When a rich ruler asks Jesus what more he needs to do, Jesus gives him an impossible challenge: to let go of all that belongs to him, and to follow Jesus. The challenge is meant to show him his real problem is with his heart. It's a problem that is impossible to solve without God - and yet God changes hearts of stone for hearts of flesh, bringing new life. Peter knows what it's like to leave everything and follow Jesus - and Jesus reassures him that we can never find ourselves worse off because of leaving something behind to follow Him.

Jesus teaches us about approaching him like little children: humble, dependent, and insignificant. Jesus tells his disciples not to hinder people who come to him like this.

Jesus uses the picture of a Pharisee and a tax coillector's approach to prayer to show that in God's Kingdom, the only way up is down: those who humble themselves are exalted - those who think themselves right before God remain distant from him.

Does God even care about the injustice in the world? This week Jesus teaches us to be persistant in prayer as he speaks about his coming justice. Luke 18:1-8

Jesus is asked 'When will the Kingdom of God come?". He teaches us about the time he will come back to earth to judge all people - and how that knowledge of the future should impact the way we live today. Luke 17:20-37

Jesus cleanses ten lepers who cry out to him, hoping for an end to their separation from other people and from the community of faith - but only one comes back to give him thanks and praise, recognising him as God in the flesh, the source of healing and salvation. Jesus comes to end our separation from God - and if we understand he is the source of that healing, we will overflow with thankfulness towards him.

The Duties of Disciples

Jesus teaches his disciples the importance of rebuking and forgiving fellow believers.

Luke 17:1-10

Jesus tells us a story of reversal in the afterlife? What are we to learn? The king demands generous stewardship; there are consequences to ignoring his design; and what's needed to change the direction of a life isn't more information or evidence, but a change of heart.

Jesus tells us a new age has dawned - but what's new about it? The king hasn't changed and neither has his good design for his Kingdom as Jesus shows us by highlighting the continuity of the Law. It is a new age of grace: those who live outside of God's design are urged to come into his kingdom, under his good rule, and recieve his boundless grace. A longer talk than ususal because we address the difficult and sensitive subject of divorce.