Reading Plan for Aug. 9 - 15
August 9, 2026 | Luke 11:24-36
Reflection:
We’ve encountered this opening parable before (in Matthew 12:43-45); Luke tells it exactly the same, except he leaves off the comment, “So will it be also with this evil generation.” Where Matthew’s Jesus is criticizing the hypocrisy of “this generation,” Luke places this parable in the midst of Jesus’ actually casting out demons. At the end of yesterday’s reading, Jesus said, “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” In today’s parable, Jesus shows what the opposite of the kingdom is: a household not ready to fend off the evils of this world. Jesus doesn’t say how to fend off the evils of this world; perhaps we take a word from Matthew’s Jesus: don’t be a hypocrite. Notice how Jesus flips the script when someone says, “Blessed is the woman who gave you birth!” Jesus says, “Blessed is everyone, rather, who listens to God and follows what God says.” Maybe this is how we keep our house free of the evils of this world. Pay attention to how Jesus’ teaching turns toward “this evil generation.” Previous peoples and places that are thought of as the epitome of wickedness will be seen as far more righteous as the current generation. For what reason would Jesus look at us today and say, “The most evil empire on earth is seen as a haven of goodness compared to you!”? Jesus’ teaching on light is a bit convoluted here. Pay attention to the number of metaphors that stack up here. At the end, how would you summarize his teaching? What is the light of which Jesus speaks, and how do we know we have it in us?
August 10, 2026 | Luke 11:37-53
Reflection:
Here’s another opportunity to read a passage from the last thing said. “After Jesus left them, the Pharisees and teachers of the law conspired to trap him in his words.” When you realize the consequence (what follows after) of Jesus’ teaching against them, is it no wonder that their antagonism begins to foment? Jesus calls out those who perceive themselves to be the most righteous folks around. Jesus isn’t in the business of making friends. He’s not a politician. He calls out those who are supposed to be the closest adherents to the law of God. But they’re not. Today is no different. No one likes to be called a hypocrite. When their hypocrisy is called out, people most often become incensed and entrenched in their sense of being right. What might Jesus say to you to cause you first to become defensive? What would it take for Jesus to win you over to his way of seeing things and change?
August 11, 2026 | Luke 12:1-21
Reflection:
The word “hypocrisy” has had a long journey to come to mean what it does today. Originally, it meant “to discern.” Then it meant “to respond with discernment.” Then it came to mean “the act of one actor responding to another actor on the stage.” From there it stuck to this meaning, but it shifted from a neutral meaning to a negative one: playing a part on the stage to acting falsely. Jesus calls out all kinds of people for their hypocrisy, that is, for pretending to be one thing (like good and righteous) when actually acting in a negatively opposite way. Read through this whole set of interchanges Jesus has and take note of the ways Jesus sees these others are acting falsely. Keep in mind that hypocrisy is the opposite of Kingdom living. Somehow, blaspheming the Holy Spirit is an act of hypocrisy, and so is seeking to store up too much for oneself. Read these exchanges and parables with the idea that Jesus sees past the costumes and masks we all wear. How might Jesus see past your own pretenses and call you to a life that reflects the Kingdom of God?
August 12, 2026 | Luke 12:22-40
Reflection:
We seem to get mixed messages here when we read all these passages together: do not worry and be very concerned when the Son of Man will return! The first message feels easier to deal with: materialism blocks one’s capacity to experience the goodness of the kingdom. Seek the kingdom (that is, love God and love your neighbor) and you will experience the fullness of what God has to offer. Notice how the tone shifts from “be at peace” to “be prepared for the unknown!” Jesus’ talk of “slaves” and “servants” reflects the social order of that time. In one parable, it is the slaves who are praised for watchfulness for the master’s return. In the final parable, it is the homeowner who is called to watchfulness. How are “rest in the surety of God’s provision” linked to “stay watchful for the return of the Son of Man”? These may seem contradictory, but when we look at these parables, we see a common element: consciously loving living in the world. “Do not worry about anything…trust that God supplies, and be gracious and giving toward others.” What else is meant to be watchful for the kingdom? Faithfulness is fulfilled in generosity and hospitality toward others. What other ways do you find to be a faithful, faith-filled watcher for the goodness of God and God’s kingdom?
August 13, 2026 | Luke 12:41-59
Reflection:
Look to the final words of this first parable today, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required, and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” These words help give us a lens for hearing Jesus’ words to Peter. (Notice how Jesus doesn’t answer Peter directly.) All the talk of deserving and undeserving slaves, those who do good and those who do wickedly, all points again to the issue of hypocrisy. This passage is not about how slaves are supposed to act. The conversation here begins to turn toward apocalyptic expectations. Jesus tells them that things are about to change. God knows the time and is about setting all things right. We are to know the times as well. The reading for today ends with reconciliation. If you are confused by Jesus’ talking about unending prison sentences, focus rather on Jesus’ telling us to seize the opportunity to reconcile. We don’t know what the future holds, but now is always a good time for reconciliation, especially since that is what God is up to in Jesus: reconciling all things through Jesus.
August 14, 2026 | Luke 13:1-9
Reflection:
These two moments in scripture today are both about repentance. We hear this word a lot in Christian circles. This word entered the English language around the year 1300, and originally meant “to regret, to feel sorry,” with a strong sense of “self-punishment” that alleviates the regret. The word that is used in the New Testament, metanoia, carries more of a sense of “reorientation away from that which separates one from God toward that which allows one to draw closer to God.” Jesus is really interested in our re-orienting ourselves toward God and goodness. This is done through faith-trust-belief and through conforming ourselves, body-mind-spirit, toward the image of God in us, which God has restored in Jesus Christ. Regret is meaningless unless it moves us to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. The man who works the vineyard is a parabolic model for us toward grace and mercy. And ultimately God will tend us with great compassion, so that we bear fruit.
August 15, 2026 | Luke 13:10-21
Reflection:
Read the story of Jesus’ healing the woman who’d been bent over for many years. Read it again slowly and prayerfully. What jumps out at you? Consider then these words of 20th-century German theologian, Karl Barth, “This much is certain, that we have no theological right to set any sort of limits to the loving-kindness of God which has appeared in Jesus Christ. Our theological duty is to see and understand it as being still greater than we had seen before.” [The Humanity of God (page 62), originally published in 1960.] Jesus called his fellow countrymen to see and experience the grace and love of God. Jesus still calls us to the same duty: always anew we are to be astounded at the loving kindness of God. Read the two parables in today’s passage about the mustard seed and the yeast. With the lens of the greater grace of God, let these parables work their magic on you. Open your life to such loving grace of God, so that God may not only have you stand up straight again (in body, mind, or spirit), but that you would wish this loving kindness for all others.