Casting Hope

***Only 1/2 of this sermon was recorded***

We all have hearts made for love of God and neighbor, but our hearts are broken by sin, and the "love" that flows from them is so often out of whack. Luke gives us two side-by-side stories; one takes place on the Jericho road and the other in Martha's home. They both illustrate what it looks like to negatively and positively "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself”.

In this season of disorientation, it is always important to recalibrate ourselves to what Jesus says about discipleship. Every instrument that has a standard - whether it is a guitar, a thermometer, or a clock - must constantly be "recalibrated" or tuned. We are learning that our journey with Jesus works the same way. In this passage, the disciples return from their mission, rejoicing in their ministry success. Jesus sees this as a teaching moment. He doesn't rebuke their joy, but he elevates and expands it. In particular, Jesus recalibrates them to three things: security, intimacy, and mystery.

Luke 9-19 is a ten chapter travelogue. It serves as a "high level map" that should orient those who are following Jesus in the wilderness. You could call it a manual on “mere discipleship.” Jesus tells us what to expect before we even set out. And right away we learn three things: following Jesus in the wilderness is cross-shaped, compassion-forward, and costly.