Drew Hill is a new blogger to our network. He has an easygoing and honest writing voice. Recently he told us the story of how his first son was born the same year...
As Jesus went about in Galilee preaching the good news of the kingdom, he amassed a large group of followers. From among these people he set apart a special group of twelve disciples...
I've always been in a rush, I'm afraid. I wait until the last moment and then rush to finish. And even if I start on time, I like to move fast. I don't...
As Jesus looked upon the vast crowds that had followed him, he had compassion upon them and recognized how much they needed spiritual guidance (v. 36). He sensed an immense opportunity for reaping...
In Matthew 9:18-31, we see several people approach Jesus with bold faith. First, the leader of the synagogue asks Jesus not just to heal his daughter, but even to raise her from the...
Real Live Preacher has posted one of the final prayers of famous Baptist pastor Carlyle Marney who died of a heart attack in 1978. It shows amazing humility and honesty as well as...
In the time of Jesus, wine was often stored in the carefully prepared skins of animals.
The Pharisees were upset by the fact that Jesus ate with those they considered "sinners," indeed, even "scum." It wasn't just that Jesus hung out with such unsavory characters. In his culture,...
It's easy for us to read the story of Jesus forgiving and healing the paralyzed man without being unsettled or even surprised.
This story from Matthew perplexes most of us. For one thing, we in the Western world are generally unfamiliar with demons and don't know how to make sense of them. For another, the peculiar...
Throughout his ministry, Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons. Why? What was Jesus trying to accomplish by these mighty acts?On one level, the healings and exorcisms of Jesus demonstrated his...
There are three surprises in this story. First, there's the surprise of the centurion's faith. Jesus himself was amazed by the faith of this officer in the Roman army. Surely Jesus had hoped to...
Life is fundamentally measured by weeks, not months, or even years. Here is a principle that everyone endorses and few follow: Keep your balance. Balance is fundamental to athletics and just...
As I remember the Sabbath of my childhood, white-gloved women in Sunday-go-to-meeting dresses, hats, and shoes flood my mind. And men in stiff-as-a-board starched shirts, their best jackets and...
I had been a highly partisan spectator for three days, watching my daughter play volleyball in Tampa, Florida. Her team was heading for the finals on Sunday. Sadly, I had to catch the...
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus healed many who were sick. But he did more than restore bodies. He also healed souls and relationships. We see this happening as Jesus healed the man with leprosy in...
Throughout Galilee, the region of Jesus' early ministry, there were wadis: dry stream beds that would flood during strong rains. A person unfamiliar with weather patterns might build a house on the...
Jesus offers the metaphor of trees and fruit in order to help his disciples identify false prophets. Even if their message seems to be acceptable, the tangible results of their teaching will reveal...
We find versions of the so-called "Golden Rule" in the ethical teachings of many philosophers and religions. Yet these versions almost always take a negative form: Do not do to others what you do...
Jesus often used hyperbole to communicate with his audience.
