Uzzah had every right to feel miffed! For, seeing the Arc of the Covenant in imminent danger of crashing to the deck, he reached out to steady it. His reward was instant death as recorded in 2 Samuel and I Chronicles. So, as Mark Twain quipped – ‘every good deed deserves punishment’. Now some commentors [...]
John 2.13-23 Today we consider Jesus’ clearing of the Temple. On the face of it, the scandal that he seems to be correcting is simply the sale of animals. However, he would have known that the provision of livestock was essential to the primary purpose of this building. Since it existed almost entirely for animal [...]
In Britain, the first meal a newly married couple have together is called ‘the wedding breakfast’. As a minister, I have attended my fair share of wedding breakfasts. Sadly, sometimes after a very busy week, I don't enter into them with unalloyed joy. Nevertheless, as I leave, I always feel refreshed having made new friends [...]
He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” – this can be translated as ‘The Rock’. (John 1.42) Many years ago, as a student, I attended a conference with the well-known Scottish minister, John Bell. When going for coffee, I [...]
A look at God's rainbow promise to Noah after the flood. Genesis 9.8-17
Lesson: Luke 2.25-35
