In the Gospel of John, chapter 2, Jesus got in trouble for cleaning his room. Of course, we’re not just talking about a bedroom toward the back of Mary and Joseph’s house in Nazareth. We’re talking about the massive stone Temple in Jerusalem. He didn’t go about it with a swiffer and vacuum in hand, …
(adapted from How Jesus Made Disciples by Doug Holliday) If you run a Google search of the word “discipleship,” you’ll find 19,800,000 results. Google “disciple-making” and you’ll find 33,200,000 results. Needless to say, there is a lot of content and conversation about disciple…stuff. Most of us would probably agree that this is an important topic, …
“The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”” Luke 23:35 NLT Was Jesus the Savior? Another word for Savior would be Deliverer. Was Jesus the Deliverer? The long awaited, eagerly anticipated, desperately hoped for, promised Messiah. Was Jesus the One? Jesus …
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Matthew 26:41 What is this concept of “watch and pray” that Jesus challenges the disciples with? What are they to watch for? Is He speaking about the guards who are coming to arrest …
“Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”” Luke 22:8 NLT Only the Gospel of Luke records that it was Peter and John who were sent ahead to prepare the Upper Room for the Passover feast. Matthew just speaks of “the disciples” doing this, …
“When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in …
The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.” Luke 19:11 NLT One thing I’ve not really considered as much as I should when reading the Gospels is the hunger the Jewish …
“Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy.” Luke 12:1 NLT Jesus warned His apprentice leaders of hypocrisy’s end game. Hypocritical leadership is evil and must be avoided. 1. Hypocritical leaders are shut out …
“At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.” …
Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!” John 9:6-7 NLT I love the story of the blind man. Blind …