Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
The Risk of Good News
“Faith is not a private wager but a public risk that Jesus is worthy of trust when no other hope can be trusted.” – James M. Edwards[1]
In this Sunday’s gospel story (Luke 4:14-30), Jesus returns to Galilee and delivers a provocative message in his hometown synagogue. Quoting Isaiah, he announces that God’s Spirit has anointed him to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. At first, the crowd marvels at his words, but their amazement quickly turns to anger when Jesus broadens the scope of God’s work beyond their community.
This moment sets the tone for Jesus’ ministry: his message is profoundly good, but it is also deeply challenging. It disrupts comfortable assumptions and calls for a radical reimagining of who belongs in God’s story. The good news is not limited to insiders; it extends to outsiders, the marginalized, and even enemies.
Theologian James Edwards reminds us that faith is not passive—it is a “public risk.” Jesus’ proclamation challenges us to take that risk, to live in ways that embody God’s vision of justice and mercy. How might God be calling you to step into this story? Are there places in your life where faith is inviting you to risk comfort, reputation, or security for the sake of others?
As we follow Jesus’ example, may we embrace the challenge of his message, trusting that God’s Spirit is with us as we share in the healing of the world.
May you find yourself in God’s story today. -Pastor Peter
Let’s pray… God of justice and mercy, give us courage to risk comfort and security, that we may live boldly into your vision of healing and hope for all. Amen.
[1]The Gospel according to Mark (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2002), 101.
Previously…
Living the Promise
Today's author is Prince of Peace member, Scott Tunseth. In the Gospel of Luke, the baptism of Jesus is reported in two brief verses of chapter 3 (vv. 21-22). Almost an afterthought, it is tacked on to twenty verses focusing on Jesus’ cousin John and his preaching and...
A New Beginning
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” These familiar words from Genesis remind us that God’s story begins with creation—a story marked by possibility, order, and life. Yesterday, in Luke 3:1-22, we encountered another beginning. John the Baptist appears in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. His words challenge us to prepare for a new work of God and to align our lives with God’s purposes.
The Call to Do Something
At the start of Jesus’ ministry, the story of God takes a profound turn. In Luke’s Gospel, we see how God’s call echoes through the wilderness, into the lives of fishermen, and among ordinary people longing for hope.
Out of the Mouths of Babes…
Today's author is Prince of Peace member, Deb Cordes. Jesus, as a young age, sits in the temple and discusses theology with the elders. While his parents search long and hard for him, he sits in conversation. Comfortable and (I imagine) engaging. As I was preparing...