First thing to notice is this: There is confidence and a lack of anxiety in these ladies to start with. At first, they are all set. They are following religious protocol; not one of them made a move before the sabbath was over. The spices...
An introduction from Sundays and Seasons to today’s gospel reads, “Everywhere Jesus goes, many people expect him to set them free from oppression.” And even though Jesus no longer walks the earth, people still expect him to travel around and set them free. More than periodically,...
In the opening of his final discourse, Jesus tells his disciples two things. The first is, “Remember what I’ve told you.” He doesn’t expect them to remember without being reminded that what he has told them is the same as what they’ve always been told:...
Let’s share the stage from Act 1 with Jesus, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They are the four main characters, and each one is having thoughts. The message delivered to Jesus tells us that over time, they’ve come to love each other. Over time they’ve gotten...
Scenes from both testaments remind us that God sends a variety of individuals to make a well-rounded group. As surely as need becomes apparent, God takes aim. I can’t think of a better example than when a congregation seeks a pastor, a pastor seeks a...