THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:46-56 “The Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.” A young, single girl discovers she is pregnant… with the messiah!?!? Her life has just been radically altered forever. Something deep within her explodes – not with rage or despair but with praise. These words reveal…
Because of Jesus in you!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:39-45 “The baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41) Have you ever tried to help someone experience Jesus? Seems to me that instead of trying to move people toward Jesus, we just need to bring Jesus to them. Mary did nothing but show up,…
God will do it!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:26-38 “For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37) We may recall this translation better: “nothing is impossible for God!” The literal words are: no word/thing of God will be powerless. In other words, when God plans something, it happens. This is not saying that God can do ANYTHING (like create…
Pointing people to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:5-25 “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) Before the birth of the messiah baby, another baby is born. This aged couple, like Abraham and Sarah, is part of God’s salvation plan. Their child will not be the messiah, but he will prepare the way. He will be…
To know Jesus better!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:1-4 “So that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4) Was Theophilus a person, or a ‘friend of God’ as the word means? Was he Paul’s lawyer, a Jewish priest, a converted Roman official (‘most excellent’)? We know that Luke was a dear friend of…
A blind man who sees!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 10:46-52 “‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’” (Mark 10:52) Desperate hope that will not let go. The disciples with Jesus rebuke him and shoo him away. But this blind man sees something in Jesus that ignites his hope. ‘Son of David’ was another way of saying God’s promised messiah. While…
Upside down kingdom?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 10:35-45 “Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:44) Jesus seems to be backwards in all He says and does. In a time of disposable marriage, He advocated lifelong faithfulness. Where children and disabled were disregarded, He valued and blessed them. Where wealth and power were sought, He pressed…
A light at the end of the tunnel!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 10:32-34 “Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:34) Jesus uses prophetic language to describe Himself: the Son of Man. For the disciples, the Son of Man was the coming king (Daniel 7:13-14). But did they understand from Isaiah 53 that He would suffer and die. Did they understand that He would come back…
Why is it so hard?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 10:23-31 “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23) Not only is it hard, according to Jesus, it is impossible. I would consider myself rich in this world. These words speak to me, and I need to dig into what they mean for me. Do…
Tough love
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 10:17-22 “Jesus looked at him and loved him… Go, sell everything you have…” (Mark 10:21) Is this is how Jesus treats people He loves?! Jesus did not say this to everyone, but He did say it to this man, whom He loved. As I’ve said before, Jesus personalizes His responses to the…