The Gospel According to Luke
Kingdom Stories
Servants and Subjects
May 2, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch • This week we come to Luke 19:11-28, the Parable of the Ten Minas. In this scene, Jesus once again pauses his journey toward Jerusalem to instruct his followers on discipleship and the kingdom of God. Through this parable, Jesus is urging his followers to live faithfully, work diligently, and patiently wait for the Master to return.
A Small Man Takes the Stand
April 25, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch • This week, we come to the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus the chief tax collector. With this short story, Luke gives his readers a clear image of Jesus' mission on earth. Here, we see that Jesus is the one who saves and following him requires repentance.
A Blind Eyewitness
April 18, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch • "Son of David, have mercy on me!" This week, we read of a plea for mercy from a blind and broken man. As Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, he passes by the city of Jericho where he encounters this man and heals him. This miraculous scene reveals to us the heart of our savior, the faith that we all must have in him, and the healing that Jesus brings to those who would put their faith in him.
Kids, Camels, and a Bloody Cross
April 11, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch • This week, we come to Luke 18:15-34. While a number of these verses are often quoted and referenced, there is an underlying theme that must not be missed: the kingdom of God. Here, Jesus instructs his disciples on the posture of one who wishes to be a part of that kingdom, the things of this world that blind us to the reality of that kingdom, and what it will cost for that kingdom to be established on earth.
Standing With God
April 4, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · Jesus Christ is risen! This Easter, we continue in The Gospel According to Luke: Kingdom Stories. Luke 18:9-14 contains the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Through this interesting scene, Jesus instructs his followers on the necessity of humility and the danger of self-righteousness.
A Heartsick Cry for Justice
March 28, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · At first glance, this text appears to be about prayer. While there are principles about prayer that can be gathered from this parable, the primary point is the vindication of God’s suffering people. The point here is that “God patiently listens to his elect as they pray in their continuing distress, waiting for the proper time to act on their behalf” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary). But the question Jesus asks remains. “Will he find faith on earth?”
As Clear as Day
March 21, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · In our passage this week the Pharisees finally ask the question that has been a long time coming. When will this kingdom come? Again wanting to test Jesus, these religious leaders ask this question then wait to catch Jesus as they have so many times before. But Jesus doesn’t respond to their question in the heretical way they were hoping. Instead, Jesus describes to them the true reality of God’s kingdom. This kingdom cannot be located because it is already in their midst.
Returning Thanks to Jesus
March 14, 2021 • Drew Dyck
Drew Dyck · This week, Luke is tying together temptation, confession to one another, faith, and being faithful servants of God. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, and ultimately his death, he is teaching his disciples how they live out the Kingdom Ethic when he is gone. He provides no room for loner Christianity, but he also doesn’t forget personal accountability. We are responsible for how we live out our faith with and among one another, and yet we will also all stand before the master to give an account of how we served him in our life.
A Mulberry Tree Headed for the Sea
March 7, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · This week, Luke is tying together temptation, confession to one another, faith, and being faithful servants of God. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, and ultimately his death, he is teaching his disciples how they live out the Kingdom Ethic when he is gone. He provides no room for loner Christianity, but he also doesn’t forget personal accountability. We are responsible for how we live out our faith with and among one another, and yet we will also all stand before the master to give an account of how we served him in our life.
Limited Time Only!
February 28, 2021 • Gavin Hesse
Gavin Hesse · Covering topics like money, John the Baptist, the Law and the Prophets, and even divorce, this week’s text is Jesus’ response to the questions, attitudes, and heart condition of Israel's religious leaders. As we go through this week’s text, let’s examine our own hearts and make sure that they line up with the words of Jesus and the kingdom of God.
The Master’s Manager
February 21, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · The parable of the dishonest manager is rather perplexing at first read. But, when we look closely, there's an important message that Jesus wants to teach his followers. Jesus, speaking to his disciples, urges them to be faithful in all their dealings with wealth. The world is often more intentional with their wealth than believers are (v. 8). While the world’s methods and means are for unrighteous gain, shouldn’t Christians be just as intentional in their stewardship for righteousness? Jesus encourages his disciples to be faithful with little and with much. We are to be faithful with the world’s riches and with our spiritual riches. Because, just like the dishonest manager, you cannot serve two masters. You may have both God and money, but you cannot serve both.
Father and Son
February 7, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · The story of the Prodigal Son is not only the story of the tax collectors and sinners in Jesus’ day, but of all of us today. We are created to be with God and experience relationship with him, but we have all rebelled and gone our own way (Isaiah 53:6). This story teaches us that despite our rebellion, God is overjoyed to bring us back into relationship with him. Our God is a gracious and merciful and loving father.
Dinners with Sinners
January 31, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · It’s no coincidence that last week’s passage ends with Jesus’ words: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” and then this week’s passage begins with the religious elites grumbling and complaining about the sinners that are drawing near to Jesus. Jesus answers their complaints, as he often does in Luke’s Gospel, with three stories. These parables all have a similar theme: heaven rejoices when a lost sinner repents. In this week’s passage, we get the first two parables: the story of the lost sheep and the story of the lost coin. In these stories, we not only see God’s heart for the lost, but we also gain the correct perspective of those who have already repented.
The Great Eschatological Church Potluck
January 24, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · It seems that Jesus is all about the wedding metaphors in this section of the Scriptures. Jesus’s heart is to fill his banquet up with people. So, he sends out the invites to all who will come. And thank Jesus that he did, because that includes you and me! Jesus concludes by advising his disciples to count the cost. At the end of this section we’re left to consider, will we RSVP to the wedding banquet? Will we be prepared for that day?
Jesus Sets the Table
January 17, 2021 • Andrew Murch
Andrew Murch · This week, we see Jesus speaking through two parables. His lesson is clear: Those who assume a place of honor will find themselves humbled, but those who humble themselves to care for those who need them will find themselves exalted in the end. So, we ask ourselves, who is invited to sit around our tables?