People were just floored by how Jesus spoke and taught. “[H]e taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Mk 7:29). The rabbis said,…
But we’ve always done it that way. What is that tried-and-true definition of insanity: repeating the same actions while expecting a different result? Because Jesus did not do the things…
What characteristic makes a Christian Christian? Faith? Love? Hope? Obedience? Humility? I believe—I hope—that I speak with you often about these virtues, these qualities. These are what give distinctive flavor…
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.” Well, I don’t know of anybody being persecuted for unrighteousness. In Calgary, Alberta, there are some three thousand people living on…
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see, little ears, what you hear. Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say, little hands, what you do. Oh, be careful, little…
Mercy forgives. Forgiveness does not undo the consequences of our sin; this is why you and I must struggle, continually, against those impulses to sin that come and knock, like…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (5:6). O, that the earth would be filled with the righteousness of God! O, that those…
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (5:5). I’ve said before, I’ll say again: I do not like this word meek. I suppose no one wants meek…
In Boston in 1770, Perez Morton penned these words: “When Jesus wept, the falling tear in mercy flowed beyond all bound. When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear seized all the…
Jesus went up on a mountainside. What’s it like to be on the mountain? We tend to think of the high hills of Israel as grassy, like mountain meadows, maybe…