In this episode, we focus on the the accusations of the Pharisees against Jesus concerning Sabbath. In Luke, Jesus consistently refers to himself as "The Son of Man" that has significant meaning from Daniel 7. He continues to make claims about himself, but rounds a corner in regard his expectations for his disciples. 

In this episode, we focus on the Pharisees and the Jewish culture surrounding their interaction with Jesus. The expectations of Messiah are blocking the religious elite's understanding of Jesus as he continues his ministry among the possessed and sick. 

In this episode we explore the temptation of Jesus in the desert by the Devil as well as the challenges facing Jesus in his hometown. As Jesus expands his traveling ministry, his authority becomes more apparent and fitting for the Messiah of Israel. 

In this episode we discuss Jesus baptism and the and the significance of his entrance into public ministry. As Jesus is publicly recognized as "God's son" he is immediately faced with supernatural opposition in the form of the Devil's temptations. 

In this episode, Jesus is born and Luke ties many significant events to Jesus' early life: circumcision, Passover, sacrifice, and the Temple. John the Baptist begins his ministry in the wilderness preparing for the ministry of Jesus before he is imprisoned. Have a listen as to why these chapters are important in regard to Luke's attempt to attach Jesus to important events in the Hebrew Bible. 

In this episode, we continue the discussion of how specific events in the narrative, such as Gabriel's message to Zechariah and Mary, as well as both of their "songs", point to a greater narrative that would be in the collective mind of Israel. As the story of John and Jesus begin, the backdrop of Roman occupation looms heavily and Luke suggests that the lowly, humble beginnings of Jesus imply his rise to a place of prominence with those who are in power coming to a dramatic decline. 

In this episode, I introduce the gospel of Luke in terms of genre, purpose, and motivation on the part of the author. The beginning of the letter/argument/gospel is very rich in context and lays a very important foundation for Luke's attempt to pursuade Theophilus that what he already has heard about Jesus is, in fact, true despite his skepticism.

In this episode, the author zooms into the relationship between Joseph and his brothers, which, I believe, is the authors statement on the relationship between God and Israel while in exile. Though misunderstood to be a harsh and vindictive king, Joseph acts kindly and mercifully to his guilty brothers and leads them ultimately to a land of blessing, not unlike the initial promise to Abraham. Is Joseph the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise in the previous episodes? Or is there still someone to come?

This episode picks back up with the story of Joseph and his suffering in Egypt. The brief departure from the story switches to Judah and Tamar to signify the relationship between the wrong done by Judah toward Tamar and his wrong toward Joseph. As he interprets the dreams of influential people and demonstrates his God-given power, Joseph is put in a place of authority in light of his previous suffering. 

Sweeping several chapters, the relationship between Jacob and Esau results in Jacob fleeing to find a wife in the family of Laban. Through trickery and deception Laban uses Jacob, yet the promise of God remains and Jacob returns to Canaan blessed. The twelve sons of Jacob (now named Israel) make up the traditional "nation" which will serve as God's blessing to the world. One specific son, Joseph, is introduced as a special character in the next episode.