Today's episode introduces Luther's Small Catechism with African Descent Reflections, published by Augsburg Fortress.  

In this episode, we briefly examine how the gospels portray Jesus's resurrection.   What might these stories tell us about resurrection and eternal life?   

What did abundant manna mean in Jesus's day?  What does that have to do with the Lord's Prayer?  

We discuss Jesus's mission in Luke and why it might have upset his audience.  What does it mean to proclaim good news to the poor, oppressed, blind, and captured?  

What is God's surprise?  As Christians, we likely look at Jesus's birth as the surprise, but is that really a surprise?  Every Advent, we look expectantly towards Christmas and the birth of Jesus, so it is not really a surprise anymore.  So what is God's surprise?  Well, for that, we need to look at the beginning of Luke's gospel.  We also might want to consider the beginning of Matthew's gospel as well.  While not neglecting the other Gospels, Matthew and Luke use the beginning of their gospel to introduce Jesus's mission and purpose.  We begin to see God's surprise in Mary's song, in Luke's birth announcement, in the arrival of the magi, in John baptizing people, and in the story of Jesus's temptation. 

Who is Jesus?  That is the question we are going to be exploring this year in confirmation.  To begin to answer that question, we should first ask what is Jesus's community.  This week, we will begin to explore Jesus's community and even start to look at why Jesus was killed by the state.  

This week's class will explore the ways Jesus's life and ministry initiated the year of Jubilation, a reset for society.  

Today's episode covers Jesus's birth and God's response to the people's cry for liberation, justice, and mercy.  Jesus's birth is God's response to the people.  By the time of Jesus's birth, the world had long since reverted to the ways of Pharoah.  God begins a new chapter, starting with Mary.  While it might be a new chapter, it is also a continuation of what God has been about since the beginning (mending the entire universe).    

This chapter in Manna and Mercy opens with a brief discussion of Ezra 10.  Erlander mentions Ezra 10 was not what God intended.  Fortunately, there was a group of individuals that countered Ezra 10 with their own stories that sought to emphasize God's love of all nations.  Why is it still in the Bible if Ezra 10 was not what God wanted?  Perhaps, it was not what God wanted for the people, but it might have been what was needed at that moment.  When we read the Bible, we need to remember it was not written for us but addressed the people's needs (perceived or real) at that time.  

Exile was a defining moment in the history of Judaism and Christianity.  Defeated and taken into exile, the ancient biblical people had to reimagine their faith, identity, and understanding of God.  New questions were asked, as suggested by Proverbs 30:24-28 "Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise..."  The animals in the proverb represent the condition of the ancient Hebrews.  They were without strength, a king, and power; however, they had spread throughout the empire.  In such a state, they had to reimage what it meant to be a people of God.