Luke 23

In Oberammergau, the keepers of a centuries-old tradition have made
big changes—including efforts to expunge antisemitic material.

“Each of the typical approaches has problems. The best solution would be to change the lectionary.”

If so, what did he mean?

If so, what did he mean?

In a blockbuster movie, this is when our hero would leap from the cross.

We betray Jesus for far less than was offered to Judas.

The kings in the Bible feel pretty familiar.

The unfaithful shepherd sniffs out and stirs up fear, fragmenting communities.

We recognize ourselves in those who accompany Jesus on that longest, hardest night.

God is the encounter we can't control.

In the face of mob violence, a six-year-old responded with love.

In the face of mob violence, a six-year-old responded with love.

Luke's text for Reign of Christ Sunday is a searing critique of leaders who are powerful but not vulnerable.

Luke's text for Reign of Christ Sunday is a searing critique of leaders who are powerful but not vulnerable.

During Holy Week, it's common for worship leaders to ask people to consider their place in the drama of Jesus' final days. To what extent do we betray him, deny him, insult him, crucify him? When do we, like the crowds, find ourselves gawking at suffering with prurient glee? When do we, like the thieves, alternately ridicule the truth, then believe in it? When do we, like the centurion, make our confession--though perhaps a moment too late?

Our culture's foundational sin is to make gods of ourselves, to find any excuse to go our own way rather than follow the Lord of life. We are weak. And yet in this Gospel story, so is Jesus.