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Jesus Was Never a Victim. He Was a VOULNTEER

One of the things that Passion Week helps us to see (mentioned yesterday) is that Jesus was not a victim but a volunteer. Today is Palm Sunday, and Jesus is traveling with his friends. After the Sabbath, Jesus and the disciples walked from Bethany NW through Bethpage to Jerusalem, a journey of 8-10 miles. The Victim who Walked Right Into a Trap? He rode the last part on the colt of a donkey,…

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The Saturday Before Good Friday: Ten Days That Changed the World

Yesterday, we began a day-by-day look at the Passion Week, so our “week” is actually ten days, starting BEFORE Palm Sunday… Here are some observations about the Saturday before Good Friday, which would have been eight days before Easter. It is a quiet Saturday, a sabbath, so there is no mention of any activity until we read John’s account  of Supper at Bethany. Eyewitness Account (John’s Gospel…

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Passion Week, Plus Three: Ten Days That Changed the World

Starting today, we are headed towards Passion week and the Cross. Today’s post will discuss the Friday before Good Friday, and we will follow this by covering each day preceding Christ’s death and resurrection, discussing the details and (sometimes) debates that surround each day. Bill O’Reilly’s book Killing Jesus…

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A Suffering Servant: The Man Who Was Nailed Down to Be Lifted Up

In 7 BC, Jerusalem had been living under the oppression of an occupying army for many years. Jewish citizens so oppressed were tuned in to their Holy Book, and everything in the prophets suggested that a Saviour would come to deliver them. From the Sanhedrin council to local synagogues, people in the area probably hoped for a glorious Messiah rather than a suffering servant. From today’s vantage…

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Good Fruit Comes From Good Soil. What Kind of Soil Are YOU?

A Parable About Growth “And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the soil on the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. But others fell on…

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YOU are a Leader for Someone. So, You Better Walk the Walk

There is often a disconnect in today’s world between public persona and private behavior. The illusion of social (and other) media allows our leaders to say one thing and be another. The Apostle Paul had a different take: “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” (Philippians 3:17 NKJV) Paul’s statement recognizes that there are two kinds…

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To Obey, the Prophet Says, Is Better Than Sacrifice. Which is HARDER to DO?

“If You Will” Is Part of the Covenant “Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special…

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He Was Rich and Decided to be Poor. Seems Easy Until You Really Think About It

Super Heroes Think about heroism. Even though real heroes are not that way, our Hollywood culture likes our heroes big and fake. Big-screen Superheroes are more popular than ever today, and they are making somebody rich with the millions of dollars they rake in. (It might just be the CGI graphics experts they need to create the superheroes and villains!) But whether they come from Marvel…

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Dirty Feet Equals Sizeable Debt. How Dirty are YOUR Feet?

A Story About Debt Jesus had been invited to a dinner party at the house of Simon the Pharisee. A woman (some say Mary Magdalene) came in and began anointing Jesus’ dirty feet with oil. As the aroma of the oil filled the house, he posed this scenario to Simon and asked him a question. “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarius, and the other fifty. And…

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Promises You Should Know. Promises You Should CLAIM

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:4, NIV) How long has it been since you explored the promises of God? According to BibleInfo.com, someone has counted 3573 promises in the Bible. Bible Gateway.com lists 127…

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"Greatest" Doesn't Mean What You Think It Means

Sports fans like to argue about who the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is, regardless of the sport. Is it Michael or LeBron? Nicklaus or Tiger? Ali or Tyson? Caitlyn Cook or Sheryl Swoopes? Who is the Greatest Of All Time? In sports, it’s kinda fun to argue about who the Greatest is… But consider this, when it comes to true greatness: Our society has many standards, and most of them are wrong. We…

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Pain is No Fun; But Is It Possible We Couldn't Grow Without It?

Pain is a bad thing. It certainly isn’t something we enjoy or want to experience; but, is it always bad? What can it possibly be Good For? Jesus offers us some insight: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he taketh away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:1-2 KJV) We often…

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The April Fool's Day Thing You Probably Haven't Thought of

Since it’s “April Fool’s Day” on this date every year, I wanted to chase a theological rabbit for a minute. This is NOT an April Fool’s joke, but it has to do with my take (purely conjecture) on a possibility about WHY we call April first a fool’s day. In so doing, I’ll share some quick opinions about Jesus’ birthday and the Real April Fool: and offer the perspective that perhaps there is a…

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If You've Succeeded, Give Credit to the Foundation of Your Success

Whenever people work together, there is always a question that comes up: Who Should Get the Credit? (And we’ve all worked on that school team project where somebody does nothing but still gets the grade you worked for!) The human ego is an amazing thing, fueled by the survival instinct, self-interests and a hierarchy of needs and hidden agendas that would make Maslow’s head spin! I’ve often…

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Redemption Was Incredibly Costly. Were You Worth the Price?

The definition of redemption is “the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.” If you hocked an electric guitar or a watch to a pawn shop in exchange for a loan, then you can’t have it or use it anymore until you REDEEM it by paying back the loan. In the cosmic scheme of things, we have been kidnapped by sin and held for ransom, and we…

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The Bible Says Liars and Cheaters Will Be in the Kingdom of God. Good News for YOU!

All of you liars and cheaters out there, pay close attention to this passage:“After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. 31 He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.” His father Isaac…

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Baseball Has Its Spring Training. When Does YOUR Spring Training Start?

After our usual weird Texas winter weather, we have made it to SPRING! And to a lot of folks, Spring means baseball! With the exception of 2020, Pro baseball players have always begun their year by going to Spring Training. (And in the summer, Pro football players attend training camp.) Coaches and trainers are engaged, and every resource is provided to help maximize a team’s potential. Athletes…