Reading Plan for Sept. 13 - 19

September 13, 2026 | Luke 21:20-24
Reflection:
This is a dark and solemn prediction. In his prophetic role, Jesus mainly brings critique against religious authorities. He also speaks of “end times,” speaking to God’s future that is coming. The calamity of Jerusalem seems very specific, whereas Jesus’ other apocalyptic preaching is more general: “On that day the stars will fall, and the moon will turn to blood.” The destruction of Jerusalem came about in 70 AD. This we know from history. We also know that the city was besieged, captured, and rebuilt over 40 times. It seems that we are awaiting “the times of the nations are fulfilled.” We’re not even sure what this means. Jesus calls us to be faithful no matter what the “time” is, and to show that faithfulness through love of neighbor, even when the world seems to be falling apart.

September 14, 2026 | Luke 21:25-33
Reflection:
What are the signs we are to be looking for as we await the kingdom? We could create a good list of signs from the apocalyptic preaching of Jesus. These signs have come and gone again and again in the last 2000 years. Every time some major set of calamities befalls us human beings, we think, “This is it.” And surely the “end” has come for countless millions who do not survive plagues, famines, earthquakes, floods, and wars. And still we are called to be faithful, and in the meantime, while we await what God will do, we are to live by the fruit of the Spirit: love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, generosity, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. It’s not the fig tree that produces these fruits. It is the Holy Spirit active in us. Look for these signs of the kingdom, and let God do the rest.

September 15, 2026 | Luke 21:34-38
Reflection:
Have you ever been in one of those “Escape Rooms”? They’re supposed to provide adventure & team building: you have to work together to solve how you all get out of the room. It’s not like “Survivor,” where only one or two make it “off” the island. The call of the Christian gospel is about the community of Christ making it together through the trials and tribulations of this life. Salvation isn’t privatized; it’s communal. Individuals surely are called to “sober” living, but the community’s health is determined not by excising the offending or sick members. Jesus calls us to get through this together. Imagine “all the people” streaming to hear the teaching of Jesus, so that “all the people” might be saved together!

September 16, 2026 | Luke 22:1-13
Reflection:
The two parts of our passage today are all about “preparation.” In the first half, we have Judas preparing to hand Jesus over to the religious authorities. In the second half, Jesus enlists the disciples to help prepare the meal with which they will celebrate together. In life, we are always preparing for what’s next. Even if we are avoiding the future, our inaction sets the stage for how the future will unfold. During the Passover meal, Jesus seems very aware of what Judas has been preparing, and he seems to accept it, understanding that the picture of what God is up to in the world is bigger. How are we preparing each and every day for communion with Christ? Are we loving our neighbor by seeing Christ in him or her? We do not need a special holiday to get ready for welcoming God in our midst. In what ways can you make daily preparations for the Living God, who has chosen to dwell among us?

September 17, 2026 | Luke 22:14-30
Reflection:
Even at the most holy moments, human FOMO eases its way in. What is FOMO? Fear Of Missing Out. Even when Jesus is sharing his very life with the disciples, showing ahead of time how his death, just about to happen, will reshape their lives. And they don’t get it. They’re afraid someone else is going to get something more than they will. Someone else is going to be more highly esteemed. Someone else will have more power than they will. Jesus just said, “I give you my entire life. Everything is yours!” And then they argue about who was the greatest among them. Jesus knows. He knows their weakness. He knows they’re still living in the world and as the world goes. He tells them to be otherwise. “Be like a child. Be a servant of all. Otherwise, everything I do for you is in vain. You’re going to get the kingdom. I’m giving it to you. But don’t be surprised that in the kingdom, sitting upon a throne of judgment over others actually looks a lot more like being a child and a servant of many. You’ll see. And you will understand, by and by.” For what place in the kingdom do you long? We are called to seek first the kingdom, in love and humility.

September 18, 2026 | Luke 22:31-46
Reflection:
When reading gospel stories that are familiar, look for details that jump out at you in new ways. Right away we see that Jesus tells Peter, “Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat.” What may not be clear in English is that the “you” here is plural. It’s not just Peter who is to be sifted; it’s all the disciples. But interestingly, the “you” becomes singular when Jesus says, “I have prayed for you, that your own faith may not fail.” There is so much that is intriguing in this passage. It only occurs in Luke’s account. And just who is Satan to demand anything? The theological picture here reminds me of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where the Satan-like White Witch demands to have the life of the boy Edmund because he betrayed his siblings. The Jesus-like character, Aslan, the Lion, gives his life in exchange for the boy’s. Something is still troubling here. Satan is portrayed in the Old Testament as the Accuser or Naysayer or a Prosecuting Attorney, who at one time is given permission by God to test Job’s faithfulness. In the story of Jesus’ temptation, this Accuser tempts Jesus, but cannot demand that he do anything. If we hold to the Sovereignty of God, God is always greater than any evil this world has to offer. Maybe Jesus simply means, “You all will be tested, and I have prayed specifically for you, Peter, that you will come out of the other side of all of this able to lead.” Jesus has his own wrestling and sifting to do in the Garden, and he has an angel to give him strength. As the story unfolds, the disciples are all tested…to see what their endurance is. What strength do you need, and to what source do you turn for that strength when the world tests you? Jesus says a good place to start is prayer.

September 19, 2026 | Luke 22:47-62
Reflection:
Read through today’s passage, listening for what the Spirit of God is saying to you today. This is a familiar story we’re in the midst of: Jesus is betrayed, handed over, arrested, and put on trial; Peter’s faithfulness is tested. One thing to take note of is that the swords that were mentioned earlier in this chapter now appear. And when they are used for violence, Jesus says, “Enough of this!” And then he heals the person harmed by one of those swords. Jesus’ character remains consistent through these moments. He doesn’t suddenly say to his disciples, “Okay, attack and kill everyone!” He’s not like Odysseus, who kills 108 suitors (vying for his wife) and 12 disloyal maidservants. Jesus lays down his life for others and heals the damage caused by his disciples. Pay attention to what is so unique about Jesus throughout these Passion narratives, yet consistent with who God sent him to be: the servant of all. When you look to Jesus in these stories about his impending death, whom do you see?