Going Deeper in Luke - Week 2
- Stephen Sutton
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
What Does Redemption/Salvation Really Mean?
Sunday’s Big Idea
This Sunday Morning we explored Zechariah’s song in Luke 1
If you missed it catch up here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjuvdg-L9UI&t=2491s
We discovered that everyone in Luke’s opening chapters is waiting for a rescuer. Zechariah (John the Baptist's Dad) sings about redemption. Simeon (Holy man at the temple) declares salvation. Anna (Holy woman at the temple) speaks about redemption.
Everybody is waiting for God to save his people.
But as Luke’s story unfolds, Jesus reveals that God’s redemption is far bigger than many people expected. They were hoping to be saved from Rome, becasue 2000 years ago the Roman army ruled over Isreal.
But Luke wants you to hear that Jesus came to save them from a deeper enemy than Rome. The enemy of sin, evil, darkness and death itself.
Go Deeper in Luke
“What does Luke mean by salvation?”
Most of us instinctively think about the forgiveness of sins when we hear the word salvation. Luke certainly includes forgiveness, but his vision is much bigger.
As you read Luke, notice how often salvation looks like:
Healing the sick
Restoring broken people
Welcoming outsiders
Setting people free from spiritual oppression
Forgiving sins
Bringing peace
Defeating death
For Luke, salvation is not simply about where we go when we die.
It is about God’s kingdom breaking into the world and putting things right.
This is one of the reasons Luke’s Gospel feels so alive. Jesus is constantly bringing freedom from darkness, sickness, guilt, shame, death... wherever he goes.
As you read this week, look for examples of Jesus setting people free. What can you learn about "Salvation" from Lukes Jesus stories?
Read With Jesus This Week
Before you begin each reading, pause for a moment and pray:
“Jesus, would you read this with me today? Help me to see what you want me to see.”
Then read slowly and ask:
Head
What do I notice?
What surprises me?
What do I learn about Jesus?
Heart
What stirs in me as I read?
What might Jesus be saying to me?
Hands
What is one thing I could do differently because of what I have read?
This Week’s Readings
Luke 6
As you read Jesus’ teaching, ask:
What kind of life is Jesus inviting people into?
Luke 7
As Jesus heals and forgives, ask:
What does this tell me about God’s heart for broken people?
Luke 8
As Jesus calms storms and overcomes evil, ask:
What powers and fears seem to submit to Jesus?
Luke 9
As Peter identifies Jesus, ask:
Who is Luke showing Jesus to be?
Luke 10
As Jesus sends out the seventy-two, ask:
How does God’s kingdom spread through ordinary people?
Extra Resource
This week I would highly recommend watching the BibleProject overview of Luke and Acts if you haven’t already.
As you watch, pay particular attention to the theme of God’s salvation and how Luke presents Jesus as bringing God’s kingdom into the world.
One of the things BibleProject highlights brilliantly is that Luke and Acts are really one story told in two volumes:
What Jesus began to do in Luke, he continues to do through his people in Acts.
That means the story doesn’t stop at the end of Luke’s Gospel.
It continues through the church and, NOW continues through us today.
A Question To Carry With You This Week
As you read Luke this week, keep asking:
“What is Jesus setting people free from?”
Then ask a second question:
“What might Jesus want to set me free from?”
My prayer is that over these next three months we don’t simply learn more about Jesus. My prayer is that we encounter him, hear his voice, follow his leading and discover the freedom he came to bring.
Happy reading.
Blessings over you Church!
Comments