Posts that reflect on joy and spirituality.
Jesus is still talking directly to the disciples, although he’s also surrounded by a crowd of people who have come for miracles and healings. But his words are about discipleship, about what it means to truly follow him, and more, what it means to imitate him in the hopes of being able to heal and … Continue reading Luke 6:27-49 Give to Everyone Who Begs From You
Jesus upends the lives and thoughts of the Pharisees, and they respond with anger. He sees that they’re angry, but instead of trying to assuage their anger, he ignores it and continues in his world-altering actions and teaching. He chooses disciples, and although he’s surrounded by a crowd of people, he begins his Sermon on … Continue reading Luke 6:1-26 Blessings and Woes
What needs to happen in our lives before we can hear and respond to a sense of call? As Luke introduces characters, he often hints at their backstories. Zechariah and Elizabeth are given a fairly elaborate backstory, and their lives provide the backstory to John the Baptist. The Annunciation and the Visitation give backstory to … Continue reading Luke 5:1-16 – The Call of the Deep
When Elizabeth gives birth to John, her neighbors and relatives gather around in joy. This is the second gang of people we’ve seen in Luke’s Gospel, the first being the crowd at the temple who gathered around Zechariah after he emerged from his encounter with an angel. I think it’s fair to say that they … Continue reading Luke 1:57-80 Joy, Community, and Wilderness
KPB Stevens 