Episodes
Thursday May 31, 2018
Command #77 - Take My Yoke Upon You
Thursday May 31, 2018
Thursday May 31, 2018
The unfortunate image conjured up by this passage in the minds of many is of a poor suffering beast of burden, a hundred pound slab of oak laced to his back, a plow tied behind, laboring in the hot sun from sunup to sundown. Not a very appealing life!
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Command #76 - Come to Me With Your Burdens and Find Rest
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Tuesday May 29, 2018
There are two ways to read Jesus' invitation, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Thursday May 24, 2018
Command #75 - Enter Through the Narrow Gate
Thursday May 24, 2018
Thursday May 24, 2018
Most commentators, theologians, pastors, and teachers, through the years have interpreted this passage through a salvationary lens. It may be, however, that a more subtle reading strikes closer to home, and perhaps probes more meaningfully to the heart of Jesus' intent.
Tuesday May 22, 2018
Command #74 - Ask, Seek, Knock
Tuesday May 22, 2018
Tuesday May 22, 2018
The familiar passage from Matthew 7 is usually associated with prayer, and the promise of answered prayer: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
Thursday May 17, 2018
Command #73 - Deal With Your Own Faults Before Thinking of the Faults of Others
Thursday May 17, 2018
Thursday May 17, 2018
No pithier visual imagery exists in Jesus' teaching than his clever use of the speck and log in the matter of fault-finding.
Tuesday May 15, 2018
Command #72 - Don't Judge
Tuesday May 15, 2018
Tuesday May 15, 2018
Many of the Commands are implied, but this is a direct, clear, forceful, and unyielding command--Judge not.
Thursday May 10, 2018
Command #71 - Do and Think Toward Others As You Would Have Them Behave Toward You
Thursday May 10, 2018
Thursday May 10, 2018
Throughout the Commands, we have repeatedly emphasized that this or that word from Jesus is THE essential, THE first, THE foundational command. "Wait a minute," some may object, "If this is the most important command...how can that be the most important?"
Tuesday May 08, 2018
Command #70 - Take Up Your Cross
Tuesday May 08, 2018
Tuesday May 08, 2018
The cross has become the essential symbol of Christianity. It was not so, however, when Jesus spoke these words.
Thursday May 03, 2018
Command #69 - Remain Gratefully Aware of Your Spiritual Need
Thursday May 03, 2018
Thursday May 03, 2018
There are many "firsts" in the Gospel story -- the first disciples called, the first command, the first sermon, the first Follow me, etc. We have noted some of these as we have progressed through the Commands. One of the most instructive such firsts occurs in Matthew 5:3: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Tuesday May 01, 2018
Command #68 - Do Not Pray Ostentatiously and With Empty Phrases
Tuesday May 01, 2018
Tuesday May 01, 2018
This is a very interesting and seriously convicting command. And one mostly ignored by the vast majority of Christendom's churches.