Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: That day. You remember. That day when Jesus spoke to the crowds in pleasing parables that caused us to ponder. That day. We learned about scattering seeds, the very Word of God. When we had to admit we didn’t really understand the depth and breadth of His teaching. More than pleasant stories to share …
Read: As the Pharisees began to plot against Jesus, the crowds are overflowing. Mark quickly lists the 12 disciples, then focuses on accusations about Jesus’ motivation. In my mind, this quickly gets ugly. Jesus has some strong words for those who are completely confused. At the same time, we are challenged to consider the sin …
Read: The Pharisees continue to rack up evidence against Jesus in these two observations: 1) Jesus’ disciples aren’t fasting like they’re supposed to, and 2) Jesus and his disciples broke the law by plucking some heads of grain on the Sabbath. These two issues are dealt with directly: Jesus answered, “How can the guests of …
Continue reading “Mark: Pharisees are Confused about Fasting and Lord of the Sabbath”
Read: When was the last time you had dinner with sinners? When have I intentionally invited those who are regarded as sinful, shunned by the church, into my home to share a meal? Seriously. Consider the text: While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and …
Read: John Mark wastes no time in getting into the story of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The NIV Study Bible notes summarizes his perspective like this: Mark’s Gospel emphasizes more what Jesus did than what he said. Mark moves quickly from one episode in Jesus’ life and ministry to another. No joke! In the first 13 …
Read: The last chapter of Matthew includes the key that separates us from all other religions: Jesus’ resurrection. No doubt, this is this pivot point in time for human existence. The guards were scared to death, took their bribes from the chief priests and disappeared. Mary and Mary were the first to discover the empty …
Read: Not the end of the story. Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead …
Continue reading “Matthew: Jesus’ Trial, Crucifixion and Burial”
Read: The narrative captured in this chapter covers a wide range of activity during a short period of time. To be fair, this should be nine separate posts, but I’m not trying to write a commentary, simply point out some thoughts from reading through the Bible. The Plot Against Jesus (85): Jesus Anointed at Bethany …
Continue reading “Matthew: Plot, Betrayal, Arrest and Denial”
Read: The last of Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching through parables includes three lessons: The Parable of the Ten Virgins: The Parable of the Bags of Gold: The Sheep and the Goats: The first exhorts us to be prepared, the second to be prudent and the third invites us to love the world as Jesus …
Read: If you have a red letter Bible, or like me, you have “red letter” turned on, chapters 24 & 25 are nearly all red (initially I thought I would cover both chapters). The words of Jesus are carefully transcribed here as part of the last discourse in Matthew’s gospel account. The prophetic voice of …