There have always been penalties in place for law-breakers. And there should be. Rules, and consequences for breaking them, are necessary for a civil society. In Jesus’ time, adultery was against the law; the penalty: death by stoning. I would consider the threat of that consequence a pretty good deterrent!…
Jesus would depart. He would go to the cross, He would suffer and die, He would CONQUER THE GRAVE, and then He would return to His Father. But He wouldn’t leave those who’d trusted in Him alone and empty. His Spirit would come and fill each of His believers. The…
Jesus spent a lot of time during the Feast of the Tabernacle teaching and preaching in the temple. His authority and knowledge astounded some people, confused others, and angered still more. He invited the Jewish people, who were familiar with the prophecies about the coming Messiah, to see Him for…
HYMN DAY! “His Name Is Wonderful” by Audrey Meir. Copyright 1959 means this isn’t an “old” hymn, but oh, these words! Sing them with hands raised high in adoration. His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord; He is the mighty King, Master…
This is more of Peter’s statement to Jesus. Peter BELIEVED and KNEW who Jesus was: the Son of God. There was no “I think You are…” or “Maybe You are…” or “It’s possible You could be…” involved here. Bold belief—Peter KNEW. Those of us who have received Jesus as Savior,…
As we discovered last Friday, many of those who trailed after Jesus decided His message was too hard to accept and left. Jesus then asked the Twelve if they were leaving, too. Peter’s answer is so profound, so full of trust, so full of truth, that it leaves me breathless.…
There’s something about this simple verse that gets me right in the middle of my heart. I can imagine the Twelve—Jesus’ closest earthly friends—watching the crowd disperse. All those people returning to their homes and their “regularly scheduled lives,” while these chosen ones remained without a shelter, without the assurance…
How heartbreaking it must have been for Jesus to have spent so much time with these people—pouring His heart into them, putting their needs before His own—and then be abandoned. We’ve probably all encountered those who stick around when we’re the givers, but when we need something in return, they…
HYMN DAY! “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” by Edwin Hatch. The tune for this is so lyrical. I hope it and the words linger in your mind today. Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love, And do…
Hoo boy, it sure is easy to offend these days, isn’t it? Jesus knew some of those following Him were complaining about His message, and He asked the question, but you know what? I don’t think He was all that concerned about whether or not He offended. What concerned Him…
