THE STORY OF JESUS: Exodus 32-34 “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the…
Category: daily meditations
What God desires for us!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 12:1-8 “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:8) God created us to live in and en joy His creation rest. This does not mean ‘not working’, but living life in the rest and joy of the Lord. The Sabbath day was intended as a symbol, pointing to…
Creation rest
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 11:25-30 “All things have been committed to me by my Father.” (Matthew 11:27) Jesus was not the first one who could say these words. Adam and Eve could have said the same, in the beginning (Genesis 1:26-28). Back then they were God’s children, God’s image-bearers (See Genesis 5:1-3). They were revealing (reflecting as image-bearers)…
Day of consequences!
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…
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….