Cross Words

“…they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:5b)                                                                         John the Baptist was preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mk 1:4).  This preaching had to begin with a proclamation of God’s Law, for only the Law causes us to realize our sins. Thus from… Read more »

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)                                                                         In the Old Testament there was a little boy who belonged in God’s Temple, because his mom had vowed to place him there.  The boy’s name was Samuel.  Recall that Hannah was childless. Desiring a son, she made… Read more »

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples…” (Luke 2:29-31)                                                                         A peace offering was sacrificed not to create peace, but it was sacrificed because the person offering the sacrifice realized God… Read more »

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. (Luke 1:31-32)                                                                         It is beyond our imagination that the infinite God—the creator of the infinite as well as the creator of… Read more »

“He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.”(John 1:7)                                                                         John the Baptist was God’s greatest and last Old Testament prophet.  The Christ (Messiah) was THE topic of the prophets before John, as attested by the highly regarded Jewish writing called the Talmud.  This commentary on… Read more »

“…the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”(John 1:3)                                                                         I have had (even as a pastor) several Jehovah’s Witnesses come to my door. After some small-talk I gently ask them, “Whose way did John the Baptist prepare?”  Appropriately they answer, “He was preparing the… Read more »

“And they brought the [donkey] colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.” (Mark 11:7)                                                                         Advent means “coming” and on this first Sunday in Advent we are reminded why the Christ came.  He came in order to enter Jerusalem so that He would accomplish our salvation by His… Read more »

“Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:32)                                                                        The Judgment Day scene in this Sunday’s Gospel can be easily misunderstood.  Some may look at those who are “saved” and come to the conclusion that they… Read more »

“You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed” (Matthew 25:26)                                                                         In Sunday’s parable Jesus gives a hint as to how His stewards are to invest the “money” entrusted to them.  In giving us the response of the wicked steward Jesus highlights a farming metaphor:  Master,… Read more »