But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:25-28 When does Jesus tell the disciples this? Just before they head to Jerusalem and His crucifixion. To prepare them, He tells them He’ll be handed over to the…

You’ve heard of good cop, bad cop? Let’s talk good shepherd, bad shepherd. Jesus says He’s the Good Shepherd. Who are the bad shepherds? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you searched for the lost; but with force and with violence you have dominated them. They scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every animal of the field and scattered. My flock strayed through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the…

Today, we look at Son of God. Isaiah prophesied about this promised Son upon whom the government would rest in the familiar Advent verse, Isaiah 9:6. After 700 years of waiting, the fulfillment comes in the New Testament. When John baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan, the Father declares that Jesus is His Son. After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and  settling on Him,  and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is  My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17 24 times…