I have just spent a long car journey listening to the Gospel of Luke from beginning to end. That is a first for me. I recommend it as a great way to start living with Dr Luke�s Gospel. Instead of locking into a single story or saying, it gave me a feeling for the whole impact of Jesus.

From the Old to the New

Luke begins with something new being cradled within an old set up. An old priest is told he will have a son called John. A new Lord is born within an Empire that thinks Caesar is Lord. An elderly couple in the Temple recognise the child as the long-awaited Messiah.

For a greying church that is good news � if we are open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit! The spirituality of ageing is a neglected area of Christian nurture. Older folk might reflect on how to be boundary people who cradle Christ for a new generation.

Outside In

Jesus went out of his way to meet people who felt excluded from society and ignored by God. The early part of the Gospel is like “Big brother” in reverse! Instead of people being voted out of the house, Jesus invited the unpopular ones into God�s house. Social inclusion is a new term for a Gospel principle. A quick update of today�s “outsiders” will expose our prejudices. Hospitality as Jesus describes it could turn us inside out.

Story Time

Of course, there were lots of familiar stories � from Bethlehem to Emmaus and meeting up with the Good Samaritan or the Prodigal Son. The Emmaus Road is our model for travelling with people on their journey of faith. The Good Samaritan is timeless in its challenge to love our neighbour � whoever that may be. And when people tiptoe back to church feeling as embarrassed as the Prodigal Son, do they find the warm welcome of the Father or the cold shoulder of the elder brother?

Straight Talking

I found myself distinctly uncomfortable with Jesus� directness at times. He was a real straight talker. There were times when I felt like one of the disciples and heard Jesus� clear demands about lifestyle, prayer, service and how we handle possessions.

Instead of “weight watchers” groups, what about forming “faith watchers”? Imagine little clusters of people agreeing to help each other live the way Jesus said. And how would our finance committees operate after listening to Jesus on money?

Real or Role?

What really made me squirm were Jesus� confrontations with the religious leaders of his time � se easily seduced from love for God to acting out a religious role. I saw more of myself than I like to admit.

Leaders lead by the light they shed or the shadow they cast. Jesus certainly exposes the shadow side. Any leadership group that is prepared to let Jesus address them will be different people at the end of it. But be warned. It could be a tough ride! Scope for a leaders� retreat?

Free at Last

Crucifixion. The innocent One dies and the guilty walk free � with Barrabas and the dying thief as prime examples. Here is a huge potential for Holy Week dramas and meditative worship that take us all the way to the Cross. A retreat in life during Lent is a transforming experience.

Resurrection. He is Risen! Witnesses needed � then and now! Time to be the church without walls and share the good news without walls�beginning where we are! Let me tell you a story��.”

Peter Nielson

Convener of Church Special Commission�“Church Without Walls”