In our salvation story we’ve read that Jesus was on a journey. He had left the northern region of Galilee and was headed south toward Jerusalem. He was determined to go to Jerusalem because he knew that it was there where he would suffer and die according to the predetermined plan of God in order to offer himself up as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world. 

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes three legs that marked Jesus' journey. First, it began with the setting aside of his divine prerogatives, submitting himself to the will of the Father. The second leg of the journey led to his suffering, becoming obedient to death on a cross. Finally, it would end in his glorious exaltation, being raised from the dead. 

Paul compares his own spiritual journey to that of Jesus. In fact, it is the path marked out for all Christians. During Holy Week we’ll consider these three legs of this most joyful journey.

We begin with Jesus setting aside his divine prerogatives. He submitted himself to the will of his Heavenly Father. So too, in Philippians 3 we read that Paul set aside anything that could have been considered personal gain for something so much better, knowing Christ. There is no more rewarding passion than pursuing greater intimacy with Jesus. 

To help us in that pursuit, God has commanded the practice of fasting. Christian fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food, we set it aside, for the purpose of greater intimacy with Christ. John Piper has said, “Fasting is when we hunger for God more than we hunger for the food God made us to live on.” If you are able, join us this week in a church-wide fast as we embark on this joyful journey together.

Who are some of the most famous monarchs to have ever lived? Alexander the Great, the Grecian ruler was renowned for his military exploits. Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, oversaw the golden age of French art and culture. Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, maybe most famous for her love affair with Julius Caesar and later Mark Anthony. There was the British monarch, King George III, who was king during the American Revolution. He became synonymous with tyranny and the arrogance of the old European aristocracy. 

As Americans we’re proud revolutionaries. We rebelled against the monarchy. We set our own destiny founded on the principles of democracy and self-rule. So, you might find it difficult to see yourself as a subject to any king. 

Yet, the Bible is full of kingdom language. There was the Old Testament expectation of a coming king. It was the substance of Jesus’ preaching as he went about proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

As we continue reading in our salvation story, the Pharisees ask Jesus when this kingdom would come. His disciples wanted to know where. We see that with the arrival of Jesus the kingdom of God was already here. Wherever Jesus resides he reigns. Though it cannot be seen, Jesus is reigning right now in the heavenly realm. However, he will one day visibly return and physically reign in the earthly realm too. Therefore, as loyal subjects, we submit to Jesus’ heavenly reign now to be ready for his earthly reign later.

Perhaps you’ve taken a job just for the benefits. Maybe you’re a new mom who’d prefer to stay home with the baby but you get health coverage through your work. So, you put in part-time hours to keep that benefit. Maybe you're ready to retire but you keep working until fully vested in the company’s pension plan. You hang on for the benefits.

Sometimes we maintain personal relationships just for the benefits. There are advantages to being friends with certain people. They throw really good parties, insist on picking up the lunch tab, or always flatter you with compliments.

Many people approach their relationship with God in the same way. They’re in it for the benefits.

Continuing in our salvation story, we read that as Jesus approached a certain village he encountered ten lepers. This group of desperate men recognized Jesus’ power to heal and begged him for mercy. When he sent the men away they were all healed. However, only one came back to give thanks and to worship Jesus. All the men were healed but only the one who worshiped was then saved. We see that God graciously bestows benefits on everyone. But, he only graciously saves some, those who worship Jesus as Savior and Lord. Like the ten lepers, people are drawn to Jesus for many reasons. But saving faith means believing in Jesus for more than just benefits.

To be vigilant means to be carefully observant and attentive, especially to potential danger or trouble. Like a mom watching her kids play at the city pool, she remains vigilant. She's vigilant about protecting them from the harmful rays of the sun, applying generous amounts of sun screen on all their exposed skin. She's vigilant about their safety while playing in and around the water. She makes sure the ones who don’t know how to swim have their floaties fastened and remain in the shallow end of the pool. She’s vigilant about who her kids interact with, the other children, but especially other adults who are strangers. She dutifully pays attention to her children. 

As we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus implores his disciples to pay attention to themselves. In the previous episode Jesus told the story of a certain rich man who was surprised to find himself enduring the horrors of hell. Jesus’ teaching was directed at the prideful, presumptuous Pharisees. Pride and presumption cause a person to think it could never happen to me. Vigilance requires humility. Different from the Pharisees, Jesus’ disciples are to be humble, watchful servants. Using a series of hyperbolic examples, Jesus warns his disciples about a variety of instances in which they are to remain vigilant.

Recent Pew Research indicates that 71% of Americans believe in the existence of heaven. 64% of those who believe in heaven think they’ll go there. On the other hand, 61% of Americans believe in hell. Only 1% think they’ll end up there. Evidently, most people believe that hell is for other people.

As we continue reading in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells a disturbing story. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus contains some of the most explicit teaching in all the Bible about the nature of heaven and hell. Even more importantly, Jesus sheds light on who goes where and why.

The standard view today is that anyone and everyone will go to heaven; no matter who they are, what they do, or what they believe. However, like the rich man in Jesus’ parable, many people might be surprised to find themselves suffering eternal torment. God has revealed Himself and His will in His Word. Jesus’ words serve as a warning. No more information is needed. Repent and believe now to avoid hell later.

Playing basketball in eighth grade PE there was always that one kid who would stay down on the offensive end of the court positioned under his own goal just waiting for the ball so he could easily score. We had a name for that guy. He was a cherry picker. He wouldn’t do the hard work of hustling back on defense, yet he’d get all the fun of scoring baskets. 

Cherry picking is choosing and taking only that which is most beneficial or profitable. It’s usually done for personal gain. You might take the biggest slice of pizza, the one with the most pepperoni and cheese. Or, you might cherry pick facts to bolster your argument, ignoring opposing data. 

As we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus calls out the Pharisees for cherry picking God’s word. They chose to obey certain parts of the Law, especially the parts that made themselves look good before others, while ignoring other, more important parts. In the issue of divorce, they even perverted God’s word for their own convenience. However, all of God’s word, every single part, matters. Don’t cherry pick God’s word. Allow all of it to challenge and change you.

In 1985, Steve Jobs was ousted from the company he had cofounded, Apple Computer. 11 years later he was invited back to rescue the struggling business. If you had invested $1,000 in Apple stock on Feb. 4, 1997, the day that Jobs returned as CEO, today, you would have over $1.3 million. Just for perspective, a similar $1,000 investment in an index fund that replicates the S&P 500 would be worth around $6,000.

Steve Jobs was a genius. But by all accounts, he was also a jerk. Sure, he built the most valuable company on the planet. But as they say, isn't money the root of all evil? 

As we continue on in Luke, Jesus tells a controversial story commonly referred to as the parable of the dishonest manager. We read that by carefully taking advantage of his present situation, the dishonest manager secured a better future for himself. Surprisingly, Jesus complimented the manager. However, he didn’t compliment him for his dishonesty but rather his shrewdness. Jesus taught his disciples that they too were to be shrewd managers of temporal wealth in order to obtain for themselves eternal riches. According to Jesus, it matters how we manage our money now so that we may be truly rich later.

A scandal is a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral norms.

In 1919, members of the Chicago White Sox accepted money from professional gamblers to effectively throw the World Series. This was the infamous Black Sox scandal. In 1995, President Bill Clinton, began an illicit sexual relationship with a 22 year old intern inside the oval office. It was all so scandalous. One of the most well known financial scandals in history came to light during the financial crisis of 2008. Bernie Madoff duped thousands of wealthy, knowledgeable investors out of billions of dollars. It ended with associates committing suicide and Bernie Madoff being sentenced to 150 years in federal prison.

When we hear about these scandals, we’re outraged. They offend our sensibilities.

As we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus responds to the complaints of the scribes and Pharisees by telling them one his most famous parables. His listeners would have found the entire situation scandalous. Of course they would have been outraged at the behavior of the younger son who is appropriately referred to as a prodigal. But when the rebellious son repents and returns home, the reception he receives from his father was entirely unexpected. The younger son did not have to crawl back one day at a time into his father’s good graces. Rather, he was instantly forgiven. The lavish, unmerited love of the father would have been scandalous to Jesus’ pious listeners. It was them who he had in mind as the parable ends with the older brother, standing outside the feast, refusing to enter despite the affectionate pleas of his father. Jesus masterfully invited his listeners and each one of us to forsake the biggest scandal of all, self-righteousness.

What makes you happy? Perhaps you enjoy a quiet evening sitting in front of a fire, reading a book, while sipping hot cocoa. Or maybe the idea of going out with friends, talking and laughing sounds like a real party. If you’re married, what makes your spouse happy? What makes your kids happy? 

As we continue on in our salvation story we read what makes God happy. All of heaven rejoices when even one sinner is saved. God loves to seek and to save sinners. 

To illustrate this point and to challenge the disgruntled Pharisees (they weren’t very happy), Jesus tells a series of 3 parables, the first two of which we read in this week's episode. Like a lost sheep or a lost coin, we see that God passionately and purposefully pursues people. This is cause to celebrate.

In this year’s Super Bowl the Kansas City Chiefs will attempt to make history by winning their 3rd straight NFL title. Under head coach Coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes the Chiefs have amassed a considerable following. Chiefs kingdom is huge. Of course another reason for their popularity doesn’t have anything to do with exploits on the football field. It’s because TE Travis Kelce is dating the most famous pop star in a generation. It was recently reported that Kansas City Chiefs followership has increased 40% since the Travis and Taylor romance first began; a massive increase in TV viewership, jersey sales, and social media reach. But what happens when the famous couple breaks up? Or when the team is no longer winning? Are these just fair-weather fans?

Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a great banquet. Everyone was invited but only those who turned to him in repentance and faith would be let in. As we continue on in our salvation story we read that large crowds were accompanying Jesus. It seems that many people wished to accept the invitation to the banquet. However, following Jesus isn’t for fair-weather fans. Being a disciple requires complete commitment, a life-long loyalty to Jesus. Therefore it’s important to count the cost.