Looking for Redemption Luke 2:21–40 She began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 Anna understood more about the full significance of the coming of Jesus Christ than any of the others who appear in the nativity narratives, for she…

Our Bethlehem Luke 2:8–20 Let us go over to Bethlehem. Luke 2:15 On the way to the manger, the shepherds went through the city of Bethlehem, seeing it for what it was. When they came to the manger they saw a great contrast. When they left the manger to go back to their fields and…

Christmas Paradoxes Luke 2:1–7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. Luke 2:7 Why has the birth of this one man, Jesus Christ, so seized upon the minds and imaginations of men and women? Answers to that question are found in the paradoxes of the Christmas story. One obvious paradox is of purity in the…

It’s Absurd Luke 1:26–38 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34 The Christmas story seems absurd to many. It claims that the birth of Jesus is the birth of God, that is, the birth of one who was both man and God. How can that be?…

The Best News Ever Heard Mark 16:1–7 You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen. Mark 16:6 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best news the world has ever heard because it is true; it came after an apparent defeat; it proves many important things; and finally, it calls for a…

The Offered Pardon Mark 15:6–15 Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas. Mark 15:15 Suppose word had come to Barabbas that he was now free and that another prisoner, Jesus, would be dying. Suppose he replied this way: “What you are telling me cannot be true. It may apply to someone else,…

Blessings and Persecutions Mark 10:17–31 Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time . . . with persecutions. Mark 10:29–30 Christ’s words to…

Jesus’s Compassion Mark 8:1–10 I have compassion on the crowd. Mark 8:2 The story of Jesus feeding the four thousand contains a lesson for anyone who feels that God has forgotten him or her. Do you feel that way? If you do, notice Jesus, out of compassion, had initiated the matter of feeding the people….

How should we celebrate Sunday?

The Great Commission Matthew 28:16–20 Go . . . and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19 Notice that the word all occurs four times in these verses. 1. Jesus possesses all authority. This is no weak authority, because the one who spoke it is no weak master. He is the risen Lord, and “all authority in…