You Tube Theology

The Sunday lectionary NT epistle for Lent 4 is 2 Cor 5.16–21. The gospel lectionary reading is Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32, the parable of the Forgiving Father (or the Prodigal Son).

Many people will be preaching on the theme of Mothering Sunday—but that is in danger of missing out on this remarkable text from Paul. In many ways it is the passage that summarises Paul's understanding of the gospel, and his whole apostolic ministry. Humanity has gone astray, but Jesus has died for all, so that our sins will no longer be counted against us. More than that, his rising to new life has changed the world—the longer-for age to come, the new creation, has broken into this old age. And those who are 'in Christ' start to live this new creation life.

We are, naturally, at enmity with God—but Jesus has dealt with this, and so we can now be reconciled with God, turned from enemies to friends, to know his love and receive his gift of life. And once this has happened, he then entrusts us with this ministry of reconciliation; having been reconciled ourselves, we urge others to experience the same.

Come and join Ian and James as they explore the issues here! Revd James Blandford-Baker is vicar of Histon and Impington, two villages just north of Cambridge. Revd Dr Ian Paul is Associate Minister of St Nic's, Nottingham, and writes the widely-read blog www.psephizo.com.

The video on the gospel reading for Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32 of the loving father and the two sons can be found here: https://youtu.be/IrC11WGlqVY

You can read the written commentary about it here: https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/is-jesus-unlike-the-prodigals-loving-father-in-luke-15/