In today’s Bible reading*, we see the religious leaders’ influence over their people. People who had cheered Jesus’ arrival just a few days earlier are now calling for His head today. How does this happen? One cannot overstate the influence of peers and leaders over the decisions we make. In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders…
I’m sure they meant well, but Jesus has some choice words for His Disciples in today’s Bible reading*. Parents bring their children to Jesus and the Disciples try to turn them away. Jesus responds in a way we wouldn’t expect — at least those who see Jesus as only a mild-mannered only-loving Savior. Mark says…
Peter addresses his persecuted, exiled readers (1 Peter 2:11) in today’s Bible reading* and tells his readers to submit to every human authority. Some time ago I commented on the historical context around the middle of the First Century. I mentioned Nero was the Roman Emperor at the time. Under Nero’s reign, Christians were persecuted far beyond…
I’ve said many times that when you see a word or idea repeated several times in a few Bible verses, it’s a pretty good sign that the word or idea is important. Well, in today’s Bible reading* the word “comfort” appears nine times in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. That’s nine times in five verses! It’s safe to say that…
Paul speaks very strongly regarding sexual immorality in the Corinthian Church in today’s Bible reading*. He says that a man is committing an act that even unbelievers in Corinth don’t condone: he is having sexual relations with his father’s wife. Paul recommends that the church deal with this individual in a very strict way: remove…
James doesn’t mince words about suffering. He is clear that there is no shortcut to spiritual maturity. He begins his book urging his readers to rejoice whenever they experience trials. And he wraps up his book with today’s Bible reading*, urging his readers to be patient in suffering. (James 5:7-11) He fills in the gaps…
