I’ve only heard the claim once from a pulpit but perhaps that was already one time too many. I’ve since come across other people who have heard the claim. A preacher talking about the Lost Sheep in Luke 15 claimed that after finding the sheep, the shepherd would then break one of its legs. The… Continue reading The sheep with a broken leg? The danger of embellishing Scripture
Category: Bible Study
Preparation
Joseph of Arimathea requests the body of Jesus and arranges to have it buried. Read Mark 15:40-47 Jesus’ execution has happened on a Friday, the day before Sabbath. Properly speaking, the sabbath would commence from the evening of that day. It was not considered good for the bodies to be left hanging or the execution… Continue reading Preparation
Forsaken
Jesus’ crucifixion will have lasted several hours and we know from the other Gospels that he has a number of significant things to say. Read Mark 15:33-39 Mark focuses in on one specifically, the cry “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” This is a quote from the start of Psalm 22. … Continue reading Forsaken
A helpless saviour?
Jesus is crucified outside of the city. This means that he is forced to carry his own Cross. When Jesus said that we must take up our own crosses on a daily basis, he wasn’t saying that we must simply put up with difficult days. He was calling upon us to die to self. Weakened… Continue reading A helpless saviour?
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Stuart Townend’s hymn “How deep the Father’s Love for us” says: Behold the man upon a crossMy sin upon His shouldersAshamed, I hear my mocking voiceCall out among the scoffersIt was my sin that held Him thereUntil it was accomplishedHis dying breath has brought me lifeI know that it is finished The aim of Pilate’s… Continue reading Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Who are you?
This is Pilate’s question for Jesus. Not in the sense that he didn’t know the name of the person standing before him or anything about the details of his life. It’s a question about identity. Read Mark 15:1-15 It’s the night before his crucifixion and Jesus has been handed over by the Jewish leaders to… Continue reading Who are you?
Crucified (Mark 15)
Jesus is handed over to Pilate because the Jewish leaders don’t have the authority to order his execution. Given their hesitancy around a public showdown with Jesus themselves, it also neatly hands the problem over to the Romans. Note the cowardice of a night trial and then passing the issue so that they don’t get… Continue reading Crucified (Mark 15)
He’s the good good shepherd
I love Psalm 23 and it was really helpful to hear a speaker talking about this at a recent church leaders’ retreat. On Sunday I shared my own attempt at a paraphrase of the Psalm. It’s been particularly on my mind over the past few days as it seems to link with a few particular… Continue reading He’s the good good shepherd
Psalm 23 -a reflective paraphrase
God is my provider and protector. I never run short. His provision is inexhaustible and overflowing. He has brought me to a place of peace and plenty. He refreshes and renews me. I find strength in him alone. He leads down the exact path he planned and prepared for me All the glory goes to… Continue reading Psalm 23 -a reflective paraphrase
If Sunday is a meal or feast then ….
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus sat down with his disciples to share the Passover meal. At that meal, he insisted not only that he was the host at the meal but that he was the meal itself. Jesus was the new Passover. This was significant for his hearers. It would have been obvious… Continue reading If Sunday is a meal or feast then ….
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