Fort Garry MB Church - Winnipeg, Canada

Jesus challenges our conception of compassion and living compassionately by confront fear head on.  Listen us as we seek God's way of compassion, moving away from our human way of fear.  

The devil came to tempt Jesus in his hunger, his neediness.  Jesus said his needs were met in the word of God; that was the source of his security.  Once we release what we have, things that make us feel secure and self-reliant, that's when we receive God's security of being in Christ.  That's when we can become generous.  We can wonder about the Israelites, who had just harvested their first crops.  Did they doubt this way of God to give away their first fruits instead of storing them for their future needs?  God's way is to release in order to receive.  We don't see the blessings of generosity until we move forward into it, giving of what God has given us, and seeing our way of security transformed into God's way of generosity.

Welcome to Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church.  This coming Sunday, Pastor Carl will be walking guests and congregants through this very short text where Jesus redefines the meaning of family.  For Jesus, our true family is to be found in the context of those who are “children of God” and who are engaged in the work of God’s kingdom.  Even something as powerful as our family systems becomes secondary to the call of Christ in our lives.  What are some of the relationships in our life that are out of line with the priority that Christ claims for those who follow him?

Mary and Martha are friends and followers of Jesus and welcome him into their home and lives.  Martha is preoccupied with the duties of hosting while Mary sits and listens to Jesus.  This story reminds us of how Jesus calls us to value the fellowship of being present with those we love.  Where have we made our faith in Jesus more about what we are doing for him instead of doing with him?   The context of this story in Luke is that it comes after the disciples being sent out by Jesus then coming back excited about all the amazing things they did in His name, the the parable of the Good Samaritan who showed compassion.  We then have the contrast of the two sisters -one who is busy doing, and the other who just wants to be in the presence of Jesus.

A Jewish leader’s daughter of 12 years is dying – A ritually unclean woman who has been suffering for 12 years – Jesus heals them both – showing that they are both “beloved daughters.”  There is Good News for those who wonder if they are seen, known, and loved by God – who wonder if they belong or not.   

Levi was the worst kind of person – a traitor to his own people, corrupt and a collaborator with the oppressors.  Jesus makes a point of entering into his space, his home, and his circle of friends.  The results are a changed heart and a changed life.  Who are those people in our own lives, like Levi that are in need of a doctor/Good News?  If Jesus can use Levi, can he use even you and I?

Simon and his brothers had fished all night without success.  They were tired, frustrated and probably a little annoyed when Jesus told them how to do their jobs.  When they follow his commands, the results are miraculous.  What might Jesus have to say about our own work or the things that are not going well and leaving us tired and frustrated?

The people of Jesus’ hometown are astonished by the authority with which Jesus speaks.  But they also want proof - signs and wonders before they will believe. They get angry when Jesus questions whether they deserve these signs and then points to how God also does miracles for outsiders and even enemies.