In the Life of Christ “Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was.” —Mark 2:3–4 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word spread quickly that He was in the house. PeopleContinue reading “Faith That Refuses to Leave a Friend Outside”
Category Archives: Jesus Christ
When the Family Record Becomes Gospel
In the Life of Christ Most readers move quickly through biblical genealogies. We stumble over unfamiliar names, wonder how to pronounce them, and hurry toward the next story. Yet Luke 3:23–38 is not an interruption in the story of Jesus. It is testimony. John the Baptist has identified the coming Messiah, the Father has declaredContinue reading “When the Family Record Becomes Gospel”
When Jesus Says You Must Begin Again
In the Life of Christ When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, he brought an impressive spiritual résumé. He was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, and a respected teacher of Scripture. If anyone appeared qualified for the kingdom of God, Nicodemus did. Yet Jesus did not congratulate him on his accomplishments. He lookedContinue reading “When Jesus Says You Must Begin Again”
A Righteousness We Cannot Manufacture
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”
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”
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”