Foundation and Fire

“Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:4 If you haven’t heard it, recently – or if you’ve never heard it before – here it is: There is no need to make a name for yourself. In fact, we should seek to live simply – and even, dare … Continue reading “Salt and Light: Matthew 6 | The Secret Place of Thunder →

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” Matthew 5:41 In the time of the New Testament, Roman soldiers and government officials could force citizens of occupied territories to carry their equipment. When Jesus says, “go with them two miles”, He uses Roman language – a Roman measurement – to … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 5 | Perfect? I Don’t Know… →

‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment”, but I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 5 | Anger and Lust and Divorce, Oh My! →

"After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry." Matthew 4:2 If you begin today, you can start 40 days of something and end on Easter Sunday. You could take up a new hobby. You could try several dishes in a new cuisine (yes, I love and think about food a lot...). You could … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 4 | Forty Days, Starting Today →

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Matthew 5:13 Le Chambon is a small village in southern France. Its residents turned their village into a refuge … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 5 | Shelter from the Storm →

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said, "Blessed are...." Matthew 5:1-3 We often think of blessings as things that go our way: The business you work for gave you a bonus Your son is dating … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 5 | Who Is Blessed? →

'From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."... They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,”Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”'... ... people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 4 | Turn, Learn, and Heal →

‘The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”’ Matthew 4:3 I often meet with people who think that, if they had more faith, they would experience less temptation. It is very tempting to believe that a follower of Jesus should enjoy – almost … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 4:3 | The Test →

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” Matthew 3:16 The Holy Spirit comes in the form of a dove. Where else have we seen the dove in Scripture? … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 3:16 | The Dove →

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11 The hurt that we inflict on other people – the hurt we inflict on ourselves – comes … Continue reading “Salt and Light”: Matthew 3 | Fire Sale →