trying to find His way
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…
Elijah is traditionally considered one of the greatest Old Testament prophets.He was known for championing monotheism and confronting kings.He was known for powerful miracles and a dramatic ascent to heaven.Malachi, later prophet, predicted the return of one like Elijah. “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of…
A big question for many people is about the reliability of the Jesus stories.There are some fantastic and hard to believe stories recorded in them.Luke himself was not an eyewitness, yet he believes them with certainty.In these opening words he explains that he did his homework.He received the stories from those who were eyewitnesses.He carefully…
This added line confirms what is said elsewhere. The disciples task was to go and to preach (show and share) the good news. It was not their job to perform signs; this was the Lord’s part. It was Jesus, not the disciples, who performed the miracles. “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking…
These words added to Mark stand out as odd, and dangerous.Nowhere else in the Jesus stories is this mentioned.There are some possible connections to other parts of the BibleThere is the prophecy of Isaiah 11 about the coming of the Messiah.The Branch of Jesse will be Spirit-powered and make things right (Isaiah 11:1-5). “The wolf will live…