On the fourth day at the tomb of a dear friend Jesus wept (John 11:35). On the first day of the week, as the crowds hailed him as king, Jesus wept (Luke 19:41). On the night he was betrayed, Jesus wept (Luke 22:39-45, Heb. 5:7). In the face of death, at the place of death, …
Category Archives: Devotion
“GIVING-UP OR GIVING-FOR” FOR LENT
What are you giving up for Lent? This has become a common question reflecting a common practice among Christ-followers today. The Lenten season, which begins today, is the forty day period of repentance, confession, and seeking by which the world wide community of Jesus enters into the passion of Jesus once again, eventually joining Jesus …
Disturbing Contrast
Last week I read about the global church south and east of us, that is exploding in growth with aims of taking the gospel back to Jerusalem and boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus all along the way, much of that way dominated currently by Islam. When this church calls others to follow Jesus, they tell …
With Jesus on Death Row
During the season of Lent we wait with Jesus as he awaits execution. Our waiting, however, is not a passive waiting—just being there as detached observers. No, it’s an active, intense, strenuous waiting with Jesus. If we can use modern imagery, we join Jesus on death row and it’s as if we are waiting for …
FORGETTING TO REMEMBER
I enjoy the” hinge” connecting the old and new year. For a couple weeks we commonly look back to recall the most memorable or important or funny or stupid things that happened in the year past. Likewise, we anticipate the things we will do in the New Year—both the things we vow not to do …