THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 47-49 “And what shepherd can stand against me?” (Jeremiah 49:19) Jeremiah is a prophet within Israel, yet he has something to say to everyone. The nations mentioned here were at that time sinful, violent oppressors. Even though God warned His people about sin, He wasn’t forgetting the others. All people, nations and…
Your own Emmaus moments!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 24:28-35 “Were not our hearts burning within us while he opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32) This is what I hope for, and look for, when I read the bible. As I read, I pay attention to the thoughts that warm or stir my heart or mind. If a line jumps…
Jesus in the story!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 24:13-27 “He explained what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27) When I read the Old Testament (first 2/3 of the bible), I do not usually see Jesus. There are hints of Jesus scattered throughout, but buried in the midst of other stuff. Some people avoid the OT because they…
Eternal life begins now!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 24:1-12 “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:1-12) Death has been such a fixture in life we assume that it is natural. When death appears, we assume that hope is gone – because life is gone. We were made for life, yet we live as if we…
Actively, eagerly waiting!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:50-56 “He himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 23:51) What does it mean to ‘wait for the kingdom of God’. If I wait for the bus, I sit at the bus stop and anticipate that it is coming. If I wait for the light to turn green, I am…
All creation sings!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 104 “Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.” (Psalm 104:1) This song is an ode to the greatness and goodness of God. The psalmist is reflecting on the greatness of what he sees and knows. He looks into the sky, and sees the heavens, the…
Ways that I refuse to listen?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 44-46 “We will not listen to the message you have spoken in the name of the Lord!” (Jeremiah 44:16) We live in very different times than the days of Jeremiah. Their world sounds very foreign, and frightening to us. We don’t relate to worshiping idols or offering incense to the ‘Queen of…
Even when its hard or scary?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 41-43 “Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God.” (Jeremiah 42:6) The Jews were afraid to stay in Israel because of the Babylonians. Running away to Egypt looked wiser, safer, further from the Babylonians. But they wanted God’s guidance, so thy asked Jeremiah to seek God’s will….
I am a child of God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:44-49 “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47) Were you surprised when you read these words, “a righteous man”? I’ve always thought that this soldier said “the Son of God!” In fact, this is what Matthew and Mark record (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39). This is not a typo; in fact these words mean…
Paradise gained!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 23:39-43 “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus came as a new Adam to restore God’s creation paradise. By refusing Satan’s lies (unlike Adam and Eve), Jesus beats Satan. He reclaims Adam’s position (Genesis 1:26-28), and therefore God’s kingdom. Jesus now reigns over all creation, though Satan is not…