The Gospel of Luke accompanies us this year on our sacred journey into Lent and the seasons beyond. Luke is one of the three “synoptic” Gospels. Luke “sees alike” with Matthew and Mark. But Luke also has unique material, two chapters of which we studied during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany (Luke chapters 1 & 2). Luke is also part one of a two-part volume. Its sequel is the book of Acts. Acts 1:1-11 makes reference to “the first book” and summarizes Jesus’ ascension which occurred in Luke 24:50-53.

As we continue our study of Luke we encounter…sinners!
The Gospel of Luke has about three times more references to sin and sinners than the other three Gospels. But, interestingly, Luke also has about three times the references to… forgiveness!

Now, typically, sin and sinners get a bad rap. And many times deservedly so. But in some forms of religious culture, including in New Testament times and our own, “sin” and “sinner” get used as words of division and arrogance. Ironically, the use of the terms can signal hypocrisy— a true problem, a real sin that Grace perhaps has the biggest trouble addressing. This seems to be what Jesus is tackling in Luke (and the Gospels).

“Healthy” human sin, however, seems to create a super highway for Grace. Without sin we’d have no clue about grace. Sin is an essential, non-negotiable element of human life. The sooner we are aware of this, the better. When we understand our diagnosis as “sinners” we can better access our cure of being forgiven sinners.
So sin is not merely avoiding breaking the 10 Commandments. It’s who we are and our opportunity.
The Apostle Paul is particularly eloquent in addressing this in his letters. There are different kinds and levels of sin, but shame and working harder is often not the best approach for addressing it. Rather, sin gives us the joyful opportunity of regularly offering ourselves up for divine help and healing. In this act there is the real possibility we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives. With time, experience, awareness, and practice this Spirit and its gifts of grace take root in our lives and we bear fruit. (The goal of repentance, according to John the Baptist, Luke 3:8.) What kind of fruit? Notice the goodness of forgiven sinners in Luke. Or, check out Galatians 5:22-23. So, all this robust talk of sin is here so that we have the basis for an even more robust understanding of… Grace!

Wherever Jesus goes Grace abounds. Jesus loves sinners. Jesus challenges labelers of sin. Jesus shocks culture with forgiveness of sinners, including from the cross. (“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” –regarding his persecutors; “Today you will be with me in paradise”—to a criminal dying alongside him [Luke 23:34,:43]) In Luke’s Gospel, the cross is especially a place of grace.

In Luke study during Lent we will especially be meeting sinners, or Beautiful Sinners. Perhaps through them we will recognize our beautiful sin (“come to ourselves” Luke 15:17) and ready ourselves for God’s acceptance, Christ’s healing our deepest brokenness, and our new life of growth in the Holy Spirit. May our hearts become God’s newest Place of Grace. May our church in its pursuit of “Building Christ’s Community” (2016-2017) be renewed in the essential construction material of Grace.

And… if you read all 17 lessons in this study book, you will have read the entire Gospel of Luke! May we like mustard seeds realize our full potential to be a part of a world environment of Grace (Luke 13:18-19). Hope to see you at the Midweek Lent Communal Meals & Study of Luke!