Initiating the Exodus (Luke 9:51-62)

In Luke 9:51-62, Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem, knowing His mission involves suffering and sacrifice. On the way, a Samaritan village rejects Him, but He rebukes His disciples for wanting to call down judgment on them. As they continue, different people express a desire to follow Jesus, but He warns them that following Him demands radical commitment. He tells one that the Son of Man has no place to rest, indicating the hardship of discipleship. To others, He stresses that nothing, not even family obligations or looking back at past life, should take precedence over following Him.

This passage teaches that Christ’s exodus is laser focus on the heavenly Jerusalem.  The values and priorities of this age all submit to the the goal of the heavenly Vision of Peace (Jerusalem).

The Paradox of Wisdom (3) (Matthew 10:40-11:1)

Christ has discussed and warned his disciples about the struggles and issues that the church will face in time as they go to carry out Christ’s mission.  The temptation is not to go forward with Christ’s mission.  I mean if this is a kingdom that only involves cross bearing plus suffering then why go?  Christ gives the assurance that we go because we will receive the prophet’s reward.  So, what is that prophet’s reward?

The Paradox of Wisdom (Matthew 10:16-23)

One would think that being a disciple of Christ would result in instant glory. It must have been an incredible privilege to be sent out by Christ himself, and the people would embrace the messengers of the kingdom with open arms. This is what we would think, but Christ exhorts us to exercise wisdom in a way that almost seems contradictory. On the one hand we are to be humble doves, but on the other hand we are be be slithering serpents. How do we reconcile these two concepts? What is Christ trying to communicate to us?

God’s Goodness (Job 42:10-17)

This is the conclusion to the story of Job.  This is a book that has a lot of twists and turns, and we are left in the story a bit curious about the Lord’s plan for this man.  Is this man just going to suffer?  Is this man going to be made whole?  What can such suffering teach us about the Gospel?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Suffering (Luke 14:25-35)

Christ uses very strong language regarding our Christian life.  He tells us that we are to actually hate our families.  Is this a contradiction of the 5th commandment?  I thought that we were to honor our parents?  I thought that we were to love our Lord as first priority and love our neighbor as ourselves?  How can Christ command us to hate our families?

God is Just! (Job 34:1-37)

Elihu waits for Job to answer, but Job gives no answer so Elihu continues to address his friend and the counselors.  Elihu defends the justice of God and desires all to know that our God is definitely just.  Has Job denied that God is just or is Elihu merely putting words in this suffering saint’s mouth?    Do we really need to care so much about God’s justice?

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We are Tired (Job 25:1-6)

This is a very short speech in the book of Job.  The counselors are those who are very wordy, but now we find that they are starting to fade away.  Why are the counselors no longer talking?  Have the counselors run out of words or is something else happening?

Finish This! (Job 6:1-7:21)

Job’s friends, the counselors, are now beginning to interact with Job.  They grieved with Job, they failed to recognize their friend, and Eliphaz has interacted with Job’s speech or attitude.  Job questioned the wisdom of God, and Eliphaz questioned whether Job really understands God.  How will Job respond?  We noted that the counselor was not consistent with the Lord’s wisdom.  Will Job finally see through this trial and clearly see the Lord?

Why Love God? (Job 1)

The story of Job opens with a man who is righteous, fears God, and turns from evil.  This is a man who lives out the wisdom of the gospel as he even sacrifices a burn offering in case one of his children cursed God in their heart.  This is a man who is worthy of blessing and a man who deserve blessing from the hand of God.  So, what sort of wisdom is being communicated to us when Job receives the exact opposite of what he deserves?  What is the driving force of Job’s suffering?  Does Job really love God because of who God is or does Job love God because of what God can do for Job?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Submission (Genesis 49)

Jacob is on his deathbed and now has the opportunity to prophetically speak about the future of his 12 sons.  Will he abuse his prophetic gift and try to put his favored son ahead of the other sons?  Or has this man really learned from this wrestling match that the wisdom of God is manifested through weakness?  How does the Lord show the irony off the Messianic line by coming through a very unlikely son?  Why is this son such an unlikely candidate to bring forth the messiah?