“John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he is not of our company. Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.” Jesus went on to talk about what causes us to sin, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” “And … Continue reading “Of Our Company”
Category: Jesus-Movement
Predictions
“Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “This will never happen to you.” Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not … Continue reading “Predictions”
Rest a While
Upon the disciples returning from their healing mission, Jesus “said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’” “People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and … Continue reading “Rest a While”
The Significance of the Insignificant
Jesus decides to “teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this?” “Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense … Continue reading “The Significance of the Insignificant”
Stopping the Storm
While the disciples and Jesus were in a boat, a “violent storm came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.” Jesus was asleep. “They woke him… ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! … Continue reading “Stopping the Storm”
Creeds: The Trinity
“Jesus approached the disciples and said to them,” “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” Today’s Feast of the Trinity is not well proven from the Gospel. Today’s Gospel contributes to a lack of proof, as the … Continue reading “Creeds: The Trinity”
Spirit Filled ‘Yes’
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each … Continue reading “Spirit Filled ‘Yes’”
Making Noise for the Sake of Humanity
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.” We are conceived from the noise of lovemaking. We are born from the noise of childbirth. We … Continue reading “Making Noise for the Sake of Humanity”
The Last Thing We Do
Luke writes the Acts of the Apostles after he wrote his Gospel. He begins Acts with Jesus saying goodbye. The last thing Jesus does before Luke records his departure via Ascension is to empower the disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses… to the … Continue reading “The Last Thing We Do”
Hope
“On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark and saw the stone removed from the tomb.” “They saw the burial cloths … and the cloth that had covered his head… rolled up in a separate place.” “They did not yet … Continue reading “Hope”