Luke's Gospel - Message

Jesus teaching was quite different from what is heard in a modern church.

His big message began with a warning that those with plenty and privilege would lose it and that outsiders and those in poverty would be raised up (Luke 6:20-26).

He followed this up with call for his people to love their enemies and be kind and generous to them, expecting nothing in return. This was accompanied with a warning about judging others (Luke 6:27-45).

Jesus warned that those who followed him would suffer (Luke 9:22-27). He did not promise a life of blessing.

Jesus told numerous parables about people being rescued and restored from disaster (but nothing about turning back God’s anger), eg lost sheep, lost coin, lost son (Luke 15:4-32).

Jesus taught frequently about money. He didn’t call for giving to the church. Rather he warned about the dangers of wealth (Luke 16:1-31; 18:9-30; 19:11-27; 20:20-26).

Jesus spent significant time confronting the people with power who were resisting God’s new intervention. He warned that they would eventually be swept away (Luke 9:11-18; 10:13-16, 30-37; 11:29-52; 12:35-13:9; 14:15-35; 20:1-47; 21:8-33). Modern preaching rarely challenges the people with power.