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Physician
Physician is the name we’re looking at this week. It’s familiar territory – we looked at Yahweh Rophe, Yahweh Heals, back in February. Like Father, like Son. Healing was a huge part of Jesus’s ministry. Matthew says this about Jesus’s early ministry: 23 Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them. Matthew…
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The Gloves Come Off
I am the bread of life. – John 6:48 Jesus’s proclamation in John 6 that he is the Bread of Life heralds a shift in his ministry. After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowds become demanding. Having seen such a large scale miracle, they pursue him for what he can do, not who he is. 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate some of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on…
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Why Bread of Life?
This week’s name is “Bread of Life.” Why? Well, Jesus had recently fed a huge crowd with a miraculous amount of bread. But is there more significance? If Jesus were to address the crowds today in 21st century America, would He still say, “I am the Bread of Life?” I’d say so. Jesus is NOT the Junk food of life – Doughnuts, cupcakes, and sugary cereal may satisfy in the moment, but a steady diet of them will make you unhealthy, even sick. They cannot be your steady diet. Coffee of life – I love my morning Joe. Sometimes I think about what blend I’ll fix the night before. It’s…
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Bread of Life
A few years ago, some families I know lost their possessions in an apartment complex fire. They were far from home, alone, and in need. Because most of the kids in the complex knew and trusted me, I became a point person in the effort to ascertain the needs and distribute donated goods. It wasn’t long before I became known more for being the “lady with the stuff” than the homework helper and after school playmate. It was an awkward time. So I can relate, in a very small way, to Jesus’s frustration after he fed the 5,000. Just imagine the impact of feeding 5,000 men and the accompanying women…
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Away In a Manger
Away in a mangerNo crib for a bedThe little Lord JesusLay down His sweet head The stars in the skyLook down where He layThe little Lord JesusAsleep on the hay The cattle are lowingThe poor baby wakesBut little Lord JesusNo crying He makes I love Thee, Lord JesusLook down from the skyAnd stay by my side‘Til morning is nigh Why am I singing Christmas carols in July? Because this week’s name is Child. And what better carol is there for meditating on Jesus’s “babyness” than “Away in a Manger?” Personally, I prefer the Cradle Song tune to the Mueller tune. But one of the lines has always bothered me. “No…
