Devotions in the Deep End

This is a quick episode that offers some thoughts around the question of one man that will lead to another parable.  The question of a will from one man becomes a warning about covetousness for a whole people! Not the most popular subject, but one we often overlook in our lives!

This is a well-known story in the New Testament, but one that's not often spoken on, although I think it really should!  Anyone in leadership or service in the church would do well to take a look at this episode and consider where they might fit into the story!

This is an incredibly well known parable, and I happen to think it's an absolute work of art!  I love the ebbs and flows of the story as Jesus tells it, and I have a clear picture at least in my mind of a crowd that would be taken on an enthralling emotional journey as it was being told.  I hope a portion of my enthusiasm for this story comes across as you listen!  

We all know the story of the Good Samaritan (and we'll look at this in the next episode), but we don't often interact with the question or the person who triggered the teaching!  This episode will do just that - we'll look at the good and the questionable elements of this conversation, because the questions of this 'expert' have been questions some of us have asked at times too.

A SPECIAL FOCUS EPISODE As we follow the gospel narrative, we can see that the parable of the Good Samaritan is coming up fast, and other passages featuring Samaritans will come up in future episodes because they are mentioned in key ways throughout the gospels and the book of Acts.  To grasp the depth of this character (and others) in Jesus' story-telling, it's actually helpful to learn a li...

As we study the passages around the sending of the 72, a few unique things appear which feel like they need time to explore.  In this case, a few verses in Matthew's gospel appear around this time, and this episode takes some time to explore an amazing invitation from Jesus.

The second message that explores the sending of the 72 in Luke's gospel.  This is a slightly different sort of devotional piece that reflects on the way the disciples interacted with the authority they were given, as well as Jesus' joy at what these disciples were now learning for themselves.

It's wonderfully poetic when the episode title and episode number both match up! This is the first of two reflections on Jesus sending the 72 likely just weeks from the cross at this stage of the narrative.  It has parallels to the sending of the Twelve but also stands alone with some twists to the plot that don't appear in the first instance. 

The timeline of Jesus' life and ministry is getting shorter at this stage, and the call to "follower-ship" is both urgent and uncompromising, as we'll soon see in the passage this episode explores.

This is a story of mercy received, and mercy withheld.  It's a massive lesson Jesus is telling for the benefit of the church - even now!

This is a very short reflection on the issue of forgiveness within the church.  These verses sit right between two very big ideas, so I though I would give this a bit of direct attention before going into the parable that follows.  I hope it's helpful to you!

This is a bit of a look at a well-known, but often overlooked teaching from Jesus.  When there are disputes and issues of sin in the church, they must be dealt with, and Jesus gives some very clear instructions on how we are to do this.  Here are my thoughts on what Jesus has to say. 

This is the third and final part of my exploration of the Parable of the Lost Son (aka 'Prodigal Son').  This addresses the attitudes us 'long-timers' can develop even as God does amazing things all around us!  

I have prepared three shorter podcasts around the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and this is the second of these.  The first two are designed in part for your personal reflection; but I am also hopeful that they might be helpful to your own faith sharing work too.  You may want to consider sitting with an un-churched friend as you listen and reflect together over this message, and the one...

I have prepared three shorter podcasts around the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and this is the first of these.  The first two are designed in part for your personal reflection; but I am also hopeful that they might be helpful to your own faith sharing work too.  You may want to consider sitting with an un-churched friend as you listen and reflect together over this message, and the one t...

This is a well known parable, which happens to have been told in two very different contexts going by how the various Gospel writers present it.  As I put this episode together, I found myself thinking a lot about modern sheep farming and the mindset of what one lost sheep might really mean to a farmer or shepherd on human terms.  My learning over this time gave me a new appreciation for...

This episode feels a little bit different - at least to me anyway!  It explores a small and sometimes overlooked detail in all this conversation about greatness, childlikeness and servanthood.  It also speaks loudly to the Christian 'tribalism' that we sometimes fall into.  This episode also contains a little more personal reflection at the end, adding to the difference in presentation.  I hope it...

This is the well-known passage where Jesus talks about millstones and deep sea diving!  In all seriousness though, there is a lot for us to consider as believers in this passage - where Jesus makes it clear that our conduct matters as an example to others, and that we all need a "look out for the little ones" policy!

This episode begins to look at some interestingly-timed ambition amongst the disciples, and their debate about "who would be the greatest."  In this episode we see a very strong response from Jesus - with a lesson very-much worth taking on board today.

In this episode, we learn about the ministry going on at the foot of the mountain in the wake of the Transfiguration.  We see a bit of a rabble going on, but Jesus is able to put things right in the end. 

This is a pretty significant event that presents Jesus in a very unique way.  There is a fair bit of theology that can be drawn out from this event, as well as a bit of a modern day reflection on the spiritual times of our lives as well.

In this short episode, we continue the stream of thought that was covered in the last one.  In episode 57, Jesus was issuing a challenge to his disciples after Peter's hasty responses; but here, the whole crowd is brought into the story.  The call to discipleship is a hard one as we will soon see; but the promises to those who answer the call are completely worth the cost!

This episode looks at the way Jesus introduces the cross to the discussion among his disciples, now that they have worked out his Messianic identity.  It also looks at the initial response of the disciples, concluding with a challenge for us all to lean into the thoughts of God, rather than the thoughts of man.

The third of a trilogy which explores the discussion between Jesus and the disciples at Caesarea Philippi.   In this episode we will learn about some key responsibilities which will be given to the church - ones which have been interacted with in a variety of ways in the modern church.  Here's Cam's brief take on what these responsibilities entail.

The second in a trilogy which explores the discussion between Jesus and the disciples at Caesarea Philippi.  Following Peter's amazing revelation, Jesus begins to spell out how things will be different going forward. Quotation note: I presented a bit of an overview of thought from Author Dann Spader in this episode.  For further consideration, here's the book I was referring to:  4-Chair Disciplin...