Jesus chooses to exercise his power with an extraordinary demonstration of love and humility. Who comes to mind when you think of the word “power.” Does this say anything about how you perceive power? Who are the people who hold power in the world, and how did they become powerful? For the disciples, Jesus was their leader, a powerful person in their eyes. Yet, Jesus grabs a basin of water, a towel, and makes his rounds to wash the feet of the disciples. What is Jesus’s perception of power and why is he so interested in feet?
3/6/2022: The Wholehearted Jesus: Jesus Had Friends, You Know
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were three of Jesus’ trusted and cherished adult friends. Are we called to be a friend to Jesus?
Throughout the years, many have sung the hymn, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” It’s not hard to think of Jesus as our friend, but do we ever consider how we might be a friend to Jesus? Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were Jesus’s friends, and their friendship was very dear to Jesus. Does the resurrected Jesus, the one who now sits at the right hand of God still want us and maybe need us to be his friend? How do we do that?
3/2/2022: The Wholehearted Jesus: A Gate or A Shepherd
Ash Wednesday, 2022
Jesus says, “I know my own and they know me.” “Knowing” in John’s Gospel has to do with relationship rather than knowledge.
Jesus says, “I am the shepherd.” That’s an easy image for our minds. But Jesus also says, “I am the gate.” That’s a more confusing image. What does Jesus mean, and what is he trying to tell us about his radical commitment to being in a relationship with us? Jesus really wants to know us. Do we want to be known?
2/27/2022: What Does Glory Look Like?
The disciples thought that they were going on a hike with Jesus to find a place to pray. But then Jesus’ appearance changed and they were joined by Moses and Elijah appearing in glory. What is glory? Can we see it? A simple hike with Jesus turned into a life changing experience for the disciples, Peter, James and John. They couldn’t tell people what happened on that hike once they reached the mountaintop, but they did gain a better understanding of Jesus and what “glory” looks like. So, what does “glory” look like?
2/20/2022: Who Would Think That Water Could Be So Controversial?
As believers, we want to receive the metaphor of the living water that Jesus offers and the spiritual strength it gives us. But could the living water that Jesus offers us in our faith ever bring about controversy?
Jesus was controversial on many occasions, and the time he said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,” caused an uproar and divided the people. The Pharisees were done with Jesus’ words and images and wanted him arrested. How could a simple metaphor of living water cause such an upheaval?
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