We are entering into the Holy Week by celebrating Palm Sunday by remembering the day Jesus rode to Jerusalem to fulfill his destiny. While doing so Jesus fulfilled also the prophecies of the Old Testament. “Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion! Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem! Your king is coming! a good king who makes all things right, a humble king riding a donkey, a mere colt of a donkey. I’ve had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim, no more…
Do you let Jesus carry your burdens? Or do you still carry them on your own? Is your faith only intellectual or have you really let Jesus rule your heart? Do you trust Jesus to carry your burdens? Do you let Christ serve you, give you true freedom? Or do you still suffer alone? But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that…
Last Sunday our family was leaving church without attending the coffee hour because it was already 11.30am. I was explaining our children that there were no lunch served just coffee and dessert this time. Our son responded saying “Right, they served the main course in the worship.” Pretty profound theology for a 5-year old! This exchange came into my mind while reading the 10th chapter of Luke in the Message. The story of Martha, Mary & Jesus got a whole…
What happened to Jesus after he triumphed over the temptations? Let’s find out! If we continue to read Luke chapter 4 we find out that after dealing with the Devil Jesus returned to Nazareth and went to synagogue: “When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to…
What can we learn from the temptations of Jesus? Or are they inapplicable in today’s world? But it is not just about big temptations, it’s about our daily choices. It’s about putting God first in everything. My thoughts on Matthew 4: 1-11 were inspired by Eugene H. Peterson’s sermon notes found in Conversations – the Message with its translator. The core of the temptations is to put something else first in our lives and God second. The things can be…
One of the most amazing things about Jesus is that he invites everybody to come to him. Everybody. And as we are. We don’t need to wash our hands and get our act together before approaching Jesus. The most important thing is to run into the arms of Jesus as he is calling us: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to…
Far, far away in Siberia lived a good but poor king. He had always been told that when the Highest King would be born a star would proclaim his birth. As the poor king saw the star of Bethlehem, he knew right away that now the Highest King had been born. He chose the best things his country could offer: pearls, linen, fur, and honey to be his gifts to this new king and started his journey on his horse….
I just finished reading the historical books of the Old testament. What can I say? I am very glad for Christmas this year. What an awesome God! What a pitiful bunch of people we are! How dare we to be so selfish, sinful, and shameless! God, have mercy on us! Despite everything God sent his only son to the world.Despite everything God displays his love to us in Jesus.Despite of everything Jesus died and rose again to be in relationship…
It does not matter how dark it gets outside. It does not matter how dark the world is. What matters is that you have Light inside of you. Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” (John 8:12, MSG) Claim the joy of Christ to be yours today and every single day of your life. Keep your light lit no…
Most people want joy, peace and harmony in their lives. Too often people look for them at wrong places. Very often they get exactly the opposite what they were looking for. Because the only way to get joy, peace, and harmony in our lives is through Jesus. Why? Because we have all messed up our lives so badly. We need Jesus in order to be set right (reconciled if you will) with God again. Once we open our hearts and…
