Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, by Zambian artist Emmanuel Nsama (1941-2011) —————————- (…continued) And yet, after three years of being with Jesus constantly, these disciples were still willing to say that Jesus was perfect, sinless, and not just a human, but the Son of God. There are many verses in the New Testament that […]
2516) The ‘Real’ Jesus (b) Read More »
Matthew 21:10-11 — When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Image above: Palm Sunday, Fred Stratton, 1907) **************************************** In the last week of Jesus life, we see two very different responses to him. On Palm
2515) The ‘Real” Jesus (a) Read More »
An old Catholic archbishop was giving his Good Friday sermon to a large crowd in his inner-city cathedral. He told a story of three boys who long ago came into that same church during the confessional time. They were laughing and joking and making all kinds of disrespectful racket. Two of the boys then
2514) “I Don’t Give a …” Read More »
Christian missionary efforts have often been criticized for destroying the unique cultures of indigenous peoples. Old photographs of native people in steamy jungles dressed in black suits and ties for worship do indicate that mistakes were made. However, in many places there were significant cultural practices that did need changing, as we can see in
2513) “If We Didn’t Know Jesus, We Would Be Cooking and Eating You” Read More »
George Orwell (1903-1950) (continued…) We can imagine what George Orwell gave up to enter the lives of the poor in London and Paris in the 1930’s. He gave up comfort, he gave up a good job, he gave up regular meals, he gave up a warm place to sleep, he gave up a
2512) Karl Marx, George Orwell, and Jesus (b) Read More »
Karl Marx (1818-1883) Karl Marx is admired by many people as the ‘savior,’ of the working man. Marx saw all the problems in every society as the result of a class struggle between the rich and the poor; between those who owned the companies and those who worked for them. He believed that
2511) Karl Marx, George Orwell, and Jesus (a) Read More »
I would try to help my junior high confirmation students imagine what it would have been like to be alive when Jesus was here. I’d illustrate that by describing what it would be like if Jesus were to meet them in their lives today; perhaps sometime after school as they are walking to
2510) “Who Do You Say That I Am?” Read More »
The following was adapted from a 2010 sermon by Lutheran seminary professor and pastor Walter Sundberg. Romans 10:9 — If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (…continued) Story #2) Speaking of golf, Tiger
2509) Confessing Christ (b) Read More »
The following was adapted from a 2010 sermon by Lutheran seminary professor and pastor Walter Sundberg. ————————- Romans 10:9 — If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Confess with your mouth, it says. To
2508) Confessing Christ (a) Read More »
(…continued) In Ephesians 1:17 Paul says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” “So that you may know him better,” it says, very much the language of a personal relationship.
2507) Getting to Know Jesus (b) Read More »
