Being the Social Gospel of Jesus

Jesus receives the Spirit at baptism, and then stands up in the Synagogue proclaiming good news to the poor.

Paul proclaims that the same Spirit is upon the people, and that our life together is marked by the good news of its impulses coming to fruition.

Ezra reads the scroll to the people, then sends them away to have a party–making sure that folks with food invite those without means to provide for themselves.

This coming Sunday’s assemblage of Lectionary texts are a perfect capstone for the week that begins by honoring Martin Luther King Jr. They draw us to see that the gospel itself is deeply embodied, and that those who follow Jesus must, ourselves, be the social gospel of Jesus.

You can hear more about the scripture passages on my weekly podcas at LectioCast.com or on iTunes. LectioCast a great tool for preachers, but also for folks who just want some continuing theological education in their earbuds.

My guest this week is Cindy Wang Brandt, who is currently working on a project entitled, “Raising Children UnFundamentalist.” You don’t want to miss her work, or this week’s show.