Reading Plan for Aug. 30 - Sept. 5

August 30, 2026 | Luke 18:15-30
Reflection:
Our passage begins today with these words, “People were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them.” The word “even” seems to convey some surprise, almost with the tone of “Can you believe it?” We’ve been hearing about Jesus blessing the little children for almost 2000 years. Does it still come as a surprise to you? I wonder what these children’s lives were like, having been touched by Jesus and blessed by Him? Recently, a third grader was baptized at our church. I can only imagine that at some point in the last 9 years of her life, Jesus touched her through the church and her parents’ love. What will her life be like, having been blessed through the waters of baptism and the prayers of the church? Remember, each person who has been baptized has been blessed by Christ. We are to pray for each one, that they continue to live into the “touched by Jesus” identity! In the second part of today’s reading, we re-enter the world of Jesus and his teachings on the kingdom, especially with regard to wealth.  See what parts are familiar to you in this teaching (like the “eye of the needle” and the camel, or “What is impossible with mortals is possible for God.”). What is new in this teaching? What might Jesus call you to “give up” to experience the kingdom more deeply? Is it something material or something emotional?

August 31, 2026 | Luke 18:31-43
Reflection:
Our reading today has two movements…and both of these movements take us closer to Jerusalem. In the first, Jesus speaks cryptically about what is about to come to pass, and he relates these happenings to the writings of the prophets. Now remember, the prophets' work was only secondarily about the future. The prophets worked primarily in pronouncing God’s judgement on corrupt governments and greedy aristocracy. They also called out the people in general for their lack of justice and righteousness. Jerusalem was often the center of the prophets’ critique. What will happen to Jesus is linked to the predictions of the prophets but also to their social-religious-political critique. Jesus, or the Son of Man, will find himself at the epicenter of what is about to happen. We may know more than the disciples at this point, but we have so much more to learn about what God is up to in this world. The story of the blind beggar brings us another few steps closer to Jerusalem. Along the way, while the disciples remain blind, a beggar regains his sight and follows Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. Would you follow Jesus at this point, knowing what is about to happen there?

September 1, 2026 | Luke 19:1-10
Reflection:
The key word for today is “salvation.” It appears near the end of our reading. Jesus appears to say that “salvation” has come to Zacchaeus’ house because he has given away half his possessions and promises to pay back quadruple anyone he’s defrauded. But notice that Jesus seeks out Zacchaeus and tells him he’s going to his house before he’s done anything. He climbed a tree. That’s it. The crucial thing to know about the word “salvation” is the root of Jesus’ name. In our Greek New Testament, the word is sōteria, but that’s not the language Jesus was speaking. He most likely said something like, “Today yeshu’ah has come to this house,” and this is awfully close to his own name Yeshua (Jesus). Jesus is basically saying, “I, salvation, have come to your house today to seek and save the lost.” Jesus/salvation comes, not because any of us do something to earn such gracious love, but that gracious, saving, rescuing, restoring, liberating, freeing love comes to us.

September 2, 2026 | Luke 19:11-27
Reflection:
Notice that Jesus doesn’t explain the parable he tells about the harsh ruler. Remember as well that a parable is not meant to be an exact parallel to the kingdom or to God. Parables are often parabolic, which means that they are “larger than life.” Read the parable, and in light of who you know Jesus to be, what do you think Jesus is trying to communicate? His parables have been focused on hypocrisy, and there does seem to be some critique of hypocrisy. But when we come to the end, perhaps the impression we’re left with is, “Use your gifts responsibly, and when you do so, you will experience a certain measure of abundance in life.” This is just one interpretation. What do you take from this parable?

September 3, 2026 | Luke 19:28-40
Reflection:
Reading through the gospels in a year, we know we encounter this story for the third time. See if you notice any details that are different from how you remember this story. One difference I noticed comes toward the end: “Peace in heaven!” the crowds cry out. The way I have always heard this chant from the crowd is, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” This is how it is sung in the Catholic mass. The “peace in heaven” line is missing from the versions of this story I hold in my head. Why do all the people who are chanting in the streets as Jesus goes by calling out for peace in heaven? I would think that they would be echoing the sentiment from the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It would make more sense to say, “May heavenly peace reign on earth!” And are they truly wishing for glory to be present in the highest heaven? How about God’s glory to come to earth? In fact, God’s glory (kavod in Hebrew, which signifies God’s “weighty” presence) has come in Jesus. I read this crowd’s cry as “Thanks be to God that God’s peace and glory have come in Jesus!” If you were in the crowd, what would you be chanting for?

September 4, 2026 | Luke 19:41-44
Reflection:
The English word “bishop” comes from the Greek episkopos (you can recognize that the word episcopal comes from this Greek word), which means “overseer.” It was one of the three “offices” of the early church, along with deacon and elder (presbyteros). When Jesus speaks of “visitation” in this passage, the word used is episkopē (office of bishop, visitation). There is a bit of a play of words going on in this passage. When Jesus refers to the things that are “hidden from your eyes,” he then contrasts this with when the God who oversees all (episkopos) will show up and reveal all things. In fact, God has already shown up (visited with keen oversight) in Jesus. The people aren’t seeing it at that time when Jesus is with them, and in the future, where we are, we miss both the sign of the times and Jesus already with us, as God’s bishop. Notice the deep caring and the frustration that comes with such caring, as Jesus looks over the city.

September 5, 2026 | Luke 19:45-47
Reflection:
Notice today that Jesus, after “cleansing the temple,” doesn’t disappear from temple life. He continues to do the things God sent him to do, most poignantly here: teach. In restoring the temple as a house of prayer, Jesus teaches. Have you ever thought about teaching (and listening to teaching) as a form of prayer? Teaching and attending to teaching can approach being prayer when we are so caught up in the moment of teaching and learning that God’s reality (the kingdom) unfolds in our midst. Was there ever a time when you were teaching or learning when you felt God very present?