Episode 856
Navigating the Mysteries of Faith: A Journey Through Luke 18:31-34
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The podcast episode offers a rich exploration of the Gospel of Luke, specifically focusing on Luke 18:31-34, through the insightful commentary of Dr. Brad Miller. The discussion centers on a pivotal moment where Jesus reveals to His disciples the trials that await Him, including betrayal and death, which leads to the disciples' bewilderment. Dr. Miller's analysis emphasizes the relatable nature of this confusion, positing that the struggle to comprehend profound truths is a shared human experience. He reflects on the disciples' inability to grasp Jesus's transformative message, underscoring a significant theme: the challenge of reconciling faith with uncertainty.
In the course of the episode, Dr. Miller delineates several salient points for contemplation. He articulates the idea that the beauty of not knowing is a vital aspect of faith, suggesting that the discomfort of confusion can be a space for growth and spiritual evolution. This aligns with progressive Christian thought, which champions the acceptance of doubt as part of the faith journey. He further examines the implications of Jesus's predictions about confronting authority, drawing parallels to current social justice movements and the necessity of standing against oppressive systems. This segment of the discussion is particularly compelling, as it connects ancient scripture to contemporary struggles for justice.
The episode also invites listeners to consider the metaphorical significance of death and resurrection, prompting reflections on what societal constructs or personal beliefs must be relinquished for new life to emerge. Dr. Miller encourages an introspective approach to faith, advocating for a willingness to engage with discomfort rather than seeking immediate answers. The episode concludes with actionable insights, urging listeners to acknowledge their doubts and questions as integral to their spiritual journeys. This comprehensive examination of faith, doubt, and transformation serves as a profound guide for those seeking deeper understanding within their spiritual lives.
Takeaways:
- Understanding often eludes us, demonstrating the profound complexity of human nature and faith.
- The disciples' confusion regarding Jesus's predictions highlights our own struggles with understanding transformative ideas.
- We must embrace doubt and uncertainty as integral parts of our faith journey and personal growth.
- Challenging existing power structures is essential for social justice, even when it involves significant resistance.
- Death and resurrection serve as powerful metaphors for personal transformation within our communities and systems.
- Identifying struggles in our faith journey is crucial; we should create spaces to engage with discomfort and uncertainty.
Transcript
When understanding eludes us.
Speaker A: A study of Luke: Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:That's me.
Speaker A: a million people by the year: Speaker A:We do that by a daily reading from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:Year C is where we're at the Lenten season.
Speaker A:And we do that by this daily reading which is from the New Testament only and it's from the message version.
Speaker A:To make it a little bit more understandable, relatable, we give you some points to ponder, to think about and applicable and action step to follow in your life.
Speaker A:We do all that from our voiceofgoddaily.com website, the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method with a prayer and do it all in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A: e day from the Gospel of Luke: Speaker A:Then Jesus took the 12 off to the side and said listen carefully, we're on our way up to Jerusalem.
Speaker A:Everything written in the prophets about the Son of Man will take place.
Speaker A:He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, ridiculed and spit on.
Speaker A:Then after giving him the third degree, they will kill him in three days he will rise alive.
Speaker A:But they didn't get it could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about.
Speaker A:A short and pointed passage of scripture for the day about this point which is so important about how when understanding eludes us.
Speaker A:It's really fascinating to think about the human nature of this.
Speaker A:The disciples struggle here to understand this radical idea which just turned their worldview upside down.
Speaker A:Even Jesus's closest followers couldn't get it.
Speaker A:They couldn't grasp the profound transformation that he was talking about here.
Speaker A:So let's talk about some points to ponder.
Speaker A:Number one is the beauty of not knowing.
Speaker A:The disciples confusion isn't a failure.
Speaker A:It's deeply relatable.
Speaker A:In progressive Christianity we embrace that doubt and uncertainty are natural parts of faith.
Speaker A:This text tells us that they could make neither heads nor tails of Jesus.
Speaker A:Words reminding us that it's okay to sit with mystery and gradually evolve into understanding.
Speaker A:Faith isn't about having all the answers.
Speaker A:It's about continuing the journey despite our doubts and questions.
Speaker A:Another point is about challenging power structures.
Speaker A:Jesus prediction about his confrontation with Roman authorities reflects a crucial truth speaking truth to power which often comes with consequences.
Speaker A:In our contemporary context, this reminds us that working for social justice, standing up for for marginalized people, and challenging oppressive systems might mean resistance.
Speaker A:Yet, like Jesus, we're called to persist in this work of transformation.
Speaker A:A third point is about death and resurrection as metaphor.
Speaker A:While traditional interpretations focus on the literal death and resurrection, progressive theology also sees these as powerful metaphors for transformation.
Speaker A:What we need to die in our communities and systems for a new life to emerge?
Speaker A:What old ways of thinking need to be released for justice and inclusion to rise?
Speaker A:Sometimes profound change feels like death before resurrection becomes visible.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Identify something that you're struggling with in your life to understand or accept in your faith journey.
Speaker A:Instead of pushing away the discomfort, create a space to sit with your discomfort.
Speaker A:It might mean journaling about it, or recording something about it, or discussing it with a friend or a small group, or just praying about it.
Speaker A:Not just praying about it, but to pray about it.
Speaker A:Remember that your questions and doubts aren't obstacles to faith.
Speaker A:They're a part of the journey towards a deeper understanding and and authentic spirituality.
Speaker A:We're going to come back and pray here just a moment, but let's talk about getting to a deeper understanding of the Bible and your own spirituality by going to the resource that we have for you.
Speaker A:I really want to invite you.
Speaker A:Go over to voiceofgoddaily.com and pick up our resource.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It's going to help you go deeper in the Scriptures in your own study.
Speaker A:So pick it up.
Speaker A:ABC123 Bible Study voiceofgodaily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Loving God, you are a mystery when we we come to you with our confusion, our questions and our doubts.
Speaker A:Thank you for meeting us in these spaces of uncertainty when we feel lost or unable to understand the changes happening around us or within us.
Speaker A:Help us remember that even Jesus closest friends struggle to comprehend these new ways of thinking.
Speaker A:So give us courage to sit with our questions rather than rushing to easy answers.
Speaker A:Guide us as we work for transformation in our world.
Speaker A:Even when we can't see clearly how things will unfold.
Speaker A:May we trust that new life can emerge from what appears to be death.
Speaker A:Whether in our personal growth, our communities, or our systems of justice.
Speaker A:Grant us patience with ourselves and others as we navigate the mysteries of faith and life.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:We're here to navigate the Scriptures with you here every day here in Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We hope that you'll join us again tomorrow.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am Eastern Time.
Speaker A:And we do so in such a way to make the Bible understandable, relatable and applicable.
Speaker A: on ears, a million people, by: Speaker A:Help us do that.
Speaker A:Bring a friend.
Speaker A:Until then, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Reminding you that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every sa.
