“Now which of them will love him more? …Do you see this woman?”
Luke 7:42 & 44 (NIV)
Jesus is invited to dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s house. Jesus and Simon have an interesting interaction over this meal. We don’t know how many people were actually present at this dinner. Simon’s servants – probably. Simon's friends and family – possibly. There for sure was someone else there, someone’s whose life was changed. The whole scene plays out over 14 verses. It includes a story with a question and a question with a rebuke. Let’s get into it.
I wonder what Jesus thought about this invitation, He knew that generally speaking the Pharisees weren’t really fans. Did He think it might be a trap, a confrontational conversation? Maybe this Pharisee like Nicodemus was interested in the truth and knowing Jesus better. Simon and Jesus were reclining at the table, when we meet the third person present. A woman with a bad reputation had heard Jesus was there and turns up with an alabaster jar of perfume. It says she was standing at Jesus’ feet. Standing there she is overwhelmed with emotion and starts to weep so that tears begin to fall on Jesus’ feet. At some point she must have knelt because she dries Jesus’ feet with her hair, she kisses them and pours perfume on them. Simon witnessing all of this begins to think to himself “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39). Jesus had noticed and knows both who is at His feet and what Simon is thinking – so He tells Simon a story with a question.
Here’s the Reader’s Digest contemporary version of the story. Two guys owe the bank money. One owes around $75,000 in modern wages and the other around $7,500 neither can pay it back. The loan manager shows grace to both men by cancelling the debt. Here comes Jesus’ question. Simon, tell me which of the two will love the loan manager more? Simon has the right answer – “…the one who had the bigger debt cancelled” (Luke 7:43). Jesus acknowledges Simon’s good answer but then… Jesus asks another question. “Simon, do you see this woman” (Luke 7:44)? Of course, Simon had seen her, he’s been having unkind thoughts about her. Jesus continues by critiquing Simon’s hospitality. No water for my feet, no welcome kiss, no oil for my head. Yet this woman – the one you were twigged about being here and causing a “fuss” – she washed my feet with her tears, she kissed my feet, she poured perfume on them. She has gone above and beyond; she has shown extravagant care and love – so her sins have been forgiven. Those who are forgiven much love much and those who have been forgiven little love little.
Simon is rebuked, the other guests are amazed, and the woman goes away changed, by her faith and His grace.
What about us? If Jesus showed up at our house or our church as His early first century self, would he be warmly welcomed? What if he turned up as someone from our modern-day fringe, someone who might be considered an outcast? We who have been forgiven much, should love so much more. We should love and worship Him more. We should love those He would love much more.
I know I’m not perfect, that I definitely have days when I don’t feel like loving others. I also have days when I don’t feel particularly lovable. The good news for me and all of us – Jesus loves us more on our worst days, especially when we know we need His love, His grace, His forgiveness. Jesus notices and He knows everything about us, and HE still loves us, still wants us, still forgives us, still transforms us, still calls us friend and even better brother or sister.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember He forgives much, so we should love much.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Monday, July 27, 2026
What? Why?
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?”
Luke 6:46 (NIV)
I don’t know how many times I read or heard the parable of the wise and foolish builders – lots for sure. So how come it wasn’t until just now that I discovered that the parable actually starts with a question?
It’s another, if you are really listening and doing story. Jesus starts with a question, and it’s one of those times when I wish I could hear the tone of His voice to understand better. Was He a little frustrated with the people He was speaking to? Was He just tired of trying to get people to understand when He asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say? You see, typically lords were authority figures and when they told you to do something, they expected it to get done. In the sequence Luke shares, Jesus had just finished using the get the plank out of your own eye to talk about not judging others. He had also talked about fruit and what’s stored up in the human heart, is what comes out – good or evil.
Now Jesus is like – don’t call me Lord if you’re not going to listen and do what I say. He goes on to explain how those who listen are like a wise builder – building a house on a solid foundation, but that’s only one side of the metaphorical coin. Jesus continues by explaining that those who are only playing at being His followers are like a foolish builder – building a house on unstable ground. In both cases, He is talking about who or what we chose to trust in. Trusting Him is like building on a solid foundation that will allow us to stand secure when the storms of life hit. The alternative, well it’s a faith built on self, or the government, or a job or whatever and the result when a storm hits, can be catastrophic.
When I read the entirety of the parable associated with the question. A couple of things came to mind – songs and Psalms. Songs like the great old hymn by Edward Mote On Christ, The Solid Rock I Stand, or Always by Gateway Worship with the catchy chorus that goes “I’m standing on the rock, the rock of ages, holding to the hope that’s never failing…” What about Firm Foundation by Maverick City Music and My Feet Are on the Rock by I Am They. Then, get your Bibles out and check out: Psalm 18, 19, 27 and 40 just to name a few that talk about God being the Rock. But you know what I didn’t find? A song about calling Him Lord and not doing what He says.
Lucky for us Jesus doesn’t expect perfection, He just expects those who call Him Lord to do our best to follow his instructions. Instructions that help us build our lives on a solid foundation. A faith foundation that allows our lives to be a witness for His work, lives that point others to Him.
Listen for His voice, then let your response to His call be obedience, and let that obedience be one of the ways you worship Him every day, even when the storms of life hit.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember obedience to the Lord, helps you live on a firm foundation, so be a wise builder.
Luke 6:46 (NIV)
I don’t know how many times I read or heard the parable of the wise and foolish builders – lots for sure. So how come it wasn’t until just now that I discovered that the parable actually starts with a question?
It’s another, if you are really listening and doing story. Jesus starts with a question, and it’s one of those times when I wish I could hear the tone of His voice to understand better. Was He a little frustrated with the people He was speaking to? Was He just tired of trying to get people to understand when He asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say? You see, typically lords were authority figures and when they told you to do something, they expected it to get done. In the sequence Luke shares, Jesus had just finished using the get the plank out of your own eye to talk about not judging others. He had also talked about fruit and what’s stored up in the human heart, is what comes out – good or evil.
Now Jesus is like – don’t call me Lord if you’re not going to listen and do what I say. He goes on to explain how those who listen are like a wise builder – building a house on a solid foundation, but that’s only one side of the metaphorical coin. Jesus continues by explaining that those who are only playing at being His followers are like a foolish builder – building a house on unstable ground. In both cases, He is talking about who or what we chose to trust in. Trusting Him is like building on a solid foundation that will allow us to stand secure when the storms of life hit. The alternative, well it’s a faith built on self, or the government, or a job or whatever and the result when a storm hits, can be catastrophic.
When I read the entirety of the parable associated with the question. A couple of things came to mind – songs and Psalms. Songs like the great old hymn by Edward Mote On Christ, The Solid Rock I Stand, or Always by Gateway Worship with the catchy chorus that goes “I’m standing on the rock, the rock of ages, holding to the hope that’s never failing…” What about Firm Foundation by Maverick City Music and My Feet Are on the Rock by I Am They. Then, get your Bibles out and check out: Psalm 18, 19, 27 and 40 just to name a few that talk about God being the Rock. But you know what I didn’t find? A song about calling Him Lord and not doing what He says.
Lucky for us Jesus doesn’t expect perfection, He just expects those who call Him Lord to do our best to follow his instructions. Instructions that help us build our lives on a solid foundation. A faith foundation that allows our lives to be a witness for His work, lives that point others to Him.
Listen for His voice, then let your response to His call be obedience, and let that obedience be one of the ways you worship Him every day, even when the storms of life hit.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember obedience to the Lord, helps you live on a firm foundation, so be a wise builder.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The Golden Rule
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? … And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? …. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?”
Luke 6:32a, 33a & 34a (NIV)
I never fail to be amazed at how relevant the Word of God is to the times we live in. We are living in a time of division, so I believe it is important for us to see what Jesus has to say about how we should treat others. Luke is providing an overview so to speak of portions of Jesus’ sermon on the mount and in Jesus’ often used style He asks and answers some questions as He speaks.
In the lead up to the questions, Jesus essentially says: Those of you who are really listening to what I am saying, really hearing and understanding me – “Love your enemies… (Luke 6:27). Do good to them, bless them, pray for them, don’t hit back, give them the shirt off your back if necessary, be generous without expectations of getting it back and here’s the big one “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:28-31, paraphrased).
Jesus asks the crowd – what do you gain if… you love those who love you, do good for those who do good for you, lend only to people you know will pay it back? His answer should make us all sit up, take notice and spend some time in self-reflection. Jesus’ answer to His questions is – You don’t gain anything, even sinners do that (Luke 6: 32b, 33b & 34b). How are we doing as the hands and feet of Jesus?
As followers of Jesus we are meant to look and act differently to the world around us. We are meant to swim against the current of culture, while drawing attention to Jesus as we go. There is a common phrase, used by many not just in the United States but around the world, perhaps you’ve heard it said, “for God and Country” - note God comes first and then country.
I know I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but I do try to be obedient to Jesus’ command to love God and love Others – that’s the simplest explanation of Christian living. What kinds of things get in the way of that for me? This is going to sound harsh, people who exploit the kindness of others, people who pick political affiliation over the character of the candidate, people who make a show of being a Christian, rather than acting like Christ. Unfortunately, I probably fall into those categories myself sometimes – and when I do, I ask God to change my heart.
What about you? Have you lost friends, have a divided family, find yourself angry or afraid a lot of time because of these kinds of issues and all sorts of others. Jesus calls us to love above all else, to walk in unity with our fellow believers because we are all meant to be one with Christ, who is the KING of kings and who is making us and everything else new. Let’s depend more on Him than on the things of this world.
Luke 6:32a, 33a & 34a (NIV)
I never fail to be amazed at how relevant the Word of God is to the times we live in. We are living in a time of division, so I believe it is important for us to see what Jesus has to say about how we should treat others. Luke is providing an overview so to speak of portions of Jesus’ sermon on the mount and in Jesus’ often used style He asks and answers some questions as He speaks.
In the lead up to the questions, Jesus essentially says: Those of you who are really listening to what I am saying, really hearing and understanding me – “Love your enemies… (Luke 6:27). Do good to them, bless them, pray for them, don’t hit back, give them the shirt off your back if necessary, be generous without expectations of getting it back and here’s the big one “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:28-31, paraphrased).
Jesus asks the crowd – what do you gain if… you love those who love you, do good for those who do good for you, lend only to people you know will pay it back? His answer should make us all sit up, take notice and spend some time in self-reflection. Jesus’ answer to His questions is – You don’t gain anything, even sinners do that (Luke 6: 32b, 33b & 34b). How are we doing as the hands and feet of Jesus?
As followers of Jesus we are meant to look and act differently to the world around us. We are meant to swim against the current of culture, while drawing attention to Jesus as we go. There is a common phrase, used by many not just in the United States but around the world, perhaps you’ve heard it said, “for God and Country” - note God comes first and then country.
I know I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but I do try to be obedient to Jesus’ command to love God and love Others – that’s the simplest explanation of Christian living. What kinds of things get in the way of that for me? This is going to sound harsh, people who exploit the kindness of others, people who pick political affiliation over the character of the candidate, people who make a show of being a Christian, rather than acting like Christ. Unfortunately, I probably fall into those categories myself sometimes – and when I do, I ask God to change my heart.
What about you? Have you lost friends, have a divided family, find yourself angry or afraid a lot of time because of these kinds of issues and all sorts of others. Jesus calls us to love above all else, to walk in unity with our fellow believers because we are all meant to be one with Christ, who is the KING of kings and who is making us and everything else new. Let’s depend more on Him than on the things of this world.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember to Love God and love others, because they are human like you.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Something About Sabbath
“Jesus answered them. Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were Hungry? Then Jesus said to them. I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
Luke 6:3 & 9 (NIV)
It began with a simple statement, “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:3). It becomes a command in Exodus 20 as part of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:8-11). It was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, a call to rest and worship, to trust God. A couple of bumps down the God’s instructions road to Exodus 31 the command to keep the Sabbath holy now comes with a punishment and a severe one at that. Exodus 31:14 says, “Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people”. Exodus 31:15 makes it clear what the punishment is.
In the ancient world and still today, Sabbath is observed primarily on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. Sabbath actually begins Friday at sunset and ends Saturday evening with the appearance of the first three stars in the night sky. Modern day, Sabbath observant Jews still follow many of the ancient rules, though it does appear they have found some modern work arounds for somethings and the penalty for making a mistake isn’t death. The roughly 25 hours of Sabbath are spent enjoying family meals, worship, studying the Torah, walking to the synagogue, a shared community meal, and rest.
Then Jesus arrives in the scene and makes some waves. In the lead up to the questions Jesus asked this devotion is built on, Jesus and the guys were walking through a grain field, some of the guys picked some heads of grain and were eating the kernels as a snack. I guess the Pharisees were out and about making sure no one was breaking Sabbath rules, cause they get called out for “working” on the Sabbath. The Pharisees ask, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath” (Luke 6:1-2). Jesus, being Jesus responds with a question of His own – don’t you remember reading about what David and his crew did when they were hungry (my paraphrase)? Jesus, just give them the answer (see Luke 6:4). Then Jesus adds, for good measure – “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). The Sabbath discussion doesn’t end there though. On another Sabbath, Jesus is at the synagogue, teaching and a man is there with a deformed hand. The Pharisee are looking to catch Jesus “working” on the Sabbath again (isn’t teaching work)? Jesus always seems to know what those guys are thinking and so we arrive at the second question Jesus asks. Jesus asks the man with the bad hand to stand up. Then Jesus standing nearby asks the crowd, especially the Pharisees “What is lawful to do on the Sabbath, to do good or evil, to save a life or destroy it” (Luke 6:9)? Jesus looked around, no one seemed willing to answer the question, so Jesus healed the man’s hand with his words.
As followers of Jesus, we are no longer under the Law with its legalistic rules and punishments. The Ten Commandments however still apply. Taking a day of rest each week, honors God and is good for our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Many of us use the first day of the week (Sunday) as the day we rest. We go to church, on Sundays in remembrance of Jesus’ resurrection. We worship, we hear the Word, we don’t do our regular work – though for many of us that doesn’t mean we don’t do any work. Sundays also seem to be a get some chores done around the house day. Some people, like first responders and people who work in the service industry often have to work on Sunday, and that’s ok – but are they actually taking a real day of rest somewhere else in the week?
The day of rest whether, Saturday, Sunday or one of the other days in the week should be filled with things that honor God. Turn up your favorite worship music, spend time reading and studying God’s Word, Go for a walk, a bike ride or a drive in the country to enjoy God’s creation, spend time with family – play board games, watch some movies, eat some great food (prepare it the day before or splurge and get take out), most importantly acknowledge God for His goodness, His faithfulness, and His provisions.
How do you take a day of rest each week? Sabbath is meant to be a gift to us from the Creator of the universe, accept it, embrace it and share it.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember God commanded we take a day of rest because He knew we would need it.
Luke 6:3 & 9 (NIV)
It began with a simple statement, “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:3). It becomes a command in Exodus 20 as part of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:8-11). It was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, a call to rest and worship, to trust God. A couple of bumps down the God’s instructions road to Exodus 31 the command to keep the Sabbath holy now comes with a punishment and a severe one at that. Exodus 31:14 says, “Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people”. Exodus 31:15 makes it clear what the punishment is.
In the ancient world and still today, Sabbath is observed primarily on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. Sabbath actually begins Friday at sunset and ends Saturday evening with the appearance of the first three stars in the night sky. Modern day, Sabbath observant Jews still follow many of the ancient rules, though it does appear they have found some modern work arounds for somethings and the penalty for making a mistake isn’t death. The roughly 25 hours of Sabbath are spent enjoying family meals, worship, studying the Torah, walking to the synagogue, a shared community meal, and rest.
Then Jesus arrives in the scene and makes some waves. In the lead up to the questions Jesus asked this devotion is built on, Jesus and the guys were walking through a grain field, some of the guys picked some heads of grain and were eating the kernels as a snack. I guess the Pharisees were out and about making sure no one was breaking Sabbath rules, cause they get called out for “working” on the Sabbath. The Pharisees ask, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath” (Luke 6:1-2). Jesus, being Jesus responds with a question of His own – don’t you remember reading about what David and his crew did when they were hungry (my paraphrase)? Jesus, just give them the answer (see Luke 6:4). Then Jesus adds, for good measure – “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). The Sabbath discussion doesn’t end there though. On another Sabbath, Jesus is at the synagogue, teaching and a man is there with a deformed hand. The Pharisee are looking to catch Jesus “working” on the Sabbath again (isn’t teaching work)? Jesus always seems to know what those guys are thinking and so we arrive at the second question Jesus asks. Jesus asks the man with the bad hand to stand up. Then Jesus standing nearby asks the crowd, especially the Pharisees “What is lawful to do on the Sabbath, to do good or evil, to save a life or destroy it” (Luke 6:9)? Jesus looked around, no one seemed willing to answer the question, so Jesus healed the man’s hand with his words.
As followers of Jesus, we are no longer under the Law with its legalistic rules and punishments. The Ten Commandments however still apply. Taking a day of rest each week, honors God and is good for our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Many of us use the first day of the week (Sunday) as the day we rest. We go to church, on Sundays in remembrance of Jesus’ resurrection. We worship, we hear the Word, we don’t do our regular work – though for many of us that doesn’t mean we don’t do any work. Sundays also seem to be a get some chores done around the house day. Some people, like first responders and people who work in the service industry often have to work on Sunday, and that’s ok – but are they actually taking a real day of rest somewhere else in the week?
The day of rest whether, Saturday, Sunday or one of the other days in the week should be filled with things that honor God. Turn up your favorite worship music, spend time reading and studying God’s Word, Go for a walk, a bike ride or a drive in the country to enjoy God’s creation, spend time with family – play board games, watch some movies, eat some great food (prepare it the day before or splurge and get take out), most importantly acknowledge God for His goodness, His faithfulness, and His provisions.
How do you take a day of rest each week? Sabbath is meant to be a gift to us from the Creator of the universe, accept it, embrace it and share it.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember God commanded we take a day of rest because He knew we would need it.
Monday, July 6, 2026
12-Year Old Jesus
“Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
Luke 2:49 (NIV)
In the scriptures we get glimpses of Jesus’ life before His baptism and entry into His ministry. We witness His birth and the visit by the shepherds. We see Him as a toddler being visited by the Eastern Magi and then His family fleeing to Egypt as refugees. Now we see pre-teen Jesus. His family is home and living in the day-to-day. Each year, since their return from Egypt they traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, without incident until now.
It would seem that the family, traveled with a larger group and that the kids would hang out amongst the friends and extended family who made up the group. They’d been to the city and were on the way home. Mary and Joseph assuming Jesus was hanging out with friends weren’t too concerned until He didn’t turn up for supper. I can imagine Joseph and Mary asking His siblings, “Where’s Jesus” and then shrugging their shoulders as if to say “we don’t know”. Then the search was on. They looked for Him in the larger group, asking friends and family if they had seen Him. Not to be found, they head back to the city. They finally find Him at the temple sitting with and talking to the teachers. I can imagine Mary equally relieved to have Him back and a bit twigged that they had been so worried as they searched for Him. Jesus responds to His mother’s scolding question “Son, why have you treated us like this” (Luke 2:48)? With questions of His own. Why were you searching for me, didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
We learn from this pre-teen incident a couple of things. First, Jesus clearly knows who He is and who His Father is. Second, it would seem that He assumed his mother understood that as well. I can almost see Mary grabbing him by the ear and making it clear it was time to go home. Scriptures tell us that He went home, was obedient to His parents, learning His dad’s trade, being a good son and growing up into a wise, strong man who found favor with God and His community. All the while, his mom is storing up all these experiences, pondering them and wondering about His life.
We’ve all had these kinds of experiences. When we were little we would wander off at the mall and get lost or we would somehow get separated from our families in a crowd, or when we were older, just late getting home. When we were little we would be scared and happy to be reunited and when we were older we may have just been oblivious to the worry we caused our parents. But what about when we lose sight of God? When doubt threatens to overpower our faith? When we have gotten lost, accidentally or on purpose? God is there whatever the situation. Perhaps we need the welcome of the Father waiting for the prodigal to return. Maybe, we need to have our ear grabbed to get us back on track. Sometimes we need to just be still and wait for the Father to find us – cause you know He is searching for us. When we are back in His presence, will we like 12-year old Jesus be obedient and grow in wisdom?
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this email – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember HE’S got you no matter where you are.
Luke 2:49 (NIV)
In the scriptures we get glimpses of Jesus’ life before His baptism and entry into His ministry. We witness His birth and the visit by the shepherds. We see Him as a toddler being visited by the Eastern Magi and then His family fleeing to Egypt as refugees. Now we see pre-teen Jesus. His family is home and living in the day-to-day. Each year, since their return from Egypt they traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, without incident until now.
It would seem that the family, traveled with a larger group and that the kids would hang out amongst the friends and extended family who made up the group. They’d been to the city and were on the way home. Mary and Joseph assuming Jesus was hanging out with friends weren’t too concerned until He didn’t turn up for supper. I can imagine Joseph and Mary asking His siblings, “Where’s Jesus” and then shrugging their shoulders as if to say “we don’t know”. Then the search was on. They looked for Him in the larger group, asking friends and family if they had seen Him. Not to be found, they head back to the city. They finally find Him at the temple sitting with and talking to the teachers. I can imagine Mary equally relieved to have Him back and a bit twigged that they had been so worried as they searched for Him. Jesus responds to His mother’s scolding question “Son, why have you treated us like this” (Luke 2:48)? With questions of His own. Why were you searching for me, didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
We learn from this pre-teen incident a couple of things. First, Jesus clearly knows who He is and who His Father is. Second, it would seem that He assumed his mother understood that as well. I can almost see Mary grabbing him by the ear and making it clear it was time to go home. Scriptures tell us that He went home, was obedient to His parents, learning His dad’s trade, being a good son and growing up into a wise, strong man who found favor with God and His community. All the while, his mom is storing up all these experiences, pondering them and wondering about His life.
We’ve all had these kinds of experiences. When we were little we would wander off at the mall and get lost or we would somehow get separated from our families in a crowd, or when we were older, just late getting home. When we were little we would be scared and happy to be reunited and when we were older we may have just been oblivious to the worry we caused our parents. But what about when we lose sight of God? When doubt threatens to overpower our faith? When we have gotten lost, accidentally or on purpose? God is there whatever the situation. Perhaps we need the welcome of the Father waiting for the prodigal to return. Maybe, we need to have our ear grabbed to get us back on track. Sometimes we need to just be still and wait for the Father to find us – cause you know He is searching for us. When we are back in His presence, will we like 12-year old Jesus be obedient and grow in wisdom?
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this email – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember HE’S got you no matter where you are.
Monday, June 29, 2026
Faithful Honesty
“Eloi. Eloi, lema sabachthani which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”
Mark 15:34 (NIV)
Last week, Jesus was arrested and this week He’s on the cross speaking His last words. I knew there must be a deeper meaning to this question spoken amidst the agony of the cross, but sometimes we are too far from a situation to make the needed connection. Yes, Jesus is asking a question of God, but this question is also a quote. In fact, it is a quote that those present, that those who heard it would probably have gotten right away.
To find the deeper meaning we need to go back to the Old Testament, to the Psalms, to Psalm 22 to be exact. Psalm 22 is a psalm of lament from David. David is well known for his raw, emotional pleas to God and this psalm is one of those. It opens with “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” Not only is Psalm 22 a psalm of lament but Christians also see it as prophetic, speaking about the coming Messiah. See, “My life is poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint… My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth… They have pierced my hands and feet… They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing” (Psalm 22: 14a, 15a, 16b & 18). Here’s the thing about David’s Psalms of Lament – he pours out his emotions and complaints, his needs for relief, he pounds on God’s chest asking why, why, why and then he praises God with the understanding that God will be victorious.
Jesus, in this cry of his heart expresses his humanity. In his life and during his execution he experienced loneliness, agony, abandonment, unanswered prayer and emotional darkness – we’ve all been there in some way, at some point in our lives. Asking a similar question – “Lord, I’ve done what you’ve asked so where are you now when I really need you?”
Jesus in the midst of His suffering quotes from a Psalm that goes from abandonment to trust, from suffering to ultimate vindication. One commentator says in that moment we see the deepest expression of divine solidarity with human pain. Jesus bore the sins of humanity, sin separates us from God, Jesus experienced that separation on our behalf – it is the cost of our redemption. Jesus’ cry of why have you forsaken me is not the end of the story, rather it is the door through which resurrection hope enters and new life begins.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember it is ok to be faithfully honest with God – He’s got you whether you feel it or not.
Mark 15:34 (NIV)
Last week, Jesus was arrested and this week He’s on the cross speaking His last words. I knew there must be a deeper meaning to this question spoken amidst the agony of the cross, but sometimes we are too far from a situation to make the needed connection. Yes, Jesus is asking a question of God, but this question is also a quote. In fact, it is a quote that those present, that those who heard it would probably have gotten right away.
To find the deeper meaning we need to go back to the Old Testament, to the Psalms, to Psalm 22 to be exact. Psalm 22 is a psalm of lament from David. David is well known for his raw, emotional pleas to God and this psalm is one of those. It opens with “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” Not only is Psalm 22 a psalm of lament but Christians also see it as prophetic, speaking about the coming Messiah. See, “My life is poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint… My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth… They have pierced my hands and feet… They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing” (Psalm 22: 14a, 15a, 16b & 18). Here’s the thing about David’s Psalms of Lament – he pours out his emotions and complaints, his needs for relief, he pounds on God’s chest asking why, why, why and then he praises God with the understanding that God will be victorious.
Jesus, in this cry of his heart expresses his humanity. In his life and during his execution he experienced loneliness, agony, abandonment, unanswered prayer and emotional darkness – we’ve all been there in some way, at some point in our lives. Asking a similar question – “Lord, I’ve done what you’ve asked so where are you now when I really need you?”
Jesus in the midst of His suffering quotes from a Psalm that goes from abandonment to trust, from suffering to ultimate vindication. One commentator says in that moment we see the deepest expression of divine solidarity with human pain. Jesus bore the sins of humanity, sin separates us from God, Jesus experienced that separation on our behalf – it is the cost of our redemption. Jesus’ cry of why have you forsaken me is not the end of the story, rather it is the door through which resurrection hope enters and new life begins.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember it is ok to be faithfully honest with God – He’s got you whether you feel it or not.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Rebellion
“Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?’” Mark 14:48 (NLT)
At times all Scripture needs to be wrestled with. The passage for this week needed a lot of wrestling. Let me outline the lead up to Jesus’ arrest. He had entered Jerusalem like a rock star. Then HE cleared the temple courts. He had a final meal with His crew (cause HE knew the time was coming). At dinner He identified Judas as His betrayer and told him to get on with it. He asked His best friends to watch and pray as he begged His Father to take the cup from Him, only to find them sleeping. He told Peter, who swore he would go to his death with Jesus, that he would that night deny even knowing Him. Then Judas shows up and kisses “his friend” Jesus to signal this is the one that should be arrested. Jesus makes the soldier fall down when He responds “I AM He” in response to who they were looking for. Just like that Jesus went from rock star to criminal and He had only ever done things that were good. Even as He’s being arrested, Jesus called for calm and healed a man after Peter cut his ear off. And Jesus asked this week’s question.Basically, I feel like Jesus was saying, isn't this a bit much? Have you ever seen Me with a deadly weapon? Did you really expect me to put up a fight? But is there more going on here? Jesus was definitely not leading a political rebellion, but does that mean there wasn’t a kind of rebellion happening? Jesus’ mother often is portrayed and this really serene woman – yet Her song (see Luke 1:46-55) used the language of revolution, so much so that a number of countries would later ban it for fear it would lead to rebellion. So was rebellion part of His human DNA?
Jesus peacefully pushed back against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time. I don’t know that he cared too much about the Roman occupation of Israel, but He did care about those who were meant to be bringing people to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and failing to do so. He also cared about the plan to restore creation to a right relationship with the Creator.
Jesus was innocent, in our modern view his arrest and death would be considered unjust. As He hung on that Roman cross, His Father placed the full weight of a sin broken world on Him and turned away for just a moment. In that moment the veil that separated humanity from God was torn apart, opening a path for us straight to the heart of God. A rebellion was waged against the power of sin and darkness and a few days’ later death was defeated and the darkness was pushed back. The transformation of the human heart and the world had begun. Every time someone decides to follow Jesus and to care for those around them, the darkness gets shoved a little further back and His light fills the void. In the face of a world filled with injustice – choose Jesus and follow after Him with your whole heart.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – join the rebellion of heart transforming surrender to the Lord of Lords.
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