St. Andrew Lutheran

Move>>

This series is based on the lectionary gospel texts and will focus on moving the church from seeking to be “attractional” to becoming “mis­sional.” In each of the texts we will look for “God in motion” and explore ways in which we can be joined to the work of the kingdom of God in our midst and around the world. We’ll look for ways to move beyond our personal reality and into God’s reality.

Move>>Campassion!	Move>>Boldy!

June 10 | Luke 7:11-17	July 29 | Luke 11:1-13

Move>>Love!		Move>>Lightly!

June 17 | Luke 7:36-8:3	Aug 5 | Luke 12:13-21

Move>>Freedom		Move>>Wisely!

June 24 | Luke 8:26-39	Aug 12 | Luke 12:32-40

Move>>Out!		Move>>Away!

July 1 | Luke 9:51-62		Aug 19 | Luke 12:49-56

Move>>Together!		Move>>Amazed!

July 8 | Luke 10:1-11, 16-20	Aug 26 | Luke 13:10-17

Move>>Outside!		Move>>Beyond!

July 15 | Luke 10:25-37	Sept 2 | Luke 14:1, 7-14

Move>>Better!                          

July 21-22 | Luke 10:38

Move>>Compassion!June 10 | Luke 7:11-17 

When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 

—Luke 7:13 

The story plays itself out time and time again. A person encounters a difficult situation made easier by the compassion showed to them by another. After a bit of time, they find themselves with the opportunity to show compassion to someone else struggling with one of life’s chal­lenges. It’s the passing of the baton...from Jesus to us and from us to another.

In our text for today, Jesus meets a widow on her way to bury her only son, and he is overwhelmed with compassion, for he knows that not only is she crying tears of grief, but she is facing a great struggle, truly alone with no husband or son to care for her. In raising her son from the dead, Jesus is not only saving her son, but is saving the widow as well. Jesus takes the opportunity to touch the life of another with transforming compassion.

Move>>Love! June 17 | Luke 7:36—8:3 

Then turning toward the woman, [Jesus] said to Simon, “do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.

—Luke 7:44-47 

It starts when we’re very young...the other day my sons were fighting and the older shoved the younger. When called on the behavior, his response was well...“he took my golf club.” The effort to try to deflect our sins by focusing on the sins of others is part of our nature. It’s that very trap that catches Simon in our text for today. So focused is he on the woman’s sins that he fails to see the tears that flow in a steady stream from her eyes. So caught up in his warped sense of right and wrong, that he finds it difficult to understand Jesus’ response to the love she offers. So wrapped up in judgment that he is unable to realize he is on the same playing field as this woman...a sinner in need of forgiveness...worthy of love. What a fabulous picture Jesus paints for us! What a stunning example of how we are to treat others. What a wonderful approach to life! Imagine how the world would be if we set aside our judgment of others; if we lowered our self-importance a notch or two and realized that we are all sinners in need of forgive­ness...we are all worthy of love. Pass the baton of love this week. Reach out to someone you have previ­ously judged as less than worthy and share with them the love that only Christ can give. Allow yourself to be washed away in that same love...remembering that you, too, are forgiven...you are worthy. Thanks be to God.  

Move>>Freedom! June 24 | Luke 8:26-39

The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming through­out the city how much Jesus had done for him.

—Luke 8:38-39 

Freedom. It’s something we all cherish. Something we all crave. When I think about those times when my freedom has been challenged, I can almost feel the frustration return. In fact, I am often amazed at how even my two young boys struggle to maintain their individual free­dom. And when that freedom is compromised...watch out!

That’s why, as I read today’s text, the gratitude the man felt in response to Jesus’ help isn’t difficult to understand. After all, he had lived his life harassed, tormented, even controlled by demons. To say he desperately needed help is an understatement. His situation makes the loss of freedom I’ve experienced in my life extremely insignificant. And so his response makes sense. He wants to stay with Jesus...he wants to dedi­cate his life to the one who saved him and restored his freedom. But Jesus’ response points him in a different direction. He has a purpose...and Jesus defines it. In returning to his hometown and sharing about Jesus’ ministry, the man is able to continue the work that Jesus started in him...bringing to life the freedom that only God can provide.