JOHN 19:14-30

14 Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, ‘Here is your King!’ 15They cried out, ‘Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but the emperor.’ 16Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus; 17and… Continue reading

JOHN 13:1-17; 34-35  Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing… Continue reading

Isaiah 50:4-9a

4The Lord God has given me
   the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
   the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
   wakens my ear
   to listen as those who are taught.
5The Lord God has opened my ear,
   and I was not rebellious,
   I did not turn backwards.
6I gave my back to those who struck me,
   and my cheeks to those who pulled out the… Continue reading

Isaiah 49:1-7  The Servant’s Mission

49Listen to me, O coastlands,
   pay attention, you peoples from far away!
The Lord called me before I was born,
   while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.
2He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
   in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow,
   in his quiver he hid me away.
3And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,
   Israel… Continue reading

Isaiah 42:1-9  The Servant, a Light to the Nations

42Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street;
3a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring… Continue reading

It is not just through scripture that we hear “ancient” words when we worship. We find scripture and inspired text in the music that we sing.

Sometimes people (no one who is reading this) do not pay attention to the scripture or the words being sung. These people go through the motions of worship and miss some of the most inspirational insights being offered.

Instead of scripture, today, I invite you to… Continue reading

Psalm 118:28

New Revised Standard Version: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
The Message (Version): You’re my God, and I thank you. O my God, I lift high your praise.

Is there a right way or a wrong way to extol the Lord? (That is today’s question.) This weekend we will be blessed with the Palm… Continue reading

Psalm 118:24

New Revised Standard Version: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The Message (Version): This is the very day God acted— let’s celebrate and be festive!

Sometimes the Bible covers everything that needs to be said. This verse is one most people know (even Disciples) and all you need to do today is remind yourself that this… Continue reading

Psalm 118:1-2
New Revised Standard Version: O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!  Let Israel say, “God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
The Message (Version): Thank God because God’s good, because God’s love never quits. Tell the world, Israel, “God’s love never quits.”

Have you ever had a bad day where you go to The Bible and open it up to see… Continue reading

Psalm 118:19-20
New Revised Standard Version: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
The Message (Version): Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates! I’ll walk right through and thank God! This Temple Gate belongs to God, so the victors can enter and praise.

HBO has… Continue reading