Nearly seventy years ago, William Barclay wrote: “[i]t is a grim commentary on human nature that many a book and many a play and many a film has had success…
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We’re told Jesus goes up the mountain to pray (9:28). How often we read that Jesus prayed. Do we? Why did Jesus, the well-beloved Son of God, God incarnate, need…
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The lectionary that several denominations use—the order of Scripture readings for the year—is organized in such a way that, around this time of year each year, we hear Jesus speaking…
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Mark presents what’s happening over these Sundays as a consecutive series of encounters, sharp arguments and stunning responses, all in the Temple, in the course of a single day, just…
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We want—and, indeed, need—time for ourselves. Self-care is important! And Christ shows us a model of sacrificial living that may well feel exhausting: when do I get time for me,…
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“[W]hen the sabbath was over” (16:1), the women bought what they needed to finish the unfinished burial rites. They couldn’t finish! The law made them unable to finish. The traditional…
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“What is truth?” Oh, it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. In Jesus Christ, Superstar, what Pilate goes on to say has always stuck with me: “We all have truths! …
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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Those are funeral words, graveside words, goodbye words. I’ve baptized many, marking them with water. Today, I mark you with ashes. Nothing in Scripture…
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The Offering of Common Kindness—Mt 25:31-46 In the age of cellphones, it’s even easier to pass by people who may be in need. Surely, they have phones too. Surely, there’s…
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“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (7:21). That hurts. Does that mean that you can believe you’re being a faithful follower all your…
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