The Messiah was expected to be a Revolutionary. The Jewish people expected the Messiah to lead a revolution against their enemies and liberate Israel thereby re-establishing the Kingdom of Israel. 

Jesus was a revolutionary, but in an entirely different sense. Jesus taught about an upside down Kingdom where the last will be first and the first last; where love and forgiveness of our enemies is the way to victory rather than revenge and domination; where love and relationship defined inclusion not ritual laws and social boundaries; and where death on the cross was the supreme revelation of God’s glory not a triumphal victory over the Romans. 

From the Sunday after Ash Wednesday through Easter, we will walk through the Gospel of Luke following this Revolutionary.