As we move farther into the teachings of Jesus, if we are truly listening to what He is saying, our level of discomfort grows. From blessings for the poor to blessings for those who are hated and reviled to an actual command to love those who want to harm and destroy us. There are several "woes" thrown in along the way too, like, "Woe to you, when people speak well of you..."
I thought we wanted others to speak well of us. I thought the goal was to work hard so we weren't poor. I thought we could keep those who hated us at a safe distance, returning hate for hate.
Apparently, that was not, and is not, Jesus' way. Jesus did not come to direct us to the comfortable path. The Christian way is not easy or trouble-free. What Jesus commands is not simple. Jesus took the challenges of everyday life seriously. He took us seriously too. Jesus came to bring us life, truth, Himself. As He teaches He patiently helps us understand God, understand life, understand ourselves and each and every one of our relationships. Jesus invites us to a life that is beautiful, truthful, and real. And now the easy stuff... "Love your enemies."
Enemies And Judgment (9AM)
March 27, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 6:27–42
Fears, Doubts, and Broiled Fish (11AM)
April 24, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 24:36–53
Easter Sunday began with an empty tomb and a question from Mary, “Where have you taken His body?” And then everything changed. Mary came face to face with Jesus, alive again (John 20:11-16). The women who were the first to visit the empty tomb saw angels who told them that Jesus was not dead but alive (Luke 24:1-9). Two traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus walked with the risen Jesus, talked with Him, listened to Him, ate with Him, (only at the very end, as Jesus blessed and broke bread for them, did they recognize Him) and then Jesus vanished (Luke 24:13-35). Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34), we don’t have the details of that anywhere else. And now it is evening that first Easter. What happened next confirmed everything about Jesus’ resurrection. As the eleven closest to Jesus, His disciples, gathered that night, others were with them too, Jesus suddenly appeared. No gentle knock at the door, a dramatic appearance. Those there were terrified. Jesus spoke words of peace and then offered proof, “touch me and see.” He showed them His hands and feet as evidence that He was not a disembodied spirit but real flesh and bones, a physical body risen from the dead. As added proof He ate a piece of broiled fish in front of them. He lives eternally in the flesh … and so shall we. Eternity will be glorious, light, love, filled with adventure, flesh and bones, new and renewed relationships, and the presence of One who loves us, One who died for us and rose again, One we will be able to touch and see.
Fears, Doubts, and Broiled Fish (9AM)
April 24, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 24:36–53
Easter Sunday began with an empty tomb and a question from Mary, “Where have you taken His body?” And then everything changed. Mary came face to face with Jesus, alive again (John 20:11-16). The women who were the first to visit the empty tomb saw angels who told them that Jesus was not dead but alive (Luke 24:1-9). Two traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus walked with the risen Jesus, talked with Him, listened to Him, ate with Him, (only at the very end, as Jesus blessed and broke bread for them, did they recognize Him) and then Jesus vanished (Luke 24:13-35). Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34), we don’t have the details of that anywhere else. And now it is evening that first Easter. What happened next confirmed everything about Jesus’ resurrection. As the eleven closest to Jesus, His disciples, gathered that night, others were with them too, Jesus suddenly appeared. No gentle knock at the door, a dramatic appearance. Those there were terrified. Jesus spoke words of peace and then offered proof, “touch me and see.” He showed them His hands and feet as evidence that He was not a disembodied spirit but real flesh and bones, a physical body risen from the dead. As added proof He ate a piece of broiled fish in front of them. He lives eternally in the flesh … and so shall we. Eternity will be glorious, light, love, filled with adventure, flesh and bones, new and renewed relationships, and the presence of One who loves us, One who died for us and rose again, One we will be able to touch and see.
Meeting The Risen Jesus On The Road (11AM) Easter
April 17, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 24:1–35
It’s Easter morning! This day celebrates the high point of our life and faith. Because of what took place that first Easter we live with a new confidence, a new and certain hope, a new and present power. All of the claims of Christian faith depend on the miraculous, supernatural reality of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Thursday’s betrayal, and Thursday’s garden prayer play an important part. His sham of a trial Thursday night, continuing into Friday morning, plays an important part. His brutal torture, His unjust condemnation, His journey to the place of His execution, all tell important parts of the story. His death and final cry “It is finished,” reveal the lengths God was willing to go to find us and save us. But it is Easter morning, the empty tomb, Jesus alive, that provides the substance for all we believe. The resurrection of Jesus changes how we view Him, how we understand God, how we make sense of our life and death and eternity, and how we love others as we follow our risen Savior. He is so much more than a moral teacher, a prophet, a Holy one … He is our promised Redeemer, He is Emmanuel, God with us!