“We’re not merely hearing about who he is, what he carries or what he can do. We hear today of the effect of him ON PEOPLE LIKE US.”
Category: Epiphany
Thrown Off a Cliff
“When he spoke, things would happen. In our story today, Jesus spoke, and things happened, as well. THEY WANTED TO THROW HIM OFF A CLIFF.”
We Know More Now
“Only when we honestly claim our poverty, captivity, blindness or oppression. THAT’S WHEN JESUS BECOMES REAL FOR ALL OF US.”
Light Has Come
“Why would anyone oppose Light coming into the world? Only if the powerful feared losing something significant. Light does its work when what is hidden in darkness is exposed.”
Preserve and Illuminate
Matthew 5: 13-20 In a small church during the summer, a pastor was preaching with gusto. Due to the warmth of the evening, the windows were open, and bugs of all sizes were attracted to the sanctuary lights. As the pastor was making an energetic point, a large moth flew into his open mouth. The…
That He Might Be Revealed
John 1: 29-42 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9 In Minnesota three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat-infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said Pastor Johnson, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but it did nothing to the bats.” Pastor Brown…
This Is Good News!
Matthew 2: 1-23 This is Epiphany Sunday in the Christian worship calendar. The liturgical season of Epiphany are days to draw worshippers to texts and images of light and splendor. We’re hearing and reading a text today that is not a birth narrative. The child and parents are no longer in the manger. Matthew wrote…
Growing and Building
Luke 6: 43-49 A well-dressed matron was having a great deal of trouble going down the subway escalator with a hyperactive dog in her arms. She got off the escalator and walked over to one of the subway attendants and said, “I must say that you have some ridiculous rules here. I’d like to register…
Checking Your Vitals
Luke 6: 27-38 I got a new watch last week. It’s a smartwatch. That is no measurement of its owner. I’ve needed a new watch for a while. My birthday was approaching, and April suggested that as a gift for me. I agreed. I like it a lot. Numbers, to some degree, fascinate me. I…
Which Would You Rather Be?
Luke 6: 17-26 He came down to a level place. The great multitude came from Jewish and Gentile territory to hear him teach and to be healed of their diseases and whatever beset them. Luke tells us he healed all of them. Jesus then taught them blessings and woes. These verses mirror the Beatitudes in…
Psalm 102 in The Message 