As Jesus heads toward Jerusalem, the heat on Israel intensifies. Jerusalem has become a haunt of Jackals and unclean birds and upon that generation would come the blood of all the prophets that had been sent to her. But, among the wreck and ruin of humanity in Israel, there … [Read more...] about Jesus, Precious Gems
Beauty that Saves the World
In his book, The Idiot, Fyodor Dostoevsky introduces us to a character named Myshkin. Myshkin’s idea of life is to help rather than to harm, to give mercy rather than malice, to forgive again and again. Myshkin takes what is cruel and repulsive in the people and culture around … [Read more...] about Beauty that Saves the World
Jesus, Who’s Out, Who’s In
Sinners have obstacles to God. They have nothing to commend themselves to God. But in the gospel, men like the rich young ruler and the Pharisee who have it all, have it worse, for they have no room for God. In Luke 18 we learn that it's the weak in society who are being … [Read more...] about Jesus, Who’s Out, Who’s In
Frustrated for Our Own Good
It's pretty clear what 400 men armed with swords plan to do. Frustrated and hungry, they plan to make mince meat out of an idiot and his household. At least, that was David's plan. David and his men had been in exile, hiding from Saul for some time. But they were not idle. … [Read more...] about Frustrated for Our Own Good
Jesus, Justice
The publican and the Pharisee had this in common: They were both looking for justification. The difference between the two was that one sought his justification by reflecting on his own goodness, the other sought his justification by reflecting on the goodness of God. In Luke … [Read more...] about Jesus, Justice