LUKE 19:1-10 “My days of tree climbing are past,” remarked a woman who, as a child, loved to climb trees. “I think that is not very respectable or safe.” Zacchaeus, a wealthy man, threw away shame and climbed a tree in Jericho to see Jesus. Despite being short and unable to see, he managed to see and … [Read more…]
JOHN 16:28-33; REVELATION 21:4 A lifelong fan of a football club experienced disappointment due to the team’s lack of championship appearances. Despite this, the team has a loyal fan base, often referring to their home stadium as the “Factory of Sadness.” Our shattered world might operate as a “factory of sadness” as well. Whether brought on by … [Read more…]
LUKE 2:21-35 Rembrandt, a Dutch painter, left an unfinished painting on his easel, depicting Simeon’s emotion while holding Jesus. According to some art historians, Rembrandt was prepared to “be dismissed” (Luke 2:29) because he sensed his time on earth was drawing to a close, just like Simeon. Simeon’s presence in the temple when Mary and Joseph … [Read more…]
REVELATION 22:1-5 We all have something in common. We live in a mixed-up, tarnished world, and we have never known anything different. Adam and Eve could recall the world before the curse, free from death, hardship, and pain. In pre-fall Eden, hunger, unemployment, and illness did not exist. No one questioned God’s creative power or human … [Read more…]
1 KINGS 12:1-15; MATTHEW 20:26 In traditional African societies, leadership succession is a crucial decision, with candidates chosen based on strength, fearlessness, and sensibleness. Candidates are examined to determine their suitability for serving the people or dictating with a heavy hand. The successor must be both a leader and a servant. Rehoboam succeeded Solomon. Rehoboam’s lack of … [Read more…]
NUMBERS 14:39-45; PSALM 37:7 After five delays brought on by bad weather, the space shuttle Challenger finally launched on January 28, 1986, amid a raging display of noise and flame. System failure caused the shuttle to disintegrate 73 seconds later, killing the entire crew of seven. The disaster was believed to have been caused by a “go … [Read more…]
PROVERBS 2:1-5 Thomas reads slowly and word-for-word, while Jane skims. Tom retains more information, easily quoting from a week ago, while Jane’s retention can evaporate after turning away from the screen or book. Skimming is a common issue when reading the Bible. We are tempted to quickly skim through well-known portions, tales we have heard since … [Read more…]
ISAIAH 46:4-13 Billy Graham shares his experience of growing old in his book Nearing Home, stating that it is not easy. Although the Bible acknowledges the challenges we face as we age, it does not portray old age as a burden to be despised. Graham questions how we can cope with fears, struggles, and limitations … [Read more…]
JOB 40:1-14; JOB 38:4 Cleaning a house can be discouraged due to the fact that people hardly notice the clean areas. But remember, the same people will notice dirty places. This raises the philosophical and spiritual question of why humans tend to remember wrong more than right. We tend to remember rudeness more than kindness, crime … [Read more…]
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church reminds the Corinthians of God’s redemptive plan in unexpected ways, using metaphors to emphasise everyday wisdom. Through two different metaphors (a runner and a boxer), Paul reminds the Corinthians that doing anything—especially following Christ—without a goal in mind is the height of foolishness. The apostle Paul describes a … [Read more…]
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