trying to find His way
These words of Simeon reflect what actually happens when Jesus shows up.Jesus brought salvation, light and glory for Jews AND Gentiles.But He was spoken against because His words and ways cut to the heart.Mary was not spared this either; everyone was affected. To encounter Jesus is both exciting and unsettling.The light of Jesus’s love exposes…
Sorry, my reflections today take the long way around to make my point.As I read these verses, my questioning mind is activated.Why was a woman considered ‘unclean’ after childbirth, needing purification?You can read about uncleanness for women in Leviticus 12 and 15.To be unclean means to be unfit for the worship of God.You could not approach…
This line stands out to me, because I can relate to it.I am by nature a ponderer, a meaning and wisdom-seeker.I do not simply take bible words in their plain sense.I want to discern what it means to me, and what I should do with it. Some spoke recently to me about three kinds of…
What are some examples of news that is good for all, or many people?When an abducted child is found and released, unharmed.When a major hurricane is coming, but then dissipates in the ocean?When COVID was finally worked out, and we could meet in person.When a ceasefire was announced after a major world war?These last two…
After many years of Christmas celebrations, this statement seems normal.But imagine hearing it for the first time?A manger, an rough, smelly animal feed trough?Compare this to where your children (if you have) were born. The Glorious God became human, and was born with the animals.The Creator of the universe was laid in a human-made manger.The…
Zechariah was dumbfounded, so shocked he could not speak.But once he accepted the shock, his tongue was loosed.By naming his son John, he surrendered to the angel’s message.His miracle boy would be the herald of the messiah.The way-preparer for the Prince of Peace.The messenger for the One Who would make things ‘very good’ again. To…
I am currently watching The Chosen, a made-for-TV Jesus story.There are things I really like about it, and some things that make me cringe.But one thing stands out: He was NOT the Messiah they were hoping for.Yes, they wanted the Messiah to bring down the Roman rulers.But they also wanted their own thrones protected.They wanted…
Today I am reflecting on the ripple effect of experiencing Jesus.Jesus in Mary, through Mary’s greeting, affects Elizabeth.Not only Elizabeth, but the unborn baby in her womb.It seems that Jesus in the womb was already Spirit-powered. “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The…
Mary is told in advance what is going to happen.Imagine this young girl (12,13?) finding out she will be pregnant.And not in the usual way, with the participation of a husband.And not a usual child, but the promised Messiah, son of God.Does she think through the implications of this?Does she think it will be advantageous…
Many people see the phrase ‘son of God’ as meaning that Jesus is divine.As they see it, just as a ‘son of man’ is human, ‘a son of God’ is divine.And since Jesus used both titles, He was claiming to be both God and human.Trinitarian theology puts it this way: Jesus is fully God and…