THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:18-20 “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, ‘God’s Messiah.’” (Luke 9:20) The Jews were eagerly anticipating the coming of God’s promised messiah. The One that would rescue them from bondage and restore their fortunes. God’s anointed one (‘messiah’ in Hebrew, ‘christ’ in Greek). Anointed with power, appointed to set things…
You give them something!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:10-17 “Jesus replied, ‘You give them something to eat.’” (Luke 9:13) There is still hunger and poverty in the world. We want Jesus to get rid of hunger and poverty, but He wants us to. We want Him to send the poor away, but He sends us to the poor. But how…
Turning from, turning to!
“In the larger rhythm of turning from and turning to, repentance is the turning away from. Repentance turns us from sin, selfishness, darkness, idols, habits, bondages, and demons, both private and public. We turn from all that binds and oppresses us and others, from all the violence and evil in which we are so complicit,…
Equipping leadership
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:1-9 “He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:2) How could Jesus send out the disciples so soon, they were not ready! The disciples would have failed a test on the kingdom of God (Acts 1:6). They did not understand Jesus’ death, or know…
Feeling God’s smile!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 80 “Make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:19) This verse is a quote from the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:25-26. “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you…
Pray before you speak!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 25-26 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:4-5) So what is the right answer, should we answer a fool according to their folly? These…
Despite my falls, I will rise again!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 23-24 “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” (Proverbs 24:16) I believe in the resurrection, the hope of rising again. This hope is not meant to encourage selfish sinners to keep sinning. It is a hope for those who KNOW their weakness, and need for mercy. It is a hope…
The matrix of death?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 8:49-56 “‘Stop wailing,’ Jesus said. ‘She is not dead but asleep.’” (Luke 8:52) I remember seeing the movie The Matrix for the first time. The idea behind the plot is that the world we know isn’t real, it is an illusion. A computer-generated illusion that keeps us slaves, powering the machine. But…
Welcoming faith strugglers!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 8:40-48 “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48) Here again I am encouraged by the simple faith that Jesus honours. It is not ‘understanding the faith’ (beliefs) that helps, heals, or saves us. It is any move towards God – uncertain or desperate or confident – for help….
What am I focussing on? (2)
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 8:26-39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” (Luke 8:39) I like how Jesus encourages this man to share his story. Too often christians focus on the bible or church teachings. This man knew very little about these things. But he knew what God had done for him…