John 19:40. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths. The tenderness and the dignity with which Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus handle Jesus’s body illustrates their devotion and love for him. We are told that they brought one hundred pounds of...
Luke 24:11. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. Have you ever witnessed something that was so phenomenal, so astounding, and yet so confounding, that it seemed almost impossible to put it into words, to sound plausible? Years ago, a friend and very...
Corinthians 1:23. But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. Some things just don’t make much sense. Water doesn’t become wine, bread and fish do not suddenly multiply, the lame do not jump up and walk do not suddenly multiply, the...
John 13:8. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Jesus was teacher, Lord, and master. In this passage we see him also as a humble servant. The act of washing someone’s feet is a gesture that demonstrates the very essence of servant as leader...
John 12:21. Sir, we wish to see Jesus. My life is passing by faster than I want. When a person becomes an adult there is a self-imposed pressure that carries a sense of urgency to complete a set of achievements. The social norms of higher education, finding a spouse, landing a career...
John 12:10. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well. Oh, what we wouldn’t do to hold onto our power and authority! Here we have a walking miracle, Lazarus, whose very name is now synonymous with hope and radical healing. Many people traveled far to see the man who...
Luke 19:38. The crowd said, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” We’ve seen this movie before, a few times, and I’d love to see it reimagined and recast. One that helps us fill in some gaps. The...
Luke 2:46. After three days they found Jesus in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. There are some days when I feel calm, happy, and good about myself and my place in the world. On days like those, when faced with a situation in which one of...
Mark 10:43-44. Jesus said, “But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to beome great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” Throughout my adult life, I have had the privilege to serve in a variety of leadership roles...
Mark 10:21. Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” I grew up in a Bible-reading, church-going, God-fearing family. Heaven was where I was...