The LehmanCast

This word from the cross reveals much about the humanity of Jesus. It could be questioned that Jesus need not cry out to the Father as he is intimately a part of the Trinity, but in this moment, Jesus shows that he is as human as the rest of us. We have been in godforsaken places, too, and it’s good to know Jesus understands. He feels what we have all felt at times. And he is the example of turning to God in the very moment he feels abandoned by Him. It’s OK to cry out, especially because Jesus did. God has not forgotten us. We may feel like he has, but he is as close as he has always been.

Mark 15:25-39

Jesus’ response to the second criminal who asks this of Jesus has a different heart than the first. This criminal recognizes the power of Jesus’ name – “one who saves.” Maybe he knew of Jesus before this moment. Maybe he saw him in the crowds. Whatever the case, the criminal saw in Jesus what the other could not see, and so he asks a question all of us should ask at some point: Jesus, remember me. Our hope is in the name of Jesus – what it means – and in his act of dying on the cross. Our promise is salvation; the picture of our salvation is nothing less than paradise.

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

When Jesus said, Father forgive them, who was the "them" he was referring to? The soldiers actually crucifying him? The crowd? The religious leaders? Could he also have been referring to us? The answer is, all of the above. This word of grace was offered while Jesus hung on the cross. Jesus did not want to wait until resurrection to let the world know that even when we do not know what we are doing – even crucifying him in our own ways, Jesus still loves us and offers forgiveness. And because we are forgiven, we should do the same for others.

Luke 23:32-34; Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35-36

As disciples of Jesus, we follow him down a narrow way – the way of the cross. We follow his footsteps down into the valley, making his way to the wood. Yet there are moments when we get to see a vision that sustains us through the journey; a glimpse of Christ and the joy of serving – maybe through worship or other ways. These are moments when we recognize that we are not just changed – we are transfigured … encouraged for the road ahead, no matter what may come.

Luke 9:28-36

Jesus commands us to forgive others, to love our enemies, etc… How is this behavior possible by us? Well, God asks us to play by a different set of rules. Maybe they don’t make sense or seem fair. But this is God’s world and the character of God determines what the world should look like. God lays out for us the right plan or rules so that we can successfully live in the world – according to God, not according to humanity.

The beatitudes in Luke sound a lot like the others in Matthew. Jesus encourages us to confront the reality in our lives, especially if we are left wanting for something in our lives. In the second half of this verse, those who mourn now should be happy, because sometime in the future, that sadness will turn to laughter according to the blessing of God.

For what do you mourn at this time? Certainly the list is not exhaustive. Jesus promises that he will lead us beyond those things and restore in us joy. There is hope and a promise for those who mourn!

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

“Because you say so,” says Simon Peter when Jesus asks him to throw his nets in the water one more time. He’s about to have his life upended. But that’s what happens when you go fishing with Jesus – your life is forever different. In fact, you end up no longer fishing for fish, but for people after Jesus gets a hold of you. What has Jesus done in your life now that you know who he is and trust what he has done? Has he opened your eyes to see the world differently? Has he done a miracle in front of you – or maybe in you – that calls you to follow him; to do what he says and reach people for Christ? Fishing with Jesus may just result in your life taking on a new purpose!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

So we are called through our baptism, equipped with spiritual gifts, and placed specifically within the body to live out our call. But it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t do it with love. There are both positive and negative ways we can live out our call. But love never fails. Are we being loving in the way we live out our call?

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

Continuing the call theme again, this Scripture makes it clear that we’re not left to ourselves in our call. We are not only called but called to function with our gifts in specific ways that fit it with others in the Body of Christ – the Church. And just in case we think what we do is less important than some others, God reminds us that they are actually the parts that we honor the most! We’re all necessary and needed in the Body!

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

How do we do the things that God calls us to do? We use what God has given to equip us to do it. That means our spiritual gifts. We are encouraged that we’re not left to our own devices to live into our baptismal call. God gives each of us what we need to do what God wants us to do. We ‘re not asked to do this without the Spirit’s gifts.