THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:14-21 “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” (Mark 8:18) Once again, stated in several ways, Jesus is challenging them to think. He warned them about the ‘yeast’ of the Pharisees and Herod. They thought He meant physical bread, which they forgot to bring. We…
When shame is good
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 129 “May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.” (Psalm 129:5) For the Jews, the hill called Zion symbolized all God’s promises. Not only their capitol, it was the city of David their king. And the location of their temple, where God lived with them. To hate Zion is to…
Wise words… shorter sermons?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 18 “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint.” (Proverbs 17:27) Do we realize how penetrating words can be, how they can heal or hurt? As one who uses words for a living, I sometimes forget this. How many people have been blessed by my words without my knowing it? But…
He knows my heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 16 “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:2) Just because I think I’m right (short for ‘righteous’), doesn’t mean I am. Paul thought he was faultless (Philippians 3:4-6), until he met Jesus. Then he realized thinking he was right didn’t make him innocent…
Just in case you missed it!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 8:1-10 “The people ate and were satisfied. About four thousand were present.” (Mark 8:8-9) Is this just another version of the one time Jesus fed the crowds? Or did Jesus feed large groups on several occasions. If He did it more than once, why would they be surprised the second time? Good…
Maybe Jesus has a reason…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:31-37 “Jesus put his fingers in the man’s ears, spit and touched the man’s tongue.” (Mark 7:33) I don’t know: this what I say when asked, ‘why finger in ear and spit in mouth?’ Aside from being weird and gross, it was also effective, it worked. Maybe Jesus had a reason for…
Like a surgeon’s knife
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:24-30 “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27) Jesus is visiting Tyre, a non-Jewish area. But why does He call this woman a ‘dog’… not a very Jesus-like thing to say? He knows how the Canaanites and Jews felt about each other….
Think about it!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:14-23 “’Are you so dull?’ he asked. ‘Don’t you see that…’” (Mark 7:18) Here we see the problem with translation. The actual word describes not being able to understand, or figure things out. The words ‘are you so dull’ carry a connotation that does not sound like Jesus. (But maybe that is…
The Jesus Way of blessing!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 128 “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” (Psalm 128:1) God is the center of all life, all reality. God made us free to choose, to partner with Him in ruling the world. But our choices need to be wise, to line up with the way…
Humble my opinions!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 15 “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:33) After years of trying to figure things out, I’ve learned that I can’t. Many of the things I thought I was certain about, I no long hold with confidence. Its not that I have given in to…