October 2009 – Page 5 – 300 words a day

harvest payback

Jesus has a very hard word for leaders: you don’t own, you rent. A quick overview is in order: In Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus covers centuries of history with a simple story of a vineyard. A landowner builds a vineyard, rents it out, and goes away. The tenants (who are the religious leaders) mistreat everyone that […]

by Jon Swanson

especially not after them

Is it better to say “no” and then do what you are asked or is it better to say “yes” and then not get around to it? That’s the heart of a “two brothers” story that Jesus tells. Their dad asks them to work in the vineyard. One argues, one agrees. One goes, one doesn’t. […]

by Jon Swanson

sometimes questions are speeches

The leaders asked Jesus a simple question. “Who told you that you could do these things?” It was, I suppose, a valid question. They were the leaders. They were the religious authorities. They were in charge of geography and theology, of temple and interpretations. That they would ask is not surprising. Except that their question […]

by Jon Swanson

A challenging passage

Jesus wants breakfast. The fig tree is covered in leaves but there are no figs. He tells it that it will never bear fruit. It dies immediately. The disciples are amazed at the power Jesus displays. He says that they can do it. He ends by saying “If you believe, you will receive whatever you […]

by Jon Swanson

Looking Back – September 28-October 2

A review of this week’s posts. Sometimes there is more than we know Wondering is okay. Going is more important. What these two followers discovered, after everything was done, was that they had been part of fulfilling a prophecy made centuries earlier. Just by getting a couple donkeys. Just by doing what Jesus told them […]