Jesus knew his authority and he used it for the benefit of others, not for himself nor to prove himself. Satan tempted him to benefit himself and to prove himself, but Jesus refused to do so then and continued to refuse to benefit from his own position. He had come to give his life asContinue reading “Jesus’ Mission”
Category Archives: destiny
Knowing and Being Known
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus instructed his followers to enter through the narrow gate, because the road to destruction is wide and easy and many take that route, not realizing that it is taking them to their ruin. On the other hand the road that leads to life is both small and can be difficult, thereforeContinue reading “Knowing and Being Known”
Evaluating Expectations
After breaking the bread and drinking from the cup, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives, where he told them they would all be scandalized because of him. Although they denied it, later that night they all would be. Peter was most vehement in his denial, so Jesus told him exactly what heContinue reading “Evaluating Expectations”
Being Attentive
While the chief priest and scribes plotted to kill Jesus after the Passover, Jesus was at the home of Simon the Leper, when a woman, unnamed in Mark, but identified as Mary the sister of Lazarus in John, brought a flask of perfume with which she anointed Jesus’ head. However, there were some there whoContinue reading “Being Attentive”
God’s Image Revealed
It intrigues me how Jesus revealed truth in unexpected situations. When some Pharisees and Herodians came to test him about paying taxes to Caesar, they hoped to discredit Jesus before the people or accuse him before the Romans. If Jesus said that they should pay their taxes, he would have been discredited before the people,Continue reading “God’s Image Revealed”
Jesus’ Timetable
Once again on the boundary of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus received a deaf and mute man. Jesus healed him by placing his fingers in his ears and placing spit on his tongue. Then he declared his ears to be opened so that he could hear and the bonds on his tongue were loosed. Mark’s descriptionContinue reading “Jesus’ Timetable”
Living with in the world with a heavenly mindset.
Although the question posed to Jesus about paying taxes was designed to find fault with him, in one sentence Jesus shed light on how his followers are to live in the world. Jesus’ contemporaries chaffed at being ruled by the Romans; paying taxes to Caesar was particularly aggravating to them. However, it was necessary forContinue reading “Living with in the world with a heavenly mindset.”
Free-Will or Fate
At times people wonder if they truly have free will, whether they make their own decisions or if they are just robots making decisions that fate or a higher power has predetermined. In John’s Gospel we see an incident that gives us a glimpse into how both free-will and a predetermined plan work together. TheContinue reading “Free-Will or Fate”
David Freitag 