John 12 is filled with those who are confused about Jesus. Many desiring something other, less than, what Jesus offers to them. At the heart of the confusion is a misunderstanding of our own need for rescue. What exactly does Jesus offer to us, and surprising example do we find of how we might respond…
Have you ever thought, “Jesus is hard”? The truth is, He was hard for many of the people in the Bible! In John chapter 6, we’ll track through a long conversation Jesus had one day with a crowd of common people, some scholars, and His own followers. We’ll see how His teaching was perceived as increasingly difficult to all of them (and His movement nearly obliterated) because of their own misconceptions of Messiah.
Not only is God our Great Shepherd, but He is also our gracious Host, preparing a banquet for us. What is the symbolism of this table, and what does it mean to accept the invitation? What would it mean to decline it?
Sometimes churchgoers get stereotyped as placid, tranquil or dull, whereas people of the world are seen actively enjoying their wild passions and desires. But Peter says our former passions were akin to inactivity, but now holiness requires our whole mind, body and spirit to get into gear. Does our holiness make people want to know…
In chapter 4 of Nehemiah, the wall-builders begin to face significant opposition. They’re weary and discouraged, and political enemies from the surrounding regions are preparing to stop the work with brute force. Nehemiah responds with tremendous wisdom, calling on the community to sacrifice for each other in a way that prefigures the loving attitude Jesus…