In 1897 Charles Sheldon published the book In His Steps, in which he introduced a phrase that would become quite popular in the 20th and 21st centuries. The abbreviation of this phrase would adorn innumerable items such as t-shirts, bumper stickers, and rubber bracelets. Mr. Sheldon’s phrase, What Would Jesus […] Read more
A short sentence, only two verses, follows the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew writes, Matthew 7:28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:28-29 This sentence serves as a […] Read more
I can look out my living room window and see the broad and basic contours of the southern edge of a small forest. But the beauty of this view cannot be seen while walking through the same woods where I can observe the individual trees, the undergrowth, the dead and […] Read more
Jesus, after unveiling the full extent of our sin (Matt. 5:17-48), tells us we need to perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48), and explains how to love our Heavenly Father (Matt. 6:1-34), introduces judgment. In so doing, Jesus addresses how to live in a world full of […] Read more
You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 We read these words and probably think Jesus is talking about perfection with regard to sin — our thoughts and actions — but I’m not so certain that’s what Jesus really meant. Everything preceding this is a […] Read more