Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, is writing to both affirm and challenge how they are living out their faith in the world. As an apostle, Paul feels it is his role to inspire communities to live according to Jesus’ teaching. Paul uses this letter to address some of
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Today’s scripture passage is one of the very earliest remaining pieces of writing to a community of followers of Jesus. As was his practice, the Apostle Paul has come into the important trade city of Thessalonica and begun talking about Jesus to whoever would listen. As often happened, the “insiders,”
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Acts 3:1-10 Healing at the Beautiful Gate It is not often someone will say to a complete stranger, “What I have, this I give to you.” What was offered in this moment? Was it charity? Was it healing? Was it pity? Was it compassion? Was it a miraculous healing? Or
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Acts 1:1-14 You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem After Jesus’ resurrection the disciples and those who followed Jesus have now been given the task of witnessing to what Jesus did, who Jesus was, and what Jesus has meant to each and everyone of us. In this passage people of
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There is good evidence that the Gospel of Mark ends abruptly, not with a resurrected Jesus having consoled his followers, but with fear-filled silence. The fact that we even know the story, reminds us that, at some point, the three women who were the first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection somehow
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Mark 11:1-11 • Triumphal entry While the Roman Army entered the city of Jerusalem, Jesus approached the city by another way. Jesus approached the city as a leader filled with grace. Jesus’s ministry was one of mutual sharing of power. Jesus’ leadership was not about self-interest but rather the communities
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The second Temple in Jerusalem had only recently been completed by Herod the Great. It was an impressive building complex as well as the centre of Israel’s religious life. Yet, like the prophets of old, Jesus foretells the Temple’s destruction as an initial, impending form of divine judgement and the
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Jesus and his disciples have arrived in Jerusalem. Religious authorities have taken notice and attempt to trick Jesus into saying something controversial (and hopefully blasphemous) so they can have him detained and silenced. Jesus answers yet another potentially entrapping question in such a succinct way that his opponents dare not
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Mark 12: 1-17 • Parable of the wicked tenants; paying taxes to Caesar People in power in the secular world tend to live in an either-or dynamic. Powerful leaders are portrayed as people are able to convince others of the truth. They are often great at debate and never back
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