A Son is along way from home, homeless, treated as an outcaste, on the brink of death. This could in fact describe two sons. In the story that Jesus has been telling, the younger son has left home for a far off country. There, he has wasted everything and at that point, famine hits. Penniless… Continue reading Unworthy
Category: Bible Study
Because I’m worth it
“Because you’re worth it” the L’Oreal advertisements used to announce. The younger brother in Jesus’ parable believed that he was worth it (Luke 15:11-32). He went to his father to demand his share of the inheritance. In effect, he was telling dad that he was as good as dead to him. To impatient to wait… Continue reading Because I’m worth it
Lost
Luke records three parables with a focus on something or someone who is lost, a sheep lost to a shepherd, a coin lost to its owner, a son lost to his father. Matthew also includes the parable of the lost sheep.[1] He introduces it in a slightly difference context following on from Jesus’ teaching on… Continue reading Lost
Where the lost things go
Jesus tells three parables about lost things in Luke 15. First he describes a sheep lost out in the darkness, away from the rest of the flock. The shepherd leaves 99 behind to go and find the one that is missing. This has famously been portrayed as an act of recklessness. Why doesn’t he settle… Continue reading Where the lost things go
What the carols mean. Advent Series
A few years back, we ran an Advent sermon series looking at the meaning of different carols at my then church. During the pandemic, I expanded this into a series of talks looking at a range of carols and advent hymns, both traditional and modern. You can listen to the talks here:
Welcome to the feast
Meals provide a frequent setting for Gospel events to the point that at least two authors have picked up on this as the basis for book themes and structures.[1] Jesus is offered hospitality by various hosts, Pharisees through the tax collectors. These seem to be at least semi public affairs, hosts may have wanted to… Continue reading Welcome to the feast
Arise and shine for Advent
Some people like to have a book to work through in the run up to Christmas (Advent). If you haven’t found anything for this year, then why not have a look at “Arise and Shine” which offers devotional studies from the book of Isaiah. I originally prepared this for use in Lent so there are… Continue reading Arise and shine for Advent
Yeast, fear and wisdom
Our latest podcast on Jesus and the Gospels takes a look at Luke Chapter 12.
Towards D-Day
Time to repent
In Jesus day, there wasn’t really any question that sin was a problem, nor that it deserved judgement.. A culture that accepted the reality of sin may seem a long way from our “sinless and shameless” culture today. However, there were questions about the nature of sin and more pertinently who was a sinner. To… Continue reading Time to repent
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