It’s Wednesday. Jesus remains in Bethany among friends. He is cloistered, away from the opinions of the multitude. There is peace in Bethany. (May we all have a Bethany.) This day is silent, until a worshipper enters carrying a year’s salary in the form of a rare and exquisite ointment ornately encased. The assembly watches […]

It’s Tuesday evening… Jesus returns to Bethany after a day of long and difficult conversations with friends and those who sought to destroy Him. He speaks of whitewashed tombs, of a darkened moon, of sudden separations, of a wedding and of a return. It’s all in there–prophetic signs, passionate pleas, stern rebukes and mysterious parables. […]

This season we observe one complete, enormous truth: Jesus sacrificed His life for us. As the Bride of Christ observes the practice of Lent and Holy Week, we find other collateral truths hidden in the text that carry us throughout our lives. Here are 25 truths we can celebrate and remember through the coming days. Our […]

On the night of His betrayal, we enter a room of remembrance. The age-old ceremonial question from the Pesach Haggadah-“Why is this night different from all other nights?” would never be as relevent as it is tonight. We see Jesus as host and caregiver. He would feed. He would gather. He would reassure. and he would […]

Tucked behind the glorious parting of the Red Sea, there’s a Jesus story. After the exultation of seeing the waters of the Red Sea part, the newly freed nation ran into other issues. A lot of people.  No water. Isn’t that the way troubles come? As soon as one crisis is averted, another new set of […]

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 The two thieves represent two choices. One thief demands proof. The other pleads for hope. One looks to escape and the other looks to eternity. These choices stand as constant reminders that the cross of Christ demands a response. Hope is […]

Today, I saw a Man walking a path meant for me. I saw Him bear the burdens of my wayward steps. And as He struggled, I found release and freedom. He was captured, railroaded and sentenced in my place. He could have called me a traitor. He could have called me unworthy. He could have […]

Sometimes we forget there will be an end to the storm. Every gathering storm for the believer is an advent to joy.  The tempest of evil rages but bliss is imminent.  When pain has purpose, the crashing waves of chaos lose their power over us. It was for joy that Christ endured the cross. In the midst […]

“And they all left Him and fled.” Mark 14:50 The wheels were in motion, the storm was now organizing, and the war had begun. Jesus knew this. We hear it in His prayers. We see it as the blood and sweat broke the surface of his skin. Who can imagine the visceral pain of complete […]

I may not know you, but I know something about you. You’ve learned so much more about life through one day of failure, suffering and pain than one thousand days of pleasure and success. Your deep sorrow is intimacy of soul and the people all around you, with smiles and small talk, cannot deepen life […]