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Opening the Gates of Paradise, or: Inside, Outside, Upside-Down (Luke 6:12-49)

Jesus starts to tear down the religious walls that have kept the people separated from each other and from God. He tells everyone to stop trying to build paradise for themselves and let him do it.

Are You Still With Me (Part II), or: splanchnizomai \splangkh-nid’-zom-ahee\ Greek verb. To have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity;—to be moved with compassion (Luke 7:1-35)

Jesus meets a soldier and a widow, and is wrenched with compassion. Meanwhile, John the Baptist sends a message from prison: why are you so hard-hearted? If you really are the Messiah, hurry up and save us!

Jesus, the Pharisee, and the Woman, or: It is Raining Outside—For the Windows Are Wet (Luke 7:36-50)

Jesus is invited to a dinner party, lets a prostitute touch him, and teases his host with a riddle about love, true love.

Figure That One Out, If You Can, or: Listen Much? (Luke 8:1-21)

The crowds continue to be obsessed with Jesus’ miracles instead of his preaching. Irritated, Jesus tells his disciples that from now on he will preach in code, using parables, and soon those who don’t ask for explanation will lose their chance to hear God’s Word — and their chance to benefit from his miracles.

The Abyss or the Studio: Which One You Want Ah? or: Jesus Goes On Holiday (Luke 8:22-56)

Jesus goes on a cruise with his disciples. As the war with the dragon heats up, his miracles get bigger, better, more amazing — but Jesus keeps his promise: he begins to hide his miracles from the crowds.

Are You Still With Me? (Part III), or: A Quick Victory!…For the Other Side (Luke 9:1-27)

Jesus sends out twelve men as captains to raise an army for him. He organizes and feeds the army. The disciples realize Jesus is God’s chosen king, they are definitely on the winning side, they are ready to march off to Judgement Day! — but Jesus says, “Hold on, not so fast, guys, I’ve got some bad news…”

Suffering First, Then the Crown, or: A Series of Slow Clap Moments (Luke 9:28-62)

God the Father meets Jesus on a mountain and confirms that he has earned the right to be crowned king. The disciples start to assert themselves as ministers of God’s coming kingdom — only to get the smack down from Jesus: apparently there is a hidden cost to victory, and it is too soon to celebrate.

A Brief History of the Satan, or: The Kingdom is Like, Right Here! (Luke 10:1-24)

As Jesus begins to march toward Jerusalem to claim his crown, he sends out his heralds to announce his takeover of Satan’s kingdom. Satan’s demonic army falls apart. Satan himself gets locked out of God’s courtroom forever.

It’s Not You, It’s Me, or: I’m Just Not That Into You (Luke 10:25-42)

As Jesus continues his victory march toward Jerusalem, he begins to write his kingdom’s constitution. The law of crushing details is repealed. The law of compassion is restored.

Who’s Your Daddy? or: It’s Who You Are that Matters (Luke 11:1-13)

One morning, Jesus reveals that his Law of Compassion is based on the Fatherhood of God, and all his disciples have to do to become God’s children is…ask him.

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