Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of Faith

The life of faith will have its share of sleepless nights. The question is whether we are having them for the right reasons. In this episode we look at Jesus's parable of the "narrow door" - a stern warning to those who, in their self righteousness, would never bother to question their citizenship within the Kingdom of God. But question they should, question we all should. NOT to foster undue fear, shame and/or anxiety, but so that - like an athlete in training - they might recognize the very real need to be ever on task, preparing or the critical work of the kingdom that is our true mission. In an effort to be especially practical, In the sermon I mention a Rule of Life we did at Canvas for Lent 2016. Here is a link to the .PDF file. If you want to hear more about the idea of Rule, you can listen to Ep. 131 of the podcast.  Or read more about Rule here. The text for this episode is Luke 13:22-35. Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Of one thing we can all be sure: the kingdom of God will upend expectations. Religious insiders will find themselves on the wrong end of rebuke while outsiders are welcomed as family. The lowly and humble will be raised up, while the strong discover their weakness; and the most most noble, royal work will be that of the gardener... In this episode regular guest preacher, Ian Farrell, examines a collection of short stories and parables in which Jesus reveals the stunning unpredictability of God's grace.  The text for this episode is Luke 13:1-21 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also..." This is not simply Jesus's way of warning about the stockpiling of earthly wealth, but rather an invitation to a more direct encounter with God. In this episode our regular guest preacher, Ian Farrell, explores the realm of the "sublime" - the encounter with God that is beyond words and yet of the greatest value.  The text for this episode is Luke 12:13-34 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As tension with the Pharisees intensifies, Jesus steps more fully into his prophetic role - warning of impending disaster for those who refuse to repent of their present religious and political allegiances. But to be understood, these warnings (and assurances) must be heard in their proper context. In this episode we practice interpreting such passages from a variety of perspectives to hear what Jesus is - and isn't! - saying about life on the Jesus way. The text for this episode is Luke 12:1-12 (NRSV).   Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Jesus accepts the dinner invitation of a prominent Pharisee - a meeting that immediately erupts in scandal, as Jesus forgoes the ritual washing expected by his host. It leads to Jesus declaring a series of "woes" - like those of the early Hebrew prophets - condemning the Pharisees for dedicating such energy to the tiniest details of ritual while managing to ignore the greatest commandment of all: to love. For those of us who've been in church a while, it is a reminder that religious action without love is no virtue.   The text for this episode is Luke 11:37-54 (NRSV) Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes!   Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

At first reading, it seems we have met a different Jesus! The preacher of grace and welcome has become a prophet of condemnation, declaring such things as: "Whoever is not with me is against me," and, "This generation is an evil generation..." How do we explain this change in tone? Why the threats of judgment? And what's so wrong with the crowds asking for a "sign" to verify Jesus's authority? In this episode we examine Jesus's battle with evil and our role in a cosmic conflict. The text for this episode is Luke 11:14-36 (NRSV) Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Does prayer make a difference in the universe? Really? Reeaally? Jesus's answer is: yes. And he offers all those who would be his followers instruction in how to pray, and, even more importantly, what the purpose of prayer is. It's a transformative lesson for any and all of us who seriously wonder prayer affects anything, and why our prayers so often seem unanswered. The text for this episode is Luke 11:1-13 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

"Love is the name of the game" is a phrase you hear frequently around here, and it's true. But when love becomes a commandment, there is a temptation to turn love into duty, in which obedience to duty takes on a life of its own. In this episode we examine the story of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha obeys convention to love Jesus properly. Mary flagrantly violates every social norm to love Jesus passionately. Which one do you think Jesus affirms most? And what does it teach us about the life of faith? The text for this episode is Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV) Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is often taught as a morality tale about the importance of compassion (with overtones implying that such acts of generosity are means by which one secures a place in the heavenly afterlife). But Jesus's intent goes far deeper! In this episode we examine central command to love and the human temptation to draw boundaries that divide the lovable from the not-so-much. And we discover that God's embrace knows no bounds. The text for this episode is Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The 70 disciples who were sent to bear witness to the gospel and embody the ministry of Jesus now return with an astonishing report: it worked! To their amazement, God has given them the power and resources they were promised, such that "even the demons submit to us." It is a lesson every disciple must learn time and again. And as we do, we discover that the gap between heaven and earth is far narrower than we expect! God is not afar off, nor is "heaven" at a distance. Rather, in Jesus, heaven and earth overlap, and those who follow him have signs of the kingdom everywhere around them. In this episode we examine the depth of God's faithfulness to his people and just how close heaven is to earth. The text for this episode is Luke 10:17-24 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.