Jesus says it’s hard for rich people to get into heaven. The disciples say, “Then how can anyone get in?” There is, in their question, the implication that having wealth is a measure of something spiritual, that wealthy people, particularly wealthy religious people,  must be closer to God. I think it isn’t just those first […]

I said yesterday that something is missing from Matthew 19:16-30 Let’s recap the story. A young man who is very wealthy comes to Jesus to find out what he can do to get eternal life. Jesus says to obey the commandments. The man asks which ones. Jesus lists six: don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, or […]

If you just joined us, we’re looking at what it means to follow Jesus. We’re doing it mostly by walking slowly through Matthew, the first of the stories of Jesus. This slow reflective walk seemed the thing to do, since Matthew tells us at the end of his book that Jesus said to teach people […]

“Can you pray for my child?” Who could refuse that kind of request? It’s simple. It doesn’t take long at all. It’s the least you can do. “Can you just put your hand on my child while you pray? I mean, you don’t have to come over or anything, I’ll come to you.” So poignant. […]

Jesus says that divorce isn’t what he wants. His followers say, “then why get married?” And we say, “What?” It is better to be safe, they are saying, than to risk the impossible. It is better to not ever be in the situation of having things go wrong, they are implying, than to be in […]