As you know, I have been on sabbatical for a few months, which has been a real blessing – it was precious to be free to spend more time with the family, more time with the Bible, more unstructured time with God. I’ve been thinking of the best way to describe the sabbatical, the best analogy … Continue reading Jesus, our daily bread (sermon based on John 6:56-69)
Tag: discipleship
Peter’s great confession – “You are the Messiah” (from elation to confusion)
[Journey with Jesus - Day 17] Following Jesus was such an adventure. We had seen him do so much, change so many people’s lives - and we, as his disciples, his closest friends, had been witness to it all, and Jesus never ceased to amaze us. In fact, he simply amazed us more and more with the … Continue reading Peter’s great confession – “You are the Messiah” (from elation to confusion)
Jesus the discouraged
[Journey with Jesus - Day 15 / Day 16] “I am the bread of life.” Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” It was an extraordinary statement he was making. We grew up knowing and loving the stories we were told about how … Continue reading Jesus the discouraged
Walking on the water
[Journey with Jesus - Day 15] One thing I noticed about Jesus was that he always prioritised time alone to be with his Father. One time, just after he’d fed all those people with the loaves and fishes, he sent us out on the boat and said he’d join us later. So, we bid farewell … Continue reading Walking on the water
On a mission … being sent out by Jesus
[Journey with Jesus - Day 14] The more healings Jesus performed, the more people he set free, the more his reputation grew, and the greater the crowds became. Wherever he went, he was followed. Our job as his disciples, it seemed, was to give him some protection, to prevent him being trodden on. We were … Continue reading On a mission … being sent out by Jesus
The Call to Compassion
[Journey with Jesus - Day 14] When Jesus saw the crowds, // his heart broke // he felt sorry // was moved with compassion and pity for them // had compassion on them, because they were confused / harassed / bewildered / and helpless / aimless // dispirited and distressed // distressed and dejected, like … Continue reading The Call to Compassion
The upside-down kingdom
[Journey with Jesus - Days 9 and 10] Have you ever considered just how radical Jesus’s teaching in the “sermon on the plain” in Luke 6 is? I wrote an alternative version of it, turning Jesus’s teaching upside down. Afterwards it struck me just how near to the bone this is in describing the values … Continue reading The upside-down kingdom
Chosen
[Journey with Jesus - Day 8] I was never the brightest, not even in my family - Andrew had that distinction. No, I was the mouthy one who had the gift of the gab. Sometimes it was a gift when it came to bartering and getting the best money for our catches of fish, but … Continue reading Chosen
Out of the shadows – Levi the Tax collector
[Journey with Jesus - Day 7] I’m used to rejection. Had it all my life. Well, ever since I was chosen - I was talent spotted as a child - I had an aptitude for facts and figures - I still do, in fact, my memory has always been first rate. I was the quickest … Continue reading Out of the shadows – Levi the Tax collector
A New Beginning – the wife of Simon Peter
[Journey with Jesus - Day 6] That morning he was a changed man. My dear Simon had always been restless. He’d say that he was happy with his life on the sea of Galilee, that he enjoyed the thrill of the catch as well as the cut and chase of the bargaining that went on … Continue reading A New Beginning – the wife of Simon Peter
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