While Jesus hung on the cross He looked at the crowd that put Him there and asked God to "forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." The cross is the epicenter of our faith, and is the ultimate embodiment of Grace. From the looks of the world today, it is evident we still do not know what we are doing. But Jesus did. He went to the cross so that He could forgive the ones that put him there. We all are the reason He hung there. He went there to forgive our sin, our selfishness. We put Him there. As the song says "Jesus paid a debt that He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay." And, all those that have received that grace now are to share that grace with others.

In the end, we all need Grace. And, no matter who we are, in the end it all boils down to Jesus. The good news is that both Jesus and His Grace are always closer than we think. We will see that as we take a look at Paul's conversion in Acts 9:1-9.

God uses the inequity of grace to shape and mold us into the person God wants us to be.

In the story of the woman caught in adultery we see how easy it is for us as humans to fall in the trap of condemnation and judgement of others. If we look below the surface of the story a little deeper we see major implications of holding an umbilical view of Theological Anthropology. A 'high anthropology' is arbitrary, leads to condemnation and judgement and promotes self-righteousness. Whereas, a 'low anthropology' is based in reality of the world, leads to humility and grace, and is solely dependent on the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

The parable of 'The Prodigal Son' or 'The Lost Son' is foundational to the Christian narrative of 'being found.' It references the major elements of our being found; Sin, Revelation, Confession, Repentance. Most of all, the theme that runs through the whole parable is the Father's love. This week we will take a closer look at the parable of the Father's love.

We expect that those who serve in high places in the church would be justified, but Jesus' parable shows us the opposite. It is those who are most humble and don't believe that they belong that God lifts up. How do we stay humble when we are more like the Pharisee than the tax collector?

Chapter 15 of Luke has two central themes in three stories.  Each story emphasizes the 'one' that is 'lost' being found.  The less obvious theme that is physically lived out by the wayward son is that repentance is always a part of the 'lost' being found.

God does not need any more religious people. What God wants is people who are thankful and faithful.

Jesus calls us not to destroy, but to love our enemies. What Jesus came to destroy are those things that create enemies; hate, anger, division, oppression, envy, jealousy, coveting and more. These things create enemies. Jesus wants us to destroy the very concept of 'enemy'. How do we do this? With love.

Grace is not fair. Justice is getting what you do deserve. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve.