As it turns out, slime is a superb symbol for Easter. Luke 24:13-35   Better than slime What things get you excited on Easter Sunday? There are lots of options, of course – the empty tomb, springtime, allergies, Easter lilies, new clothes, Easter egg hunts, children’s excitement, getting the family together, ham for dinner. The […]

Jesus’ crucifixion is the most surprising, memorable, and important fact about him. Mark 15:33-41   Remembered by his death About a decade ago, my wife Linda and I had the privilege of visiting Zurich, Switzerland. Our primary interest in that city was the life and work of Ulrich Zwingli, the sixteenth century father of the […]

“Faith is not something that makes you safe.”  (Dr. Kent Brantly, Samaritan’s Purse) John 15:18-25   Facing Darkness Facing Darkness is the remarkable story of a Christian response to the 2014 Ebola crisis in Liberia by Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, and SIM, a global missions agency that started its work in the Sudan […]

Judas is a pawn of the priests, but Satan is a pawn of God. Matthew 26:14-16; John 13:18-30; Psalm 41:4-10   The man who will live in infamy Since I am prone to correct others’ grammar or word usage from time to time, it’s only fair (and actually appreciated) when others correct mine. I can […]

Psalm 110:1 is the Old Testament verse the New Testament loves the most.  Psalm 110:1-7; Mark 12:35-37   Comfort verses I remember telling this congregation early in my ministry, “Please don’t say you ‘enjoyed’ the sermon. I don’t preach for entertainment.” Today’s text rebukes that perspective. The crowd that heard Jesus in the temple courts […]