The Widow’s Coins
Read: Mark 12:35-44 Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. (v. 43) Scripture has many instances where Jesus was in the temple. When he was of age, his parents took him there for his dedication (Luke 2:21-24). As a young boy, […]
Legal Advice?
Read: Matthew 5:17-26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. (v. 26) Jesus had just introduced the Sermon on the Mount. Beautiful words that were radical then and are radical now: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are […]
Believe
Read: John 6:41-51 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. (vv. 47-48) This one statement says it all. There is absolutely nothing for us to do but believe. No words of ours, no actions, can grant us eternal life. Just the simple act of believing in […]
Angels and the Son of Man
Read: John 1:43-51 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. (v. 51) In today’s reading, Jesus is speaking to his recently chosen disciples, who no doubt were, at best, confused about what he was talking about. First, they were […]
I Am
Read: John 8:48-58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (v. 58) One of the most powerful scenes in the Old Testament is when God appears to Moses in the burning bush and commands him to lead the people out of slavery in Egypt. Moses tries to dodge […]
I Really Mean It!
Read: John 3:1-15 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (v. 3) “I mean it, mister!” “I’m not kidding this time!” “Don’t make me pull this car over!” “I mean business!” Maybe you heard some of those expressions when you were growing […]
A Human Family
Read: Matthew 1:1-16 David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah. (v. 6) My father has become very interested in our family’s genealogy. He has done a tremendous job in collecting old photographs of our ancestors. It’s interesting to note a “family resemblance” in the pictures and stories of long-passed relatives—both saints and […]
A Respected Counselor
Read: 1 Kings 1:11-31 Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, “What do you desire?” (v. 16) Bathsheba was not merely the woman who committed adultery with David. She was his wife and the mother of Solomon, who would be king during Israel’s greatest reign. She became a trusted counselor and […]
A Severe Mercy
Read: 2 Samuel 12:15-25 The LORD loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah. (vv. 24-25) In his autobiography, A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken reflects on the death of his wife with these words: “That death, so full of suffering for us both . . . was yet a severe mercy. […]