Category

John 6 = I Am the Bread of Life Bible Background: The Feeding of the 5,000 is perhaps Jesus’ most memorable parable, and the only one recorded in all 4 gospels! But John doesn’t “do” ‘miracles’. John calls them ‘signs’. Signs point... Read More →

DIGGING DEEPER INTO MATTHEW 22:1-14 Bible Background: Dr. David Lose calls this “an ugly parable.” None of the characters look good in it. Characteristic of other parables, this one uses hyperbole for ‘shock-value.’ There’s a softer version of this... Read More →

Parable of the Sower and the Seed Bible Background: A parable takes something from daily life and can make an ‘obvious’ point, or reveal a ‘hidden’ point. Parables often turn things ‘upside down.’ Parables are often intentionally confusing and... Read More →

Matthew 20:29-34 Jesus Heals Two Blind Men Bible Background: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all report Jesus healing one or more blind men. “Recovery of sight to the blind” (a quote from Isaiah 61) is part of Jesus’ inaugural sermon. He claims that as part of his... Read More →

Transfiguration = Matthew 17:1-9 Bible Background: The Epiphany season concludes with this wonderfully revealing and mysterious scene of Jesus on the mountaintop, with his 3 closest disciples; his face and clothes shining like the sun! This comes just after he has told his... Read More →

Little Children = Mark 10:13-16 Bible Background: Jesus has just addressed religious folks on the subject of divorce and marriage, and has pointed out their ‘hardness of heart’. In this scene, parents bring little ones to Jesus for a blessing and the disciples try to... Read More →

Luke 7:1-10 = Amazing Faith! Bible Background: Matthew 8 has another version of this healing miracle. Luke’s gospel is especially interested in healing stories, and is more aimed at ‘outsiders’ to the Jewish community. Here, a Roman centurion turns out to show... Read More →

Calming the Storm Bible Background: The story of the disciples, in the boat, with Jesus asleep, is found in Matthew 8, Mark 4, and Luke 8. In each account, it’s a story that reveals the power of Jesus’ presence, and how we’re invited to trust in his power and... Read More →

John 4 = Jesus and the Woman at the Well Bible Background: In John’s Gospel, Jesus has just had a short, odd conversation with Nicodemus-an insider, leading to the claim of John 3:16. Now, he has a unique conversation with an ‘outsider’ of outsiders: A... Read More →

Matthew 6, Luke 11= Prayer! Bible Background: Matthew and Luke record Jesus teaching his disciples this model prayer (in separate contexts). Matthew is focused on a humble and appropriate way to pray. Luke shows the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray. Luke’s... Read More →