We live in a world driven by ambition. People desire recognition and acknowledgment, and even the disciples of Jesus were no exception. John and James approached Jesus, asking to sit at His right and left when He comes in glory. They wanted to secure the top positions—second and third—before anyone else had the chance to…
As an institution, marriage is heavily attacked in modern times. However, we should not assume that marriage and divorce have simply become routine. I read in an American statistics report that the number of divorces in America has decreased almost every year in this millennium. Still, with each subsequent marriage, the chances of divorce increase…
A journalist once asked Carl Sandburg, the famous American writer, “What is the ugliest word in the English language?” After a few minutes, Sandburg replied, “Exclusive.” The word “exclusive” feels ugly depending on whether we are included or excluded. In the early church, the conflict was about who was in and who was out. Should…
We live in a world where competition is constant. Everyone is drawn into it, often unknowingly. We run the race of trying to come in first, striving to be the best and present ourselves as the greatest. The disciples had a similar issue. They competed among themselves, wondering, “Who is the best?” Perhaps this competition…
The Pharisees sought to exhibit their religion. They were attention seekers, presenting themselves as godly, but their inward motivation was always questionable. Although they claimed to adhere to the laws, their laws were man-made, heavy, and difficult to follow. More than that, these laws kept them away from the law given by the Lord. Thus,…
Jesus performed many miracles during His earthly ministry, but John, in his gospel, records only seven of them, referring to them as signs. These signs serve as markers, directing us to our Lord Jesus. Wonders and miracles astonish us and fill us with awe. However, when we witness miracles in our lives, which are the work of God, whether small or large,…
The day after Jesus miraculously fed five thousand men, many people eagerly sought Him, but their reasons were misguided. They were focused on their physical needs, which is understandable. However, Jesus explained that He came from heaven to offer eternal life, and they could receive this life by believing in Him. He said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to…
What did Jesus show about himself through his life on earth? Did he simply present himself as a great miracle worker? A moral teacher? A social worker or reformer? A voice against oppressive political and religious systems? Yes, we can say all of these and even more. However, Jesus came to inaugurate his Kingdom, and through his life and ministry, he showed…
One of the well-known stories from the Bible is the Parable of the Sower, also called the Parable of the Soil. This story talks about four types of soil: a path with no soil, rocky ground with little soil, soil with thorns, and good soil. The seed in the story represents the word of God,…
In our pursuit to keep God’s law, we often develop our own rules, regulations, and traditions, mistakenly believing that they will earn His favor. When we impose these beliefs as standards for others, we risk losing those who might come to Jesus. We might think that by obeying laws, we can please God or earn…