At the dawn of time, a woman, named Eve, came forth from the man, Adam. Yet, it was through that woman, Eve, that death entered the world. Later, a Man, named Jesus, would come forth from a woman, named Mary. And through that woman, Life Himself would enter the world, all in the Person of […]
The Didache, Lesson 13: The Agape Meal
March 25, 2012 by
The Didache, after going over what brought one into the New Covenant and the spiritual disciplines for one in the New Covenant, now delves into epicenter of the New Covenant itself–the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:28). However, what we find different is the context of the Lord’s Supper: It takes place within what is called an […]
The Wound of Mockery: Matthew 27:27-31
March 21, 2012 by
They thought it was hysterical–this Galilean peasant pretending to be a king. It made them laugh. So, they decided to have some fun with His obvious delusion. The soldiers began by taking away His clothes. He had to stand there naked as they mocked Him. Then, they found a beautiful scarlet robe and put that […]
Sermons Don’t “Do” It All
March 21, 2012 by
Jesus commissioned His Apostles to preach the Gospel (Luke 24:47). The Apostle Paul told Pastor Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). And so our Lutheran churches have properly valued faithful preaching. Jesus said to those whom He had sent to preach: “Whoever hears you, hears me. Whoever rejects you, rejects me. And whoever […]
The Didache, Lesson 12: Prayer and Fasting
March 20, 2012 by
After the Didache goes over what brings someone into the New Covenant of Christ, it immediately moves into the spiritual disciplines for someone who is in the covenant: Prayer and fasting. The spiritual disciplines that Jesus’ disciples are to bring into their lives help keep the sinful nature from taking over and causing them to […]
Your Snake on the Pole: Numbers 21:4-9
March 18, 2012 by
The command to put a snake on a pole must have sounded ridiculous to some of the Israelites. Stare at a bronze snake and you’ll be healed? Who came up with that stupid idea? It must’ve just sounded silly enough that some Israelites started to look for more reasonable solutions to the snakebites. Now, one […]
The Wound of Denial: Matthew 26:69-75
March 14, 2012 by
Peter loved his Lord. Peter boldly declared to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This was the Peter who, after Jesus said, “One of you will betray me,” responded with, “Surely, not I Lord!” This was the Peter who later said, “Even if all fall away because of […]
The Didache, Lesson 11: Being Brought into the New Covenant of Christ
March 12, 2012 by
The Didache now moves into what brings one into the community (communion) of Christ: Baptism. To understand this New-Covenant act, we need to look at its Old-Covenant predecessor, which baptism superseded and replaced. As God used an act of His choosing to bring someone into His Old Covenant, it’s easy to see how He would […]
John 2:13-22: Jesus Cleanses the Temple
March 11, 2012 by
Today, we hear about a Jesus who doesn’t match what we usually think of Him. We see Jesus as our friend, even our buddy. We see him as a pleasant, smiling person who never confronts anyone but is always there to confirm whatever you may be doing. That’s the Jesus we want. That’s also the […]
The Wound of Apathy: Matthew 26:36-45
March 7, 2012 by
Jesus did not want to be alone as He wrestled in prayer that night. How often we forget that our blessed Lord was, and is, fully human! He needed the comfort of companionship. He needed encouragement from others. And so, as Jesus leaves the larger group of His disciples behind, He takes with Him His […]
