The Sadducees waste awesome moments in Jesus’s presence. Here they pose a question only designed to catch Jesus in the awkwardness of a dilemma. Puffed up in themselves, they resist the light of the Master, remaining in their darkness—smug and self-assured in denying that there is a resurrection. See the sneers on their faces as they put their question to Jesus, confident that he would be reduced to an embarrassing silence.

Jesus responds with a glimpse into the future life of the saints in heaven. The only spouse in heaven will be Jesus, the one in whom marriage finds its bond and meaning here on earth.

The arrogance of the Sadducees prevents them from dying to self so that they can rise in Jesus. The “dead” ashes-toner of a copier is stirred to resurrection only when it recognizes the light shining on the face of the “Master.”

Luke 20:27–38

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: In Your body all are one. v. 35

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Luke.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Genesis 12:1-9.

Having completed a history of the earliest ages, the sacred writer of Genesis turns his attention to the father of all patriarchs, Abraham. Not only is he a prototype of Christ, but Abraham is the model of all who would come to believe in Jesus and leave all to follow him.

God offers a unique and blessed covenant to the human family through Abraham in a people chosen and blessed by God. Previews are laid out of the coming famine and slavery in Egypt and Exodus into the Promised Land, with all the clashes and strife that this movement would entail.

Sense the sweep from the “nobody” that Abraham was, to the greatness of what he came to be—all because he left the comfort of the familiar, and followed God into the empty space of the future. What “country” do you need to forsake to follow God’s plan in your life?

Genesis 12—13

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My heart, an altar for You 13:18

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

Pilate’s cowardice brings Jesus to the point of crucifixion. The Way of the Cross is laid out, the final steps of Jesus’ Jerusalem journey that bring him to rest upon the new tree of life. Accompany Jesus. Be there—not in memory only, but right now; today Jesus completes the cross in countless others.

Once again as Zaccaheus, high upon the tree, the “Good Thief” has the gift of seeing Jesus. Unlike the other thief, this one looks for and finds the silent spaces between shouts of hatred and groans of pain. He goes inward to where he can truly see Jesus and there makes his protestations of love for Jesus, belief in Jesus, and then his

final “robbery” of paradise: “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Even if your soul is a soiled as the wicked kings of Judah, there is still time!

Luke 23:13–43

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: “My Father, please forgive them.” v. 34

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Luke 19:28 to 24:53.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.