Rating our mental gymnastics

 In spite of Jesus's clear warning to the rich that they are already reaping their rewards and should not expect to have rewards in Heaven (Luke 6), Western Christians expend great effort to dilute the warnings of Jesus and to advocate the wealthy in their congregations (James 5). How do reconcile your wealth with these warnings?

High Steppin

 Christians have long received hope from passages like Luke 6:17-26. Perhaps we should be reading the passage as an indictment on our self-interest driven lives instead of as a secret password for entering paradise. What do you want to be doing when Jesus returns? Will you be loving in Word or deed (Jn 3)?

Get Over Here!

 Colossians 2:8 warns us of being taken, like spoil by the world's way of thinking, instead of following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Many Christians believe that they have not been taken captive by the world's way of thinking, but still hate their neighbors, block aid to the poor, and fail to care for the immigrant. In what ways have you come to adopt worldly thinking instead of clinging to the teachings of Christ?

Big Guy to the rescue - maybe?

 In Luke 13:34-35 Jesus relates His love for Jerusalem, even though the city had a history of killing God's prophets. The statement is even more striking when we consider that Jesus knew that he too would soon be killed by the political and religious leaders of the city. How do you respond to your enemies?

Uncle Sam has an ugly bit of nationalism showing

God condemned Jehu for his excessive violence in defending his nation (Hosea 1). Christian Nationalism and other movements that falsely claim Christ while inciting or enacting violence on 'others' betrays the name, message, and cause of Christ. #Christians Against Christian Nationalism

Is God still working on you?

In Revelation 21, God creates again. Throughout Scripture, God is always doing something new—often when least expected. How is God creating something new in you? Have you stopped growing and become proud of never changing?
 

Jesus makes the unseen seen

When the disciples argued over who was to be the greatest, Jesus pointed to the one least likely to be heard, thought of, or even seen (Luke 9). By pointing to the most powerless, Jesus made the unseen seen, and reminded us all that the path to greatness is actually found in humility. Who do you ignore? Could they be the greatest among you?

Still Room at the Table

 Jesus told a parable about a feast with no guests (Luke 14). In the parable, the host is disgusted by the way his invitation is disregarded that he uninvites them and extends an invitation to those with the least social standing and power. We might notice that even after opening the table to everyone, there was still room for more. Who would not want at your table that Jesus would still invite?

Pastor Awesome's Cardboard Pentacost

 Jesus promised His disciples that they would do greater works than Jesus Himself (John 14). Rather than thinking of impressive miracles, we might remember that the Spirit Jesus demonstrated was love and care for others. How does the Holy Spirit work through you to demonstrate even greater love than Jesus?

The great repentance performer

 The Apostle Paul declared that God was now calling everyone, from every place to repent. However, Paul's sermon didn't focus on new restrictions or actions. Instead, Paul pointed to the love of Christ, and how we are now called to emulate that love (Acts 17). How do you demonstrate the love of Christ?

Who needs the Holy Spirit?

 After spending three years listening to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the disciples were still not ready to begin ministry. While they may (or may not) have gained a greater understanding of scripture and its application, they still lacked the guidance and direction of God's Holy Spirit (Luke 24). When have you leaned on your head-knowledge without consulting God's Spirit?

Sinners in the Temple of God

In Luke 15 Jesus tells of three lost things. His audience was filled with 'sinners' who likely felt lost themselves, because of their exclusion from Temple life. Jesus's parables make it clear that the religious leaders were actually the ones who were not only lost but were stubbornly remaining lost. Are the people you think of as 'lost' as lost as you are?

 

Aftershame

 Jesus confronted those who opposed His healing on the Sabbath day and left them feeling ashamed (Luke 13). Although the Church has caused a lot of harm by using guilt as a weapon, guilt does serve a purpose. When you feel guilty, it might be an opportunity to either repent, or to better understand where the guilt is really coming from and learn to move past it.

Awesome Sword of Fire

 

Christians have used Christ's teaching from Luke 12 to maliciously defend attacks on non-Christians. By skewing what Jesus tells us is inevitable to say that these divisions are desirable, we miss Christ's central teachings on humility and self-sacrifice. Do you create divisions to serve others and defend the persecuted, or do you divide by persecuting others?

How much doubt can one cartoon panel hold?

Sometimes we confuse faith in God with a complete lack of doubt. But many faithful Christians have found that expressing their doubts has given them the opportunity to expand their faith. Maybe this is what Thomas experienced when he met the resurrected Christ (John 20).  

Tears for Easter

 Mary wept when she discovered the body of Jesus was missing (John 20). We're not sure if her tears indicated a lack of faith or understanding that Jesus was risen, but when Jesus does reveal himself to her, he treats her with kindness and reassurance. How do you treat those who don't share your faith?

Are you?

 

Many have commented on how quickly the Palm Sunday (Luke 19) crowd turned on Jesus, but maybe their turning was no different from our willingness to reject Jesus's teachings and instead adopt a mob mentality that demeans empathy, charity, and understanding. Are you willing to live like Jesus for Jesus?  

 John revealed in his gospel that Judas had been stealing from the funds that were set aside by Jesus and His disciples to help the poor (John 12). Oddly, many Christians use words from this chapter to curtail giving to those in need, by declaring that there will always be poor people. Have you stolen from the poor by misapplying Jesus's words to serve your own greed?

Awesome's Treasures

 When the Israelites entered the promised land they found an abundance of food (Josh 5). This provision reminds us of the grace God extends to us through Jesus Christ (Eph 2). Perhaps we should consider how much has been given to us and how having received gifts, we should give to others (Matt 8).

Respectable Sins

 Jesus corrected a group that believed their countrymen were punished by God because they died horrible deaths (Luke 13). Jesus often warned us against believing our sins are less offensive than those around us, and later James reminds us of this truth (James 2:10). Which of your sins do feel proud to own, or consider 'respectable?'