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In this week’s Faith Lens reflection, Pastor Heather Hansen explores how Jesus responds to the Sadducees’ attempt to trap him with a question about the resurrection (Luke 20:27–38). Instead of arguing over details, Jesus redirects the conversation toward what truly matters: that God is God of the living, and that love and life—not power or status—define God’s kingdom.

In a world full of “gotcha” questions, we’re reminded to pause, breathe, and answer from a place of faith and love—trusting that God’s truth and grace endure beyond every debate.

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A simple act of kindness can change a life. When Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree, it wasn’t with judgment but with compassion—and that moment transformed Zacchaeus’s heart, leading him to generosity and repentance. This week’s Faith Lens reflection invites us to see how love and inclusion, rather than shame or exclusion, open the way for true change. In the words of Isaiah, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed.”

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In this week’s Faith Lens reflection on Luke 18:9–14, Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector challenges our assumptions about worthiness before God. While the Pharisee boasts of righteousness, the tax collector prays simply for mercy—and is the one made right with God. We are reminded that true prayer begins with humility and gratitude, not self-assurance. God exalts those who come honestly, knowing that all we have and are comes from divine grace alone.

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Psalm 121 has long been a song for those on the move—pilgrims, travelers, and anyone facing life’s uphill climbs. In this week’s Faith Lens reflection, Pastor Lindsay Batesmith explores how this psalm teaches us to lift our eyes to God for help and assurance, trusting that God keeps us in our “going out and coming in.” Whether through song, prayer, or quiet courage, we are reminded that God’s presence remains with us through every fear and uncertainty, turning today’s steep hills into tomorrow’s stories of grace.

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Even in exile, God calls us to thrive. In Jeremiah 29:1, 4–7, the Israelites longed for deliverance, but God’s message through Jeremiah urged them to build homes, plant gardens, and seek the good of the city where they lived. This same call echoes today in communities facing exclusion and oppression, including the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride and National Coming Out Day. Thriving in difficult times is not surrender—it is faithful resistance, rooted in trust that God’s promises endure beyond empire and circumstance.

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This week’s Faith Lens reminds us that even the smallest measure of faith is enough for the work God calls us to do. In Luke 17, Jesus uses exaggerated, even humorous, images—uprooting trees, masters serving servants—to teach that faith is already present within us and sufficient for the tasks ahead. Habakkuk, Paul, and Jesus all echo the same truth: though the work of discipleship can be difficult and even seem impossible, God equips us with the gift of faith to endure, serve, and trust in God’s promises.

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In Luke 16:19–31, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, urging his listeners to heed “Moses and the prophets” rather than wait for extraordinary signs. As Lutherans, we trust that salvation comes by grace alone, yet this story challenges us to consider where we act like the rich man, Lazarus, or the brothers—and how repentance calls us back to God’s Word. The parable reminds us that we already have what we need to live faithfully: Scripture, community, and the gift of Christ.

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This week’s gospel reading (Luke 16:1-13) brings us the parable of the dishonest manager—one of Jesus’ most puzzling stories. At first, it seems the manager’s dishonesty is praised, but the parable ends with a clear reminder: “You cannot serve God and wealth.” The tension between trust in God and the security wealth offers is as real for us today as it was for Pharisees, tax collectors, disciples, and crowds listening to Jesus. Faith invites us to ask where we place our trust and how our choices reflect God’s kingdom rather than the world’s pursuit of wealth.

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Jesus’ parables of the lost sheep and lost coin reveal God’s relentless pursuit and extravagant welcome of those left out. From a mile-long table in Denver to the meals Jesus shared in Luke’s Gospel, we are reminded that God’s table is wide, open, and joyful. Who might be missing from your table—and how can you extend an invitation?

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What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? On God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday, we’re invited to reflect on Luke 14:25–33, where Jesus challenges us to count the cost of discipleship. In a world that pulls us in many directions—especially with packed fall calendars—this week’s Faith Lens devotion reminds us to reorder our loves and put Christ first. What might you need to set aside to love and serve more fully?

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