Tears for Easter

 Mary wept when she discovered the body of Jesus was missing (John 20). We're not sure if her tears indicated a lack of faith or understanding that Jesus was risen, but when Jesus does reveal himself to her, he treats her with kindness and reassurance. How do you treat those who don't share your faith?

Are you?

 

Many have commented on how quickly the Palm Sunday (Luke 19) crowd turned on Jesus, but maybe their turning was no different from our willingness to reject Jesus's teachings and instead adopt a mob mentality that demeans empathy, charity, and understanding. Are you willing to live like Jesus for Jesus?  

 John revealed in his gospel that Judas had been stealing from the funds that were set aside by Jesus and His disciples to help the poor (John 12). Oddly, many Christians use words from this chapter to curtail giving to those in need, by declaring that there will always be poor people. Have you stolen from the poor by misapplying Jesus's words to serve your own greed?

Awesome's Treasures

 When the Israelites entered the promised land they found an abundance of food (Josh 5). This provision reminds us of the grace God extends to us through Jesus Christ (Eph 2). Perhaps we should consider how much has been given to us and how having received gifts, we should give to others (Matt 8).

Respectable Sins

 Jesus corrected a group that believed their countrymen were punished by God because they died horrible deaths (Luke 13). Jesus often warned us against believing our sins are less offensive than those around us, and later James reminds us of this truth (James 2:10). Which of your sins do feel proud to own, or consider 'respectable?'

God's presence?

 When God made a covenant with Abraham, the Bible describes a "horror of great darkness" falling on him (Gen 15). The Bible consistently associates God's presence with great fear, reminding us of God's absolute power. When God's people face great evil, they gain courage to act by knowing God is all-powerful.

Fear and Darkness

 When God made a covenant with Abraham, the Bible describes a "horror of great darkness" falling on him (Gen 15). During this time of fear and darkness, the covenant of blessing was established. Where can you find hope in your time of fear and darkness?

What's mine is...Pastor Awesome's?

Every year, when the Israelites brought their tithes to the temple, they were prescribed a statement to recite. This statement reminded them that all they had was given to them by God and that it was their privilege to share it not only with the worship leaders, but also with those in need Duet 26:1-11. Do you give as a reminder that you owe everything to someone else, or do you give with an air of expectation for a 'return on your investment'?

 

Behind the banner?

 Moses hid his face when he realized that it was scaring those who saw it (Ex 34). Do we try to hide those who are different from us by forcing them out of public areas? What do you find so frightening that you find ways to hide it from your sight? Are you afraid to see someone different 

Looking Back

 The story of Joseph seems to show God using evil and hurtful actions to accomplish His ultimate goal (Gen 45).  It's great when we can look back at hard times in our lives and see God's hand, but it isn't a justification to hurt others.

Pastor Awesome doesn't get it

 Before becoming a follower of Jesus, Peter humbled himself and declared himself to be a sinner (Luke 2). While the word "sin" is unpopular, most of us hold some guilt over a time in our lives when we failed to live up to our own values. The promise of Christ is that He can free us of our guilt, if we can just face it.

What would Jesus do with a Jehu bracelet?

 While Christians seek to be 'Christlike' or to live out Christ's teachings, we might find ourselves redefining Christ to make our actions more seem legitimate or 'good.' 1 Peter 2

Would Jehu let you read that?

 Which Bible character do you emulate?

What Would Jehu do?

Many Christians seem to be following the examples of all kinds of biblical characters, while failing to imitate Christ and His actions. As Christians, shouldn't we look to Christ as our example (Philippians 2:5)?

 

WWJD

Simeon, the prophet, called Jesus 'A light to lighten the Gentiles' (Luke 2). Jesus's life was so radically sacrificial that even non-Jewish people discovered and adopted the Way. Are modern Christians' still following the sacrificial way of Jesus, or have we adopted the worldly way of making ourselves great?

Big Guy...Big Jacket

Nehemiah 8 tells of a spontaneous celebration following the finding and reading of God's Law. One of the unique features of this party is that those who had provisions gladly shared with those who did not. Do you rejoice when others receive sustenance, or do you declare those gifts are unfair and unearned?

 

sure, you can turn water into wine, but why would you?

 The first miracle Jesus performed was to change water into wine (Jn 2). This miracle saved the reputation of the hosts and probably saved the servants from being punished for not having enough wine on hand. John calls the miracle a 'sign,' but we might wonder is this a sign of Jesus's concern with each person's dignity or is it a sign that He can provide more than we even ask for? 

Big Guy and the Baptistry

 When Jesus was baptized, God testified who Jesus was (His Son - Luke 3), and so Christian baptism provides an opportunity for the candidate to say who Jesus is and state their faith in Christ. While this is a beautiful picture of Christ's work in us, it is only the beginning. Saved by faith through grace, Christians are now called to live out the gospel in our communities by demonstrating the love and care of Jesus.

Jesus GPS

 The universal nature of the gospel was demonstrated when wise men came from the East to worship Jesus (Matthew 2).  While they were not part of the national, ethnic, or religious backgrounds associated with Jesus or His family, they learned of His coming and how to find Him by following the light of a star. Are you a light that demonstrates the love of Christ and draws strangers to Jesus?

What are YOU doing?

 When Mary and Joesph find the 12-year-old Jesus in the midst of a group of religious scholars, Mary asks, why did you do this? (Luke 2) Although Jesus does obey Mary and follows her back to the family, we might consider His words in this story and ask ourselves, are we learning, teaching, and growing in a place that encourages us to become more like Jesus, or are we simply getting on with our lives?