John 3:16 – “for God so loved” – one of the most familiar and recognizable verses of the New Testament. The statement is full and true on its own, but like all Scripture, you miss out on a lot when you avoid drinking-in the intoxicating concoction of verses that come before and after. The popularContinue reading “Upside Down and Backwards”
Tag Archives: resurrection
From the Pastor: Taking Up Your Cross
“The next day, the great crowd that had come to the Passover festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!’” (John 12:12-13) TodayContinue reading “From the Pastor: Taking Up Your Cross”
Yelling at Squirrels
Dramatic scenes set just days on either side of Easter provide the settings for our two Scripture lessons this morning. They unfold a couple chapters apart in John’s Gospel, yet the passages are tied intimately. The Lord Jesus and the apostle Simon Peter take lead roles in both episodes, and with good reason the relationshipContinue reading “Yelling at Squirrels”
Crunch, Crunch
Strained, toxic, lethal. Fragile, hostile, disrespectful. Fleeting, controlling, intimidating. Violent, dependent, dishonest. Rude, crude, and unacceptable. Such are the gloomy descriptors of many current-day relationships between spouses and family members, boyfriends and girlfriends, roommates and significant others, acquaintances and next-door neighbors, co-workers and classmates, politicians and citizens. But in the Kingdom of God, where unconditionalContinue reading “Crunch, Crunch”
When Minds Change
The more things change, the more things stay the same. The old adage offers a spot-on summary of the story of Jonah, whose cowardly, seaside shenanigans have been spotlighted in our Scripture lessons of the past two Sundays. We’re halfway through the whale-themed tale of the Old Testament’s reluctant prophet, but we’re right back whereContinue reading “When Minds Change”
His Name is Key of David
A high-school chum somehow or other landed an after-school job as a custodian at our school. Now, it goes without saying that his part-time gig came with some very unpleasant duties, mostly involving lunchrooms, bathrooms, and locker rooms. But the job did come with what I thought were some very cool perks – like havingContinue reading “His Name is Key of David”
His Name Is Rod of Jesse
Of the many names for Jesus, the one you very-rarely-if-ever call on is “Rod of Jesse.” Yet, there it is – perched awkwardly atop a stanza of a familiar Advent carol: Rod of Jesse. “O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny.” We lift up the unusual name “Rod of Jesse,”Continue reading “His Name Is Rod of Jesse”
His Name is Desire of Nations
Advent sings of Emmanuel: God With Us, the very Son of God in our very midst, Jesus. As early-winter skies croon with reds, pinks, blues, and purples, Advent further carols the Dayspring, the morning dawn of daily mercies potent and fertile with the fresh possibilities of heaven. This morning, lyrics of Advent chant another nameContinue reading “His Name is Desire of Nations”
His Name Is Son of God
Jesus. Immanuel. Immanuel. Jesus. You cannot speak of one without invoking the other. Jesus equals Immanuel. Immanuel equals God with us. Thus, Jesus equals God with Us. Your middle school algebra teacher was correct: A=B, and B=C, therefore A=C. Indeed, the math adds up: Amid profound brokenness and paralyzing fear, you can count on God’sContinue reading “His Name Is Son of God”
His Name is Immanuel
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign – daily living is full of signs. Two black digits painted on white, metal rectangle display a highway’s legal speed limit. A pair of arches signals the availability of fast food ahead. And hopefully you’re not too hungry, because bold lettering on an orange diamond shape warns of road workContinue reading “His Name is Immanuel”