One of the comforting things about the Gospel narrative is how slow Jesus’ disciples are in getting the good news of Jesus. From Mark’s perspective, the disciples never quite get it, even at the resurrection. Matthew suggests the same thing. Luke tells us that things really didn’t click until Pentecost, and even…
This was the second time the disciples heard Jesus speak of His death and resurrection. “The Son of Man must be handed over into the hands of men, be killed, and they will kill Him, and after He is killed, He will rise again after three days.” There was no mistaking what Jesus was…
The highest form of fellowship is at the table, to eat and drink together. Candlelight dinners. Power lunches. Wedding receptions. Funeral receptions. Thanksgiving dinner. Christmas dinner. Easter dinner. “Let’s do lunch.” The early church always ate together as part of their gathering. Whether in work…
On my trip to Russia a couple of years ago, I immediately noticed who popular cellular phones were. As soon as we landed in Moscow and cleared customs, I immediately noticed cell phones everywhere. People walking in the airports. People driving in cars. People sitting at outdoor cafes or on park…
Jesus prays for His Church. This is the key to the Church’s survival. This is what has kept the Church going for the last two-thousand years. The Church has survived persecution, false teaching, and some of the grossest mismanagement in recorded history. Any human organization would have long gone under and…
It was the feast of unleavened bread in preparation for the Passover. Jerusalem was packed with out of towners. Jesus had just entered the city on a donkey and was greeted as a triumphant king to the shouts of “Hosanna.” Some Greeks, who were in town for the Passover, wanted to see…
We gave trouble with gifts. We have trouble giving gifts. And we have trouble receiving them. Giving gifts is difficult for us. And I’m not talking about questions like is it the right color? Or the right size? Or will he like it? Or does she already have…
The time for miracles was over. The time of Jesus’ popularity was coming to its end. It’s the midpoint of the Gospel, and Jesus turns His attention to the business of dying and rising. He began to teach His disciples that He must suffer many things, and be rejected by the religious…
He’s cast out demons. Healed an old woman’s fever. Cleansed a leper. Raised a paralytic. Preached up a storm. And now it’s time for Jesus to cast out the demon of religion.
Jesus seems to go out of his way to run roughshod over religion. His disciples pick…
Jesus casts out demons with a word. He cures an old woman’s fever with the touch of his hand. He cleanses a leper with a touch and a word. He teaches and preaches with unheard of authority. And the people are amazed. And as hard as Jesus tries to stay…