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A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road (Matthew 21:8). I grew up in a church that really knew how to step into the Palm Sunday story. To set the scene, it was always a full house. Attendance rivaled the usual big days of Christmas and Easter. Everyone was well dressed, especially the childre...
Keep ReadingThe crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" ... When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" (Matthew 21:9a, 10) While living in Seoul, I remember a time when the city was so stirred up, it was literally on fire with enthusiasm. It was 2002, and South Korea was hosting the World Cu...
Keep ReadingMatthew 21: 1-17 We've been stepping into Jesus' story as He heads toward the Cross. As He enters Jerusalem for His last week of life, whose sandals would you like to strap on? The disciples' sandals? Perhaps you can figure out why they don't speak. What do you suppose they're thinking? Have they, too, waved palm fronds, shouting "Hosanna," anxious for Jesus to take ov...
Keep ReadingMost of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:8-9) The account of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem ...
Keep ReadingMatthew 21: 1-11 I love Palm Sunday. I have never been to a Palm Sunday service that failed to uplift my spirit. The Bible verses, the wild exuberance of the music, the palm fronds waving in the congregation-it all comes together in a celebration of Jesus' victorious ride into Jerusalem. To me, it also represents a "pause" in time of just one beautiful day, before the Jaw...
Keep ReadingJesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"John 11: 25,26 We spend a lot of time waiting, don't we? Waiting rooms are everywhere: doctor's offices, hospitals, the oil change place. We wait at stop lights and in checkout lines. ...
Keep ReadingWhen Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping,he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled (John 11:33). Every one of us has experienced "death" in one way or another: the death of a relationship, a job, a dream, even the death of someone we love. John invites us to recall those emotions as he tells a story steeped in the grief surroundin...
Keep Reading"Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, "Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible." Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?" So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I sa...
Keep Reading"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. Jesus said to her,"Your brother will rise again"(John 11:21-23). At some point in our lives, we have all faced or will face an impossible situation. When we are in the midst of it, we often feel that all hope seems lost, and it c...
Keep ReadingWelcome to our newest CD writer, LynneHunt! She is a retired UNC faculty member, lives in Briar Chapel and enjoys taking classes (art, writing), her book club, and playing with her two little granddaughters. John 11:1-44 Have you ever found yourself frustrated as you waited on God? You pray and pray and pray and it turns out God's answer and timetable often look radicall...
Keep Reading"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" John 9:25 (NIV) A couple of weeks ago a magician visited our student ministry and put on quite a show. There were the usual card tricks and sleight of hand, and even one (sort of) disappearing act! During the show the magician told our students that one of his favorite things about magic is the astonishment the audience e...
Keep ReadingThen Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgmentto give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?" "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see" (John 9:39-41 NLT). Br...
Keep ReadingJesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3). We are Stepping into the Story of Jesus' earthly ministry. Walking with Him on His journey to bring Light into the darkness. To set the oppressed free. To give sight to the blind. This scene in John 9 opens with a blind man on ...
Keep Reading"One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see" (John 9:25). As a writing instructor, I frequently railed against the use of clichs, those ready-made, oh-so-handy phrases that eliminate thinking about word choice. "But the clich says exactly what I want to say," students would moan. "Don't be lazy; use your own words," I would (kindly) retort. At the risk of losing all ...
Keep ReadingSome Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see,your guilt remains" (John 9:40-41). This story is a fun one to step into. Take a few moments to read through it (John 9:1-41) now, to make sure that you're in on the fun and get all the j...
Keep ReadingJohn 4:4-42 I am not very good at talking to unbelievers about Jesus. My infrequent efforts seem awkward and tentative. There is also a good deal of what might be considered overthinking in the mix. But what if it is fairly simple? This week's passage of the conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at a well just might hold the key I have been seeking. She was th...
Keep ReadingJesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14). I've read the story of the woman at the well many times. Each time that I tried to step into the story, the account always reminded...
Keep ReadingJesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinksthe water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will becomein them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14). Have you ever felt apprehensive about meeting new people? Maybe starting a new job or entering a new school or neighborhood? You migh...
Keep Reading"Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."John 4: 15 What I loved most about teaching literature was explaining figurative language, helping students differentiate among similes, metaphors, and symbols. Writers can say volumes in a few words with figurative language. Symbols especially carry significant weight, having...
Keep ReadingThe woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I, the one speaking to you I am he." (John 4:25-26). One of my favorite parts about being connected in a church community is listening to different stories of encounters with Christ. It seems like Jesus has a special and unique way of ...
Keep ReadingNow there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of theJewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night (John 3:1-2). Life as a Christian and a physicist is exciting but has its challenges. Thinking about the connections between science, philosophy, and theology has led to some stimulating discussions; however, I generally find myself satisfied in keeping ...
Keep Reading"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."John 3:14 I have read the passage where Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night myriad times; I have heard plenty of sermons on the passage. Stepping into the Story afresh, however, what caught my attention was verse 14: "Just as Moses l...
Keep Reading"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:1-2) Is it possible to study and teach God's Word, yet still not fully understand or grasp the m...
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