Enmeshment, Anxiety and Discipleship
There were several instances where the disciples show signs of enmeshment with each other and with others. These are times when their value gets wrapped up in the value of others. We see this in their arguments over who is the greatest in Luke 22. We see this in John 21 when Peter’s death is […]
Discipleship and Our Enemies
In Luke, Jesus gives a sermon very similar to the Sermon on the Mount that we call the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49). One of the main points of this sermon is how we treat our enemies. We are to: 1 – Love them2 – Bless them3 – Pray for them4 – Be generous […]
Good Friday, Cross Bearing, and Following Jesus
Jesus said if we want to be his disciples we must take up our cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23). Jesus said this while he was on his way to Jerusalem to suffer and die on a cross. Good Friday reminds us that Jesus is our leader and the leader always goes first. Hebrews […]
Discipling on the Road to Jerusalem
“Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem” – Luke 9:51 Right after Luke tells us this, Jesus called more people to follow him – while going to his death! Jesus never stopped calling and making disciples. Jesus never lost his focus. Here is what Luke tells us in 9:57-62, 57 As they were walking along the […]
The Disciple and Solitude in a Social Media Age
One of the first things we see Jesus do in Luke, after calling his first disciples, is find time to get away from it all and pray. We see this in Luke 5:16. He had just healed a man with leprosy. News was spreading. Crowds were forming. Jesus was in high demand. In today’s social […]
The Sermon on the Mount and the Power of Self-Deception
The sermon on the mount is one of the most powerful sermons ever preached. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned that one of Jesus’ longest sermons was only a few minutes long if we have the whole thing recorded. Sometimes less is more. But in these three chapters of Matthew (5-7) Jesus gives […]
What Do We Know About Joseph?
The New Testament doesn’t give us an awful lot of information about Joseph but we do know a few things from what we have in Matthew, Luke and John. First, we know that Joseph was Jewish and a descendant of David and originally from Bethlehem. Matthew tells us that in his genealogy in Matthew 1. […]
Re-envisioning the Manger: 7 Common Misconceptions about the Nativity of Jesus
A few fun facts about the ancient world and the birth of Jesus. 1. Mary wasn’t necessarily about to give birth any moment on her way to Bethlehem. The classic image of Mary riding on a donkey about 11 months pregnant probably wasn’t the case. Luke 2:4-6 – “4 So Joseph also went up from the […]
Past, Present and Future Components of the Lord’s Supper & Our Spiritual Formation
Past “This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.” – Exodus 12:14 “and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do […]
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Jesus’ Miracles
Throughout scripture the Holy Spirit has enabled people to do amazing things. The Spirit empowered several of the judges to do the mighty things God called them to do (Samson and Gideon to name a few). The Holy Spirit came on Saul and enabled him to prophesy (1 Sam 10:6-10). The Holy Spirit enabled the […]