At this point in Mark, the central turning point has already been reached when Jesus announced his forthcoming death and the way of discipleship (Mark 8:31-38). The way of Christian discipleship is...
This is a special passage because we know so little about Jesus’ life before the age of 30. It reminds us of the miracle of the incarnation, that he was truly a human being as well as truly God.
Most children I know love the game of hide-and-seek. My own children love finding places to hide in our apartment, or love returning to spots that they have worked out to stump each other. The joy in...
Have you ever pondered what legacy you might leave behind you?
Most of us are likely too rushed to indulge such grandiose questions. However, in Psalm 127 it is a question that Solomon, son of King...
Psalm 78 is the second longest Psalm in the Psalter and opens with a prophetic call to listen as the speaker opens their mouth in a parable. The word translated parable here has the sense of a hidden...
When faced with turbulent times and struggles in life, most of us, in our heart of hearts, yearn for a father to set things right for us. One who will comfort, guide, protect, and teach us, who will...
The book of Hosea is known for its confronting portrayal of Israel’s idolatry as spiritual adultery. The prophet Hosea’s words—and his own marriage—show that the relationship of God and Israel was in...
When I was eight years old, I felt very special. My grandfather entrusted his utility (name of a pickup truck in Australia) to me when he taught me how to drive it on his farm. I thought it was...
The story of David and Goliath is a Sunday School favourite. There is a problem (verse 1), a villain (verse 4) and an unlikely hero (verse 32) who wins the day (verse 50).
Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. - Deuteronomy 5:16
When was the last time you forgot something? It might have been yesterday; it might have been five minutes ago. For most people, it will be recently! We have alarms, calendars, and diaries because we...
It is not hard to understand why Moses gives so much attention to children in his final sermons to the nation of Israel. With the passing of one generation, it lay upon the next generation—and those...
The story of Jacob and Esau is really the story of God’s prerogative to bless those whom he chooses to bless. Right from the very beginning of Genesis we hear the words of blessing from God to his...
When the curtain goes up at the start of a play or musical, the audience sees a background which immediately gives context for the action that is about to unfold. Most often, there is a problem that...
The question of personal identity is one of the most significant questions of our time. Young people are surrounded by messages telling them that being authentic to their identity—who they are and...
It's right there, in the beginning, implicit in God’s second Day Six creative speech. Intergenerational discipleship. Each generation passing on to the next the imperative to produce men and women...
While for many this season is marked by near worldwide political upheaval, a still stifling pandemic, and untold economic stress, for Christians it’s still the season of Lent; a time in which we...
How long after becoming a Christian should one wait before sharing their faith? Three years? Four? The disciple Philip waited only two verses! In John 1:43 Philip becomes a follower of Christ. In...