“It is in grace, divine unmerited favor, that Jesus was lifted up to draw all the world to himself. It is in grace God so loved the world that he gave his son, and it is in grace that his light has come. When light exposes what is hidden, secrets no longer need to be covered because JESUS DID NOT COME TO CONDEMN THE SECRETS HIDDEN, THE EVIL DEEDS COVERED, BUT THAT WE MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM.”
Tag: light
Departure From the Norm
John 9: 1-17, 28-41 A traveler was found by a U.S. Customs official to be carrying a half-gallon bottle from Mexico. The official asked the man what it contained. The traveler replied, “It’s just holy water. I took it from the shrine I visited. They say it causes miracles.” The inspector was suspicious and opened…
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…
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…
We’re Attracted
Isaiah 60: 1-6; Matthew 2: 1-12 This begins the Christian worship season of Epiphany. This commemorates the presentation of God to the world in the form of Jesus, first as an infant, next as one baptized in the Jordan, and, lastly as the transfigured one on the mountain. The world is attracted to Jesus. The…
Light and Belief
John 3: 14-21 We will soon begin to see in the evening moths fluttering around streetlights and porch lights. Come to find out, they are migratory insects. It is believed moths draw close to the lights in the evening because they are meant to fly at night attracted to the heavenly lights like the moon…
Path From Egypt
<!–[if !mso]>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119: 105)” April had a dream recently. She and I were walking on a bridge. We were carrying our oldest. He was an infant in a baby carrier. We were also accompanied by another family member…
Psalm 102 in The Message 