Shame
Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17 (NRSV) Continue reading Shame
Month: October 2020
Minor Prophets: Micah Speaks of the Shepherd
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth. Continue reading Minor Prophets: Micah Speaks of the Shepherd
Gospel of John: Judas Speaks
You and I might think evil is easy to recognize. But the truth is, evil much more often comes in disguise, pretending to be oh so good, oh so high minded. Continue reading Gospel of John: Judas Speaks
Gospel of John: Spikenard
She was held in his gaze, paused, at peace, at rest, then Jesus closed his eyes, and an audible groan rose up from voice after voice, as she rose to up on her knees, lifted the jar with both hands, and poured a golden green brooklet of ambrosial oil onto Jesus’ head. Narrow rills streamed through his hair, and over his beard, the perfume so potent it overwhelmed even the incense burners. Continue reading Gospel of John: Spikenard
Gospel of John: A Leper’s Thanksgiving
She carefully placed the jar in the nest of linen cloths that lined its cedar container, closed the lid, and resealed it with her signet. At the banquet, she would break this seal one last time. Continue reading Gospel of John: A Leper’s Thanksgiving
Gospel of John: A Tale of Two Sisters
Jesus received from Martha that night, and he received from Mary. Both worshiped in their ways, giving the Lord a rare blessing. In their working together, supporting each other, Martha and Mary’s love and honor to Jesus was multiplied. Continue reading Gospel of John: A Tale of Two Sisters
Rebekah
Ultimately, though Rebekah paid dearly for the way she fought for fulfillment of God’s promises, she held steady as a woman of faith. Far more than Isaac, it was Rebekah who believed God and desired God’s will as well as God’s promises and covenant. Continue reading Rebekah
Homeless
She noticed the sticky note on the mirror, as she always did, and though the words were not from her religion, it was still comforting to know the woman who had opened her home to her was god-fearing. Continue reading Homeless
Minor Prophets: Micah, Bethlehem’s Promise
One of the more famous prophesies in the Hebrew scriptures, Micah foretold specific details that would identify the one God would send to deliver Israel, and ultimately rule victoriously. Continue reading Minor Prophets: Micah, Bethlehem’s Promise
Gospel of John: Emergency Council Meeting
Faced with the same evidence, some were moved to belief, and some were hardened in unbelief. And yet God’s purpose for Messiah still advanced. Even with free will, no person can alter God’s divine plan. As one commentator put it, Nothing people can do will thwart or alter the sovereign will of God, and nothing God does ever sets aside the free choice of people. Continue reading Gospel of John: Emergency Council Meeting
