Everything around us in the digital world, whether in social media, advertising, or online entertainment, is seeking to grab our attention with the new and improved—something more magnificent than the thing before it. As we kick off our global outreach week on Sunday, we're going to ponder a different sort of magnificence which turned the world upside down in Paul's day and continues to today. We as a church will be invited to a totally different approach to greatness in our personal lives and through that in ministry to each other, to our community, and to the world.

Once again, we arrive at a text where Jesus is confronted by the people of his time. In this case, concern arises that Jesus' disciples are not walking in the same practices as the disciples of John and the Pharisees. Jesus responds with a metaphor, two parables, and a proverb. In each, his message is clear: something new has arrived, and it can't be contained within the old ways of religious life. Jesus wants us to see that there was something those of his time were missing, and it was standing right in front of them. Luke 5:33-39 shows us how Jesus uses a wedding, clothing, and wine to instruct us on the new that has come and how we need to be ready to receive it with joy.

Not everyone was happy that Jesus was healing the sick. We meet some of them this Sunday when Jesus draws their ire by doing something even more bold: forgiving sins. In Luke 5:17–26 we come to a passage toward which the last several encounters with Jesus have been leading. Peter confessed his sins and Jesus told him not to fear. A leper begged for cleaning and Jesus healed him and restored him to the community. Now, in this week's passage Jesus heals to prove that he can heal our relationship with God. In short, Jesus has authority to forgive sins. It's such a nice thing to do. But why is forgiveness a sin that some just can't forgive?

"You have Leprosy." This was a bad news diagnosis for many reasons. In ancient times "leprosy" was a catchall diagnosis for a handful of skin diseases. But more than a diagnosis it was a destination. Lepers were sent outside the community, exiled to live alone or alone with one another. In this study from Luke 5:12-16 we encounter one such leper when he encounters Jesus.

Fishermen are known to embellish their fishing stories. There is no need for embellishment in the case of Jesus' fishing excursion with Peter. What began as a humdrum favor for Jesus who needed a little extra room to teach the crowds ended up in the transformation of Peter's life. Here we see Peter become a disciple. But more than that, we see Peter called into Jesus' service as a disciplemaker.

The people from his hometown attempted to murder Jesus, to throw him off a cliff. Claiming to be the savior of the world turns out to be dangerous business. At least it is for the demons who ask in this week's text, "Have you come to destroy us?" Why would they say such a thing? Because Jesus was teaching and preaching with authority. The people of Capernaum were astonished and the demons trembled. All at the word of Jesus. Jesus' powerful word is at work among us and in us and through us today.

The first pages of Luke are filled with stories that tell us about Jesus—predictions of his birth, songs about his mission, the joy of the incarnation, and the initial responses of those waiting for his coming. Excitement is building and word about him has been spreading. Now the time has come for Jesus to tell us something about himself. Who is he and what has he come to do? Surely everyone will be excited about this good news. After all, why would grace get anybody upset? This sermon from Luke 4:14-30 will help to answer these questions.