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Gospel centred sermons, based on the lectionary often in advance.

Mar 9, 2019

Focus readings: a. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 a. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 b. Romans 10:8b-13 c. Luke 4:1-13

sorry about the length this week!!

Like many of you when I grew up I was heavily influenced by the idea that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for my sins, who’s death on the cross “paid the price” for my sin and the sin of everyone in the world. I still believe that there is an element of that in the death and life of Jesus. There is a sense in which Jesus is a sacrifice. In God choosing to be human and therefore choosing to die there is a great cost.  Today I would put a very different slant on it the main reason Jesus came was to share with us his relationship with the one he called “Dad”. Jesus’ relationship with God the Source was as a respectful son with a loving and perfect parent.

            When faced with the temptations recorded in today’s Gospel reading it is Jesus’ trust in his “Dad” that is the key to his resisting temptation. Jesus gives us this as a free gift we receive through faith but he also sets ane example for us. It’s a free gift because we need it. We always fall short of the ideal. He sets the example as something to aspire to.

Questions for thought and discussion.

What do you make of the idea that Jesus’ main purpose is to share his relationship with his “Dad” with us? How would you translate the temptations in Luke 4 into a modern situation?