The sermon on the mount—Matthew tells us that Jesus spoke to the people on a mount, a big, high hill. Maybe that would remind Jewish listeners of Moses on the…
Jesus is back from the wilderness, tested, steeled with the Spirit, with purpose, devotion, zeal, focus. People notice. People gather. So many bump through life wishy-washy, pale, bruised. Oh, why…
It’s no accident, no coincidence, that temptation follows baptism. John offered a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jews were familiar with the forgiveness of sins: they gloried…
Jesus came to call people to follow, to believe and follow: only believe, just follow. If they weren’t sure whether they believed, Jesus told them to follow and see. “Trust…
I’m not sure whether Jesus lived in turbulent times or just sort of caused tumult wherever he went. He definitely upset a lot of old, traditional notions and ways—those venerable…
I wish they had been walking by a field, maybe at sowing time. As it is, “they were walking along the road” (9:57). It’s a dirt road. The road is…