What do you see when you look at the world around you? The chaos and uncertainty around a contested Presidential result? The devastation caused by a global pandemic. The ongoing climate change crisis? The division and hurt of racism? What do you see when you look at your own life? Weakness, failure, shame? The drudgery… Continue reading What do you see (Matthew 11:1-19)
Tag: Jesus
Is it ever okay to run away?
What should Christians do when they face opposition and persecution? Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? Christians are to persevere, to stand their ground and to suffer. Paul talks about how we learn endurance and faith in suffering whilst Peter tells slaves that it is a good thing to suffer for doing good. So when persecution… Continue reading Is it ever okay to run away?
Fed to the wolves?
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who finds these words particularly challenging: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves”[1] Would Jesus do something so reckless as to send his disciples out without defence to certain danger? Is that the act of the good shepherd? I’ve seen it… Continue reading Fed to the wolves?
Something Different
Here is the sermon from yesterday’s Bearwood Chapel service (Matthew 10:1-15)
Love Conquers Fear (13) Eternal Life
1 John 5:6-12 – what is it that we truly fear?
Love Conquers Fear (12) Victory
How does love conquer fear?
Jesus and the shamed woman
Yesterday, I wrote about how the woman with an issue of blood experiences shaming from powerful men. Today, I want to highlight how Jesus deals with her differently. All the Gospel writers present her as creeping up quietly, nervously and sneaking a quick touch of her garment. Her aim seems to be to make some… Continue reading Jesus and the shamed woman
The shaming of a precious woman
In Matthew 9:20-22, Jesus who has just been asked to come with a synagogue ruler and heal his sick daughter is interrupted. A desperate woman reaches out to touch him and is healed. We are told that she has an issue, or haemorrhage of blood. It is possible that this was something along the lines… Continue reading The shaming of a precious woman
Why does Jesus heal, forgive and call? (What’s the common theme in Matthew 9)
What is Matthew 9 all about? There’s a lot going on in the chapter. We have a number of healings including: a paralysed man, a daughter raised from the dead, a woman with an issue of blood, two blind men and a demon possessed man who is unable to speak. Is the passage primarily about… Continue reading Why does Jesus heal, forgive and call? (What’s the common theme in Matthew 9)
New (Matthew 9:14-17)
The music is playing loudly, people are dancing, laughing, chatting and drinking. Then someone comes into the room, switches the lights on, turns the music down, looks around scowling and says “please tone it down.” Then the best man goes across to them and says “excuse me but you’ve just interrupted a wedding.” You walk… Continue reading New (Matthew 9:14-17)
