Living Vertizontal

In this episode, we jump back into the discourse happening between Jesus and the 72 both before their sending out, and after their return in Luke 10:13-20. Together, we reflect on the sense of expectation that comes with experiencing God’s Kingdom. When we encounter Jesus—when the Kingdom of God draws near—we face a choice: to embrace it or to turn away. Further, Jesus also deepens the mission blueprint by grounding both the disciples and their work in their identity as full representatives of the Kingdom. As appealing as fruit may be, it cannot flourish unless it is rooted in our identity in Christ. Therefore, as we seek to participate in and proclaim the Kingdom, our efforts must first and foremost be anchored in who we are in Christ.

In this episode we continue to walk with Jesus on His journey to Jerusalem through Samaria and watch as He sends out 72 on mission in Luke 10:1-12. Together, we reflect on how this passage echoes the sending of the Twelve, following the mission blueprint Jesus established in Luke 9:1–9. Yet, this passage also invites a shift in perspective as the disciples enter the mission field. Rather than focusing on the hopelessness that opposition can bring, Jesus draws attention to the potential within it. In the same way, as Jesus sends us out to participate in and proclaim the Kingdom of God, we are called to move with urgency, humility, and dependence—while also embracing the invitation to see potential in every encounter, even when the situation appears hopeless.

In this episode we move into Luke 9:51-62 where we see Jesus and His disciples rejected by Samaritans, and also two interactions with others about the cost of following after Him. Together we start by exploring the importance of prioritizing people over principles. When we choose to keep relationships at the center, we leave room for the Spirit of Jesus to keep working in the lives of those who may hold different convictions. From there, we unpack some of the common barriers that can keep us from fully participating in God’s Kingdom here and now—our desire for security, our struggle to surrender control, and our divided loyalties. Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is immediate, urgent, and all-encompassing. The real question is: will we answer that call and step fully into His Kingdom here and now?

In this episode, we reflect on Jesus’ patience with the crowds and His disciples, who once again fail to grasp what it truly means to fully participate in the kingdom of God, even though He had taught and modeled it many times. In the end, we recognize that the way of humility—following Jesus step by step—is the only path to fully participate in and embody His kingdom here and now.

In this episode, we read about the event known as the Transfiguration, found in Luke 9:28-36. Together talk about the difference between the static and dynamic message from God. We identify that unlike the Law and the Prophets, Jesus is present and dynamically leading us through life. Our invitation is into a dynamic relationship with Jesus, over a static dependence on the tools that were meant to point us to Jesus in the first place.

In this episode, we move to Luke 9:18-27. Within this set of verses we read about Peter’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus’ prediction of His death, and Jesus' explanation of the cost of following Him. Together, we talk about how important it is for us as Jesus’ disciples to have a clear understanding of who He is. Who we understand Jesus to be will impact what we think Jesus does and says, and what we think Jesus does and says, influences what we do and say. We must set aside our misconceptions of dominance and overthrowing within the context of culture and politics and embrace the reality of suffering and rejection. Living in the way Jesus lived, His upside down Kingdom is put on full display for all to see.

In this episode we continue on in Luke 9:10-17. Within this set of verses we read about the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Together, we jump into the topic of sabbath. Viewing this miracle account through the lens of sabbath challenges us to recognize sabbath as having more to do with dependence than sleep. When we grow more and more in our dependence on Jesus for everything, we enter the rest He has for us. This points us to the reality that sabbath is not just a moment we set aside; instead, sabbath is something we can experience on a moment by moment basis as we depend on Jesus. Sabbath carries with it more of a connotation to rest in, rather than rest from.

In this episode, we move on into Luke 9:1-9 where we read of Jesus sending the 12 apostles out on ministry, and King Herod’s desire to see Jesus and understand who He is. Together, we reflect on the missional blueprint that Jesus laid out—both for His apostles then and for us today. As we live on mission, we not only proclaim the Lordship of Christ but also embody it in our daily lives. In doing so, the attractive nature of the Kingdom is revealed, drawing the world irresistibly toward Him.

In our episode this week, we cross back over the Sea of Galilee and read from Luke 8:40-56. Within this passage we read of two different miraculous encounters. First, the healing of the bleeding woman, and second, the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Together we discuss the implications of the way we choose to live our lives. When our life is oriented to Jesus in every way, we confess our desperation for Jesus to all those around us. The only hope that we have in finding restoration and resurrection is through dependence on and desperation for Christ alone.

In this episode, we look at Luke 8:26-39. In this passage we read about the story of the demon possessed man in the Gerasenes. Together we talk about the importance of following Jesus into the difficult places of life, meeting people where they are, to participate in the upside down kingdom that Jesus initiated.