Northwest Gospel Church - Camas/Washougal

Luke 24:13-53 | Todd Miles | This is the crescendo of Luke's Gospel. The final revelation, the complete understanding, the grasping of the scope of the gospel prophesied and fulfilled. It’s no wonder that after Jesus’ ascension they returned, worshiping him with great joy!

Luke 23:50-24:12 | Ben Potloff | After a sabbath full of grief, the women who saw Jesus buried come to anoint Jesus’ body with burial spices. Except, the tomb is empty, save for two majestic beings who declare that Jesus is alive! It seems too wonderful to be true! Some disciples doubt, others like Peter run to the tomb, and two others get a first-hand encounter with the risen Jesus.

Luke 23:26-50 | Ben Potloff | It was the darkest day in history. Jesus would soon be revealed as God’s resurrected Son and “firstborn from the dead,” but now he is nailed to the cross. Though the best part of the story is soon to come, it is important that we not skip over the weight and sadness of Jesus’ sacrifice in this chapter. God was willing to make a way for sinners like us to be reconciled to himself, but it came at a cost. It cost everything. A man named Phillip helps Jesus carry the cross outside the city, and Jesus is nailed to that cross. As he hangs there, he is mocked, and the guards cast lots over his clothing. Even in these painful moments, we see glimpses of beauty. Jesus offers up a prayer to his father, “Forgive them, father, for they know not what they do.” With his mission on earth still in focus, Jesus extends mercy and invites one of the criminals to join him in paradise. The beautiful day of resurrection will come soon, but for now, we must read and reflect on the reality that our new life came at the cost of our Savior’s life. The author of life is put to death.

Luke 23:1-25 | Ben Potloff | It is no exaggeration to say that the entire Christian faith is built upon Jesus’ actions recorded in the next two chapters of Luke, so read and reread these verses closely. In Luke 9, we see Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem to accomplish the work he was sent to complete. Now, we see that work unfolding as Jesus is falsely accused and put on trial. The assembly of the elders of the people accuse Jesus before Pilate, a man who would determine if Jesus was to be crucified or not. Pilate sees no fault in Jesus but the mob persists. “Crucify him!” they shout. Pilate releases the criminal named Barabbas from prison and allows Jesus to be sent to his death.

Luke 22:66-71 | Ben Potloff | In this last portion of Luke 22, the author is using five verses to focus on one thing: the identity of Jesus. Morning comes and the Jewish leadership carts Jesus off to their= council chamber, perhaps to make official the deliberations from the previous night at the high priest’s house (v. 54). There, they ask, “are you the Christ?” What was Jesus supposed to answer? His interrogators were wanting him to answer that he was the Christ, implying his equality with God. Jesus is not coy but he responds indirectly, “But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They receive a gift horse; there is a noose hanging there and Jesus puts his head through it. They check with another question (v. 70a) and get Jesus’ response (v. 70b). They take Jesus’ words as an affirmation, and they move quickly to punish him for what they consider to be blasphemy.

Luke 22:54-65 | Max Janusch | In this passage, Luke turns the focus on Peter and shows us the sad failure of a disciple. Peter sits among the group huddled around the courtyard fire. One of the servant girls eyeballs Peter, and says “This man also was with him.” Peter’s retort was, “Woman, I do not know him.” There could hardly be a stronger way to deny Jesus, and it was pretty much all downhill from there. It looks completely hopeless save for one observation that Luke gives that no other Gospel account does: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.” This is a pathetic fall that landed amid shreds of hope as “he went out and wept bitterly” (v. 62). Luke also wants us to see one other important truth: the word of Jesus is solid. There is an irony in what happens next. Even as the religious leaders treat Him as a phony prophet, in their actions Jesus’ prophecy is being fulfilled. Whether it’s Peter’s denial or the beginning of the mockery of Jesus, he wants us to see how sure and solid Jesus’ word is.

Romans 6:3-11 | Ben Potloff | As Christians, we still find ourselves falling into old patterns and old sins. Why is this? What does the Bible say about our old lives? The Apostle Paul exhorts the believers in Rome to recognize that they have died to their old selves and to sin, and they now experience new life through salvation by faith in Jesus. This passage reminds Christians to recall their salvation and live in light of their new life.

Luke 22:39-53 | Luke Hendrix | Jesus’ prayer in the garden reveals much. Although Jesus is fully God, his prayer gives us a very real picture of his humanity. There is perhaps no way for us to understand the intense anguish experienced by Jesus in these moments. Yet God the Father understood, sending an angel to strengthen him. The trial did not cease but Jesus' attention is fixed on the will of the Father. This fixation leads Jesus through his agonizing moments in prayer and, fully in control of the circumstances, into the hands of the men who would put him to death.

Luke 22:24-38 | Ben Potloff | This passage contains three major themes. First, Jesus defines greatness. Second, Jesus highlights the coming denial of Peter. Third, Jesus reminds the disciples of the coming struggles. This passage highlights something beautiful. It highlights Jesus’ compassion, his care, and his aching heart for his disciples knowing what is around the corner. As we look at the whole of this passage try not to see these as three independent chunks of narrative. Remove the verses’ numbers, remove the paragraph breaks and headings, and listen to the heart of Jesus. See what he is doing. Hear what he is saying.

Luke 22:1-23 | Ben Potloff | Since Luke 9:51, we have followed along as Jesus has traveled through Israel with his face set “to go to Jerusalem.” Now, we come to the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. As the Passover is about to begin Jesus sends some of the disciples to prepare a space for them to eat together. It is during this meal that Jesus reminds the disciples that he will soon be betrayed. And more than just that, he reveals that he’ll be betrayed by one of the very men who is considered a disciple. It is with the shadow of Good Friday beginning to fall that Jesus inaugurates the Lord’s Supper, reminding his followers to participate in this symbolic meal together as they remember his sacrifice and look forward to the work that he will one day fully and finally complete.