Every Jewish teacher in first-century Israel had to deal with the problem of Rome, and Jesus is no exception. When Jesus taught about loving enemies and going a second mile (Matthew 5:38-48), or told His disciples to return Caesar’s coin to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22), He was … [Read more...] about We Would if We Could…
Service
Authority
If you want to know what is in a man, if you want to know what he is really made of, then you put him into the corridors of power. For this, we have no shortage of examples. We imagine that men like Pol Pot or Stalin were exceptions, and we imagine that if we ever got into the … [Read more...] about Authority
Jesus, Tradition
In John 13:1-35 Jesus shows us that His love for His disciples will be the same love that His followers will have for one another. By this love, made visible in Christs' tradition of sacrificial service, all the world will know that we belong to Jesus. In the last week of His … [Read more...] about Jesus, Tradition
Jesus, A Ransom for Many
Jesus is going to up to Jerusalem. But before He enters those gates for the last time we have a small but important incident involving brothers and disciples, James and John. The incident gives Jesus an opportunity to lay down the pattern for godly leadership. And what He teaches … [Read more...] about Jesus, A Ransom for Many
Jesus, Women Who Serve
Until now, Jesus has used Capernaum as a base for ministry. He has headed out from there on short stints and then returned. Chapter 8 in Luke marks a change in the way Jesus has been doing ministry among the people. At this point, He leaves Capernaum and begins moving from … [Read more...] about Jesus, Women Who Serve