True Christianity

On one occasion, Jesus pointed out to his disciples that only those to whom the Son revealed himself would know him and the Father, not necessarily the wise and intelligent, but to childlike people. Then he blessed his disciples, because great people, prophets and kings, desired to see what they were currently seeing. Jesus’ pointContinue reading “True Christianity”

Freedom That No One Can Take Away

When Jesus declared to the 70 that they should not rejoice in their authority over evil spirits, he pointed out an important spiritual truth. We tend to equate our self-worth and value with what we can do or accomplish. The 70 had done great things with the authority that Jesus had given to them, evenContinue reading “Freedom That No One Can Take Away”

The Superiority of Jesus’ Leadership

In Luke 10, we read an account of Jesus sending 70 of his followers out ahead of him to do two things: to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He sent 35 teams of 2 out to the cities and villages to which he would come later. Previously,Continue reading “The Superiority of Jesus’ Leadership”

There Is Always More To Learn

Luke as did the other gospel writers recorded the episode where four men brought a paralytic to Jesus, but could not enter into the house because of the crowd around him. Not to be deterred, they went upon the roof and lowered the paralytic before Jesus. Seeing the men’s faith, Jesus declared to the paralyticContinue reading “There Is Always More To Learn”

The Secret to Happiness

Even for some of us who follow Jesus, life can be an enigma. We assume when we decide to follow Jesus that we will always be happy and life will go smoothly. It can be a rude awakening when we find that is not the case. I believe that two passages from Scripture can assistContinue reading “The Secret to Happiness”

Jesus’ Deity

For those of us who affirm the deity of Jesus, it can be easy for us to assume that he did not face the same struggles that we face, because, we tell ourselves, he was God. While that is true, Jesus was, and is, God who became man, it does not follow that he didn’tContinue reading “Jesus’ Deity”

Living Right Side Up

We live in an upside down world that exists in contrast to how Jesus revealed his Kingdom to be and the world should be. When his disciples asked who was the greatest in Jesus’ Kingdom, Jesus gave them a surprising answer. He called a child to stand in their midst and declared that unless, they,Continue reading “Living Right Side Up”

Kingdom Transformation

After Jesus instructed Matthew the tax-collector to follow him, Jesus went and ate at Matthew’s home with other tax-collectors. The Pharisees, who observed Jesus’ action, were offended by Jesus’ association with tax-collectors and sinners. The Pharisees lived according to a principle we have today: “Bad company corrupts good character.” However, Jesus hung around tax-collectors andContinue reading “Kingdom Transformation”

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”

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”