Are You Ready?
Read: Matthew 25:1-13 The wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. (v. 4) Jewish weddings in the first century were celebrations for the whole community. At one point, the groom would come at night to the bride’s house to bring her to their new home. It was the bridesmaids’ job to meet the groom and […]
The Wedding Banquet
Read: Matthew 22:1-14 Everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast. (v. 4) What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten? My guess is you didn’t pick your favorite meal based solely upon taste. Unforgettable meals often involve friends, family, fun, and good food. The best meals are filled with love, fellowship, and joy. In this parable, […]
The Vineyard
Read: Luke 20:9-19 I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him. (v. 13) Setting the table for dinner, I called upstairs for my son to come down. After calling three times, I sent my daughter to get him. He didn’t listen when I called, but I hoped he would listen when my daughter […]
Love One Another
Read: John 13:31-35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples. (v. 35) How would the people around you know that you believe in Jesus? Is it by what you wear—a cross necklace or Christian T-shirt? Will it be by the music you listen to? Or by the bumper stickers on your car […]
Give to Caesar
Read: Luke 20:20-26 Whose image and inscription are on it? (v. 24 NIV) For decades, our coins in Canada all had a picture of Queen Elizabeth II on them. Quarter, nickel, or dime, all displayed the queen’s face. With the coronation of King Charles III, we have had to mint new coins with the king’s face. […]
The Greatest Commandment
Read: Mark 12:28-34 Which commandment is the most important of all? (v. 28) Have you ever walked up to a group of people in the middle of a conversation? It can take a while to catch up. You hear them talking about someone or some event, but because they’re already in the conversation, they know just […]
Cleansing the Temple
Read: Mark 11:15-19 He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold. (v. 15) The temple was designed to be a space for people to meet with God. However, when Jesus entered the temple, what did he find? It was already full. Jesus entered the space created especially for his presence and found […]
Triumphal Entry
Read: Matthew 21:1-11 Hosanna to the Son of David! (v. 9) As people lined the streets, throwing their cloaks on the ground before Jesus, they cried out, “Hosanna!” which means, “Lord, save us!” As much as it was praise, it was also a deep cry from the gut. A cry for everything wrong to finally be […]
Prepared for Burial
Read: Mark 14:1-11 She has done a beautiful thing to me. (v. 6) Sometime during the meal, a woman came in. She brought a bottle of perfume, likely the most valuable item she owned, worth up to a year’s wages. She took it, broke the jar, and poured it on Jesus’s head (v. 3). Those gathered with […]