I.Near the end of this passage Paul writes, “For we are what he has made us …” Take that as your entrance to this passage and notice what God has “in Christ Jesus” made. II.Ephesians 2:1-10 New Revised Standard Version … Continue reading
VII.Did you hear Jesus say, “I know that his commandment is eternal life”? Spend time with these few sentences and notice what Jesus says about himself, “the Father,” and eternal life. VIII.John 12:44-50 (New Revised Standard Version) Then Jesus cried … Continue reading
IV.Let’s spend some time giving this passage a slow reading, paying attention to the contrasts Jesus sets before us. V.John 12:44-50 (New Revised Standard Version) Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him … Continue reading
I.In this week’s focus passage we hear Jesus say, “I came … to save the world.” Probably not unfamiliar to many of us. From this passage what do you gather as some of the marks of this salvation? II.John 12:44-50 … Continue reading
IV.The passage ends with, “… there is no one to save you.” Let’s take that as our lens through which to read Isaiah’s words and take notice of what or who the people might need “saving” from. V.Isaiah 47:10-15 (New … Continue reading
I.As this post is sent out today, it is the day after the Third Sunday in Lent. The Gospel reading for yesterday was Luke 13:1-9. In verses 1-5 of that reading twice Jesus addresses the question of the relation of … Continue reading
I.WIth this reading in Ezra we begin reading a set of Scriptures that invite us to think about restoration, liberation, and freedom. And in the background of that is this remark from Ezra 1:11, … the exiles were brought up … Continue reading
IV.As we return to this passage, let’s give some attention to how the “elder” describes the “great multitude.” V.Revelation 7:9-17 (NRSV) After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from … Continue reading
VII.Allow me to repeat the closing sentence of my last post, “Might it be said that faith comes by “the word that is near you” being heard and recognized and finding expression in our own words and lives?” As you … Continue reading
IV.As you spend time with Paul’s words today, may I suggest you take his last sentence as your first and your entrance into hearing what he says to us, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard … Continue reading