Zacchaeus wasn't exactly the most popular man in town, but that didn't seem to stop Jesus from visiting his house.  In fact, in those days the tax collectors were the most hated people around because they made a living by legally "stealing" from their peers.  Head tax collectors (like Zacchaeus) bought the right from Rome to impose taxes on ... [Continue Reading]

Believe it or not, rich people have more problems than non-rich people.  And a person can never seem to have wealth.  No one says, "I'm rich enough," and everyone thinks that the rich people are the ones who are in at least the next income bracket above their own.  Jesus had a lot to say about wealth, and the rich young ruler was in for a ... [Continue Reading]

There are times when God does things that just don't make sense.  In the case of Lazarus' death, we learn that Jesus tarried at coming to his aid because of His love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  In our minds, it would make sense for Jesus to rush to Lazarus' aid because of his love rather than to waste time.  The lesson for us is that we ... [Continue Reading]

I have often been fascinated by the bitter son in the story of the Prodigal.  I have not lived a perfect life by any stretch of the imagination, but I also wouldn't consider myself a total prodigal - especially having become a Christian at four years of age and never straying too far from a relationship with the Lord.  In light of that, the bitter son ... [Continue Reading]

When the lawyer asked Jesus who his neighbor was, I don't think he expected the response he received.  True to form, Jesus answered the question with a parable that drove the point home.  The Samaritan was the one who got his hands messy and helped the poor man who was left for dead on the side of the road.  He gave of his time, he gave of his energy, ... [Continue Reading]