The Surprising God

This post exegetes Luke chapter 17 providing context for the Gospel readings on 10/5 & 10/12/25, the 17th and 18th Sundays after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary"), Howard Marshall ("New Bible Commentary") and Robert Farrar Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"). "The Exhortation to the Apostles" by James Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In Luke chapter 17, Jesus continues his final trip to Jerusalem. A key concern is preparing his disciples for what lies ahead: his death and resurrection—and also his ascension, when he will leave them bodily, but, in the Spirit, will continue sharing with them his ongoing ministry on earth. In this chapter, Luke records important lessons from Jesus concerning the values that undergird this ministry: forgiveness, faithfulness, thankfulness and preparedness. Jesus calls us to share these ministry values today. Sharing Jesus’ forgiveness  L...

This post exegetes Luke chapter 16 providing context for the Gospel readings on 9/21 & 9/28/25, the 15th and 16th Sundays after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary"), Howard Marshall ("New Bible Commentary") and Robert Farrar Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment").  "Lazarus and the Rich Man" by Bassano (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Jesus—the supremely faithful steward of God’s gifts to humanity—calls us to participate, by the Spirit, in his ongoing life of stewardship in our world. Jesus addressed this calling in his parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). There a generous father faithfully stewards his family wealth. Sadly, his younger son (before returning to the father) squanders it (Luke 15:13) and his older son self-righteously hoards it. Jesus now explores further this theme of faithful stewardship in Luke chapter 16. His instruction centers on two parables—one about...

This post exegetes Luke chapter 15 providing context for the Gospel reading on 9/14/25. the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary"), Howard Marshall ("New Bible Commentary") and Robert Farrar Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment").  "The Return of the Prodigal Son" (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction The scribes and Pharisees will eat publicly only with those they consider “righteous” (like themselves!). But here comes Jesus who not only welcomes and teaches “tax collectors and sinners,” but openly shares meals with outcasts like these! Jesus has come not to shun the outcasts and rejects, but “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). And so the scribes and Pharisees turn against Jesus. In response (and to help his disciples share his love for the lost), Jesus, in Luke 15, tells parables about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. The third parable is the...

This post exegetes Luke chapter 14 providing context for the Gospel reading on 9/7/25, the 13th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary") and Howard Marshall ("New Bible Commentary"). "The Meal in the House of the Pharisee" by James Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In keeping with Jewish custom, Jesus was often invited into someone’s home for a meal following Sabbath synagogue services. Sometimes Jesus was invited by a host seeking to honor Jesus and learn more of God’s truth. But often, Jesus was invited home by a host wanting to find a way to criticize and condemn him. In Luke chapter 14, a leading Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner with the intent of entrapping Jesus. But Jesus turns the table and exposes the falsity of the thinking and living of the host, of other Jewish religious leaders at the meal, and of the crowd that follows Jesus afterward. Let’s join Jesus in reject...

This post exegetes Hebrews chapter 13 providing context for the Epistle reading on 8/31/25. the 12th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary") and F.F. Bruce ("The Epistle to the Hebrews"). "The Miraculous Draft of Fishes" by Raphael (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In Hebrews chapter 11, we are given examples of faithful people. In chapter 12, we are given exhortations to persevere in the faith.  Now in chapter 13, we are given ‘real-world’ examples of living by faith in Jesus. Here we find the ethics or life-style of a Jesus-follower. Of course, Christians are not ‘yellow pencils’, nor are they perfect; but in their lives you will find certain defining characteristics. This chapter gives four: they love others, are responsive to church leadership, are given to worship, and are yielded to Jesus. Because temptation, lethargy and other factors tend to strip believers of these charac...