Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and gave them what we refer to as “The Great ... [Continue Reading]
The Clarity of the Crucifixion (John 18-19)
[Joseph of Arimathea] was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. (John 19:39) The crucifixion of Jesus brought many things to light and it was a clarifying event in the lives of those who were Jesus' followers. In fact, it was until after the crucifixion that ... [Continue Reading]
Keep Your Bags Packed (Mark 13; Matthew 24)
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36) A number of years ago I read a story of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the great explorer from England who went to the Antarctic. He left some men on Elephant Island with a promise to return to pick them up. However, the water iced over, and he was delayed ... [Continue Reading]
A Call to Die (Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27)
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. (Mark 8:35) Sometimes we make the way of following Jesus far too easy. It was an amazing moment when Jesus was meeting with His disciples, and He questioned them, “Who do you say I am?” Peter impulsively gave the right answer: “You’re the Christ.” ... [Continue Reading]
A Hidden Treasure? (Matthew 13; Luke 8)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) Jesus told a story of a man who found a treasure hidden in a field. He realized the great value of what he had found, so he quickly gathered as much money as he could by selling his ... [Continue Reading]
Not Exactly Timid (Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3)
But when [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? (Matthew 3:7) There are times when it's important to timid in our response to others, and then there are times to speak the truth. What I find fascinating about John the Baptist is that ... [Continue Reading]
God’s Ultimate Goal (Ezekiel 4-6)
You will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and an object of horror to the nations around you when I inflict punishment on you in anger and in wrath and with stinging rebuke. I the Lord have spoken. (Ezekiel 5:15) On reading these chapters from Ezekiel, a person might be tempted to believe that God is a god of retribution - one who is seeking to smite those who offend ... [Continue Reading]
Becoming Popular (Amos 7-9)
Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.” There's a sense in which we all want to be popular. We all want to be liked, included, and appreciated. Some people even go to great lengths to make sure that people like them, but becoming popular can be costly - particularly when it's at ... [Continue Reading]
Look Out For The Donkeys (Exodus 23-24)
If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it. (Exodus 23:5) I haven't seen too many donkeys collapsing under the weight of a heavy load, but the picture is certainly an interesting one. I can't imagine leaving such a donkey by the side of the road even if it did belong to my enemy. But ... [Continue Reading]
I Will Not Be Shaken (Job 1-5)
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:20-21) One of the marks of a person of great faith is that he or she trusts the Lord regardless of the present ... [Continue Reading]
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