Lifting Up the Very Old and Very Young

This is the first message in our 2023 Lent series on Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Some of the most beloved stories and parables are found only in Luke, including the story of Zacchaeus, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the parable of the good Samaritan, the parable of the prodigal son, and Jesus’s resurrection appearance on the road to Emmaus. As we pay close attention to the stories that are only found in Luke, we begin to see something unique about Jesus, namely his empowering relationships with outsiders, outcasts, and outlaws. In this message, we reflect on how God chooses the very old, the very young, and those of low status.