It took two days of steady walking for Jesus and His new followers to reach Nazareth in the mountains of Galilee. Jesus’ mother, Mary, was excited to see Him when they came dragging in at the end of the second day. “I’m so glad you came home!” Mary said as she hugged her son. “And who are these?” she asked as she looked to the six men behind Him. “They are friends who have traveled with me from Judea,” Jesus answered. “I have brought them here as my guests. “Friends, this is my mother, Mary.” “You’re all welcome,” she said with an inclusive gesture, “but I’m not sure what we’ll eat. We’re running around like chickens getting ready to leave for Cana first thing in the morning.” “Cana?” Nathaniel questioned. “That’s my home. Why are you going there?” “One of our cousins is marrying the son ... Read More about 6 – Jars of Christ
5 – The Stairway to Heaven
Young John of Bethsaida was already awake when he noticed his brother get up from the straw bed they had slept on. The two brothers and their partners had taken a break from their fishing business and had come to Bethany in Judea. News of the fiery preaching of John the Baptizer had reached them in Galilee, and they had come to the Jordan River to hear him. John watched his brother, James, pull on his cloak and quietly step past the others sleeping in the large room of the inn. As he stepped out of the door, the younger brother jumped to his feet, grabbed his cloak, and hurried after his older sibling. Exiting the lodge, John spotted James talking with Andrew of Bethsaida, one of the partners in their fishing business. Approaching the two, John saw his brother turn and walk toward the ... Read More about 5 – The Stairway to Heaven
4 – A Better Lamb
There hadn’t been a real prophet in Israel for almost five hundred years, so when word of John’s ministry began to spread, people came from all over Judea and Galilee to hear him. Everyone knew that if, after all these years, God had finally sent a prophet to them, this was big! People closed their shops; fishermen beached their boats; farmers took time off to go to the Jordan River to hear what this man of God had to say. Even though John had repeatedly informed the crowds that he was not the messiah, he was constantly telling them that a ‘Great One’ was coming. “He’s more powerful than I,” the Baptizer said. “He was before me…I am not even worthy to untie His shoes…” Even while not yet fully understanding whom the prophet referred to, the people hung on his every word. One day as John ... Read More about 4 – A Better Lamb
3 – Fruit from Vipers
Word spread quickly about the wild preacher by the Jordan River who was baptizing everyone who came to him. When the religious leaders in Jerusalem heard about him, they got nervous. “Sounds like another one of those hot-headed religious bumpkins with more zeal than sense,” one of the rabbis said when he heard the news. “Some moron claiming to be the Messiah is all the excuse the Romans will need to crack down on us again,” another joined in. “You are right, Rabbi Yehir,” a third agreed, “but the people are already declaring that this man is a prophet. We need to tread carefully.” “Of course, Rabbi Misael,” the first shot back, “but this newcomer needs to understand that the Pharisees know about him and are watching him closely. He cannot go on thinking he can say anything that comes ... Read More about 3 – Fruit from Vipers
2 -The Wild Man of God
“Hey, friend.” The startled traveling merchant jumped at the words. He had worked hard to get all of his pack animals to the Jordan River, and they had used the last of their energy to cross it. He was tired. His donkeys were tired, and they needed to rest before they made the push to get to Jericho. The merchant turned to face the speaker, and the fear immediately escalated. Standing before him was a bare-chested, wild man! He was a thin, powerful-looking fellow with long, shaggy hair, an equally long, unkempt beard, and piercing dark eyes that seemed to bore into his very soul. With some rags wrapped around his waist and standing closer than the merchant considered a safe distance, the stranger was holding a large, dripping pile of honeycombs in both hands. The merchant wanted to say, ... Read More about 2 -The Wild Man of God
1 -The Secret Light
Let me tell you a secret. It’s not supposed to be a secret, but there are lots of people who don’t know it. So here it is. Before there were birds, or trees, or flowering plants, or even skies and seas, there was One who is the very expression of God. He so clearly and perfectly reveals the divine nature that God Himself refers to this person as the Word. Obviously God and the Word like each other a lot. Why would they not? They both possess limitless quantities of love, and both are the source of all the joy and beauty we experience in this world. It makes sense that they would absolutely love the intimate fellowship they have with each other. They share everything. When God decided to create the world, He revealed His desires to the Word, who spoke it all into being…all of it! And ... Read More about 1 -The Secret Light