EXPLORING THE BIBLE

Sometimes it is very hard to “take heart” when life is tough. We feel very alone and sometimes don’t even recognize the Christ when he comes towards us.

There is a sense in which the human Jesus longs for the crowds to go away – to take their needs, their expectations and leave him in peace.

The kingdom of heaven is like…

Relax. God intends us to live and grow – and to shine – in this mixed-up world.

Today’s parable is almost too familiar… and it comes with an explanation too. There’s no excuse, really, for not hearing, understanding, and applying the word in a way that is…

Jesus challenges our view of what it means to follow.

We live in an age where financial greed motivates efforts to make things as inexpensive, and impermanent and short lived as possible. With often only a fake appearance of being attractive and usable, this all too quickly disappears and is gone.

Jesus empowers us to come, follow Him, but we have to get up and start moving as Matthew did so long ago. William Barclay says in his commentary on Matthew, ”that no [one] ever had such faith in possibilities of human nature as Jesus did”. He saw something in the face of this one called God’s gift that others could not see. Jesus saw one who would get up and follow Him.

Today we celebrate the Ascension and the Holy Trinity. This lesson does not speak of the Lord’s ascension but it gives clues to its significance – the great commission to make disciples of all nations and its relationship to the Trinity.

Whilst this is a very specific incident, it made me think of my friend back in Hobart, and how often the ‘spirit’ of one person can rub off on another, for good, or ill. It made me ask the questions, “What impression do I make on others? What is it of my spirit that rubs off on other people? Is it something positive or something negative?”