Spark Cast

Dr. Esau McCaulley's work is at the intersection of the academy and ministry. In this conversation, Dr. McCaulley shared on his just published book, Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope. This event was hosted by Spark.Church, Palo Alto (www.spark.church), and sponsored by our partners, The River Church Community, San Jose (www.the-river.org) and Sequoia Church, Redwood City (www.sequoiachurch.com). For more on Dr. McCaulley, visit esaumccaulley.com.

In the encounter with a meal, at a Pharisee's home, and a woman with an alabaster jar, Jesus prompts us to consider our debts forgiven as the basis of God's radical love.

Pastors Danielle and Kevin share reflections on our 8th Anniversary, remembering and recounting the stories and values that have brought us thus far and will take us into the future.

The story of the centurion in the 7th chapter of Luke turns the teachings of Jesus in unexpected ways. There is potential for those, who we may deem to be the enemy, to actually exemplify the very teachings Jesus is advancing.

A portion of the Bible popularly known as "The Sermon on the Mount" from Matthew is here in Luke's account in shorter form. It is considered some of the most concentrated teachings of Jesus, packed with depth, wisdom, profound connections to our greater story, and a compelling vision for humanity. As we are guided and led to simply pay attention to Jesus's words, what happens to us, as we listen?

Wineskins are a metaphor for “disciples,” students who will take the message forward into the world. This is a commentary on how “old” ways can hinder “new” thinking, the teachings that Jesus is advancing.

As Jesus’ ministry begins to draw big crowds, it begins to draw big crowds of critics, too. In one encounter, Jesus “saves” a man who can’t walk. But what exactly did he save the man from? And why were the religious experts in the audience so upset? In this text, Luke invites us to think bigger about who Jesus is, what salvation means, and what access looks like for people of all abilities and disabilities.

In the purposeful and brilliant calling of Jesus's first disciples, ordinary fishermen, we learn that “following," the main metaphor for Luke’s message of discipleship, is to be challenged: to do more, see more, feel more...even when it may be most uncomfortable.

Healings are manifestations in the physical world of the power that exists in the “spiritual.” “Sickness” and “disease” are real ailments, but also metaphors for the condition of the human soul.

Pastor Tom shares this week on Jesus' announcement in Luke 4. This mission is a global reordering of values, systems and power structures whereby freedom and healing will be good news for the poor and the primary markers of his calling. And, as followers of Jesus, as “hearers” of his message, that’s our calling too, in our time and in our context.

What is going on in with Jesus's temptation in the wilderness, and why is Jesus specifically tempted with bread, fame/worship, and putting God to the test? Perhaps this story leads us to trust in Jesus to do for us what we ourselves cannot do for ourselves.

There is tremendous value and importance in the genealogy, going all the way back to Adam, including all of humanity. This Jesus story is rooted in both Israel's ancestry and in world history. In other words, the Kingdom of God is a “Family Affair.”

The behavior of the people are setting the groundwork for the full expression of the Kingdom of God through the ministry of Jesus. Life is about to change, and that has implications for how we live, and condemnations for those who oppress.

This talk looks at the dedication of Jesus in Jerusalem, and his worship experiences at the Temple throughout his childhood years. What we learn about Jesus, his identity and his religious practice, shapes our own practices today. Like Jesus, may we be found in our Father's house.

This week Pastor Danielle dives into chapter two of the Gospel According to Luke. While the birth of Jesus is commonly known as merely a Christmas story, here we see that this event is surrounded by the ominous presence of Empire and the subtle rumblings of the revolution being birthed right under Caesar's nose. Who's rule and kingdom will we choose?

Zechariah's "Benedictus," (Latin for "blessed be") is his prophetic utterance after Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist. In this recitation we discover the usage of Scripture for the sake of paving a pathway of peace, mercy, and justice.

This week Pastor Omair dives into the "song of Mary." Also known as "The Magnificat,” many see this song as a delightful praise. However, we frequently miss the subversive declaration of the usurpation of powers, the announcement of victory over rulers and thrones, and the proclamation of good news to the lowly, the hungry, etc. Also, this comes in a long tradition of women singing victoriously over oppression. So, when women sing, it is more than a mere tune, it’s a declaration, and a warning, to the powers that be, things are about to change. We'll see you soon, online.

The stories of Zechariah and Mary are not just characters in a story. They represent the larger frameworks of religion and politics as the areas of human organization that need to be transformed by the lordship of Jesus.

In this introduction to the Gospel According to Luke, we set the groundwork and framework for how we are to even read this text. Recognizing the importance of genre, and the relationship that genre invites us into is critical for centering Jesus and inquiring whether or not Jesus is worthy of imitating.

The closing of Ephesians encourages followers of Jesus to put on the whole armor of God, because there is a struggle against the rulers, authorities, powers, spiritual and cosmic forces. So, what are these things that we are fighting/wrestling against? They are, "structures of earthly existence," systems that need the salvation and redemption of God.