Israel and Philistia are at stalemate in their war, with neither side having a clear upper hand. So the Philistines resort to intimidation to get inside their enemies’ heads. To do this their warrior giant, Goliath, invites solo combat. Now,
What did we lose?
2.2 However, the first man Adam rebelled against the commands of God. Because of his rebellion, he forfeited the relationship with God which he had enjoyed, and evil and death began to affect creation. Photo by Zach Lucero on Unsplash
Carry that cross
Pilate’s soldiers now have Jesus in their hands and so it’s time for cruel fun with this “king of the Jews” who’s been rejected by his own. The scene of their tormenting him is an ugly one which captures how
Motives for murder
Pilate tries to free Jesus by getting the crowd to ask for his release. But it goes horribly wrong and Pilate has Jesus killed to save himself trouble. How does it go wrong? Jerusalem’s leaders stir the crowd to turn
Putting down others; falling down ourselves
Jesus lists examples of the wickedness we can generate inside. What’s included? Slander is there, where we use the amazing power of words to dishonour other people unfairly to benefit ourselves. Arrogance is there, where we proudly think too highly
Thoughts which lie, shame and resent
Jesus lists examples of the wickedness we can generate inside. What’s included? Deceit is there, where we use our cunning to manipulate others to our benefit, without a concern for truth. Lewdness is there, where our thoughts become indecent even
A mind which takes and hates
Jesus pulls no punches as he speaks of the wickedness of the human heart and its evil thoughts. His list of examples started with sexual immorality. Next he speaks of theft and murder. The temptation to satisfy ourselves and not
What’s inside?
Jesus is speaking plainly about the sinful human heart, to counteract his opponents’ self-righteousness. We aren’t made bad by our environment but by what’s wrong inside all of us. Thoughts rise up from within, often occupying our minds, which are