Women must be grounded in gospel truth. How we live and conduct ourselves reveals what we believe. Titus 2:3-5 commands older women to live in a way that honors God and to teach and encourage younger women in godly living. In this Women's Retreat talk, Erin Wheeler shows us that discipling is not optional; it is a command that calls for humility and availability. It means doing intentional, spiritual good in the life of another believer to encourage them in their walk with Christ.

Light attracts, it gives life, and it brightens. That's what the message of resurrected Jesus does for all who receive him. But not all will, for light also repels. Some in Jesus' own day were on an endless pursuit of signs to validate his claims. Even the resurrection would not do. He knew as much, which is why in Luke 11:29–36, Jesus responded to their demand tersely, "No sign will be given to [them] except the sign of Jonah," that is, the sign of life from the dead. What we do with the risen Christ decides what's inside us, whether darkness or light.

The details of death on a cross are deeply unsettling. The pain endured by Jesus is almost unfathomable. Yet, at this point in our journey through Luke's gospel, Jesus is willingly and knowingly headed straight there. As he works yet another miracle, healing a demon possessed man, he has deeply unsettling news for us: "Whoever is not with me is against me." There is no middle ground, no neutral or disinterested position. Which side are you on? And what gets us on his side? Listen as we look with confidence to Jesus, the stronger man, who came to rescue us into his kingdom and sends us out to gather more unto him.

Jesus could have sat his disciples down and said, "You need to pray. Here's how." That would have been true and useful enough. But he is wiser than that. Instead, Jesus prayed in view of his disciples over and again so that eventually they asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." Which Jesus simply, memorably, and gladly did as recorded for us in Luke 11:1–13. There we find not only a pattern for our own prayers but a way of approaching our Father in heaven that is as reassuring as it is counterintuitive. Listen as we sit at Jesus' feet and learn to pray.

Hospitality and service are of great importance. They are precious to Jesus. But our service is not more precious than Jesus himself. To sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Jesus' Word is always the priority on the road of discipleship. Or, as Jesus calls it, "the good portion." We learn this lesson in Luke 10:38–42 from a visit to the loving home of two sisters, Mary and Martha, on a difficult day.

What is the meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25–37? The answer to that question might seem obvious. The Good Samaritan is an example of love for neighbor. True enough. But why did Jesus tell this parable? To help us know what neighbor-love looks like? To answer the question, "who is my neighbor?" In a sense, yes and yes. And emphatically, no. Read and ponder why.

We know the end of the story: Jesus wins and he's not alone. He has with him a company of sinners made saints, a plentiful harvest for heaven. To labor in his fields and see sinners saved is a very great joy for those whom Jesus sends out. But Luke 10:1–24 points to a greater joy still, an unstoppable joy that powers our unstoppable mission.

Jesus appeared on the mountain, transfigured in glory. That's what the Lord Jesus looks forward to. It's what we look forward to as well. But that glory will not come without the grief of the cross. In 9:51, Luke marks a shift in his gospel and Jesus' mission. Now Jesus stares down the cross. There is no way up but through, no way to the crown but by the cross. There is no negotiating with this plan and no avoiding it—not for Jesus and not for us.

Jesus sent his disciples out to minister in his name. When they return, the disciples quarrel for the top spot on Jesus' ministry team. Pride is an ancient problem and the church's mission requires that we win this internal battle. In Luke 9:46–50 we learn with the disciples as Jesus deals a blow to their pride and ours that we might put down this ancient sin for the sake of his name. As we learn, the success of our mission from Jesus requires solidarity with one another.

Before Jesus makes his turn toward the cross, he prepares his disciples for the road ahead. Up to this point, life with Jesus seemed to get better and more miraculous with each passing day. Now Jesus says there is trouble coming, for him and his disciples. Shouldn't life be easier for this conquering king? Does suffering mean he isn't the messiah, or is suffering at the very heart of his mission? Luke 9:18-45 shows us how the Lord prepares his disciples and us for a life of following him.