Jesus does not leave us guessing as to what it takes to be His disciple. He has already said a disciple must deny himself and take up his cross daily, and that a disciple has no claim on his own life (9:23-26). In this text He goes further and explains that a disciple can’t seek […]
One of the wonderful things about the Bible is how it presents its heroes. We don’t just read about the triumphs of Abraham, Moses, and David, and they aren’t presented as supernatural saints that never make a mistake. We see their faults and sins too. It’s why the Bible is ultimately a book about the […]
To understand The Transfiguration, it’s important to understand its context. Jesus ended His discussion of the cost of discipleship by telling His followers that He will someday come in glory (vs 26). He then – surprisingly – said that there were some listening to Him who would witness this glory before they died (vs 27). […]
Go for the gusto…Be all you can be…You deserve more…Because you’re worth it… Taste the rainbow…Have it your way…You rule!…Deny yourself and take up your cross. One of those slogans doesn’t seem to fit, does it? That last one kind of ruins the vibe of the preceding seven. It communicates quite a different message than […]
God is all powerful. God is all knowing. God is merciful. Because of His power, God can act in ways that supersede the natural order of His creation. Because of His knowledge, He knows exactly what His people need and when they need it. And because of His mercy, He lovingly ministers to His children […]
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” ~ Isaiah 55:8-9 “God works in mysterious ways” is a very old saying that is very […]
Sin is the outworking of evil. It is the overriding characteristic of the current world. It negatively affects everyone and everything. Nothing in this world is what it would be if sin didn’t exist. It is the biggest problem man faces because it undergirds every problem man faces. And, most importantly, it separates man from […]
There is much to learn about weathering the storms of life from the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus shows the disciples that there is nothing outside of His authority and there is never a reason to lose faith when He’s nearby. In the same way, He shows us […]
Jesus continues to preach the kingdom of God, and in so doing uses a parable to explain how the kingdom spreads in the hearts of those who hear its message and accept it, but also how it’s rejected by those who hear its message but are too enamored with the world to believe it. The […]
Ever been in an awkward social situation? Ever felt unwelcome at a gathering? Ever eaten a meal at someone’s house only to have an immoral woman walk in and start washing your feet with her tears and anointing them with perfume? No? That’s what happens to Jesus in this story. He eats with a Pharisee, […]
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