June 24, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:54-56 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION There is something remarkable about Jesus, in life and in death. Why were so many people impacted by this nobody from Nazareth? Why did He agitate those in power, and inspire those in poverty? How did He generate a world-changing movement, considering He died such an ignoble death? Even the Roman…
Honest with God
June 23, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 39 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION The psalmist is getting old, and is overwhelmed by the prospect of death. He is afraid to die, in part because he is filled with honest shame and regret. Is God punishing him, is his suffering the wages for his sin? Life is short; it doesn’t seem that way when we’re…
1 Samuel 8-15
June 21-22, 2013 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 8-15 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
He has NOT deserted me!
June 20, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:45-53 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ (Psalm 22:1) In this passage we see Jesus receiving the curse of sin (Genesis 2:17), even though He does not deserve it. As the fullness of God in human form, emptied of His divine powers, He genuinely experiences this rejection from God. These are…
‘In the same way’ as Jesus
June 19, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:38-44 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Matthew sees the religious leaders as no better than the robbers; he intentionally frames their actions between references to the robbers (27:38,44). ‘In the same way…’ they mock and taunt Jesus. They shame and belittle His faith in God, little realizing that they are revealing the bankruptcy of their own faith….
Do I want to know Jesus like this?
June 18, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:32-37 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION I want to be a servant of Jesus, my King, but do I want to join Him if it means helping Him carry His cross? Jesus called His disciples to join him in cross-carrying (Matthew 16:24). For Simon this was literal, and tradition says it was for Peter too, but what about…
Could I be like this?
June 17, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:27-31 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION I have a huge sensitivity to suffering. I cannot imagine myself participating in something like this, shaming someone, spitting on them, beating them. What happens to a person to make them capable of this, and could it happen to me? Is there something of nature, and something of nurture in it?…
The weight of sin
June 16, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 38 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION My guilt has become too much for me. It is a load too heavy to carry. (Psalm 38:4) David is in a bad place: physically, mentally, emotionally and socially tormented. He traces the cause to his immoral choices, his doing something that he knows is wrong. A picture that comes to mind…
1 Samuel 1-7
June 14-15, 2013 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 1-7 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
I am response-able!
June 13, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:20-26 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Who is responsible for Jesus’ death: Pilate refuses to take responsibility; the religious leaders accept responsibility. In one sense Pilate and the Jewish leaders are responsible for Jesus’ death, but more importantly we all are. Each one of us faces the death penalty because we are responsible for our sinful choices….