In Mark 7, the Pharisees complain because Jesus’ disciples don’t follow the rituals the religious leaders had put into place. These rituals were probably thought up in order to make sure that they didn’t break any of God’s laws. What was done out of reverence for God at one point is now being done out... Continue Reading →

“In this chapter, Jesus tells us what is truly important. We see the heart of the Servant as he states what his priorities are and what ours should be: people over rules; intimacy over familiarity, God’s family over earthly families.” Rodney Cooper “Holman New Testament Commentary: Mark” p. 47 Mark Chapter three starts with a... Continue Reading →

Matthew 21 looks at Jesus’ triumphal entry, and the calling out of those who should have been most excited. As Jesus comes into Jerusalem, and into the temple, He finds moneychangers in the outer court. So the people who are supposed to be promoting the worship of the One True God were desecrating the only... Continue Reading →

“Jesus said, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?’ ‘Oh, yes,’ they replied, ‘we are able!’” Matt. 20:22 Jesus, after being asked about placing James and John at His right and left in His coming kingdom, say emphatically that... Continue Reading →

In looking at Matthew 18, we see what it takes to be the greatest in the Kingdom…. humility. In it’s context, todays passage is dealing with disciples who desire to be the greatest. Jesus’ teaching has to do with turning this philosophy upside down.  What does it take to be the greatest? Do you need... Continue Reading →

Looking at Matthew chapter 7, and as I prepare to preach on the Golden Rule, I am still wrestling with what happened this week. My daughter's boyfrien, is a fine young Christian man who has been known to try and help out anyone he can. He is also African-American. His car wouldn't start and he... Continue Reading →

This year we are reading through the gospels one chapter at a time, we have just begun Matthew again. One of the great opportunities we get in reading through a text more than once is that we begin to see things that might not have stood out to us before, especially when we look at things... Continue Reading →

Isn’t it interesting that in this exchange between Jesus and Peter, Jesus uses shepherding language to a fisherman.   In Matt. 4:19, Jesus gives Peter the call to “fish for people.”  Here in John 21, we see Jesus change, or better yet expand, Peter’s call to include shepherding.  This is a challenge in today’s church,... Continue Reading →