Theophilus, a non-Jewish person (Gentile), was a new believer. Luke writes his carefully investigated narrative to reassure him that he belongs in this racially mixed, & predominantly Jewish community. In his Gospel, Luke shows how God takes “outsiders,” & makes them “insiders,” those who are both involved with, & even related to God through Jesus. God also wants us to know that we belong in his community even though we may have no history with him or his people. It’s that kind of message that Luke is communicating to us through his Gospel. Do you feel like you don’t fit in at church? When you hear others’ stories of their encounters with Jesus, does it sound strange to you? When you think about how you were raised, do you feel disadvantaged? Well, what Luke writes in his Gospel is for you. But maybe you’ve been thinking lately that you’re drifting away from Jesus; feeling cold toward him. This book is for you. And maybe you’re someone who has no idea who Jesus is. Luke is definitely a great introduction to him, & you’re going to get lots out of this journey we’re about to launch.

Luke, writing as a careful historian, anchors his account during the reign of Herod the Great—a violent and paranoid ruler— underscoring the harsh reality of Roman rule over Israel. The Jewish people longed for deliverance after the so-called “400 years of silence,” though events like the Maccabean revolt and the Septuagint’s translation reveal that God was still at work; indeed, ‘God never stops working.’ The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth showcases God’s faithfulness as He chooses a humble, righteous couple to miraculously bear John the Baptist in their old age. Zechariah’s name —“God remembers”— underscores that no prayer is forgotten, even when our hope fades. God often works through ordinary folk with faithful hearts. John’s role as the forerunner of Christ bridges the Old and New Testaments; born in the old era, he fulfills Malachi’s prophecy (four centuries earlier) of an Elijah-figure, preparing the way for Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah and Redeemer.

This message explores how God works through lowly individuals, focusing on the biblical annunciations to Zechariah and Mary. Zechariah, a humble priest, and Mary, a poor, young rural woman, both receive divine calls despite their low status. Zechariah has low a status, Mary’s status is lower. Their contrasting responses to the angel Gabriel are highlighted: Zechariah doubts and is silenced as a result, while Mary trusts fully and accepts her role with faith. The text emphasizes Mary’s profound trust, expressed in her praise-song, ‘the Magnificat,” showcasing her intimate knowledge of Scripture and God’s faithfulness. Mary’s calling is costly, involving social shame and danger, yet she remains faithful throughout her life. The passage encourages believers at all social levels to respond with humble trust to God’s call, following examples like Mary, Zechariah, Barnabas, and Lydia. Mary’s example underscores the importance of contemplating Scripture to deepen trust in God’s promises & invites readers to live faithfully with the assurance that God works powerfully through the humble.

“400 Years of Silence?” We’ve all heard it—God stopped speaking after Malachi. The Spirit withdrew. No prophets, just silence. But Scripture says otherwise. Luke’s Gospel opens, not with silence, but with prophecy from key figures. Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary speak by the Spirit, announcing the Messiah. And John the Baptist? He’s not the first voice after silence—he’s the climax in a long line of Spirit-filled prophets pointing to Christ. So where did the idea of “silence” come from? It’s a convenient myth, crafted between the testaments, to dismiss voices challenging religious and political power. This oft-repeated myth became a deeply-entrenched ‘historical fact.’ But God’s prophets never fit neatly into institutions. They spoke truth to kings, priests, scribes, Pharisees—anyone who opposed God’s ways. And when John and Jesus came, that same myth was used to discredit them. Here’s the truth: God never stopped working. His Spirit never stopped moving. Prophecy never died out. The real question is—are we listening? Jesus’ followers are called to tune in to His voice, welcome His Spirit, and courageously speak His truth. Even when the world resists.

What kind of life does God invite us into as Christians? Does it merely line up with the typical Western European model of work like mad for 40+ years, & then spend your older years relaxing &/or travelling until your health slowly gives out? Unfortunately, many Christians may think that way. But, the Bible shows us a different, & even a better way. In Luke 2:21-40, we see a young couple, Joseph & Mary, faithfully living their lives for God according to his word. In addition, we see an old man & an old woman living their last days faithfully serving God by blessing others. While many dream about retirement, these two old people give us another way to finish our earthly lives well. They allowed the Holy Spirit to rewire their thinking about their own pleasure in order to serve God until their final breath. You & I have this choice too. Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit to rewire you so that your whole life is lived faithfully serving the Lord?

This is the only place in scripture where an event in Jesus’ life is recorded between his birth and beginning his ministry at the age of 30. This simple story indicates to the reader that Jesus knew his identity at the age of 12. He referred to God as his father and indicated that to be involved with the Father in the temple was necessary for him. At this age he knew his identity and he knew his purpose. Yet at the same time he submitted to his parents showing his proper humanity. His growth in wisdom continued until he began his ministry. We are not Jesus but we can learn a lot about how we should journey with Jesus. Knowing our identity, knowing our purpose, living a proper humanity in submission and always advancing in our faith should be how we journey with Jesus.

•John the Baptist was a prophetic ‘voice’ calling for radical repentance, a creative innovator launching his unique baptism in the Jordan, and a way-maker who personally immersed the multitudes who responded, thereby preparing the way for Jesus. John was a foundational witness to Jesus’ identity as God’s Messiah and the Spirit-baptizer. He challenged existing religious norms, shifting the focus from animal-sacrifices to personal repentance and from the Temple cult to the direct experience of God’s presence. For fearlessly ‘speaking truth to power’ he was imprisoned by Herod, becoming a martyr.

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Temptation is a very common, if not daily experience for each & every human being. From the biblical perspective, temptation & giving in to it, has a long, storied history. The very first humans were tempted to follow their own path, their own wisdom rather than God’s. That temptation worked, & the pattern was set. Abram & Sarai, the nation of Israel, the kings & prophets, the poets & priests, all walked the same path at some point. But God had promised that a human would come one day who would not give in to the Tempter’s ways. Would that be Jesus, the one called Son of God, & who we read about at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel? In his encounter with the devil during his 40 days without food in the wilderness (Lk. 4:1-13), Jesus remained faithful to God through each & every temptation. But how does that help us? Having suffered when he was tempted, he sympathizes with us & helps us as we go through our temptations. He gives us a way to escape as we’re being tempted, & that way is to hold to Scripture & to him (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15-16; 1 Cor. 10:13).

In Luke’s Gospel, the curtain rises on Jesus’ ministry in his hometown of Nazareth. The local boy returns a hero, and the synagogue is packed for the occasion. He opens Isaiah’s scroll, reads the prophecy, and declares, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The crowd marvels at “Joseph’s son,” but Jesus challenges their expectations with proverbs that expose their hearts. What they hear is not a promise of hometown privilege, but a proclamation of God’s sovereign grace. The people of Nazareth, certain they deserve the Messiah’s favor, are confronted with a shocking truth: God’s mercy is not inherited—it reaches whomever He chooses, even outsiders. Citing Elijah and Elisha, Jesus shatters their sense of entitlement. The homecoming celebration turns to fury; admiration to rage. They drive him to the cliff’s edge, but God’s prophet walks away untouched. Nazareth’s rejection reveals Jesus’ mission: to proclaim God’s great Jubilee—salvation for all on an equal basis, not just a favored few.

Jesus launched his ministry in his hometown of Nazareth, & while things started well, they soon soured when his kinfolk heard the scope of his ministry included non-Jews. This resulted in Jesus leaving that city & going down to the seaside town of Capernaum. He spoke of God’s offer to release them from all forms of captivity & oppression, & the people were amazed by the authority in his words. Even more, Jesus cast out a demon from a Jewish man in the synagogue. This again caused them to see Jesus’ authority. Both his words & deeds bore the mark of authority. Later that day he healed a sick woman with the same authority, & late into the evening he healed whomever was brought to him. In each instance, his authority was on full display. But why? Well, God’s promise of a time to set things right among his people was now being fulfilled through Jesus. God’s people were in horrible bondage to all sorts of evils. Jesus came & granted them freedom from all that held them, & cleared the path for them to have real relationship with God once again. The Year of Jubilee (Lev. 25) had finally begun.

In Luke 5:1–11, Jesus calls ordinary people to follow Him and become what they could never be on their own. Though Rabbis chose only the exceptional, Jesus invites humble fishermen—showing that God cares for everyone. After the miraculous catch of fish, Peter realizes his unworthiness, yet Jesus calls him to a new purpose: to ‘fish’ for people. Like Peter, we can choose the Giver over the gifts and respond to Jesus’ invitation through repentance, baptism, and a transformed life. Following Jesus is a lifelong process, begun when we admit our need for Him and accept His call to become His disciples.

One of the surest facts about Jesus’ ministry is that He worked real miracles. Jesus unleashed God’s power wherever He went—the sick were restored, demons fled, lives were transformed. Each Gospel records numerous healings and exorcisms. Even His opponents admitted Jesus’ power, though they wrongly blamed it on Satan. Every miracle declared the long-promised Messiah had arrived and God’s kingdom was breaking into a broken world. His exorcisms shattered the grip of darkness and His healings restored broken people to wholeness. •Skeptics claim Jesus cured no actual diseases, insisting these were mere misdiagnoses or psychosomatic recoveries. But Luke’s accounts of the leper cleansed and the paralytic walking expose the poverty of such claims. Scripture presents a far more compelling reality: Jesus truly heals. Jesus truly delivers. And that same risen, reigning Lord still pours out His saving and restoring power on His people today.

In a stunning break from religious expectations, Jesus walks straight into the world of corruption and calls Levi— the outcast tax collector —into discipleship. Instead of climbing the ladder toward Israel’s elite, Jesus redeems a man everyone else had written off, giving him a new name, ‘Matthew,’ a true “gift from God.” His choice confronts our tendency to judge whom God should save. Then Jesus declares that His arrival is nothing less than the dawn of something radically new—like wedding joy bursting into a fasting world, like new wine shattering old skins. His Kingdom demands open hearts, willing to release anything that blocks God’s transforming work in our lives.

Jesus’ ministry in Galilee ignited both awe and outrage. Crowds flocked to His teaching and healing, while Pharisees seethed at His challenge to their Sabbath traditions—opposition that would drive Him to the cross. In this rising conflict, Jesus made a decisive move: from His followers He chose the Twelve naming them apostles. The symbolism struck like a prophetic shockwave. Israel, founded on twelve tribes, was rejecting its Messiah—so Jesus raised up a new leadership. Ordinary men. Untrained men. Men soon to be filled with the Spirit. After Judas fell, the apostles hurried to restore the Twelve, knowing the number itself declared God’s renewed people. At Pentecost they erupted, battling Judaism’s elite for the hearts and minds of God’s people, calling Israel to repentance, and proclaiming the risen Christ. The Twelve’s successful witness ignited a movement that swept across the empire. And it all began with Jesus choosing twelve ordinary men.

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Jesus’ sermon on the plain is similar to Moses’ message to the people of Israel after he came down from Mount Sinai. They address the living and conduct of God’s people. Jesus is giving a new or renewed covenant to his disciples. These admonitions firstly show us what God is like and then they show us what children of God are like. They are not the requirements to become children of the Most High; they are the indicators that show who are the children of the Most High. When we really see who God is and what he is like, then we will live this way by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Luke 7:1–17 is not a mundane report of miracles—it’s a bold revelation of who Jesus is and what His kingdom does. What He proclaimed in the ‘Sermon on the Plain,’ Jesus now enacts before our eyes. Death is interrupted. A son is raised. Grief turns to joy. An outsider is honored. A widow’s despair is reversed; a Gentile’s faith is met with mercy and authority. Like Elijah and Elisha, Jesus reaches the vulnerable—but He goes further, showing that the living God has come near in His own flesh. This is the kingdom breaking into the world. And Jesus does not stop with demonstration—He calls for our imitation. This city is full of the poor, displaced, grieving, and forgotten. Our congregation includes refugees, immigrants, widows, and single parents. If we are truly ‘children of the Most High God,’ we must embody His compassion. Let the kingdom be seen in Toronto, now, in 2026.

In  Luke 7:36-8:3, Jesus meets with two very different individuals – a Pharisee & a sinful woman. They have vastly different interactions with Jesus. Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus to a dinner party, only to ignore his guest, & the sinful woman drops in unannounced & begins to weep, clean Jesus’ feet, & anoint him with expensive perfume. Jesus uses a parable to point out the difference in their actions, attributing the woman’s display of love as an understanding of forgiveness of sin. Then in Luke 8 we see a number of women who’ve been cured of evil spirits & diseases who pour out their love & gratitude on Jesus by financially supporting his ministry. Are we extravagant in our pouring out on Jesus in service to him, or quite measured?

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In this section of Luke 8 Jesus calls his believers to be careful how they hear God’s Word. Jesus teaches that truth, like light, is meant to be received and lived out, not hidden or ignored. Hearing without obedience risks losing the truth we’ve been given, but those who truly listen respond with faith and action. Jesus reinforces this by redefining His true family as those who hear and do God’s Word. The calming of the storm then reveals why Jesus is worth listening to: He has divine authority, even over nature—He does what only God can do–showing He is truly God. Jesus’ message challenges us as Christians to move beyond passive listening to active obedience, cultivating a real, growing relationship with Christ through faithful trust and daily practice of “doing”

Jesus’ encounter with the Gerasene demoniac —“Legion”— is Scripture’s most vivid account of demonic possession and deliverance. For centuries, believers accepted it as fact, but the rise of modern science led many in the West to dismiss such miracles as superstition or misdiagnosed mental illness. Yet Scripture affirms a spiritual dimension of human life beyond empirical explanation. As secular thought grew medical and skeptical, many in the global South found their lived experiences aligning with the biblical worldview. This story reveals both the dehumanizing power of evil and the liberating authority of Christ. When the demons entered a herd of pigs that plunged into the lake, the witnesses saw undeniable evidence of the supernatural—yet they responded with fear rather than faith. This dramatic deliverance stands as a powerful testimony to Jesus’ supreme authority over the darkest spiritual forces. Today, Jesus’ power still brings freedom where fear and bondage once ruled.

Luke 8:40-56 merges two stories into one: Jairus’ daughter & a haemorrhaging woman. In it we see faith on display, faith being tested & faith being testified. Both Jairus & the woman display remarkable faith as they actively & humbly come to Jesus for healing. But Jairus’ answer is delayed because of the exchange Jesus has with the woman. What kind of feelings & thoughts arose within him during this delay? His faith was being told to wait! That couldn’t have been easy for him. The woman came secretly to Jesus & could have snuck off without anyone knowing she had touched Jesus, but Jesus wants faith to be testified. So before she could sneak off, Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” Everyone froze. Some were probably thinking, “What kind of a dumb question is that to ask when you’re surrounded by people?!” But Jesus’ reason for asking was for her to testify of what God had done for her. Her hidden faith needed to come out of its shell.

In Luke 9:18–27, Jesus brings His disciples to Caesarea Philippi, a place filled with pagan worship, and asks, “Who do you say I am?” Amid rumors that He is John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet, Peter confesses that Jesus is “God’s Messiah”—the promised Christ foretold in the Old Testament. This marks a turning point as the disciples begin to grasp that Jesus is more than a teacher, or prophet; He is the ‘Son of the living God’ sent to bring redemption. Jesus then reveals that He must suffer, be rejected, killed, and rise again—defying expectations of a political & military conqueror. He calls His followers not just to believe, but to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. True discipleship means surrender, obedience, and trusting the risen Savior who gave His life for us. Jesus still calls us to this discipleship today.

In this passage from Luke 7, John the Baptist—now imprisoned—sends messengers to ask Jesus if He truly is the promised Messiah. Jesus answers not simply with words but by pointing to the works He is doing: the blind see, the lame walk, and the good news is preached to the poor. Though John faithfully fulfilled his role as the forerunner foretold by Isaiah, Jesus’ ministry does not unfold exactly as John expected. After John’s disciples depart, Jesus affirms John as the greatest of the prophets, yet declares that even the least in God’s kingdom is greater than he. Jesus then confronts the crowd’s divided response to both John and Himself, comparing them to children who reject every tune played for them—unwilling to accept God’s message in any form. A key theme in Luke’s Gospel is Jesus’ table fellowship. His critics accuse Him of being “a glutton and a drunkard” because He eats with tax collectors and sinners—the very people many believed were beyond God’s grace. The passage ends with a sober reminder: though many resist God’s work, “wisdom is vindicated by all her children” (Luke 7:35).

Why does Scripture –and Raphael’s painting, The Transfiguration– place Christ’s radiant glory on the mountain beside the chaos of a demon-possessed boy below? Why glory above and suffering below? The Bible hints at the answer. Genesis and Jude’s Epistle recall a rebellion of fallen angels, a story developed in the Book of the Watchers. In Jesus’ day, many believed evil arose not only from Adam’s sin, but also from hostile demonic powers. In this light, the Transfiguration is a confrontation. On Mount Hermon—a place linked with angelic rebellion—Jesus unveils His glory and reclaims enemy ground. The mountain’s glory points to the valley’s healing. The decisive victory comes through Jesus’ “exodus” in Jerusalem—His cross and resurrection. There, Christ defeats both sin and demonic powers, releasing forgiveness, healing, and deliverance into a broken world. Our gospel proclaims both redemption & liberation through Jesus.

Adjustments are a part of life. Whether it’s our parents, older siblings, teachers or coaches, in order to keep growing well, & for us to reach maturity we all need others to speak into our lives. Sometimes they can be matters of common sense which we can embrace, & others can feel harsh as we hear them. Either way, if we learn from them we are better for doing so. Jesus was no different with his disciples. They didn’t understand all of what he said, so it took them a while to catch on. Often they answered or responded to situations in line with their old habits & commonly-understood concepts. Time & time again, Jesus took the opportunity to adjust them for their future progress. We are no different today as we follow Jesus. We hear from him. Make adjustments. And move forward under new light & understanding.

Today’s wars—from the Middle East to Ukraine—remind us we live in a world on edge, raising urgent questions: What does the Bible say? Does prophecy speak to these events? And where should Christian allegiance lie? The book of Daniel unveils a deeper reality: behind earthly conflicts stands an age-old cosmic struggle. Spiritual powers—the “Prince of Persia,” the “Prince of Greece,” and “Michael, the Prince of Israel”—are portrayed wrestling for supremacy in a conflict influencing the rise and fall of nations.

Jesus sent out the 72 to reach everyone, not just the house of Israel as he did when he sent out the 12 in Luke 9. This shows his desire to reach everyone with the message of the kingdom of God. He sends them out indicating there is an abundant harvest to be reaped. The 72 are to go with a message of peace to a household. If they respond with peace that indicates they are receptive to the message of the kingdom. Some will reject the message which means they reject the message as well as the messenger and God. When the 72 return from their mission, they are joyful because the demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. However, Jesus tells them not to rejoice because of what they did but that their names are written in heaven.  Plus, he provides a cosmic perspective – “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.”

This passage reminds us that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes and that our greatest joy is not in spiritual success, but in knowing we belong to Him. Jesus teaches that eternal life is not earned by perfectly keeping the Law—loving God absolutely and others selflessly—but it’s given as a gift through Him, since we all fall short. In the ‘Good Samaritan’ parable, Jesus challenges our understanding of “neighbor.” In this story the religious leaders fail to help the wounded victim of violent robbery, while the unexpected outsider –a “Samaritan” — shows true compassion. The point is clear: ‘neighbor’ is not defined by proximity or preference, but by mercy in action. Jesus calls us not just to believe the right things, but to live them out. Those who truly know Him will reflect His love by caring for others—especially those people whom we might otherwise overlook.

Our lives are often shaped by the pace of our society, & the society you & I are in is fast-paced from our waking to our lying down again. So when we hear that we should ‘sit’ at Jesus’ feet, we may brush it aside as a first century thing, after all, we might think, who has time for that!? But in God’s Word we are told that ‘sitting’ at Jesus’ feet is a practical way for us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength & mind. Hearing God’s word preached. Reading God’s Word by ourselves. These can help us to love God more. But loving God doesn’t stop there in Luke 11. He goes further to show that this sitting at Jesus’ feet also occurs today as we pray to our Father, the one who we are in relationship with; the one who is good, generous, & always ready to answer us. The challenge is very real to 21st century followers of Jesus. How do we stop to hear; stop to read; stop to pray? We need genuine intentionality to do this. So let’s do it!

“Gentle Jesus, meek and mild” is true—but incomplete. In Luke 11, Christ shows both compassion and confrontation. He mercifully frees a man from demonic oppression, yet is immediately slandered by religious leaders who claim He works by Beelzebul. This is not honest skepticism, but a willful rejection of God’s power. Jesus’ answer reveals the deeper reality: His miracles signal the arrival of God’s kingdom and the defeat of Satan’s. He is the stronger man who overpowers the enemy and liberates captives. This is spiritual warfare, not metaphor. But Jesus goes further—deliverance is not the end. An empty house invites danger; an unfilled soul remains vulnerable. Christ does not merely cleanse; He indwells. His aim is not surface reform but Spirit-filled transformation. Where He reigns, the enemy has no claim. True freedom means being filled, not just emptied—and living under His rule daily. We cooperate by guarding against spiritual vacuums.

Jesus sent out the 72 to reach everyone, not just the house of Israel as he did when he sent out the 12 in Luke 9. This shows his desire to reach everyone with the message of the kingdom of God. He sends them out indicating there is an abundant harvest to be reaped. The 72 are to go with a message of peace to a household. If they respond with peace that indicates they are receptive to the message of the kingdom. Some will reject the message which means they reject the message as well as the messenger and God. When the 72 return from their mission, they are joyful because the demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. However, Jesus tells them not to rejoice because of what they did but that their names are written in heaven.  Plus, he provides a cosmic perspective – “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.”

Jesus warns His disciples to beware the “leaven” of the Pharisees—hypocrisy. The Pharisees focused on outward religion and human approval, but God sees the heart. We cannot “fake” a relationship with God; He calls us to humility, repentance, and genuine faith. Jesus reminds us not to fear people or their opinions, but to fear separation from God, while also trusting in His deep care for us. He is God our Father who knows us completely and values us greatly. Jesus calls us to openly acknowledge Him as Lord, believing in His death and resurrection for our salvation. The warning about ‘blaspheming the Holy Spirit’ points to continually hardening our hearts against the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus. Christ still invites us into relationship with Him. Finally, through the ‘parable of the rich fool,’ Jesus warns against living only for earthly security and wealth. True wisdom is to be “rich toward God” and respond to Him today.

Immediately after speaking the parable of the rich fool who is only concerned with accumulating wealth for himself, Jesus turns to his disciples & says, “You do realize that if your life is all about gathering more & more stuff that you don’t need, that the anxiety that accompanies that mindset will crush you, right?” What a word for us as we live out our discipleship swimming in the waters of Western affluence & the seeming unquenchable thirst to have more & more. Jesus gives us three antidotes to the mind virus that has us all under its influence: Trust God as your good Father to give you what you need, seek his kingdom & he promises to provide what you need, & to sell your possessions & give to those who are truly in need. These words challenge us. But we should always recognise that the one who spoke them is the same one who gives us the way to carry them out.

The Bible is clear that Jesus will return one day. In some passages, His coming is portrayed as sudden and unexpected. In others, certain signs point to His return, though those signs are not always unmistakable or definitive. The question for us is this: what are we doing today to prepare for His coming? This passage in Luke 12 emphasizes two main points. First, we are to anticipate His return and live in readiness for it. Those who remain alert and prepared will be blessed when He comes. Second, we must faithfully carry out the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. If we are unfaithful, we will face loss and judgment. Consistent with earlier passages in Luke, we are urged to seek first the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ healing of the bent-over woman is far more than one more miracle. For 18-years she suffered not only physical deformity, but also the stigma of being viewed as under God’s judgment. Yet she worshipped faithfully. Entering the synagogue, Jesus disrupts the status quo: He calls her out of the shadows, frees her from Satan’s bondage, and restores her to stand upright and praise God. The religious leaders condemn the Sabbath healing, yet Jesus defends her and publicly names her a “daughter of Abraham” – acknowledging her membership in the believing community. As the crowd rejoices and the leaders are shamed, Jesus reveals God’s great reversal: the proud are humbled, and those oppressed by sin, sickness, and Satan are freed to worship God. Jesus stands ready to do the same today.

We all make presumptions, educated guesses, in life. But when it comes to a sure fire, rock solid, I know this based upon facts, approach to the Christian life, well, presuming is not the best way forward. In this passage, Jesus pushes back against the way that most Jews thought about ‘how’ God’s Kingdom would come. He also helps them see the conclusion they’d arrived at about ‘who’ would be in God’s Kingdom was also pretty tenuous. We are not Jewish, of course. But are there presumptions, educated guesses we’re making in our Christian lives? And, would we allow Jesus to challenge them?