Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: Rejected by His hometown, Jesus goes to Capernaum, some 40 miles (a 9-hour walk according to Google Maps). Luke surrounds these two miraculous interventions with observations about the spreading of Jesus’ ministry. Don’t miss the detail that Jesus is not only teaching on the Sabbath, but He is also “working” by casting out demons …
Continue reading “Luke: Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit, Heals Many”
Read: Back from the desert temptation experience, Jesus’ ministry is now set for launch. Not surprising, His teaching is exceptional and people are amazed. They were amazed when He taught as a 12-year old (), I can’t even fathom what another 18 years of life on earth added to His sermon archive! In this passage, …
Read: As I continue to ponder what Zechariah did during his 9+ months of silence as Elizabeth managed her high-risk pregnancy, I read this incredible section in the NIVAC (NIV Application Commentary). I hope you’ll read this and consider your leadership role in the church. Whether you’re on staff or occasionally attend a gathering of …
Continue reading “Temptation to be Relevant, Popular, and Powerful”
Read: Luke takes some time to introduce Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist, as they are blessed by a visit from the angel Gabriel. This is a story of devotion to service that is rewarded far beyond expectation. Zechariah’s immediate reaction results in losing his ability to speak while Elizabeth quickly figures out …
Continue reading “Luke: The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold”
A year ago I set out to blog through the Bible again, this time with an emphasis on deeper understanding and a desire to leave a legacy for my girls. It started when I was looking at some material I had sitting around: the Old Testament Challenge. That seemed like enough structure to get started, …
Read: The NIV heading for this section is exceptional: Peter Disowns Jesus. Ouch! Such a poignant word. In the wild sequence of events that happens in this narrative, Peter is lost and shows us he is completely human, too human perhaps, at this moment. Denial One – Servant Girl When she saw Peter warming himself, …
Read: Betrayal complete, now the leaders have their work cut out for them as they prepare their case against Jesus. Meanwhile, Peter is doing his very best not to be the one Jesus called out a few hours earlier: Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he …
Read: Christmas 2017 was celebrated yesterday. Lots of gifts were exchanged as a reminder of the incredible gift that Jesus is to our world. Today is Boxing Day, a day to reflect on the crescendo of the Christmas season (and pack-up stuff). We don’t really celebrate Boxing Day here, but I like the idea. Instead, …
Read: We come to the point where Jesus institutes a new tradition: The Lord’s Supper. This is a significant event among many during this period we refer to as Passion Week. It’s interesting that we only have a few verses to record this huge shift during the Passover feast. For hundreds of years, the Passover …
Read: The emotional scene of the preceding verses leaves us with a sense of wonder about this woman who anointed Jesus and His proclamation that she is the one we will remember wherever the gospel is preached. Though unnamed, she symbolizes what it means to honor the Savior. John Mark is careful to point out …