THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:12-16 “We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15) The religious leaders are pledging loyalty to Caesar. Many religious leaders in Nazi Germany did the same to Hitler. Are religious leaders loyal to political parties and leaders today? Who should we as Jesus followers be loyal to? Christians should be political (i.e….
Category: daily meditations
What kind of leader am I?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:1-11 “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” (John 1:11) In Genesis 1, God (from above) gives humans power over the world. This is how God set up His creation kingdom: God-like humans ruling for Him. All humans in some way are authorized and…
Am I open to the truth?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 18:28-40 “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37) Pilate is trying to figure out the truth about Jesus. But when Jesus speaks truthfully, he does not like what he hears. He may ask “what is truth?” but what he really wants is “what is convenient!” I know someone…
Hope despite harm?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 121 “The Lord will keep you from all harm.” (Psalm 121:7) But as I read the psalm, I always feel a hesitation as I read some words. He will keep us from all harm, He will not let our foot slip? What happens when we do slip, what happens when we do…
Who moved?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Malachi 1-4 “Return to me, and I will return to you.” (Malachi 3:6) Many people are disappointed in their relationship with God. God seems distant, unresponsive, uninvolved in the struggles of their lives. Sometimes – not always – it can be because we are holding back from God. This is what Malachi is…
Focusing on God’s power and purpose!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Haggai 1-2 “And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” (Haggai 2:5) Haggai describes a revival among God’s people. God has challenged their focus on their own homes and dreams. Their spirits have been stirred for God’s kingdom agenda. But the results are disappointing: this temple is nothing like the first one….
The sound of mercy!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 18:25-27 “Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.” (John 18:27) Included in this story about Jesus is this moment of Peter’s failure. If one so close to Jesus can buckle under pressure, I am encouraged. Though I’ve never denied Jesus like this, I’ve never been threatened…
My life an echo of Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 18:19-24 “I have spoken openly to the world.” (John 18:20) People can’t ask Jesus today anymore, since He is not physically with us. But anyone can read the gospels today to learn the message of Jesus. Anyone can also ask a Jesus follower too, for they know what He said. “Ask those…
Yes, I am a follower of Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 18:15-18 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” (John 18:17) There have been times when I was uncomfortable to say I was a christian. My struggle is not with being connected with Jesus… but with the ‘church’. The institutional church has too often misrepresented Jesus to the world. I…
More than an ‘atonement theory’
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 18:12-14 “Then the detachment of soldiers… arrested Jesus (and) bound Him.” (John 18:12) Use your imagination to picture this scene, Jesus being arrested and bound. I love how C.S.Lewis pictures this in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” “Four Hags, grinning and leering, approached him. They shrieked with triumph when they…