Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Bread from the Great Sunberg Family Bake-Off.  Scripture: Luke 13:18   He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” Luke 13:20   And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” Observation: After showing compassion, and healing a woman on the sabbath, Jesus immediately begins speaking about mustard seeds and yeast. With the “therefore” link, we see that acts of compassion can actually grow to have a significant impact. These are glimpses of the kingdom of God in action.   The mustard seed is very tiny. Luke has it growing up into the size of a tree, when in reality it becomes a large bush, but the intent is understood. Just a tiny act can blossom into something of s

Back when my mom could stand up straight and tall.  This was many years ago with Dr. Mary Scott and Helen Temple.  Scripture: Luke 13:10   Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham

A beautiful garden in eSwatini. Scripture: Luke 13:1   At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” Luke 13:6   Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more yea

Stormy night in the US midwest. Scripture: Luke 12:54   He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Luke 12:57   “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” Observation: We are reminded that not only was Jesus talking to the disciples, but there was a crowd listening as well. He asked them to open their eyes and pay attention to what was happenin

Rocking chairs of JB and Maude Chapman by the fireplace. I'm guessing prayers for revival fire came from these seats! Scripture: Luke 12:49     “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Observation: It’s interesting that Luke doesn’t provide us with any change of audience, but immediately quotes Jesus conversing with the disciples. He just concluded commenting the responsibility required of those who had been given the advantages of knowl

Kenzie, on the right, is taller than Alice, on the left. This is an optical illusion, but you know the truth. What will we do with the truth we know? Scripture: Luke 12:41   Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or d

The old factory in Hopedale, Massachusetts.  Scripture: Luke 12:35   “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. Observation: Discipleship is something for which we need to be continually prepared. Jesus gives examples of those who are ready to do the will of the Father at all times. What follows is a list of activities which would have been familiar to those living within Roman households. To be dressed for action was to “gird your loins.” This meant that a man would pull up his tunic and tuck it in at the waist so that he could run, or be ready

Photo from https://www.simplyss.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tips-for-organizing-your-self-storage.jpg.  Scripture: Luke 12:32   “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Observation: Neale tells us, “This is the only passage in which the tender phrase little flock occurs in the Bible” (NBBC). The disciples were a very small little flock of followers. Jesus’ tenderness toward them was continually evident. He loved this little flock but, just because they were small didn’t mean that they were not mighty. The Father desired to give this little flock his entire kingdom.   The possessions of the kingdom are not those that are found on earth. Luke uses similar language here that he uses in Acts. Str