In another vineyard parable, Jesus calls into question the leadership of the chief priests and the Pharisees, and their role in shaping the Kingdom. In a message for today, Jesus asks what fruit are being produced?
In another vineyard parable, Jesus calls into question the leadership of the chief priests and the Pharisees, and their role in shaping the Kingdom. In a message for today, Jesus asks what fruit are being produced?
Faced with questions concerning his authority while teaching in the Temple, Jesus turns the tables on those questioning him by probing their attitudes towards John the Baptist. As part of the debate, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons and relates a story centered on the coherence between words and deeds, an issue that continues to plague us today.
Faced with questions concerning his authority while teaching in the Temple, Jesus turns the tables on those questioning him by probing their attitudes towards John the Baptist. As part of the debate, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons and relates a story centered on the coherence between words and deeds, an issue that continues to plague us today.
In this parable, Jesus speaks of labor and reward, illustrating the graciousness of God towards the covenant people. In a narrative that challenges today's views of distributive justice, Jesus shows how the grace of God is without end and points us to a future in which we extend grace without limit.
In this parable, Jesus speaks of labor and reward, illustrating the graciousness of God towards the covenant people. In a narrative that challenges today's views of distributive justice, Jesus shows how the grace of God is without end and points us to a future in which we extend grace without limit.
In his parable on the forgiveness of debt, Jesus contrasts the way of the Kingdom of Heaven and the way of the empire. We are challenged to see whether or not we find ourselves cast as one of the characters in the parable, and if we can follow the way of the Kingdom in our own dealings with others.
In his parable on the forgiveness of debt, Jesus contrasts the way of the Kingdom of Heaven and the way of the empire. We are challenged to see whether or not we find ourselves cast as one of the characters in the parable, and if we can follow the way of the Kingdom in our own dealings with others.
Today we look at a passage often described as "church discipline" and attempt to return it to its context in Matthew's Gospel and in the canon as a whole such that we can see how it functions in the life of the church today.
Today we look at a passage often described as "church discipline" and attempt to return it to its context in Matthew's Gospel and in the canon as a whole such that we can see how it functions in the life of the church today.
When Peter learns what it will mean for Jesus to live out his vocation as "the Messiah, Son of the living God" he reacts with horror, proclaiming, "God forbid ...". And yet, God does not forbid and Jesus indeed suffers, dies and is raised. When does God forbid and when does God allow? Do we make choices about how we react to situations or does God cause us to react without free agency? These important questions come to light in today's text, and are especially important when, as was the case wit...
When Peter learns what it will mean for Jesus to live out his vocation as "the Messiah, Son of the living God" he reacts with horror, proclaiming, "God forbid ...". And yet, God does not forbid and Jesus indeed suffers, dies and is raised. When does God forbid and when does God allow? Do we make choices about how we react to situations or does God cause us to react without free agency? These important questions come to light in today's text, and are especially important when, as was the case wit...
In this narrative, Jesus provides a model for discipleship as he shows us that we cannot stay at the mountaintop, where heaven and earth meet, but are called to come down to the troubled waters below, where the boat in which we sail is tossed and turned by storms.
In this narrative, Jesus provides a model for discipleship as he shows us that we cannot stay at the mountaintop, where heaven and earth meet, but are called to come down to the troubled waters below, where the boat in which we sail is tossed and turned by storms.
How can we best read a text as familiar as the "Feeding of the Five Thousand"? The long history of the church suggests that a "literal" reading be accompanied by a 'spiritual" reading with the latter consisting of analogical, anagogical and moral components. When we look at the "Feeding of the Five Thousand" this way, we see how it speaks to not only the past but also to the present and future.
How can we best read a text as familiar as the "Feeding of the Five Thousand"? The long history of the church suggests that a "literal" reading be accompanied by a 'spiritual" reading with the latter consisting of analogical, anagogical and moral components. When we look at the "Feeding of the Five Thousand" this way, we see how it speaks to not only the past but also to the present and future.
In a set of parables on the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus shows how the status quo will be overturned by the onset of the Kingdom in ways that challenge us. A commitment to the Kingdom brings with it a willingness to let go of the status quo and step into the Kingdom, even when the path ahead looks challenging.
In a set of parables on the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus shows how the status quo will be overturned by the onset of the Kingdom in ways that challenge us. A commitment to the Kingdom brings with it a willingness to let go of the status quo and step into the Kingdom, even when the path ahead looks challenging.
In the parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus challenges our notions about reward and punishment. Why is it that the weeds get to grow among the wheat all through the growing season and are only separated at harvest time (the end of the age)?
In the parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus challenges our notions about reward and punishment. Why is it that the weeds get to grow among the wheat all through the growing season and are only separated at harvest time (the end of the age)?
In the parable of the sower and the seeds, Jesus instructs his hearers about the centrality of the "word of the Kingdom" and how living a life shaped by this word gives meaning and purpose while ushering in the Kingdom.
In the parable of the sower and the seeds, Jesus instructs his hearers about the centrality of the "word of the Kingdom" and how living a life shaped by this word gives meaning and purpose while ushering in the Kingdom.
What God knows about you is far more important than what people think about you. Jesus offers to share our burdens and to show us a way to be at one with God, without regard to what others might think.
What God knows about you is far more important than what people think about you. Jesus offers to share our burdens and to show us a way to be at one with God, without regard to what others might think.
The people of Biblical Israel saw hospitality as a cultural value of prime importance. Jesus spoke of being welcoming on several occasions and showed how a people can be formed by hospitality such that when they welcome another, they welcome the presence of God among them.
The people of Biblical Israel saw hospitality as a cultural value of prime importance. Jesus spoke of being welcoming on several occasions and showed how a people can be formed by hospitality such that when they welcome another, they welcome the presence of God among them.
Today's lectionary Gospel passage challenges us to think seriously about our priorities and if our actions line up with our words.
Today's lectionary Gospel passage challenges us to think seriously about our priorities and if our actions line up with our words.
The message of Jesus on the Kingdom of Heaven coming near speaks directly to health and wholeness through healing of disease and sickness. We examine the approach that Jesus takes and we see how that can inform our own work in the world to provide glimpses of the Kingdom.
The message of Jesus on the Kingdom of Heaven coming near speaks directly to health and wholeness through healing of disease and sickness. We examine the approach that Jesus takes and we see how that can inform our own work in the world to provide glimpses of the Kingdom.
