mentioned half a dozen times. It's ironic to see the Sadducees arrogantly arguing the things of God with the Son of God Himself! One can be thoroughly right in resurrection theology but miss the point entirely. The point of the resurrection is that God has made Jesus LORD over everything. God gives Christ all the power. From the date of His resurrection, He rules the world, and God has been placing all His enemies under Jesus' feet. This passage gives us the world's approach to resurrection and Jesus' approach to resurrection. And we learn two concrete examples for our lives today... back

This is the story about us, the story of the world – the whole creation! God owns us and we are His tenants. But we expand

This is the story about us, the story of the world – the whole creation! God owns us and we are His tenants. But we have an irrational, inbuilt hostility towards the God who created us. There are three narratives in this passage that deal with ownership. We are strongly reminded in the middle story that God doesn't just say "over to us", He constantly sends reminders to us that we are tenants and He will come to collect some of the 'fruit' from us. In the third narrative, the word 'render' means give back (and not give). The fact that we bear the image of Jesus is proof that God owns us. And if we bear His image, we must give back "to God the things that are God's" – i.e. ourselves! back

This passage starts with an acted statement from Jesus Himself about His kingship, sandwiches the punishment that comes expand

This passage starts with an acted statement from Jesus Himself about His kingship, sandwiches the punishment that comes when Israel failed to pass on God's blessing to all the world, and ends with Jesus' symbolic restoration of the Gentile quarter of the temple back into a house of prayer. Jesus shows amazing compassion as He longs for the repentance of Israel and laments the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem. As you read through next week's passage, you will see a repeat pattern of identity, judgement for unfaithful leaders, and stewardship. back

The parable of the ten minas is about faithful stewardship. God gave us gifts. When we use our gifts, we are to use them expand

The parable of the ten minas is about faithful stewardship. God gave us gifts. When we use our gifts, we are to use them for His glory. He expects us to 'engage in business until He comes'. The text tells us that Jesus told this parable "because He was near to Jerusalem" (where Jesus will finish His work, and pass on His ministry to us). The story starts with the expectation that the nobleman will return, and finishes with a picture of his actual return. Verse 15 gives us a specific warning "When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business." back

This passage gives us three characteristics of a real Christian. Righteousness is a relationship word – we see what expand

This passage gives us three characteristics of a real Christian. Righteousness is a relationship word – we see what it means to be right in our relationship with God. If you do not follow Jesus, you will get what you deserve. None of us deserve heaven. And how is it that Jesus can make us righteous? back

In this passage, Luke presents three examples of what it takes to receive eternal life. The first step towards eternal life expand

In this passage, Luke presents three examples of what it takes to receive eternal life. The first step towards eternal life is to acknowledge our brokenness, our need to be saved. Secondly, Jesus tells us that we are to receive the kingdom of God just like an infant would, trusting in Jesus without questioning. Then, we must choose rightly on an on-going basis to follow Jesus. Just as Jesus gave us His life so that we may receive eternal life as a free gift, we too, must give Him our lives no matter what the cost. But if we do not follow Jesus, we will get what we deserve... back

Jesus tells His disciples about a moment in the day when He returns. We're told that it will be unexpected. Reflect expand

Jesus tells His disciples about a moment in the day when He returns. We're told that it will be unexpected. Reflect on the gravity of that moment: those who are not reconciled with Jesus will be left behind, lost, without hope. This passage gives us five things to focus on... back

This passage follows Jesus teaching graphically about hell. The structure of the passage is (1) don't cause offense ( expand

This passage follows Jesus teaching graphically about hell. The structure of the passage is (1) don't cause offense (2) don't take offense (3) that's impossible, give us faith (4) shocking truth. The words "to offend" means to cause to stumble, and Luke only uses this word three times. We are not to try to make Jesus gentle and pallatable, so that He's more popular. If we do that, we will stop people from following Jesus and cause them to stumble... back

This is a red hot reversal. Although it feels like a parable, we're not told it is a parable. As Jesus deals with heaven expand

This is a red hot reversal. Although it feels like a parable, we're not told it is a parable. As Jesus deals with heaven and hell, He is not dealing with literary devices, He is speaking about ultimate reality. The poor man has nothing, but he has a name in this passage and he is known to God. The rich man has no name. We're told of three idols that the rich man has but none of his idols can help him in hell. The point of this life is not how much money you make, but that you have Jesus Christ, that you know Him personally, that you truly listen to His word, that you do more than just hear a sermon occasionally, that you've taken the warnings of judgement personally, that you've taken the death and resurrection to yourself personally, and that you know the joy of repentance. There is a time for repentance, and it is today... back