Tag Archives: Jesus

Sabotaging the Sabbath?

The Sabbath had a restorative function and purpose—all the texts point to this. No one was to engage in work—no one in the family, their servants, their animals, or the foreigner residing among them. Just think about life in a subsistence culture where a day’s work was of critical importance and you’ll have some ideaContinue reading “Sabotaging the Sabbath?”

Against Me or For Me?

Dianne wonders about the tension between Jesus’ statements in Luke 11:23 and 9:50. Here are those verses: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Luke 11:23) “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:50). Let’s take the passage from LukeContinue reading “Against Me or For Me?”

Doing Right

Joseph’s story begins in Genesis 37 and continues through the remainder of Genesis. It is a remarkable story to say the least. We’re introduced to Joseph when he was seventeen and thrown into a cistern by his brothers. Then he was trafficked by them to Midianite traders who sold him to Pharaoh’s captain of theContinue reading “Doing Right”

The Arrest of Jesus

David wants to know, “Why did they step back and fall down when Jesus said, ‘I am He?’” This question has reference to something that happened when Jesus was arrested. John records the scene in 18:1-6 of his gospel. When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the otherContinue reading “The Arrest of Jesus”

What is the most important thing?

“The best version of yourself” is a phrase that’s worked its way into just about every aspect of our culture. I think it’s fair to call it at least one of the mantras of today’s generation, if not the mantra. One of the things I appreciate about these words is how they express an unwillingnessContinue reading “What is the most important thing?”

The Mathematics of Grace

Is there a more difficult scenario for a parent than to be estranged from one of their (grown) children whose precise whereabouts are unknown? I suppose there could be something, but it’s hard to fathom (and who really wants to try?). But suppose you were in this situation (and God bless those of you whoContinue reading “The Mathematics of Grace”

Background on Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is the final book written by Moses and a fitting conclusion to the Pentateuch (the first five books of Scripture). Genesis is the book of beginnings. Exodus advances the story from Egypt to the wilderness and ends with the construction of the tabernacle. Leviticus furnishes Israel with laws concerning the tabernacle and sacrificial system.Continue reading “Background on Deuteronomy”

A Sandcastle Faith

There will be storms for the disciple.  When Jesus speaks of them in Matthew 7:24ff, it is a when rather than an if type of statement that He makes.  This shouldn’t surprise us, the Scripture promises believers will have their share of difficulties and hardships (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12, etc.).  They are part of the tapestry of our faith. Continue reading “A Sandcastle Faith”