What a year 2020 has been so far! We are in the midst of a pandemic with a virus that won’t retreat and won’t quit. At the same time, widespread protests have occurred bringing calls for radical changes to policing and an end to racism against African-Americans. On top of all this we are heading into a presidential election. We find ourselves immersed in a chorus of voices telling us what’s wrong with our world, who is to blame, and what needs to change. And many of these voices completely disagree with one another! How are we to navigate our way through these turbulent times as disciples of Jesus?
Christianity starts with following Jesus. Last fall, in our “Follow Me” series, we learned that disciples know, love, and obey Jesus, and encourage others to do the same. This all starts with giving Jesus’ voice first place in our lives. The Christian life involves letting Jesus’ voice interpret all the others we hear. He promises that anyone who hears what he says, and does it, will be like a wise person building a house on a solid, immovable foundation.
This summer we want to listen to Jesus by studying Luke 4-6. We’ll hear him preach and teach. We’ll see him fight off the devil and heal the sick and set captives free. We’ll look in as he reaches out to the oppressed, the marginalized, and the outsiders, calling them to join his upside-down kingdom. We’ll each have the chance to freshly hear his call to follow him and build our lives on his word.
I’m excited that we’ll be able to come together with Sojourn Church for a joint outdoor service on July 19, and Justin Pearson, one of their pastors, will bring the sermon. We’ll also have a chance to hear sermons from our own Kristo Voda (8/2) and Matt McCartney (8/9). Each of these services will be available online at 10:00 a.m. as well as in person.
I encourage you to take time to read and meditate on Luke 4-6. As you read, ask yourself, Who is Jesus? What has he come to do? How does he treat people? Why should I follow him?