As we read through the gospels, we come across a number of things that are said to be involved in following Jesus. Here are a few: There are more, but you get the idea. However, there are none that are more emphatic or grab our attention quite the way Jesus’ statement in Luke 9:23 does.Continue reading “The Fellowship Of His Sufferings”
Category Archives: Luke
This Is Our Savior!
John the Baptist was like a defensive end in football whose team was way ahead in the game. That means the other team had to abandon their running game because they needed lots of points in a hurry. Knowing that he didn’t have to defend against the run, John could put devote his focus andContinue reading “This Is Our Savior!”
Keeping Our Eyes on God
We’ve all heard, “You can’t have a relationship without rules.” And it’s true. Friendships, marriages, and families all need the framework, support, and structure of rules. Although we don’t normally think of it this way, a wedding ceremony is the formalizing of a covenant between the bride and the groom. They exchange vows to doContinue reading “Keeping Our Eyes on God”
The Pace of Grace
There’s a pace to grace. It’s like running a long distance race. No one in those races runs as fast as they can. Instead, they pace themselves so they’ll have enough strength to make it to the finish line. They find a nice rhythm on the straightaway to conserve energy so they’ll be able toContinue reading “The Pace of Grace”
Seeing Jesus in New Ways
Dr. Oliver Sacks was Professor of Neurology at NYU School of Medicine but he’s best known for the dozen or so books he wrote. Most of these chronicle his clinical work over the years and deal with patients with unique and intriguing issues. The titles of his books tend to reflect this: The Man who MistookContinue reading “Seeing Jesus in New Ways”
Dinner for 13
With less than twenty-four hours remaining in His life, Jesus holds a meeting with His twelve apostles in an upper room. Luke tells us He “eagerly desired” to do this (22:15). Though He has next to nothing in terms of worldly possessions, He very much wants to leave them with something to mark the moment—somethingContinue reading “Dinner for 13”
Fabulously Clean and Invitingly Empty
Something happened on April 29, 2015 that had never occurred in over a century of major league baseball. The Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox played in Camden Yards and the stadium was . . . . empty. Due to the unrest and violence taking place in the city, the decision was made thatContinue reading “Fabulously Clean and Invitingly Empty”
Reflecting on Jesus’ Passion
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15) The Passion of the Christ, the passion play—mostContinue reading “Reflecting on Jesus’ Passion”
Great Or Small?
Our need for God’s forgiveness (as well as its relationship to us forgiving others), is brought home in a major way in a story that Luke records in 7:36-50 of his gospel. Following Tiede (Augsburg Commentary), it seems that having shown Jesus’ teaching (“When Jesus has finished saying all of this” – v. 1), LukeContinue reading “Great Or Small?”
From Now On
It’s a familiar story in Luke 5. Peter and his companions have been fishing a-l-l night and come up empty. They’re tired. They had expectations that weren’t met, so they’re disappointed and discouraged as well. They just want to wash their nets and head home (v. 2). You can feel their fatigue. Jesus is also thereContinue reading “From Now On”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 