Reading the disciples reactions to Jesus’ teaching here in Matthew 19 makes me wonder if I truly take Jesus serious when he speaks. As Jesus answers questions relating to marriage and divorce (v4-9), his disciples suggest that it would be better not to marry than try to follow what Jesus says (v10). When Jesus gives […]
Jesus teaches a lot in this passage, from understanding the value of children, to how to respond to church members who sin against you, to the importance of and reason to forgive. It is a full chapter. What Jesus is pointing out to me throughout the reading is that the way I relate to people, […]
Jesus concludes chapter 16 promising that some will not taste death before they see the Son of Man in his kingdom (16:28). Then, 6 days later, he takes them to the top of a mountain where he is transfigured before them (17:1-13). I cannot image what it would have been like to be Peter, James, […]
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (v. 25)? Jesus reminds me that I need to focus on what is most important. Amidst all the competing goods of our world, there is one thing that is […]
I remember from my time as a youth director learning the phrase, “heart transformation, not behavior modification.” It was a helpful way to think about working with young people, especially young people that were not coming from church backgrounds. If we wanted to see positive change in their lives it was not going to come […]