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”
Category Archives: Who are we
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?”
Kingdom Potential
Early in his ministry, Jesus revealed himself to be a different type of teacher. He didn’t accept everyone who wished to follow him. The scribe who wished to follow was discouraged because Jesus said he didn’t have a fixed place to live. To the disciple who desired to stay and care for his father untilContinue reading “Kingdom Potential”
Defeating Temptations
Jesus’ 40 days in the desert to be tested by the devil give us a strategy for defeating temptation. First Satan may use our physical needs against us, in order to tempt us to live for ourselves, rather than living in a dependent relationship on our heavenly Father. Jesus refused to use his own powerContinue reading “Defeating Temptations”
Righteous or Self-Righteous
I have learned and am learning that much of God’s truth for us is quite subtle. In Romans chapter 4, Paul makes some statements that are quite easy to gloss over, but when you ponder them, they are quite profound. In Romans 4, Paul uses the case of Abraham to argue the concept of beingContinue reading “Righteous or Self-Righteous”
The Power of Stuff
The apostle Paul makes a fascinating statement in Romans 1:24-25. In Romans 1, Paul outlines a case against humanity, who has rejected what God has revealed of himself in nature. Since man chose to worship nature instead of God himself, God allowed man to do so. According to Paul, man had the opportunity to worshipContinue reading “The Power of Stuff”
Walking in the Light
The story of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is an illustrative one to us. First we know from John’s gospel that he had a love for money. John revealed that as the group’s treasurer, he stole from the money bag. So it should not be surprising to us, that he offered his servicesContinue reading “Walking in the Light”
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”
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”
How Jesus Views Us
In Mark 3, Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they could not reach him due to the crowd that was all around. Someone informed Jesus that his mother and brothers were there, expecting him to go and greet his family members, but Jesus made a surprising statement. He declared that his motherContinue reading “How Jesus Views Us”
David Freitag 