-
The hate that brings people together
Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem in those days. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he rejoiced greatly; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time,…
-
The precious blood of Christ
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for…
-
Glory in weakness
O Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who displays Your splendor above the heavens!From the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have established strength because of Your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease.When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and…
-
From your own mouth
Now while they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. And he called ten…
-
Let us reason together
Now some of the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Him, and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should marry the wife and raise up seed for his brother. Now there were seven brothers;…
-
Even more persistence
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a certain judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to…
-
A most horrible thing
But when He took the twelve aside, He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be completed. For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after…
-
A prayer of thanksgiving
And it happened that while He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing through Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him. And they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them,…
-
The due punishment for our sin
O Yahweh my God, in You I have taken refuge;Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me,Lest he tear my soul like a lion,Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver.O Yahweh my God, if I have done this,If there is injustice in my hands,If I have rewarded evil to…
-
Giving out of your poverty
And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two lepta. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them. For they all put in their gifts out of their abundance; but she, out…
-
True religion
And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who want to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, and best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive…
-
Asking boldly
Now it happened that as Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They reported to him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those…
-
Like a child
And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they were rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I…
-
The root planted deep
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you. Luke 17:5-6 Introduction Something that struck me about this passage is that it begins…
-
He hears your prayer
O Yahweh, do not reprove me in Your anger. Nor discipline me in Your wrath.Be gracious to me, O Yahweh, for I am pining away; heal me, O Yahweh, for my bones are dismayed.And my soul is greatly dismayed; but You, O Yahweh–how long?Return, O Yahweh, rescue my soul; save me because of Your lovingkindness.For…
-
Raising children well
Now He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Luke 17:1-2…
-
Neutrality is not an option
And it happened that on one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up to Him, and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the…
-
That which belongs to God
And the scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, but they feared the people. For they understood that He spoke this parable against them. So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they might catch Him in some statement, in order to…
-
A son of Abraham
And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. And when they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” But…
-
An image of creation
Give ear to my words, O Yahweh, consider my meditation.Give heed to the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray.O Yahweh, in the morning, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil does not sojourn with You.The boastful…
