Being Christian Without Losing Your Mind
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus. — John 21:4 One of the strange things about the Resurrection is why people who knew Jesus didn’t recognize him. There was something different about him. I’ve come to realize, though, that the problem might have been that …
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni.” (John 20:16) The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” (John 21:7) John’s Gospel is dotted with weird, mysterious details. Here’s one that we see in the Resurrection. Mary Magdalene lingers at the empty tomb on Easter morning, …
He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” — John 21:17 I think the true test of our discipleship is …
Jesus did many other things as well. If all of them were recorded, I imagine the world itself wouldn’t have enough room for the scrolls that would be written. – John 21:25 I have, unfortunately, discovered an effective time-waster. I’m cruising down my Facebook page and up pops a chain of short videos. They range …
But Jesus didn’t trust them, for he knew mankind to the core. No one needed to tell him how changeable human nature is! – John 2:24-25 (The Living Bible) Who Jesus didn’t trust were the people enamored by his miracles. He suspected they were seeking a new source of entertainment. What would be more entertaining …
He found in the temple those who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as those involved in exchanging currency sitting there. He made a whip from ropes and chased them all out… — John 2:14-15 One Sunday morning a man whose appearance resembled our image of Jesus—long brown hair, white robe, sandals—showed up at …
“I go to prepare a place for you…” – John 14:2 (NRSV) Whenever I need to go to a happy place, my mind wanders back decades to one evening on the farm. It’s late spring, just after sunset. I’m in the johnboat on the small lake down the hill from our house. Deep crimson and …
After calling the crowd together with his disciples, Jesus said to them, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me….Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives?” – Mark 8:34,36b You never know when or where the wisdom of Jesus will pop …
But the people refused to listen to Samuel and said, “No! There must be a king over us so we can be like all the other nations.” – 1 Samuel 8:19-20a This passage reveals the make-or-break point of faith. Israel started out trusting the manna-giving God then, when safe and secure, they wanted a king. That …
“Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. – Matthew 4:19-20 After following Jesus for fifty-plus years, I still can’t figure it out. Why do I take seriously someone who supposedly lived 2,000 years ago? It really doesn’t make sense. The …