March 25, 2024
“After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum” (Luke 7:1 ESV). The fishing village of Capernaum was strategically located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The major highway carrying trade between Egypt and Damascus called the “Via Maris” (“Way of the Sea”) passed through
March 27, 2023
“Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” (Luke 7:49 NLT). The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins.
March 26, 2023
“And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside” (Luke 7:17 NLT). After Jesus interrupted a funeral procession to raise a widow’s son from the dead, the news of his miracles and teachings spread throughout Judea and the whole vicinity. This illustrates a truth easily discovered anywhere humans dwell, namely, news spreads.
March 26, 2022
JESUS INTERRUPTS A FUNERAL PROCESSION When Jesus encountered the crying widow of Nain walking behind her only son’s coffin in a funeral procession, he interrupted their progress (Who does that?). He was moved with compassion for the widow whose only link to a hopeful future lay in the casket. The rights and possessions of her
March 27, 2021
JESUS FORGIVES SINS The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins. Perhaps their question should be worded, “Who does he
March 26, 2021
SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS After Jesus interrupted a funeral procession to raise a widow’s son from the dead, the news of his miracles and teachings spread throughout Judea and the whole vicinity. This illustrates a truth easily discovered anywhere humans dwell, namely, news spreads. Whether it’s good or bad news, people love to
March 26, 2019
SEEING THE GOOD NEWS SPREAD THROUGHOUT After Jesus interrupted a funeral procession to raise a widow’s son from the dead, the news of his miracles and teachings “spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.” This illustrates a truth easily discovered anywhere humans dwell, namely, news spreads. Whether it’s good or bad news, people love to
March 27, 2018
JESUS STILL GOES AROUND FORGIVING SINS
The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins.
Perhaps their question should be worded, “Who does he think he is going around forgiving sins?” I think that was the real sense of their question. They questioned His authority because they rejected His identity. How can a mere man go around forgiving sins? That’s God’s job.
The other revealing thing about their question is the one they didn’t ask. They didn’t ask why Jesus had forgiven the woman, but had not forgiven their sins. Why? Because they didn’t see themselves as sinners. They didn’t see their need for a savior.
The first part of their question, “Who is this man?”, when rightly answered also answers the second part. When Christ asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt.16:15-16). Since Jesus is the Christ, and the Son of God, He is able to forgive sins. And Jesus is still going around forgiving the sins of those who rightly recognize Him and receive Him today.
March 26, 2018
THE WISDOM OF THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE
The wisdom of the Spirit-filled life appeared in both John as the ascetic and in Christ, as the social and later the suffering. Yet, the Pharisees rejected both of them. For they did not see with spiritual eyes, but with natural. As the apostle Paul wrote, “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:23-24).
There is a wisdom that is beyond the world’s understanding. This is the wisdom that is ours in Christ alone.
March 26, 2016
Jesus is a funeral crasher. When he encountered the crying widow of Nain marching behind her only son’s coffin in a funeral procession, he interrupted their progress (Who does that?). He was moved with compassion for the widow whose only link to a hopeful future lay in the casket. The rights and possessions of her husband belonged to her now dead son. She would be left destitute and alone. But Jesus crashed the funeral and told the widow, “Don’t cry!” How offensive this would be if he were only telling her to deny her feelings. After all, what else could she do? She had no power to overcome death. She had every right to those tears! Who is this that he would stop a funeral along with its tears? He is Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life. And when death meets Life, Life wins. So, Jesus touched the bier and told the young man to arise. And the dead boy arose and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. Because Jesus has defeated sin, death, and the grave, He is able to turn our mourning into laughter.