In the Life of Christ When Jesus told His listeners, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20), I imagine the crowd becoming unusually quiet. The scribes knew Scripture, and the Pharisees were meticulous about religious conduct. If they were not righteous enough,Continue reading “A Righteousness We Cannot Manufacture”
Category Archives: A Day in the Life
When Jesus Refuses to Stay Popular
In the Life of Christ There is something wonderfully unsettling about Jesus in Mark 1:38–45. Just when His ministry appears ready to become a local sensation, He refuses to settle into popularity. The people of Capernaum are searching for Him because they have seen His miracles and want more. Peter finds Jesus and announces, “EveryoneContinue reading “When Jesus Refuses to Stay Popular”
When the Family Record Becomes a Witness
In the Life of Christ “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli.” — Luke 3:23 I admit that biblical genealogies can tempt me to read quickly. A long succession of unfamiliar names does not seem as compelling asContinue reading “When the Family Record Becomes a Witness”
When Heaven Answers the Question
In the Life of Christ “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am wellContinue reading “When Heaven Answers the Question”
Not Good Enough
In the Life of Christ If I had met Nicodemus before reading John 3, I suspect I would have been impressed. Most of us would have been. He was disciplined, educated, respected, morally serious, biblically knowledgeable, and influential. John introduces him simply: “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a memberContinue reading “Not Good Enough”
When Being Good Is Not Good Enough
In the Life of Christ “For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:20 I can imagine the silence that must have followed those words. Jesus was speaking to ordinary people who knew the reputation of the scribes andContinue reading “When Being Good Is Not Good Enough”
Created to Reign With Christ
Heaven: The Reward of Sharing the King’s Rule When most Christians think about the rewards of Heaven, we naturally think about rest, reunion, worship, and being forever in the presence of God. All of those are wonderful biblical hopes. But Scripture describes another reward that we may not think about nearly as often: God intendsContinue reading “Created to Reign With Christ”
The Messiah Who Refused the Spotlight
In the Life of Christ One of the more puzzling things we encounter while walking through Mark’s Gospel is how often Jesus tells people not to talk about what they have just seen. A demon recognizes Him, and Jesus commands silence. A leper is healed, and Jesus tells him not to spread the news. TheContinue reading “The Messiah Who Refused the Spotlight”
When the Messenger Refuses the Spotlight
In the Life of Christ There is something wonderfully refreshing about John the Baptist in Luke 3:15–20. The crowds are beginning to wonder whether John might actually be the Messiah. That would have been an intoxicating moment for almost anyone. Imagine people beginning to whisper that perhaps you are the person God has promised forContinue reading “When the Messenger Refuses the Spotlight”
Read the Sermon from the Foot of the Cross
In the Life of Christ When I read the Sermon on the Mount, I can easily turn Jesus’ words into a spiritual checklist. Love your enemies. Turn the other cheek. Pray sincerely. Give without seeking recognition. Refuse lust and hatred. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Those commands are so direct thatContinue reading “Read the Sermon from the Foot of the Cross”