Reading Plan for Sept. 20 - 26

September 20, 2026 | Luke 22:63-71
Reflection:
In one paragraph, Luke tells a whole night’s story. How many hours was Jesus mocked, ridiculed, derided, taunted, scorned, jeered at, humiliated, beaten, and tortured? Five? Six, Seven? It’s really quite something to consider. It takes twenty seconds to read about what lasted for hours. Take five minutes to stand by Jesus in your mind’s eye, and think about how each of those minutes could have been an hour for him. What do you learn about Jesus as you keep vigil with him? Now consider standing by Jesus, after all that he has endured, as he faces the entire gathering of religious authorities, who had a lot of power in the society. They seek to trap Jesus in his words, yet by their taunts they themselves reveal that he is Son of Man and Son of God. They just don’t know, really, that Jesus is both of these. What do you learn about the Son of Man and Son of God as you stand beside him?

September 21, 2026 | Luke 23:1-12
Reflection:
The end of our reading today says that Pilate and Herod became “friends.” The word in Greek is the same as the one we see in the city name “Philadelphia, “Love of Brother.” It is hard to imagine that Herod and Pilate were genuinely what we think of as friends; they didn’t go out drinking with each other or go on vacations, most likely. They were, for a time, as was expedient, political allies. All they had in common was that they’d helped each other eliminate a public nuisance. Hardly a reason to be friends. Neither of them would have had any clue that they’d still be talked about 2000 years later, and if they did, they would have thought someone would remember them for some imagined greatness, not their folly in destroying the one whom God had sent into the world. How do you want to be remembered for your participation in the ongoing story of Jesus? Figures on the world’s stage come and go. Scripture tells us that after all is said and done, only love endures.

September 22, 2026 | Luke 23:13-25
Reflection:
Very little is known about Pontius Pilate, even though more is known about him than most other Roman governors over Judea. Nothing is known of his life before he was governor nor after. He was recalled to Rome around 36 AD, but nothing is recorded about him after that. What the world knows of Pontius Pilate happens in the four Gospels, and some in the writings of the first-century Jewish historian, Josephus. The creeds tell us that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” And that’s it. The Gospels tell us a bit, often portraying him as aloof and politically shrewd. Not genuinely concerned about Jesus’ innocence or guilt, he pleases the crowd, releasing Barabbas to them, even though the man was known for murder. Pilate is a blip in the span of history, as if he only served this one function: to “hand Jesus over” to those calling for his death. There are other ways of translating “handed over”; often in the New Testament we hear it as “betrayed.” No past, not future: Pilate betrayed the Son of Man into the hands of an unruly and near-riotous mob. Did Jesus pray for Pilate, as he prayed for others, that their guilt would not be held against him? We can only hope and pray that Jesus calls out to God for our forgiveness as well.

September 23, 2026 | Luke 23:26-43
Reflection:
As we move closer to Jesus’ crucifixion, we encounter another man, about whom we know very little: Simon of Cyrene. We are told where he is from (North Africa), and one gospel tells us that he has two sons, Rufus and Alexander. That’s all we know. What we remember about this Simon is his kindness toward Jesus; he carries the cross when Jesus is too weary to do so. Sure, he was “made to” do it by the Romans, but he is remembered for playing out his part in the story in a decent way. Jesus gets in one last apocalyptic sermon on the way to Calvary. He tells the women especially to be wary of the times to come, not just the next few days, but the weeks, months, years, and decades. Calamitous times are coming; be aware and stay faithful! The scene of Jesus’ crucifixion is spare in detail. This is no Hollywood adaptation. The early readers of the gospel accounts would have known what crucifixion was all about. The details we get are centered here on the figures who surround Jesus: two criminals who received the same sentence as he. When the gathered crowd mocks Jesus, saying, “Act like a Messiah and save yourself!”, one of the criminals echoes the crowd; the other is much more sympathetic. This one asks Jesus to remember him in the kingdom. Jesus promises that this man will be with him in paradise. Cyrene is remembered for kindness toward Jesus. The crowd is remembered for mocking Jesus. The one man on his cross is remembered for the respect he has for God. How would you want to be remembered?

September 24, 2026 | Luke 23:44-49
Reflection:
These six verses could be read very matter-of-factly…without much emotion: this happened, then this, then this, then this. But great emotion is also signaled throughout the passage that fills in the gaps left by the pretty matter-of-fact headline-news approach to telling of Jesus. Each of the six verses is like a time capsule, and dramatic things happen with each of these events.  Read through this passage, not like a 30-second Instagram post. Spend time with each verse, listening for the human story and divine story each verse hints at. Stand with the women and acquaintances at a distance, and draw close so that you can hear Jesus whisper, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

September 25, 2026 | Luke 23:50-56
Reflection:
Take a breath. There’s a lot that’s happened between the end of yesterday’s reading and what happens here. Jesus has died. That’s big. His body could have hung there for days, as usually happened, but a “good and righteous man,” who was expecting the kingdom, dared to go to Pilate, in the midst of a very tumultuous day, and ask for that body. Joseph of Arimathea was not only good and righteous, but he was kind and compassionate. He made a place for the body of the Messiah. I can only imagine this was done in great respect for God and in great love for Jesus. Notice that the women are witnesses throughout these tumultuous and agonizing days. Read these scriptures with the love and compassion of Joseph. How are you called to make space for Jesus?

September 26, 2026 | Luke 24:1-12
Reflection:
Read through today’s passage slowly and visualize each moment as it passes by. Pay attention to who’s in the story at each moment. Then read through the story again as if you were memorizing it to be able to tell children this amazing account. What details are most memorable? (The two men in dazzling clothes?) Which details seem to recede? (The names of all the women who were present?) What would you most want to convey in telling this story to children? Amazement over the resurrection? The role the women play in being the first to preach the good news? The angels reminding the women about what was prophesied? The act of God’s grace and power that is represented by the stone rolled away? That Love is stronger than Death? What is it about this story that is the keystone of our faith?