THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:44-49 “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47) Were you surprised when you read these words, “a righteous man”? I’ve always thought that this soldier said “the Son of God!” In fact, this is what Matthew and Mark record (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39). This is not a typo; in fact these words mean…
Author: Norm
Paradise gained!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:39-43 “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus came as a new Adam to restore God’s creation paradise. By refusing Satan’s lies (unlike Adam and Eve), Jesus beats Satan. He reclaims Adam’s position (Genesis 1:26-28), and therefore God’s kingdom. Jesus now reigns over all creation, though Satan is not…
My Saviour!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:32-38 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) These words describe all of us: we do not know what we’re doing. We make boastful claims about what we know, yet look at what we do. There is something terribly wrong in the world – and…
Darker days to come?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:26-31 “If people do this when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31) Jesus knows that things can only go from bad to worse in our world. If innocent people are crucified by religious leaders, things do not look good. If living trees are cut down…
Telling yourself to focus on God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 103 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2) When I am discouraged, overwhelmed, scared, or troubled, what should I do? In moments like these, tell yourself to focus on God. In this Psalm David is engaging in ‘self-talk’, telling his soul to praise God. He recalls…
Serving a questionable leader?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 39-40 “Serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.” (Jeremiah 40:9) I am trying to figure out how this message fits for Jesus followers. Through history there have been ungodly rulers in charge of our world. What does it mean to “serve the king”, when that kings is…
A firm word spoken in love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 36-38 “This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.” (Jeremiah 38:4) Jeremiah is being accused of discouraging the people with his words. His message is negative, it points out the failures and sins of the people. The question is, was his negative message helpful, or hurtful? It…
Releasing Jesus into the world!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:13-25 “He has done nothing to deserve death.” (Luke 23:25) Forget the church, and christians, and religion, and church history for a moment. Just focus on Jesus and ask yourself, ‘what can we say against Him?’ Pilate concluded that Jesus had done nothing to deserve death (v.15). I would make that even…
Quiet, humble proof!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:8-12 “Jesus gave him no answer.” (Luke 23:9) Jesus just stood there quietly, looking like a fool. Herod wanted a sign, Jesus gave him nothing. In the end Herod only saw a buffoon, a meek helpless mute. Jesus does not come across like a worldly leader or celebrity. He does not draw…
Turning things right-side up!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:1-7 “We have found this man subverting our nation.” (Luke 23:2) The Latin root for the English word ‘subvert’ means to turn from beneath. The original Greek word in this text means to turn thoroughly. Jesus is being accused of turning things around – like a revolution. But was Jesus really a…