In one of Peter’s early sermons in Jerusalem, he spoke of the man they released from prison – Barabbas. (Acts 3:13-15). “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life.” Have you ever thought about the contrast between these two men?
Barabbas was a murderer; he had no regard for human life. He is the one the Jewish people liberated and welcomed back into society, but turned their backs on Jesus. Continue reading
It is said that Jesus made his fatal journey to Jerusalem in the spring, 33 a.d. Due to historical errors in ancient date keeping, the exact time is unknown, although the world has settled on complicated formulas to settle an arbitrary date for what has come to be known as Easter. The actual Biblical accounts mention “winter” (John 10:23), and that people were warming themselves over fires at the Jewish trial of Jesus (John 18:18). A quick Internet search showed 20 C. weather in the city today (68 F); hardly a time for bonfires. Therefore we don’t really know the actual dates for the events surrounding the trials, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Continue reading
Half the books in the library seem to be about tough people who solve crimes. They’re always good-looking, muscular, and have interesting personalities; but most of the time they don’t care about people. Jesus taught us to do something that’s even tougher to do: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36).
Why is it tough to be merciful? Because it goes against everything we normally want to do. The easy thing is to take revenge, gossip about somebody, or refuse to forgive. It’s much harder to show some mercy to someone you don’t like, or who has done something against you. We want to react in kind. Jesus commands us not to. That’s the tough part. Continue reading
Some days it seems that the world is very cold. It feels like you are in the way and everyone wants to run over you. No one seems to care. Days like that cause us to seek refuge in those whom we know love us: family, good friends, and those who depend on us.
However, Jesus once again surprises us. He said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32). There is nothing admirable about loving people who are willing to return the same love to you. Everybody does that. Jesus challenges us to love those who won’t. Continue reading
Shocking words: “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.” (Luke 6:35). It’s not good enough to just lend to friends and people who are low risk. For “even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount” (v.34). These statements at first seem irresponsible and reckless. Wouldn’t we become impoverished if we threw money around like that? Continue reading