What is the most important issue in your life right now? Your exams, your job, your upcoming wedding, your children,your girlfriend, your cancer? Jesus, in Mark 2, speaks to what’s really important. Friends bring a paralysed man to Jesus, who by this stage is a semi-famous miracle worker. The paralysed man is lowered to Jesus… Continue reading The most important thing
Earthquakes and the end times
Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 have been badly misunderstood over the years! Jesus said in Matthew 24: 4-6, “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against… Continue reading Earthquakes and the end times
The irony of Jesus
At Jesus baptism, a voice speaks from heaven and says, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:8) The voice (aka God the Father) echoes Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. What makes this astounding is the two radically different people these two passages refer to. Psalm 2 refers… Continue reading The irony of Jesus
Is the gospel good news?
The word “gospel” was not a particularly Christian word at the time of the writing of the New Testament in the first Century Roman Empire. Gospel was simply the word used for momentous news of a historic event that would no doubt bring a new situation or circumstances. For example, the news of a new… Continue reading Is the gospel good news?
No ordinary death
Andries Tatane’s death and the death of Jesus of Nazareth bear some remarkable similarities and differences. Both men were 33 years old, guilty of no crime, yet treated with contempt, beaten, and killed by the authorities of the day. Both men’s death was terrible and tragic. Both men’s death also achieved results for their people.… Continue reading No ordinary death