THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 11:20-24 “It will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:24) It sounds like Jesus is being judgmental here, doesn’t it? But what if we are missing the heart and compassion in what Jesus is saying. Imagine a group of homeless children living in a…
Author: Norm
Are we really listening?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 11:7-19 “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 11:15) When Billy Graham spoke, many people listened and responded. But if someone ordinary says something challenging, do we listen? John the Baptist was well-known, many people revered him as a prophet. Jesus frustration was that people were not really listening to John. They…
Is Gott mit uns?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 14 “God is present in the company of the righteous.” (Psalm 14:5) This Psalm is not about atheists, but about those who live godless lives. To be godless is to live as if God doesn’t matter. They do what they do because no one is watching, no one will stop them. ‘God…
Luke 13:8-9
Leave it alone for one more year. Dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down. (Luke 13:8-9)
The seriousness of our calling!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Exodus 29-31 “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.” (Exodus 29:44) Talk about very elaborate, very gory, very serious consecration details. Why is God using such strong rituals to set aside the priests and the sanctuary? In…
A holy, happy mystery!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Exodus 25-28 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8) How can God ‘dwell’ in a man-made sanctuary, no matter how impressive? This is meant to be a powerful symbol for this newborn nation of slaves. The awesome Creator God, so beyond us in being…
Signs of the kingdom!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 11:1-6 “Go back and report to John what you hear and see.” (Matthew 11:4) The Jews believed that God would send a Messiah to restore creation. The Messiah would reverse the curse and restore the kingdom of God. The effects of sin – blindness, lameness, death, poverty – would be made right….
Ambassadors for God and Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 10:40-42 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and… the one who sent me.” (Matthew 10:40) God created us to re-present Him, to be ‘like God’ in the world, to the world. When we live like God (ie good, loving, merciful, faithful, etc), we reflect God. Anyone who welcomes this goodness, even if…
The meaning of taking a stand!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 10:32-39 “For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father…’” (Matthew 10:35) Jesus came to displace the dominion of darkness with the kingdom of light. He stands against hate, murder, rape, injustice, violence, deceit, crime, etc. He stands with the poor, the weak, the oppressed, the abuse, the tortured, etc….
Body and soul, in life and in death!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 10:26-31 “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30) In my family of origin, early balding was an issue. For some reason, I held on to my hair covering, while my brothers didn’t. I joked it was because I was a minister, my boss had my hairs…