Should Christians Focus on Worshiping Jesus Who Suffered or Jesus Who Rose from the Dead? As we moved through Lent to approach Holy Week we anticipate four significant days: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (which some call Resurrection Sunday). The last two, Good Friday and Easter, stand as momentous occasions for all […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 40 Today’s passage: Luke 24:1–44 Focus verse:“It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24:34) Jesus is dead and buried, but this isn’t the end. In many ways it’s the beginning. After being dead for three days, Jesus resurrects. He has overcome the finality of death. […]
Come Out! Today’s passage: John 11:1–44 Focus verse: Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” (John 11:41–42). Jesus loves the siblings […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 14 Today’s passage: Luke 7:1–17 Focus verse: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.” (Luke 7:6) A military leader, a centurion, wants Jesus to heal his dying servant, a valued attendant. However, the centurion doesn’t approach Jesus himself. Instead, he wants someone […]
Jesus Has Risen! Today’s passage: John 20:1, along with Matthew 28:2–4, Mark 16:4, and Luke 24:2–3 Focus verse: Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. (John 20:1) John, Mark, and Luke all simply write that when Mary Magdalene and her friends arrive at the tomb, […]
We’ve Lost Christmas as a Spiritual Celebration. Let’s Not Lose Easter Too Recently some groups have banned Easter egg hunts—not the activity but the name. Concerned pundits decry this as political correctness gone awry or the timid majority kowtowing to the vocal minority. Although “spring egg hunt” sounds lame, this new label doesn’t dismay me. […]
Revelation Bible Study, Day 34 Today’s passage: Revelation 20 Focus verse: Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:6) With the beast and the false prophet thrown into the lake of fire, only the dragon remains. An angel comes down from heaven. He holds the key to the Abyss and carries a […]
Churches Move and Things Change We started visiting fifty-two churches the Sunday after Easter. We celebrated the resurrection of Jesus at our home church and then slipped away for a year, visiting a different Christian church every Sunday for a year. At least that’s the quick way to explain our journey. We doubled up on […]
…and the Mysterious Stranger Today’s passage: Mark 16:12–13 and Luke 24:13–18 Focus verse: As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. (Luke 24:15) John doesn’t mention that two of Jesus’s followers make a trip to Emmaus. While Mark mentions this briefly, Luke gives us […]
He Has Risen! Today’s passage: John 20:1–18 Focus verse: Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18) Jesus dies. His body is prepared for burial and his human shell is placed in a tomb. A large stone seals the entrance. But this isn’t the end. In many […]