On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.

He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies. 

In Luke 9:7-9, we read that Herod, the Roman ruler of the area called Galilee, has heard of Jesus and wants to meet him. here, he gets his chance. Even before then we know that he was concerned about the possibility of the Messiah he had sent the magi to find Jesus for the purpose of killing him. Not only will they get to do that, but they’ll be exceptionally cruel to him in the moments leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.

Q. Why is it so easy for us to react in violence to stuff that happens to us vs. finding peaceful solutions to things.

Verse 8 can be perplexing: why did Jesus not give Herod some sort of sign in order to escape his fate and convert him? Jesus knew that, although what was to come would be violent, only a non-violent revolution would ever succeed against violence committed. So his silence here spoke louder than any action or word he could have done/said. Jesus is also wise enough to know that it really didn’t matter. Their hearts were already hardened. Rather than feed them in the way they wanted, Jesus takes their power away by remaining quiet.

Q. It says that Jesus is vehemently accused and mocked. When in your life have you taken joy at the expense of others? When have others taken joy at your expense?

God,  we recognize the complexity of human hearts and the depths of human sinfulness that led to Jesus being unjustly accused and condemned. Yet, even in the midst of this injustice, we see Your divine love unfolding. Guide us in our interactions with others, that our words and actions may always reflect Your love and compassion. May we be agents of reconciliation and peace in a world marred by division and strife.

Amen.

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” 

Moments before Jesus is arrested and taken off to his death, he goes out to pray on the Mount of Olives. He takes his disciples with him. In this time of great distress and anxiety, Jesus looks to God for comfort.

Q. Do we do the same whenever we go through something difficult?

While Jesus is aware of what his future might hold, he is both fully God and fully human. In his prayer, his humanity shines through. Staring down and awful fate, Jesus asks that there would be another way. Alas, it is not to be.

Q. Consider the power of these words, "Not my will, but yours be done." How can you incorporate a posture of surrender into your prayers and decision-making?

Jesus arises from what is possibly the most earnest and heartbreaking prayer ever prayed by him to find his disciples asleep. When ahve you failed to carry out what God asked?

God, as we reflect on Jesus' agonizing prayer in Gethsemane, we acknowledge the depth of His surrender and trust in Your will. Help us, too, to find solace in moments of prayer, pouring out our hearts and surrendering our will to Yours. Grant us the strength to utter the words, "Not my will, but yours be done," in the face of life's challenges. May we find resilience in prayer, drawing strength from Your presence.

Amen.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

In these verses, we see Jesus comparing the offerings of two very different folks: the rich and a poor widow. There is more than one interpretation of what Jesus is attempting to draw out by contrasting these two offerings. One possibility is that Jesus is decrying a religious system that sets up religious obligation above the common needs of people, especially a poor widow. While this is a commendable interpretation, I think that the most common reading is more likely.  Jesus wants us to understand that the value of an offering is not measured by its worldly value, but in the true sacrifice that’s involved in making that offering.

Q. What does sacrificial living look like for you? Does it exist? Do you give out of obligation or out of celebration? When you make an offering, is it sacrificial or ritual?

Though small in monetary value, it represents her entire livelihood, giving out of her poverty, and demonstrating a profound trust in God’s provision. Reflect on the depth of her sacrifice and what it reveals about the posture of her heart. Jesus shifts the focus from the quantity of the gift to the heart behind it. Consider how this challenges societal norms that often prioritize the visible and grandiose.

Q. How can we adopt Jesus' perspective in valuing the sincerity and sacrificial nature of giving?

God, teach us the true essence of giving through the example of the widow in the temple. May our hearts be attuned to the sincerity and sacrificial nature of her offering, recognizing that true giving extends beyond monetary value. Grant us the courage to give from the depths of our hearts, trusting in Your provision and acknowledging that everything we have belongs to You.

Amen.

Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

While the threat of death at the hands of religious leaders is still ever present, Jesus continues to answer their questions, even when their reasons for asking aren’t so pure.

This question might seem like it’s about taxes, but it’s not really. It’s about allegiance. Does Jesus declare allegiance to the empire of the Roman occupiers by supporting tax paying, or does he declare allegiance to Jewish rebels by decrying it? In true Jesus fashion, he does neither. He lets them know that they are asking the wrong question to begin with. After all, if we truly believe that everything is a gift from God, then what is left that belongs to Caeser alone?

Q. Reflect on the tension between our earthly responsibilities and our allegiance to God. In what ways can we navigate the demands of the world while remaining faithful to God?

God, grant us discernment in navigating the complexities of earthly obligations and spiritual allegiance. Help us to approach our responsibilities with sincerity and transparency, seeking to honor You in all things. As we engage with the world, may we remember that we bear Your image, and our ultimate allegiance belongs to You. Guide us in rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to You what is Yours, finding a balance that reflects the priorities of Your kingdom.

Amen.

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

 Luke 20:17-19

This section comes at the end of a teaching that Jesus does in the temple in Jerusalem relating to authority. The threat of the religious leaders is ever present. While teaching the people in the temple Jesus is often interrupted by these leaders in order to ask questions; usually loaded questions. They aren’t completely aware. They know that Jesus speaks against them. They know that what he preaches and the lifestyle he chooses confronts and threatens them and their system of power. So they are constantly trying to trap him, and to have him arrested.

Q. Have you ever felt like somebody was just waiting for you to slip up or say the wrong thing?

The stone that Jesus is referring to is himself. This imagry of a stone that has been rejected for use in building is an easily understood allegory. Where Jesus turns it on his head is that, this rejected stone has now become the cornerstone. In construction, the cornerstone is the most important stone in the building. It was usually the most solid and carefully constructed. The integrity of the entire building relied on the cornerstone.

Q. Does your faith rely on Jesus in this way? What is your cornerstone?

God, we confess that at times we have faltered, seeking to build our lives on shifting sands rather than on the solid rock. Grant us, O Holy Spirit, the wisdom and discernment to build our lives upon the sure foundation of Jesus Christ. May His teachings guide our thoughts, His example shape our actions, and His promises sustain us so that we might experience abundant life.

Amen.

When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Once in Jerusalem, Jesus’ destination becomes the temple. This is the place of religious ceremony and sacrifice for the Jewish people. Upon his arrival, Jesus immediately makes waves. He throws out those who had turned the temple into a “den of robbers.” Popular theories as to what this might mean include those who sold animals for sacrifices at an increased rate and those who exchanged different types of money. Regardless of whether their business practices were unethical or not, Jesus did not see these types of transactions as having a place in the temple, which he refers to as a “house of prayer.”

Q. Consider the ways in which external pressures and distractions can hinder your faith and worship. How can you guard against allowing your heart to become a “den of robbers”?

The chief priests, teachers of the law, and the leaders among the people were all trying to kill Jesus during his time in the temple. Jesus responds by choosing a third way. He doesn’t respond back with violence. He also doesn’t allow them to stop his ministry.

Q. What does this say about a savior who didn’t use violence even while his life was constantly threatened? How should that relate to the way that we see the world?

God, Just as Jesus purged the temple of external distractions, cleanse our hearts of anything that hinders our worship and devotion to You. Make our lives a reflection of Your holiness. Help us to recognize and resist the distractions that can turn our hearts away from You. May our lives be a testament to the truth of Your Word.

Amen.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

We see here the continuation of the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus the tax collector. More than simply having a conversation, Jesus has gone on to be the dinner guest of Zacchaeus in his house. To the community, Zacchaeus is considered a hostile actor who acts against the best interest of their people. He is a sinner. To Jesus, Zacchaeus is one of the “lost” that he has come to “seek and save.” This is regardless of how others think or treat the “lost.” God’s love and grace is for everyone. And all people have worth and value.

Q. How does this story and the sincerity of Zacchaeus’ response inspire you to examine your own heart and actions?

Zacchaeus, after his interaction with Jesus, declares a change of heart and action. He promises to give half of his possessions and wealth to the poor, and to pay four times over any money that he cheated people out of.

Q. If this is the cost, would you be willing to follow Jesus?

Despite the community’s expectations, Jesus declares that today, salvation has come to the house of Zacchaeus.

Q. How do you think he felt? How do you think the others felt?

God, we thank you for the transformative story of Zacchaeus—a tale of redemption, restoration, and radical response to Your love. Help us, like Zacchaeus, to recognize Your presence in our lives and respond with joy and generosity. May we, too, experience the salvation that comes from being in communion with You. Guide us to actively participate in Your mission of seeking and saving the lost, sharing the boundless love and grace we have received.

Amen.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.  When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 

A tax collector in Jesus’ day was seen as the worst of all traitors to the Jewish people. Not only did they work for the occupying Romans, but they often swindled their fellow Jews out of their hard-earned money in order to make themselves rich. Jesus talks with the most infamous tax collector in all of Jericho. Everyone would have known him and his misdeeds. On top of this we know that Zacchaeus had physical limitations that could have hindered him. Instead, he took proactive steps to overcome them, running ahead and climbing a tree, just so he could have a look at Jesus.

Q. What obstacles or challenges do you face in your journey of faith? How can you emulate Zacchaeus’ determination in over coming them?

The least likely person to be singled out by Jesus, Zacchaeus receives even more from Jesus: Jesus has invited himself into his home! This type of hospitality is radical, and it ends with transformation within Zacchaeus’ life. Like with many others, those who encounter the presence of Jesus leave changed.

Q. When have you experienced radical hospitality? When have you shown it?

God, like Zacchaeus, we come before You with a longing to see and experience Your presence. Help us overcome any obstacles that hinder our pursuit of You, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Thank you for the unexpected invitations You extend into our lives. May we respond with joy and eagerness, welcoming You into every corner of our hearts. We acknowledge the transformative power of Your presence and pray for a continual renewal that leads to a life of repentance and love.

Amen.

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. 

This is one of several references by Jesus, speaking to his disciples, referring to his coming death in Jerusalem. This is at least the fourth time that he has spoken about it that is recorded in Luke's gospel. This is done to fulfill the words of the prophets.

Q. Imagine being one of the disciples as Jesus reveals the imminent journey to Jerusalem. How does the anticipation of the events affect you? Consider the weight of the mission and the courage required for such a journey.

The description of what is to happen to Jesus is indeed grim, but as the final verse tells us, the disciples still did not understand the meaning of what Jesus was trying to tell them. Why might this be the case? Either they do not understand God's plan in scripture or how God often ironically works in the world, they have premature expectations of what Jesus as messiah will look like or some combination of both.

Q. When have your expectations for something clouded your ability to fully understand the situation?

God, I pray for the grace to see beyond my own limited understanding. May I have the humility to acknowledge the areas in my life where I am blind and the openness to receive the insights that Jesus invites me to experience. As I journey with Jesus, may my eyes remain fixed, trusting that Your plans are always for my ultimate good.

Amen.

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

The conversation here has moved from being about babies to being about a ruler. These couldn't be more opposite. One having no power or social standing, the other bringing power, status, and wealth to the table. This ruler wanted to know what it would cost him to be able to have the kind of life he would have heard Jesus preach about. He tried to list how well he adhered to the commandments, probably expecting that Jesus would have said that was enough to earn his spot.

Q. Reflect on the moral checklist in your own life. In what ways do you rely on your own achievements for spiritual standing?

Here, we see the rich young ruler, who has been obedient to the law and has everything, told that he still lacks something: faith that God will take care of him. Instead, his faith is in his wealth. We are then given the "eye of the needle" phrase that is often quoted.

Q. What is it about wealth that Jesus warns us about? Is it that we begin to put our faith and trust in it instead of God?

God, Help us to honestly examine our priorities and the attachments that may hinder our full commitment to You. Grant us the courage to surrender all, trusting in Your promise of eternal life. May the challenges of discipleship not be a stumbling block, but an opportunity for growth and transformation.

Amen.

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Luke 18:15-17 

As United Methodist, we baptize infants for a variety of reasons. We believe that God’s love for us is not something that ebbs and flows, but is in full force from the very beginning. We also believe that God is giving us grace, even as babies, even before we know we need it. John Wesley called this “prevenient grace.” In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people did not share these types of beliefs. As a matter of fact, babies were seen as having lowly status and held in very low regard. The fact that Jesus would call for the children to be brought to him confused not only his disciples, but everyone who was present with him.

Q. How can we, in our communities, affirm the value of every individual, recognizing their place in the kingdom?

Jesus is saying here that, to enter into the great and glorious “kingdom of God,” one must reject the values of the world, including its views on status and power. Children come with pure hearts that are unburdened by pretense. They love asking questions because they are genuinely curious. They also exemplify turst and dependence.

Q. When might you have been guilty of judging someone based on his or her social status or lack of power? When might you have given someone powerful or socially renowned an unhealthy amount of respect or admiration?

God, we come before You with hearts open to the profound truth shared by Jesus. May we learn from the children who approached Him, embracing a faith that is trusting, dependent, pure, and unpretentious. Help us release the burdens of self-sufficiency and ego, approaching Your kingdom with the humility and openness of a child. Grant us the grace to see the worth and dignity in every person, just as Jesus did with the children. May our journey of faith be marked by a childlike trust and receptivity to Your kingdom.

Amen.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

In this section of scripture, we see Jesus telling a parable to some folks who thought that they were awesome. They thought so highly of themselves that they looked down on everyone else.

Q. When have you found yourself looking down on others? When has your confidence gotten the better of you?

Jesus tells us here that our righteousness, our right standing with God, is not based on how well we perform in relation to others. It can be tempting to fall into the comparison trap and find it difficult to escape it.

Q. When have you found yourself comparing yourself to others? How about your faith?

Sometimes when we hear the amazing faith stories of others, we wish ours were as compelling.

Q. Do you rejoice in the faith of others or envy it?

God, Like the tax collector, we acknowledge our need for Your mercy. In the gentle whispers of this moment, help us release the burdens of self-righteousness and pride. Open our eyes to see ourselves as You see us—broken yet beloved, in need of Your grace.

Amen.

Lectio Divina (Holy Reading) began in religious communities in ancient times. The purpose is to pray Scripture, to enter into its message personally. The result is that we open new channels for God’s transforming presence to take root in us. This practice can also open new possibilities within God’s Word.

“For the ancients, to meditate is to read a text and to learn it "by heart" in the fullest sense of this expression, that is, with one's whole being: with the body, since the mouth pronounced it, with the memory which fixes it, with the intelligence which understands its meaning, and with the will which desires to put it into practice.” --Jean Leclercq

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

“It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

“It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”

Jesus turns here to two Old Testament stories: Lot and Sodom and Noah and the flood to illustrate his discussion about what it means to live in the “kingdom of God.” The point here is not to recall the reason for the destruction those stories contain, but instead to bring to mind that people were going about their normal lives when suddenly everything changed. Here, Jesus is trying to crack open the shell of comfort that we can build up in our routines.

Q. What in your life might be making you too comfortable? How can you break free of comfort?

We have attachments to things. Attachment itself is not a bad thing; however, we can become overly attached if we aren’t careful. When we do this we often struggle with remaining present in the moment, and we make it that much harder to let go when it comes time to let go.

Q. In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust God?

God, grant us the wisdom and discernment to live fully present in the moment and ready for when you might call us to care for Your kin-dom. Help us to let go of unhealthy attachments to things so we can fully consent to the work of your Presence in our lives.

Amen.

Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Jesus continues his long conversation about what is to come. While Jesus’ earlier answer to the Pharisees was about what they were missing out on in the present moment, here Jesus is talking about something that is yet to come. Jesus knows that he and his disciples time together was coming to an end. And Jesus is trying to help them come to terms with what was about to happen.

Q. Have you ever encountered a season where you felt like you were far away from Jesus?

The disciples were far from perfect, and there were plenty of examples when the disciples demonstrated they did not have the full grasp of Jesus’ teachings. So he understands how vulnerable they would be, especially surrounding the context of how Jesus was going to die, to false claims. The truth is, when bad things happen in our lives, we can often be vulnerable to those who are speaking into our lives as well.

Q. Who in your life do you want around when things go bad? Who do you trust to lead you down the right path, even in your darkest nights?

While the disciples believe that Jesus will begin his reign upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus here reminds them that first, he must suffer and be rejected by the people who liver there.

Q. When have you felt rejected by people? How did you respond? How difficult is it to believe that God accepts us when people don’t?

God, teach me to wait with hopeful anticipation, to have patience as I wait for your timing. Help me cling to you in the midst of chaos and constant strife. Help ground me in hope in a world that is filled with sarcasm and doubt. And as I encounter storms may my faith keep me firmly planted in Your loving embrace.

Amen.

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” 

Here we find Jesus beginning a lengthy discourse on what is known as “eschatology,” or the study of the end of things. This beginning is specifically directed to Jesus’ disciples in reply to a question asked of Jesus by the Pharisees. It’s also a question that is deeply rooted in their history for a group of people who waited for a long time for their liberation.

Jesus’ use of the idea of a kingdom of God that cannot be “observed” is not a denial of the real and visible nature of his miracles, but is instead an indictment of the treatment he has received from the Pharisees: a group of religious leaders that were mostly opposed to Jesus’ teachings. While the Pharisees had closely scrutinized Jesus, observing him both up close and from a distance. Obviously, this approach wasn’t working. The Kingdom of God was right under their nose but they were unable to “observe” it.

Q. Reflect on specific choices and decisions you face. How might acknowledging the kingdom of God within influence the way you approach and make these choices?

Instead, Jesus says that the “kingdom of God” is in your midst: it is literally among you. It is happening here and now. In a way, Jesus is calling us to stop overthinking and scrutinizing our religious lives in order to be fully engaged in what God is doing already. 

Q. What can you do to be better at that?

God, in the midst of my busy life, help me to pause and recognize that your kin-dom isn’t just some far-off distant place, but within us and around us where Your love and grace embrace. May I seek first your Presence where Your peace and righteousness never departs.

Amen.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” 

To put it plainly, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along. The idea that Jesus would heal any lepers was miraculous during this time. The idea that Jesus would heal a Samaritan leper? Blasphemous. After all, wasn’t Jesus the messiah of the Jews and the Jews alone? As usual, Jesus goes out of his way to move/challenge us beyond any box we try to put him in. By healing a Samaritan leper, we see Jesus breaking religious and nationalistic ideals of who he is supposed to be, or the expectations others had placed on him.

Q. When is the last time Jesus surpassed your expectations of him?

As lepers, the men would have been seen as unclean sinners, left outside of religious life and unable to participate in religious ceremonies. People would have avoided them at all costs. As someone with leprosy, they had every reason to be hesitant to come up to others, let alone ask for a favor. 

Q. What types of people would make you uncomfortable to worship with?

God, you have extended your healing grace to all people, and you have reached out to those our culture have branded as others. May I be reminded of your mercy and grace. Grant me the eyes to see the blessings You provide, And hearts of gratitude, never to hide from those that you have called me to love. Teach me to return, like the thankful one.

Amen.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?  So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” 

We are dropped into the continuation of a conversation that began in Luke 17:1-4. After talking to his disciples about stumbling blocks, Jesus turns and addresses “the apostles,” who asked for an increase in faith. Jesus reminds them that it doesn’t take much faith to make a significant impact.

Q. When in your life have you needed to ask God for more faith?

Verse 7-10 is a parable that is based on the ancient practice of slavery. Unlike slavery in America, it was not based on race, and freedom was often attainable after a period of service. Jesus, with this in mind, asks the apostles what they would expect from a slave. In verse 10, he turns the tables and asks them what they should expect as a slave.

Q. In other words, do we serve God to be rewarded or out of duty, based on what has been done for us?

God, you know my heart and you know that under all the busy-ness of my life, my heart desires the warmth of your love and the light of your presence. Help me embrace hope, to rest in hope, and to become hope for others. Whether days are hard and impossible, or everything is well, let your presence be my rock and light. Remind me you hold me close.

Amen.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

In this portion of scripture, Jesus is addressing issues that will arise in the community life of his followers.  In the original language, the phrase “things that cause people to stumble” comes from the word skandala: the same root word as the word “scandal.” The idea here is that, among other things, there will be “scandals” in the community of faith that will cause people to fall away from the faith. Modern Christians have seen that played out in real life: child sex abuse, misuse of church funds, and abuses of power are headlines all over the world.

Q. Have you ever been impacted by something that caused your faith to stumble?

Jesus, as he is known to do, is not just complacent with putting the idea out there that people will mess up. We know people will mess up. We mess up ourselves. He takes it a step further. In verses 3-4, Jesus says if someone “sins against you,” forgiveness is the correct action. This isn’t just a one time forgiveness, but to forgive over and over again. This can be difficult to hold, especially when its someone toxic who keeps hurting us in the same way. However, forgiveness doesn’t mean we simply allow them the space to hurt us. In fact, forgiveness is an act of freeing ourselves from their actions.

Q. Who do you need to forgive, even if you can’t forget?

God, forgiveness can be difficult for me. I know there are people in my life that you have called me to forgive. Give me the strength to be able to do so, so that I might be truly free from the baggage that comes with holding on. May I be slow to hold a grudge and quick to speak words of love.

Amen.

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink, or a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you, or sick or in prison and go to visit you?” --Matthew 25:37-38

When pastor Andre Trocme was once asked why he inspired an. entire French village to risk giving shelter to Jews during WWII, he replied simply: “I could not bear to be separated from Jesus.”

Some Questions for Self Reflection

What is the essence of hospitality for you? Write down your own definition.

What do you think the most important ingredients of hospitality are?

“Hospitality means letting the stranger remain a stranger while offering hospitality nonetheless. It means honoring the fact that strangers already have a relationship--rooted in our common humanity---without having to build one on intimate interpersonal knowledge, without having to become friends.” --Parker Palmer

Hospitality at Home

• Genuinely be present with your family by giving your undivided attention to them. When they talk, actively listen to them. 
• Compliment one another often. Include laughter, play, and joy as often as possible in your families normal routine. Make it a normal part of your family. 
• Experiment with ways of inclusively welcoming others into your family. This could be inviting a small group in, having some friends become like family members, etc....

Hospitality in our Neighborhood

• Explore how you can make your neighborhood a welcoming place for all people. Then give of your time to help make this happen. 
• Make the effort to acquaint yourself with your neighbors. Canvass your neighborhood for an “inventory of talents,” and then match them with the needs others express. 
• Nurture social awareness, fight suspicion. 

Hospitality in the Workplace

• Listen openly for others’ ideas, concerns, and critiques. Give them your attention while they speak. 
• Help create a welcoming and comfortable work space, especially for those who are newer to the place. 
• Honor appropriate boundaries, and overly communicate yours. 
• Build an environment of trust and credibility. 

Hospitality at COS

• Make it a point to avoid cliques by opening yourself to meeting others you don’t recognize. 
• Support and encourage one another to take next steps. 
• Invite. Invite. and Invite. 
• Be mindful of who might not feel included or comfortable here, and how you can make a difference.

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg—I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 

One important thing to remember: this is a parable and not advice on how to run your household! While this would have been obvious to those who heard Jesus’ words at the time, it is less obvious for us. Why is that? Because the allegory Jesus was making was obvious: God is the landowner and Israel is the manager. This parable gives us a glimpse into God’s economy, reminding us that relationships are essential. You may not always be able to rely on the way things are. You need to be kind to those in all walks of life, because you never know what the future holds for you.

Q.How do I approach challenges in my life? Do I seek creative and Spirit-led solutions, or do I rely solely on my own understanding?

God, in the quiet spaces of contemplation, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. Open our hearts to the lessons embedded in this parable. Help us embrace a contemplative approach to stewardship, aligning our lives with Your economy of love, grace, and eternal significance.

Amen.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’  So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 

In the second half of the story of the lost son, we see God as the father in the most glorious display of compassion and love. Culturally, running wasn’t something that was acceptable for the male patriarchs to do. So, even after being humiliated and disrespected by the son, the father runs out to meet him with open arms regardless of how others might have perceived him in that moment. God, too, eagerly awaits our return, ready to extend forgiveness and restoration.

Q. How can you extend compassion and forgiveness to those who have committed a wrong against you?

In the depths of his despair, the son comes to his senses and realizes how much abundance existed back home. Willing to take a lowly position and not expecting there to be a full reconciliation, he returns home (probably filled with a great amount of shame.)

Q. How have we fallen short of what God would want for our lives? Are we willing to admit that to ourselves and to God?

God, thank you for your boundless grace that welcomes us back when we turn to you in repentance. Help us to be aware of our need for your love and compassion, and may we extend that same grace to others. May our communities be marked by joyous celebrations of redemption and restoration.

Amen.

“The Sabbath command is especially relevant to contemporary life. How difficult it is for people in our achievement- and production-obsessed culture to rest. Keeping the Sabbath means trusting God to be God, recognizing that we are not indispensable. When we refuse to take a single day a week for genuine refreshment and rest, we try to outdo even God! In the light of God’s rest, our anxious, compulsive activities may be exposed as little more than efforts to stay in control, or to fabricate life’s meaning out of constant activity…. Rest and worship are expressions of deep trust.” -- Marjorie Thompson, Soul Feast

We are half way through Lent, and it’s a good time to take a sabbath day from the regular devotional.

Sabbath is a special time where we hit the pause button on life and we embrace a rhythm that is slower, more intentionally focused on connecting with God through good conversations, fun activities, and embracing the inner child. The point of Sabbath is to stop work for a 24 hour period to reconnect with God, others, and the self.

Ideas for Sabbath Keeping

• Light 2 candles to “observe” and “remember” the Sabbath. Then blow them out when your sabbath period is over. You can offer up a short prayer as you blow them out inviting God to ground you as you go about your normal rhythm. 
• Select a special song to sing/play regularly on the Sabbath. Music has a way of helping us relax, and it can also serve as a tool for deeper connection with God. 
• Try to minimize conversations that are work-related, and consider conversations that cause people to dream, imagine, laugh and be grateful. 
• Minimize the amount of background noise as well. Enjoy silence! Intentionally nurture a sense of self that is not grounded in productivity or accomplishments but in God’s gracious and unfailing love. 
• Encourage someone else in your community to do the same. This can include play, doing something that brings laughter, or expressing your artistic side.

For Families and Friends:

• Offer some time to share what each person is grateful for, and then to pray prayers of blessing on one another. This can be a short blessing (e.g. “Lord, bless X with a deep joy in You in the coming week.”) 
• Gather some board games or some toys that you can play together as a family, or to play with children. 
• You can also gather some art supplies to do a family coloring/craft project together. If the weather allows, consider spending time outdoors on a family/friends walk/hike/stroll. This can include going to the park or playground for some time. 
• Order out something special. Spend more intentional time in blessing the food (like what would be customary for a holiday meal).

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

This is another “who gets into the part” story told by Jesus, along with the story of the lost sheep. This time, however, instead of a sheep, the “lost” thing is a coin, and instead of a shepherd, the one searching is a woman. After just being told by Jesus to think of God as a shepherd in the story of the lost sheep. I’m sure there was a bit of incredulity. After all, shepherds were the lowest of people in the nastiest of occupations. Only a few redeeming stories in the Old Testament lift up any redeeming qualities of shepherds. Now, those in attendance are told to think of God as a woman. This might be an even bigger shock than the shepherd! Culturally, women were seen as property and weren’t allowed to be priest, more or less to represent God.

Q. What women in your life can you lift up as being representatives of God? Do you fully grasp the value that God places on each individual? How does this impact your interactions with others?

The woman possesses ten silver coin, and each holds value to her. She deliberately and persistently looks for that one coin lost. When she manages to find it, she calls her friends and neighbors to share in her joy. In a similar way, every person is of immense value to God. We all have an inherent value as images of God.

Q. How do you share in celebration joy that comes from developing relationships with others?

God, you know the things that a value the most in life. Help me to remember that those are just things and that true joy comes from relationships and not more stuff. Encourage me to embrace a life of simplicity. And may I be free of comparisons so that I can truly rejoice with others when they are blessed.

Amen.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The lead up to these verses includes Jesus being accused of hanging out with the “wrong type of people” by the religious leaders. Jesus spent a great deal of time “hanging” out with those that were looked down upon. This makes this story a beautiful illustration that Jesus uses to explain to exactly what the relationship is between God and God’s people: the Shepherd who is always seeking to take us home, and the sheep who are always at risk for being lost. In it we learn the kind of boundless love and joy that God feels for all people, especially those who are lost or disconnected from everyone else.

Q. How does this image of God as shepherd always searching for God’s sheep change how you think about God? How does it make you feel?

What did the sheep do to be so sought after by the shepherd? Nothing more than being lost. There are times in our lives where we will feel special, as if there is something about us that God needs. At other times, we will feel worthless, as if there is nothing special about us that God could use. The truth is, God loves us just because. There doesn’t need to be a reason, and there is nothing we can do to change that. In fact we believe God chose us before we ever knew God: God chose us just because we are who we are!

Q. Where do you need to hear the words of God’s grace speak into your life? Past? Future?

God, thank you for your unending love and the joy you feel when a lost soul is found. Open our hearts to embrace those who may feel lost or marginalized. Help us to reflect your love.

Amen.