Who added it? We’re not sure. When was it added? Probably some time in the second century. Why was it added? That’s a great question.
Tag: reflection
The Christian life often feels like being a sheep wandering in the desert, with little sustenance and dangers all around. Left to ourselves we have no guarantee of safety. For those of us charged with leading our fellow believers—whether we be pastors, ministry volunteers, mentors, parents, older siblings, or any other leadership role—we often feel unequipped and overwhelmed. The good news is, we have a Good Shepherd leading us.
Many people expect righteous people to look strange, but Jesus’ righteousness was a strange kind of strange. Jesus kept company with fisherman, tax collectors, and sinners. He flipped tables in the temple courts. He publicly criticized religious leaders—and they publicly executed him.
Jesus has become a polarizing figure. People either love or hate him. In the face of that, Jesus is not making his message more digestible for a broader audience. He himself is drawing sharper lines. Teaching in parables is the next development in that separation.
Jesus teaches us that he brings a new kind of religion—one that is rooted in mercy and celebration.
The genealogy of Jesus is the story of God with us, and every name is a chapter.
We have not been left in our sin any more than Jesus has been left in the grave.
In church, I was taught to pray following the pattern of A.C.T.S., or adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. As a child, the order of these steps seemed arbitrary and false. Often, the prayers I would hear began with “Thank you, God, for…” and rarely included any confession. Time and “The Phenomenology of Prayer” have given
Take Note Of This 