Mark 1:40-45 Imagine that you are a leper. Imagine that you have a disease which began several years ago with a chronic fatigue and pains in the joints. This part of the disease was something like fibromyalgia – but it gets worse. Parts of your skin become discolored, and little nodules form on this discolored skin. First they are pink and then brown, and they begin to populate especially your cheeks, your nose, your lips, and your forehead – essentially... Read more
Mark 1:29-39 Why did Jesus Christ come into the world? Sometimes we think it was only to die on the Cross, and of course the Crucifixion and Resurrection are central to understanding the ministry of our Lord. But if all He did was come to die on the Cross, then why did He spend three years ministering publicly before then? It’s important in the work of Jesus our Lord that we don’t separate one part of His ministry from the... Read more
Mark 1:14-28 It’s here! The time is fulfilled! The Kingdom of God is at hand! He’s here! The Messiah has come! The King of kings is at hand! This is the message of Advent and Christmas, the message of the New Covenant, and the message of our lives. Sometimes we seem to believe only in the eschatological coming of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. We know that Jesus will come again, and we know that He came and lived on... Read more
Mark 1:1-13 Happy New Year! No, it’s not January 1, the civil calendar’s New Year’s Day. It’s not the middle of August and the New Year’s Day of the school calendar, and it’s not October 1, the New Year’s Day of the U.S. government fiscal calendar. Yesterday was the First Sunday in Advent and marked the beginning of the Christian calendar or year. So Happy New Year! In Advent, we prepare for the Advent or Coming of Jesus Christ in... Read more
Revelation 3:7-22 It’s very tempting to write today about the Laodicean church. I think there’s a common perception that today’s church is the church in Laodicea and is a lukewarm church. In truth, parts of the church have always been like this. But I am persuaded of better things for us, and so today I want to learn more about the incredible blessings Jesus Christ offers us today. Today He tells us that if we overcome the difficulties and obstacles... Read more
Revelation 3:1-6 There are a lot of Sardis Christians and churches today. There always have been, wherever Christians are willing to compromise with the culture of the day. It’s not so easy to be a Sardis Christian when you’re busy being persecuted, but in times of peace and especially at times when Christianity is identified with the dominant culture, it’s easy. What is a Sardis church or Christian? One who looks alive but is really dead. There are many such... Read more
Revelation 2:12-17 I love the words with which the Alpha and Omega closes each message to the 7 churches. They are each a picture of what life with Christ will be like in heaven for those who prove faithful. They are the most persuasive motivators for those who dare to imagine them. How would you like to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God? That Tree of Life, I believe, is... Read more
Revelation 2:1-11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” One of the most remarkable things about Scripture is how one of its writers like St. John can be writing to a specifically 1st century audience such as the 7 churches of Asia Minor and yet sound as if he’s writing today to you and to me! What the Spirit says to the churches is what the Spirit says to the Church and... Read more
Revelation 1:9-20 Who is Jesus Christ? There are many ways in which He has revealed Himself to us, and all of these are important. Sometimes I think the dominant way contemporary Christians see Jesus is as a good friend. He’s kinda just one of the guys, though definitely the leader of the pack. We can almost picture Him in blue jeans, and we’re sure He would never be caught dead wearing vestments! At other times, particularly in contemporary praise choruses,... Read more
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Friday of First Sunday in Advent – Mark 2:1-12
Mark 2:1-12 It’s easy to think of the miracles of Jesus as being ordinary occurrences. After all, we’re only halfway through Mark 2, and already we’ve heard about 4 specific miracles, as well as references to multiple miracles. The New Testament is so saturated with miracles, especially the Gospels where Jesus lives, that at times I wonder if I live in the same world where Jesus lived. I wonder, “Where are all the miracles in my life?” But such... Read more