“If we do an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, we will be a blind and toothless nation.” Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Dr Martin Luther King Jr, waving to the crowd at a civil rights protest in Washington DC.Picture used under a Creative Commons licence. The Gospel of Matthew is written as a series of …
Continue reading Sweating the small stuff – Matthew in Advent day 5
It has become an increasingly common sight these days to see padlocks fastened to bridges where there is a metal handrail. While I find it sweet for couples to leave a momento of their love, the traditional way was to carve it into a tree trunk, this new way has problems, ornate wrought iron work …
Continue reading Oath is a four letter swear word – Matthew in Advent day 4
A few years ago I attended a Christmas meal at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, home of the Dukes of Devonshire. Not dining with the Duke, unfortunately, nor in the dining room of the great house itself, but in rooms in a converted stables. Still this was a level of luxury that I am not accostomed …
Continue reading Heaven, mansion or shack? – Matthew in Advent day 2
In the book "Why democracies die" by Harvard University political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, coup-d'etat is not the most likely way. That, they say, is when the views of the opposition are no longer tolerated,. This tolerance involves accepting the results of a free and fair election where the opposition has won, in contrast with advocacy for overthrow or spurious …
A tree is known by its fruit Matthew 12:33–37 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 21 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak …
Continue reading Opposition by legalism 5: By their Facebook status you will know them
Jesus and Satan Matthew 12:22–32 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 20 22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of …
Continue reading Opposition through legalism 4: There is no compromise
It's not what is the Sabbath, it's WHO is the Sabbath Matthew 12:9–14 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 18 9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so …
Continue reading Opposition through legalism 2: The Sabbath is about rest
God loves you enough to take your sins away Matthew 12:1–8 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 16 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of corn and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they …
Continue reading Opposition through legalism 1: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
Jesus’ reaction to non-repentance is to offer repentance again Matthew 11:25–30 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 15 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, …
Continue reading Opposition by lack of repentance 2: Come to me and I will give you rest
No peace but a sword Matthew 10:34–39 The ambassadors of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 9 34 Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a …
Making an ass of myself 