blasphemy — John 10:19-42 — April 2

No question about it.  By all appearances it was blasphemy.  Jesus said, speaking of Himself, The Father and I are one  (John 10:30).  In today’s tolerant world, perhaps this would have been overlooked as the ranting of a madman, or the statement of someone claiming some kind of spiritual “connection” with God (‘you have your [...]

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other sheep — John 10:1-18 — April 1

Apparently it’s true-to-life.  Jesus, speaking as he was to people who knew all about agriculture and animal husbandry, was describing the natural tendencies of sheep, in order to describe the supernatural tendencies of His followers.  And so, apparently, sheep do know their shepherd’s voice, whom they will follow (as much as wayward sheep are prone [...]

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hilarious — John 9:18-41 — March 31

Generally speaking, most people don’t think the Bible is funny.  They think it’s serious stuff, if not dour and difficult.  Others think it unattractive, boring, even toxic.   Too bad for them.  Today’s passage is fun and funny, and I believe that John, the writer, is milking every last word.  Here we have the opponents of Jesus doing [...]

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who sinned? — John 9:1-17 — March 30

I recognize the question.  For I hear it often in my own head, asked by me in secret about the person I’m looking at.  Whether it be someone disabled, or addicted, or seriously ill, or troubled; in addition to the compassionate response of Jesus from my heart, I also hear the response of judgment in myself.  [...]

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Flock Fodder — 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 — March 29

Church of the Nativity Flock Fodder
Week of March 29, 2009 – Lent VB
 
The Psalm: 119:9-16
9
How shall a young man cleanse his way? *
By keeping to your words.
10
With my whole heart I seek you; *
let me not stray from your commandments.
11
I treasure your promise in my heart, *
that I may not [...]

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abiding — John 6:52-59 — March 27

I must confess, when I read this today, I found myself feeling a little bit like those reacting to Jesus:  How can this man give us His flesh to eat?  (John 6:52).  I suppose in their case the emphasis was on this man, IE., who does this bumpkin rabbi think he is to be setting [...]

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Jesus? — John 6:41-51 — March 26

I don’t know as much as I think I know.
During the season of Lent, our church has been working through 1st Corinthians 13:  you know, the “love” chapter, the one read at weddings (“love is patient, love is kind … kiss the bride … let’s get on with the reception”).  Before this series, I thought [...]

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wonder bread — John 6:27-40 — March 25

When I was growing up, “Wonder Bread” was a big seller.  Perhaps you’ve seen it in the store, and passed it by.  With good reason.  This stuff is the “manufactured” kind:  soft, white bread, advertised to “build strong bodies 12 ways” (I am such a product of advertising, that I can even remember this slogan!).  [...]

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deductions — John 6:16-27 — March 24

Don’t let anyone tell you that in order to follow Jesus, you have to park your brains at the door.  In fact, as the Holy Spirit begins to draw us, and then to lead us once we’ve decided to follow Jesus, He activates and stimulates our minds so that we can think and reason, even [...]

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12 baskets full — John 6:1-15 — March 23

The church to which I belonged when I first began to follow the Lord Jesus is set on a beautiful countryside.  Like me, it was “converted”.  It had originally been a farm, and the various buildings had been adapted for use as a church:  the barn (as the church was nicknamed) housed the worship center, [...]

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