Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

That space where the kingdom of God meets the kingdom of the world.  Scripture: Luke 17:20   Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” Observation: The Pharisees were still looking for God’s kingdom somewhere or sometime in the future. What they wanted was a political future where God would take over, and run their country. They failed to understand that the kingdom would not be present in the materialistic sense of the world, seen in borders and passports and symbols of power. Instead, Jesus pointed out that the kingdom was already among them.  Neale encourages us to see Luke’s vision of the kingdom which is “realized by the path of repentance and forgiveness. In this sense, the path to the kingdom of God lies ‘within’” (NBBC). John W...

God showers grace upon the flowers of the field, and even more upon all of us.  Scripture: Luke 17:11   On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Observation: Jesus and the disciples continue on their journey to Jerusalem. He is leadin...

Susanna Wesley lived in obedience, not expecting praise. The result of her work was seen in  her children.  Scripture: Luke 17:7   “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? 8 Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’” Observation: A spirit of humility was to be observed in the lives of the disciples. This short parable may have been a glaring commentary on the way in which the Pharisees behaved, and in comparison, the way in which Jesus did not want his disciples to act. We are all servants of God and we do not live a “works” salvation. It was the ...

Scripture: Luke 17:5   The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Observation: This conversation comes on the heels of Jesus’ commendation of the disciples to forgive. Maybe it’s the challenge of forgiving that seems too great for them. Religious officials were working tirelessly to destroy Jesus’ reputation, and therefore the very way of life to which they were clinging. The disciples had watched the way in which the Pharisees responded to Jesus. The rich young ruler had been unable to follow Him. Now, they are wondering about themselves. Do they actually have the kind of faith that would be necessary to follow Jesus the way in which he wanted them to follow?  We tend to think that this verse is about signs and wonders, or even magic tricks. It’s about grace and faith that transforms th...

Scripture: Luke 17:1   Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2 It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4 And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” Observation: It’s easy to forget that Jesus and his disciples are still on the way to Jerusalem, for it seems that much time has passed. This vignette is a focused conversation with the disciples. Green tells us, “Disciples are to be on their guard against a mind-set that works against justice and compassion for the ‘little ones,’ but also against dispositions that obstruct the restoration of sinners to community” (NICNT)...

Scripture: Luke 16:19   “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. a The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. a   24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so tha...

This week our beautiful daughters have both had a birthday. They  are both working to be agents of grace in God's kingdom and  for this we are deeply grateful!  Scripture: Luke 16:16   “The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped. Luke 16:18   “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. Observation: Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees because of their attitude toward wealth, their penchant toward idolatry, and he wraps it up with the system they had created for divorce. Through their behaviors, they had distanced themselves from the law which they professed to hold so dear. By sheer effort of their own will t...