I’ve been reading through Jeremiah, struck by how timely and relevant the prophet’s words are for us today. Jeremiah helps us discern whether someone claiming to be a prophet is genuine or a fraud. Photo by Trophy Technology on Unsplash In Jeremiah’s time, the people of Judah believe their future is safe as long as they keep offering sacrifices and uttering what scholar Carmen Imes calls their magic password, “…the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord (Jer. 7:4)!” The people think because God dwells among them they are immune to his Continue Reading
How We Can Misunderstand Jesus Just the Way the Palm Sunday Crowd Did
In fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by Zechariah (9:9), Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey on Palm Sunday. Jubilant crowds wave palm branches and throw down their cloaks before him, shouting, “Hosanna!” Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash Last Sunday’s sermon at my local church highlighted the mixed nature of the crowd that day. No doubt, many of the people Jesus has taught and healed are present, gratefully singing his praises. But so are jealous religious leaders, grinding their teeth and seeking an opportunity to get rid of Continue Reading
The Resurrected Jesus Revealed Himself to Women First—and That’s Good News for Everyone (Let Me Tell You How my Jesus Treats Women – Part 2)
Jesus was no ordinary rabbi. While other religious leaders avoided women in public, especially those considered unclean, sinful, or non-Jewish, Jesus had no problem talking to women. He healed women, affirmed women, and even taught women. Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash Mary, the Disciple at Jesus’ Feet (Luke 10) When Jesus’ hospitable friend Martha gets overwhelmed with kitchen duties and complains that her sister Mary should be helping her serve him, Jesus responds with a compassionate course correction, “Mary has chosen the better part. Continue Reading
Let Me Tell You How My Jesus Treats Women – Part 1
In Jesus’ time, women were considered the legal property of their fathers or husbands. They lacked education and typically couldn’t read. They lacked legal rights and were not considered valid witnesses in a court of law. On top of all this, women were held in suspicion by religious men fussing and preening over their own personal moral reputations It was not a great time to be a woman—but Jesus changed everything. He consistently broke social barriers for women, restored their God-given human dignity, and radically included them in his kingdom. A Brave, Desperate, Faith-filled Continue Reading