Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus, on the morning of his resurrection, displays the emotion that Mary felt in those moments. She was crying, distraught over the disappearance of Jesus’ body. However, when Jesus called her name, she knew it was him and clung to him, so much so that Jesus asked her to stop, becauseContinue reading “The Brotherhood of Christianity”
Category Archives: identity
The Influence of Fathers
In his final pronouncement against the religious leaders, scribes and Pharisees, Jesus revealed an insightful truth about identity. The leaders attempted to disassociate themselves with what their forefathers had done, but Jesus declared that they testified against themselves, because they still identified themselves as the sons of those who murdered the prophets and the righteous.Continue reading “The Influence of Fathers”
Jesus’ Mission
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”
What if?
On a number of occasions, Jesus referred to the disciples as having “little faith”. He used the word five times in the Gospels, four times in Matthew and once in Luke, always in reference to his own disciples. In the Sermon on the Mount, he addressed their anxiety over what to eat or what toContinue reading “What if?”
Powerful Words
In one of his confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus addressed the evil in the Pharisees by teaching us that our words reveal what is in our hearts. The way we speak, not just the words themselves but the way that we speak reveals who we are on the inside. The Pharisees’ words toward Jesus wereContinue reading “Powerful Words”
Marriage and Loving God
Lately I’ve been reading what Paul wrote to the Romans about following God. Knowing that Paul addressed people who were being taught to live according to the Old Testament law as Christians, Paul addressed the concept of living lives of love and freedom for and toward Jesus, without the regulations of the law. Under theContinue reading “Marriage and Loving God”
Understanding God
After Jesus descended from the mountain of transfiguration, he encountered a father, whose son was afflicted by a demon. Jesus dealt with the demon and healed the boy. When the disciples asked Jesus about their inability to cast it out, he said it was their little faith, which raises the question of how was theirContinue reading “Understanding God”
No Need to Hide
The transfiguration can be understood as a fulfillment of Jesus’ previous word that some would see him coming into his kingdom. Before Peter, James and John, Jesus shone like the sun and his clothes became white like light. Elijah and Moses also appeared with him. When a cloud enveloped the three disciples, a voice informedContinue reading “No Need to Hide”
The Way of Transformation
After Jesus called Matthew to follow him, he went to his house and ate with him and other tax collectors. The Pharisees were offended by Jesus’ action, because they operated on an Old Testament paradigm that they would be defiled if they associated with sinners. With the coming of Jesus, that view became upside down.Continue reading “The Way of Transformation”
Our Inner Life
When Jesus instructed his followers from the mountain, he instructed them on their inner life. Merely religious people tend to practice their religion before others to be admired by them for their righteousness. However, Jesus’ followers cultivate an inner righteousness by following Jesus when no is there to see them, because they understand that trueContinue reading “Our Inner Life”
David Freitag 