Blog
Most of the posts you’ll find here first appeared as podcast episodes. You can listen to each episode on the page or read the slightly edited transcript. You’ll also find questions for personal reflection or discussion.
-
The Pharisees don’t approve of Jesus’ choice of disciples, nor their behavior. When they question him about it, Jesus responds with a word picture and a parable about patched clothing, wineskins, and wine preferences. Together, they demonstrate what Jesus is looking for in his disciples.
-
The Pharisees and teachers were not fans of who Jesus chose to hang out with: “sinners.” But Jesus uses a word picture to reveal both his audience and his message. Not the self-righteous but sinners. And not to make them feel ok but to call them to repentance.
-
Every story has heroes and villains. Some stories surprise you with which is which. When Jesus meets Levi, a tax collector in Luke 5, we’d expect Jesus to avoid the man. Instead, Jesus goes to Levi, inviting him to follow. And Levi responds, showing that no one is beyond God’s reach.
-
A large crowd of Pharisees and teachers of the law had come from all over to listen to Jesus teach. So when some friends interrupt by lowering a paralyzed man through the ceiling, they fail to understand what Jesus is doing or what it reveals about who he is. From them, we learn that we…
-
Every story has a peak, a point at which the tension builds to and is resolved. But at the peak of this story, where we expect Jesus to heal a man, he instead first forgives him. Then he heals him. Through this, Jesus demonstrates that he has the authority to forgive.
-
As news of Jesus’ teaching and healing spread, the crowds started to grow. When a group of friends seeking healing for a man who was paralyzed were unable to access Jesus, they went to Plan B–lowering the friend through the roof. Through their efforts we see that faith is persistent.
Subscribe
Enter your email below to receive updates.
Amy C Walters 