While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. Luke 24:15-17 (read vv. 13-35)

INTRO: In the autobiographies of many Christian leaders in the last two generations, when talking about their conversion, one statement is frequently repeated

“Since that day, I have never doubted Christ”
“Since that day, I have never doubted that I was saved”
“Since that day, I have never doubted that I was a child of God” — and so on

Sometimes I envy their assurance, but I do not share it
– most of the men and women we meet in the Bible did not share it
– Job could not say, “I never doubted God’s justice or love”
– the psalmists could not say, “I never doubted the value of living righteously”

Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped. (Ps. 73:1-2)

The faith of many of our biblical heroes was formed and strengthened as they struggled through their doubts
– and some of those who appear the most assured had mistakingly placed their confidence in themselves (e.g., Lk. 22:31-34)

A fundamental fact of Christianity is that God gives our life meaning
– but sometimes that meaning is challenged by tragedy
– then it may seem as if there is no order to the world and events occur randomly
– we may not fall, but we do stumble – sometimes causing injuries that leave us with a permanent limp Continue reading →

Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24:5-7 (read vv. 1-12)

INTRO: When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Peter was not at all comfortable with it

It must have seemed like a very awkward situation to him, so he asked, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” and Jesus answered, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter”
– washing their feet in that moment did not make sense, but an explanation was coming

That is the situation here
– women and men who followed Jesus are thrown into a mystery that has them completely baffled
– but as the story goes on, the pieces come together Continue reading →

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” Luke 23:4 (read chapter 23)

INTRO: The long journey we began in Luke over a year ago is almost over

In recent chapters, Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, where he was arrested
– then we followed him through chapter 22 where he was led from one place to another:

From the Mount of Olives to the house of the high priest, from the house of the high priest to the council chamber, from the council chamber to the hall of Pilate

But now, in chapter 23, Jesus is taken from one person to another until he is led to “The Skull”

Two threads are braided through the story Continue reading →

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 (Read 1-11)

INTRO: Once more we return to John’s gospel where several times Jesus has said, “I am”

God has given Jesus to us–that is, to humankind
– we have been asking the question, “What came into our world at Christmas?”
– which is to say, “Who is Jesus and what is he to us?”

Today we will unpack a fourth Christmas gift: “I am the true vine”

Two things about this metaphor immediately stand out:

1. Compared to the previous metaphors, this is the most intimate
   – bread is food — fuel transformed into health and energy
   – light is illumination that ultimately guides us to the truth
   – the Shepherd is guardian, care-giver, and protector
   – but the vine and branch exist in union — they share the same life
2. The second thing that stands out in this verse is a little more complicated

Continue reading →

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11 (Read 1-15)

INTRO: I have posed the question, What entered world at Christmas?

We have limited our answer to four Christmas gifts that we find in four  “I am” statements of Jesus, quoted in John’s gospel
– the gift that we unwrap today is, “I am the good shepherd”

Three initial observations

1. It was around our Christmas time that Jesus delivered this teaching (a fortunate coincidence; vv. 22-23)
2. Jesus was using a “figure of speech” (v. 6)
   – he was making words do something they don’t normally do
   – he used an ordinary situation to communicate spiritual truth
   – it would be as if I tried to communicate a profound truth in a story of an ordinary event, such as, “I had my car serviced this week and the brakes had to be repaired.”
   – that was how people around Jesus heard his story about a shepherd and sheep
3. The first words out of his mouth exposed a potential threat
   This reveals the main point of this lesson:
   – his unique role in the life of his sheep
   – the danger that impostors, posers, and predators presented
   – how to tell the difference

Continue reading →

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35

INTRO: I’m going to set Luke aside for now and come back to it the first of the year

What we’ll do for the next for weeks is think about Christmas
– specifically, we’ll ask, “What entered the world on Christmas?”
– as we unwrap the answer, we’ll find a bunch of Christmas gifts

So what (or Who) entered the world?
– the gospels tell us that it was Jesus
In Matthew, Jesus is not only named, but he receives a title (Isa. 7:14)
– Emmanuel, “which translated means ‘God with us’” (Mt. 1:23)
– specifically, the God who revealed himself as Yahweh – I am

There are several instances in John’s gospel when Jesus makes an “I am” statement
– we will be looking at four of them
– today, “I am the bread of life” Continue reading →

And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Luke 22:39-40 (read vv. 39-71)

INTRO: If you have been to Israel, remember what it looked like and felt like when you were on the Mount of Olives

That is where we catch up with Jesus in this story
– what do we learn from being here and witnessing these events?
– but before we make that discovery . . .

Do you have a secret — a secret fear? longing? sorrow? experience? pain?
– the reason we keep secrets is because we don’t trust others:

• that they can deal with it
• that they can help with it
• that they will be able to understand it

Some secrets we keep from ourselves (the Greek word for secret also means hidden)
– so then we remain blind to what drives us – we never figure out why we act as we do Continue reading →

When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” Luke 22:15 (read vv. 1-38)

INTRO: Why are we here this morning?

We want God – we want to belong to Him
– to develop a constant awareness of him and contact with him
– to be inspired, directed, and empowered by him
– to be agents of his love in the world

God has helped men and women who’ve walked this path
– guided them to freedom from other preoccupations
– nurtured their spirits to greater sensitivity Continue reading →

And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent. Luke 20:26 (read 20:20-21:4)

INTRO: We are down to the final days of Jesus’ public ministry and they are filled with conflict – one confrontation after another

Luke makes it clear what Jesus’ opponents are trying to do: “in order to catch Him in some statement”
– their intention is either to accuse him to the (Roman) governor (20) or shame him in public (26)

We are used to reading about the skirmishes in this chapter and being amazed at Jesus’ wisdom
– but I think we usually miss something truly profound in his responses Continue reading →

. . . and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” Luke 20:1-3 (read vv. 1-19)

INTRO: Perhaps the most critical question regarding Christianity is, “Why Jesus?”

Why not another teacher? Or simply God?

Luke uses a confrontation between religious leaders and Jesus to raise this question
– the rest of the story is built around the answer

Chapters 20 – 21 form a single unit, which we could title, “Jesus Teaching In the Temple”
– this unit was introduced by the word “approach” (three times in chapter 19)
– Luke indicates the beginning and end of the unit by making references to Jesus teaching in the temple (20:1 & 21:37-38)
– then the next unit begins in 22:1, where once again the word “approach” signals the new section (this time, the approach of Passover) Continue reading →