I must admit, I sometimes fall into the same trap Jesus’ friends and family fell into. When I hear that someone from my small Manitoba town has “made it big” somewhere in the world, it’s easy for me to discount the accomplishment. Why do we seem to think the amazing people all come from somewhere else?
In a very real sense, Jesus did come from somewhere else.
Read More faith, Son of God, reverenceThe details in this passage are striking. Jesus was very specific about what his disciples should take along, what they shouldn’t, what they should wear and how they should behave. As a mother of teenagers I must admit it’s been a long time since I’ve told my kids what to pack when they head out to a week of summer camp or even when leaving for two months of summer study. So the fact that Jesus gave his adult disciples such detailed instructions is cause for examination.
Read More obedience, detailsI love the back-story in this passage. It gives us a different view of Herod than what we might otherwise see. It also shows us how our faith must be in God alone, and not in who we know.
It’s no secret that who you know is sometimes more important than what you know. Whether it’s a job you are looking for, or a fine you don’t want to pay, or a loan you want a good rate on, if you know the right person you can often get what you want.
Read More fear, knowing JesusFish and bread. Simple, everyday stuff. Depending on where in Canada you live, it might have looked like meat and potatoes, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Either way, it was a common brown-bagged lunch. Yet, it was the stuff of miracles.
Most of us have plenty of opportunities to ask for spectacular miracles.
Read More miracles @en, ordinary, everyday lifeHave you ever been on a treasure hunt? You are given a clue which will direct you to the next clue, which directs you to the next clue until finally, you put it all together and you have discovered a treasure!
This is what we see Jesus doing throughout the Gospels. He gave clues to his identity. Jesus knew his disciples were well acquainted with the Old Testament.
Read More Messiah, understanding, miracles @enUp until this point, Jesus was the only one teaching and doing miracles in his ministry. Now Jesus hands over the baton. He passes his authority on to the disciples, delegating them to take over what he’s been doing. How exciting! What pressure!
The assignment may have seemed daunting (who likes making cold calls?) and risky (going on a trip with no money?).
Read More obedience, success, authority, delegationThroughout this entire passage we see how Jesus cared for people.
First he cared for the apostles when they came back from their first missionary trip. I can imagine they were gathered around him, talking all at once, laughing, excited, and anxious to share everything they had seen and experienced. This is what my kids are like when I pick them up from summer camp. They talk so fast their mouths can’t keep up!
Read More care, tiredness, compassionThroughout Jesus’ life and ministry he asked questions he already knew the answer to. He did it again when he asked Philip where they would get enough food to feed the crowds that were coming upon them.
The Bible says it was a test.
Read More understanding, divinityThe disciples had just experienced something incredible. Five thousand people fed with only a small lunch. I believe that miracle was more about showing the identity of Jesus than anything else. What the crowds and the disciples saw Jesus do began to inform their belief about who he really is.
It’s one thing to believe Jesus is from God. It’s another thing entirely to believe he is God.
Read More miracle, Son of God, understandingThe crowds thought they knew what they wanted and needed. Just like we so often do. We need money, food, a job.
What the crowds saw in Jesus was the deal of a lifetime. They thought he would provide for their needs, perhaps even run a government on miracles, and finally bring justice to the governing system. They saw the “little” miracles but the missed the “real” one.
Read More blessings, Bread of life