Author: Norm

Reflecting on Matthew 27:62-66 “His disciples may steal the body and say he has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 27:64)As a Jesus follower, I do not want to fake my faith in Jesus.I want to be honest, about what I believe, and also when I doubt. Can you imagine the first disciples faking Jesus’s resurrection?If they…

Reflecting on Matthew 27:57-61 “Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.” (Matthew 27:57) As a Jesus follower, I want to be open about my faith in Jesus. Not arrogant or pushy, but open and honest. Willing to let my reputation be undermined, for Jesus’s sake. Joseph had a lot to lose, if he was rich….

Reflecting on Matthew 27:45-56 “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matthew 27:51)As a Jesus follower, I see Jesus as the turning point of history.I still think in terms of BC (Before Christ) and AD (After Death).Actually, the AD stands for anno Domini, the year of our Lord.This…

Reflecting on Matthew 27:32-44 “In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.” (Matthew 27:41)As a Jesus follower, I learn from Him how to treat others.Not only those I love, or who love me, but even strangers and enemies.Jesus teaches and models the way of humility and grace.These traits…

Reflecting on Matthew 27:27-31 “Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him.” (Matthew 27:29)As a Jesus follower, this is not something I want to follow.Yes to the way of love, but no to this way of suffering.Yet is it possible to genuinely love, and not suffer? What is it in these soldiers that makes them…

Reflecting on Matthew 27:11-26 “He knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” (Matthew 27:18)As a Jesus follower, my life is on display before the world.People who experience me can sense how I am, and what motivates me.Jesus says that love is what people should notice in us (John 13:35). Here Pilate…

Reflecting on Matthew 27:1-10 “So Judas threw the money into the temple and left.” (Matthew 27:5)As a Jesus follower, I also face moments of failure and regret.In the moment you do what seems right or best.In hindsight you realize it was a mistake, or unwise.Depending on what it was, it may lead you to despair. Some people…

Reflecting on Matthew 26:69-75 “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken.” (Matthew 26:75)As a Jesus follower, I want to remember the words Jesus spoke.Though not because those words always make me feel good.Peter heard Jesus speak many words, but these words really moved him.“And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75)Peter is experiencing deep conviction, awareness…

Reflecting on Matthew 26:69-75 “He began to call down curses, and swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’” (Matthew 26:74)As a follower of Jesus, I am sometimes asked about what I believe.These situations are never dangerous, like Peter was facing here.But sometimes my reputation might be at risk, how people view me.I can’t say that I…

Reflecting on Matthew 26:57-67 “Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63)As followers of Jesus, we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.But what exactly do these words mean? The word messiah means ‘anointed one’ in Hebrew.In Greek the word is christ, a title we still use today.For the…