Justice, Mercy, and Neighboring
The world is broken, frayed at the edges — but the King has come, Anointed by Spirit, with healing in his hands! In his life and ministry, Jesus gathers up all this old, sin-tarnished, shame-tattered, sick and dying world in arms, eventually bearing it all in his body on the cross. He takes it all into the grave with him, walking out 3 days later, alive and new, and pulling the world through with him! And he’s gathering a Family — those who’ve heard the news of restoration and are experiencing its in-breaking, who sit and listen and receive his mission and ministry, who cease their anxious striving and put trust in him and his work. And it is that very Family who then respond as he calls them to follow him and his way, participating in the ministry of Restoration. Jesus calls us to join him in the world as Missionaries, proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom in the power of the Spirit, and as Neighbors, moving with compassionate care toward the frayed edges of the social fabric.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Read Luke 10. Notice the 3 separate movements: v.1-24, v.25-37, and v.38-42. Give each section a title.
Each section is a snapshot of what it means to “take up our cross and follow Jesus.” What does each highlight?
A disciple is a Spirit-Empowered Missionary, a Compassionate Neighbor, and Quiet Contemplative. Which draws you?
Which of the 3 do you find most difficult, foreign, or out of your comfort zone? Why?
This week, prayerfully consider what it would look like to take a step forward in each of these categories. Do it!
November 20, 2022 - Steve Hart