THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 10-12 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; a Branch will bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1) Our world is a mess: violence, war, oppression, abuse, injustice, misery. In this mess God plants a tree – Israel – in the hope of reclaiming His garden. But that tree is as messed…
Author: Norm
A light that pierces the darkness!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 7-9 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2) Isaiah is speaking to people of his day, words of challenge and hope. The land of Judah is under attack, and the people are desperate. God assures this humbled nation that He will bring new life. This new life…
A dream worth pursuing!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 12:22-31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31) In Matthew’s account, Jesus says to seek God’s kingdom AND righteousness. These both go together, and can be summarized as God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is the world as God intended it to be. God’s righteousness…
Beware of greed – yes, me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 12:13-21 “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Most people I know would agree with this statement. We all ‘know’ that money cannot buy happiness. Yet we still spend or invest our wealth as if it will. We are willing consumers in a consumeristic society. We fight or…
Rejecting the source of life?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 12:8-12 “Anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10) My guess is ‘blasphemy’ means more than just speaking ill of the Spirit. The Spirit is the invisible presence and power of God at work in us. It was the Spirit of God breathed into us that made…
Getting rid of the trash!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 12:1-7 “Fear him who has authority to throw you into Gehenna.” (Luke 12:5) The valley of Hinnon (ge-henna, ‘weeping’) was south east of Jerusalem. In the past children were sacrificed to the god Molech here (2 Kings 23:10). It was loathed by the Jews, and was where the garbage was dumped. Including to bodies…
Seeing the goodness of God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 86 “Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it…” (Psalm 86:17) I believe that there is a God, and that God is good. Though I cannot see God, I see signs of God all around me. That’s not all I see; I also see signs of evil…
Here am I, cleanse me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 4-6 “The voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8) Isaiah is being asked to be God’s messenger, to announce God’s judgment. This is not a good job with benefits. Who wants to preach against their own people, their own ‘church’? Jesus had this…
Do we share God’s priorities?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 1-3 “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed…” (Isaiah 1:17) According to Isaiah, God is not very happy with His followers. His old covenant followers were going through the motions of religion. They offered plenty of sacrifices, and observed holy days. They prayed and offered incense in the temple, but…
Unhelpful witnesses for Jesus
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 11:45-54 “You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” (Luke 11:52) What a sad commentary on the church then, and now. The church – God’s family – was and is blessed to be a blessing. We are welcomed by grace, and are to welcome others by that…