Casting Hope

Watch Yourselves

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.

Living in God's sight

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.

The Welcome of Jesus

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

Apprenticeship vs. Appreciation

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…

Feasting With Jesus pt. 2

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…

Feasting With Jesus

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…

The Sacrificial Work of Jesus

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.

The Narrow Door and Spacious Feast

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

Upside Down Kingdom

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?

Missing the Point

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

God, Our Shepherd-King

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…

Trusting God When Trust Has Been Broken

Does God Like Me?

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,…

Comfort

The Holy Interruption of Jesus

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

How to Wait

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.

Inside-out Change

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' Primary Concern

Light of Jesus

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

Holy Urgency

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.