THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 19:1-10 “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5) Zacchaeus thought he was checking Jesus out; now Jesus takes charge. In a sense, Jesus steps in to his life uninvited – “I must stay at your house!” Little did Zacchaeus know that morning how Jesus would turn…
I want to see Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:35-43 “When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” (Luke 18:43) This blind man wasn’t the only one whose eyes were opened. The same group that tried to silence the blind man now see this healing. They did not understand – could not see – that this was what Jesus…
Still do not know…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:31-34 “They did not know what he was talking about.” (Luke 18:34) The Jews understood that a messiah was coming. They did not comprehend that their messiah would die. They expected victory, not defeat; a crown, not a cross. Even after several years with Jesus, the disciples still did not understand. I…
I am a camel!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:18-30 “When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.” (Luke 18:23) Would you rather have many people thankful in heaven for how you blessed them? Or fewer people thankful because you kept most of your wealth for yourself. To use most of your money for yourself, or…
Worship starts with God
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women,…
Hardened heart?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 95 “Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts!” (Psalm 95:8) This psalm is calling for a response from us when we experience God. God is always speaking and working in and around us, yet we often miss it. Many of us will sit in church today,…
God will help!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 64-66 “You come to the help of those who gladly do right.” (Isaiah 64:5) I believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere present God. This God is great and good, to the infinite power! God is always on the side of good, and is always working for the good. This God supports…
Making the kingdom attractive!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 60-63 “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:3) To get these words, we have to recall the context in which they were spoken. Israel was a mess, of the 12 tribes only ‘the Jews’ (Judah) remained. The glory days of the past were a…
Up, In, Out: The Jesus Pattern
The free flow of blessing!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:15-17 “Bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.” (Luke 18:16) So what exactly happened when Jesus placed His hands on them? In Mark 10:16 we read that Jesus blessed the children in His arms. Did this blessing give these babies an advantage over other un-blessed babies? My guess…