Lent 2022 is history. Recently I heard folks sharing what they “gave up” for Lent: chocolate, social media, sugar, alcohol, and such. I think that is the most common reaction …
Breadcrumbs of Hope
Today is the last day of Lent. Tomorrow the world slips into darkness and only reemerges on Easter morn. With the disciples, we stand on the edges of a horror …
A Parable Full of Calvary
Who doesn’t like great food with friends? There’s nothing like the music of a room filled with good conversation, perfumed by the aromas of excellent food. In Jesus’ parable in …
Returning the Money
Following Jesus is a difficult proposition. That becomes very clear in the way that Jesus invites people to his Path. And also the way Jesus warns wannabee disciples. In Jesus’ …
Not A Political Parade
Yesterday, Jesus and his disciples processed into the City. Like a parade float on Market Street in San Francisco. Cars stopping. Honking. People pointing. Bystanders thought it might be a …
Hunger That’s a Choice
Mark said that Jesus and his disciples went to a “deserted place” in order to rest from the demands of their mission. However, crowds of people, who noticed Jesus’ departure, …
Christ Embodied
There was a heresy that sprung up in the 2nd Century called Docetism. The name comes from a Greek word which means “to seem,” and it referred to the belief …
Blood, Amniotic Fluid, and Vernix
View PostThe Mindset of Jesus
I have been thinking about what was on Jesus’ mind in the wilderness. No one can know that because it is not mentioned in the wilderness temptation narratives. However, something …
The Antidote
Jesus is not the only person who has encountered a wilderness. Ancient Israel did as well, but they did not have the focus and intention of Jesus. They were crippled …
Happy Easter
View PostTurn Off the Noise!
In the late 80’s my son and I went on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of N. Minnesota. The BWCA is over a million acres in …
Eat Grass Like an Ox
Hubris is never a good thing. Defined as exaggerated pride or self-confidence, it shuts a human being off from God as well as other people. Hubris is like sailing around …
Knowing What You Want
Jesus was alone in the wilderness. And when you’re alone you begin to discover what your true self is. There’s no one there to pull your arm or whisper in …
Abracadabra
We should put a book mark at Matthew 4:3. It is the moment when Satan says to Jesus, “Your stomach is sunken and growling; you should make yourself some bread …
Objects of Death Not Allowed Here
View PostYou brood of vipers!
John the Baptist was acquainted with the wilderness as well as Jesus. Matthew says early in his Gospel, “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for …
The Blitzkrieg
It’s not difficult to see a connection between the wilderness of fasting and temptation at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the seaside appearances at the end of his ministry. …
Jesus and the New Future
Nazareth was Jesus’ home town. People knew little-Jesus because he grew up there. And it was not unusual to see him in the synagogue on the Sabbath. On the day …
Going Toward God
I think we are surprised when we meet opposition to the Gospel. To us it seems so wonderful, so profoundly loving, and welcome to hear. Why the opposition? Paul was …