Isaiah 2:1-5

The Advent season should come as a reminder to us that we can never be, and should not be, adjusted to the world. We are here to proclaim the reality and the imminence of a wholly other world, a world in which different powers rule and different standards operate. We are here to make it possible for ordinary men and women really to believe this, and therefore to live in hope and readiness. - Lesslie Newbigin, The Good Shepherd

Luke 20:19-44

It is the call of the Son from heaven, and the vision of the new Jerusalem descending from heaven, that pushes back on our illusions that we could figure this all out, that we could bring this about. Shalom is not biblical language for progressivist social amelioration. Shalom is a Christ-haunted call to long for kingdom come. - James K. A. Smith, Awaiting the King

Luke 20:1-18

Surrender goes against the grain of autonomy and self-control. Under any circumstances other than trustworthy love, it may be extremely unwise. But in response to Perfect Love personally known, resistance can quickly dissipate and surrender becomes effortless - almost natural. The surrender Jesus invites from us - choosing his will and his life over his own - can never be motivated by anything but love. - David G. Benner, Surrender to Love

Ezek 34:11-16; Luke 19:1-10

God is Christlike and in him there is no un-Christlikeness at all. - Michael Ramsey and John V. Taylor, The Christlike God

Luke 18:9-34

Luke 17:1-19

Once we learn that grace is not opposed to effort (action) - though it is opposed to earning (attitude) - the way is open for us to "work out" all that is involved in our salvation, not only "with fear and trembling" but also with the calm assurance that it is God who is at work in us to accomplish all of His goodwill. - Dallas Willard, The Great Omission

Luke 16:13-31

Our deepest life consists in a willed correspondence with the world of the Spirit, and this willed correspondence, which is prayer, is destined to fulfil itself along two main channels; in love towards God and in love towards humanity - two loves which at last and at their highest become one love…. This is not mere pious fluff. This is a terribly practical job; the only way in which we can contribute to the bringing in of the Kingdom of God. Humanitarian politics will not do it. Theological restatement will not do it. Holiness will do it. - Evelyn Underhill, Concerning the Inner Life

Luke 15:11-32

The question is not “How am I to find God?” but “How am I to let myself be found by him?” The question is not “How am I to know God?” but “How am I to let myself be known by God?” And, finally, the question is not “How am I to love God?” but “How am I to let myself be loved by God?” God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home.” - Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15:1-10

Nearly all areas of life in which we could become spiritually competent (hearing God and receiving divine guidance among them) confront us with the same type of challenge. They all require of us a choice to be a spiritual person, to live a spiritual life. We are required to "bet our life" that the visible world, while real, is not reality itself. - Dallas Willard, Hearing God

Luke 14:25-35

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried. - G. K. Chesterton