God isn’t making things easy for David on the road towards being king. But the hard tests he faces prepare him for future service. Thus, David finds no refuge even amongst his Judahite kinsman and, having been betrayed, ends up
No picnic
Jesus’ work and the first apostolic mission have made a big impact. If he wants, Jesus could now form an army in the wilderness. But an army “marches on its stomach”, so the disciples tell him to send them off
Run, run, as fast as you can
The apostles bring back a report to Jesus on the state of Israel. Now they need some quiet to rest and talk. But when Jesus takes them away from the populated centres, a huge crowds runs to join them. In
Well-dressed man
Jesus has healed a vulnerable man whose suffering with mental illness has been extreme and whose life has been abused by evil spirits. Now, this man is at peace, sitting with Jesus, wanting to learn and grow. Indeed, he’d love
One man army
The disciples are heavily shaken after seeing Jesus calm a storm. But now on shore the problems continue when a mentally ill man runs to Jesus from the cemetery. However, Jesus is not intimidated either by the threat of uncleanness
Ready and able
As Jesus works through the synagogues of Galilee, he meets an ‘unclean’ man. The man has a skin disease which is not only unpleasant but also blocks him out from Israel’s worship. With a single touch, Jesus transforms the man.
Straight talk
Paul has finally arrived in Rome. His priority is to speak with the Jewish leaders, to assure them that he has committed no crime but that, rather, he has found Messiah – the hope of Israel. Paul had a deep
Fully rescued
Stories of rescues have a peculiar power for us. Dramatic ones are often reported widely. One of the famous rescues in the Bible – Noah’s – has been replayed in countless talks, books and songs. Somehow those who survive help
Mistaken
Jesus warned his generation about their failure to understand themselves (Jo 8:31-33). In our passage, Stephen does the same with a speech that draws down on Israel’s history. His hearers are mistaken about it, which means they are mistaken about
Unexpected hero
God loves truth (Jo 17:17). But we, at times, twist or corrupt it through lies, half-truths or in other ways. This results in us deceiving others and, even, ourselves. Such self-deceit may leave both individuals and groups with false ideas