Beware the Mob

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…

Submit to Every Authority?!

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…

Corruption in the Camp

In today’s Bible reading* we read that while Nehemiah was fortifying the wall around Jerusalem, he was heckled by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Once the project was completed, Nehemiah was still hassled by Tobiah who continued to write intimidating letters to Nehemiah. Part of the problem was corruption on the part of God’s people who…