Sermons from March 2023
The Final Week
While Palm Sunday is still a week away, this Sunday we focus on Jesus’ final week and final teachings. At the conclusion of this week’s text, Jesus tells Zacchaeus in Jericho that his focus is “to seek and save the lost.” Then he leaves Jericho and enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He teaches during the week, continuing to lift up the lowly. We are nearing the pinnacle of his ministry, and these teachings are essential. Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 (CEB)
On the Journey to Jerusalem
This week’s text shows Jesus interacting with a particular marginalized community. Skin diseases like the one described in the text had special rules in the Jewish community, and in general were thought to be highly communicable. Jesus shows a refusal to give in to the fear inherent in these rules and culture, and instead lifts up these persons who have been pushed to the margins. Scripture: Luke 17:11-19 (CEB)
Parables from the Underside
Two sons – one leaves home, squanders his inheritance, and begs for forgiveness. Another who never left home, didn’t spend his inheritance, and begs for recognition. The younger son needs redemption. The older son needs restoration. How is the oldest son like our LGBT+ siblings, most notably our transgender siblings, who are afraid and hurt, and who are asking the church to recognize them? Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (CEB)
Simon, Do You See this Woman?
The season of Lent is essential in Christian tradition, and is made up of the forty days (not including Sundays) that lead up to Easter Sunday. This Sunday, we continue our series in consideration of the treatment of women. One of the questions Jesus asks the pharisee is: “Do you see this woman?” We all want to be seen and valued, no matter who we are. Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 (CEB)