Aroma of Christ
Consider that Jesus' sacrifice was on a cross, which smelled like blood and grime and torture and the bile of humiliation. And yet it was fragrant to God.
Series: Communion Meditations
February 22, 2021
Sinners Saved by Grace
By Stuart Powell As a child, did you ever try to hide from your parents after a disobedient act? Did you seek sanctuary somewhere in your house? Was it even a good hiding place? Such a foolish reaction stretches back to the beginning of sin on earth. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them
February 15, 2021
Attitude
By Scott Franks In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with Godsomething to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8). In other words, God submitted himself to us! Christ died because it was necessary for us to live. Christ’s incomprehensible journey from the glory of Heaven to
February 8, 2021
Being a Christian
What does it mean to be a Christian? How are we different from nonbelievers? What distinguishes the people who follow Jesus from those who ignore or neglect him? We might think the difference is most clearly evident when comparing our Sunday activities. On the first day of the week, Christians gather to study what’s written in the Bible. We seek Scripture’s insights into living moral lives and overcoming temptations. We focus much effort on identifying sins that threaten our faith and corrupt our communities. We see the regular gathering of disciples as vital expressions of encouragement and fellowship among Christians.
February 1, 2021
Immortality
By Randy Ballinger Striving for immortality sometimes results in strange ideas. As an example, “transhumanism” is a philosophical movement that advocates using technology to modify and enhance the human condition, expand human capacities, and extend human life. To its proponents, the desired end is immortality, potentially outside the human body, as one’s intellect is transferred from the biological brain to a computer. Immortality is possible, but not by means of artificial engineering or far-fetched faith in technology based on human ego. Instead, it is all about Jesus dying in our place so that we may live forever. The Lord’s table
January 25, 2021
The Third Day
By Stuart Powell There are two days that define every person’s life. The first is the day of conception, when a new life is sparked and another image bearer begins their journey to meet God. That day harkens back to the highlight of God’s creative efforts. The second day is when physical death fulfills the curse that accompanied sin’s impact on every human. These two days have defined too many people throughout history, but these limits are not what God desired for humanity. In his infinite love, God prepared a third day that is available to every person. The third
January 18, 2021
The Power of Blood
By Randy Ballinger During the pandemic, blood donation centers have sought out individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Apparently, the antibody-rich blood plasma these individuals donate possibly can save the lives of those critically ill with the virus. The lone purpose for blood is to sustain life. Donating blood brings healing. There is power in the blood. God personified blood in rebuking Cain after Abel’s murder: “Your brother’s blood cries out to me” (Genesis 4:10). After the flood, God instructed Noah, “Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood” (Genesis 9:4, New American Standard Bible,
January 11, 2021
The Death of Evil
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.
January 4, 2021
Vaccine
By Stuart Powell In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, humanity began a quest for a one-word treasure: vaccine. The entire world sought an antidote that would trigger each human body to build a defense against the ravages of the novel coronavirus. The journey has involved dozens of pharmaceutical companies plowing through billions of dollars to fund untold hours of research by thousands of scientists. The search for a vaccine was fueled by the desire to destroy the curse of this virus and restore life to relationships severed by the virus’s spread. We know life is not meant to
December 29, 2020
New Year—New Jerusalem?
By Michael C. Mack Here’s some good news: 2020 is over! We can all breathe a sigh of relief . . . maybe. We can look at 2020’s problems in the rearview mirror . . . maybe. This year, 2021, will be much better; no more diseases, death, destruction, or political disarray . . . well, probably not. But our all-powerful God is still on his throne . . . definitely! The fact is, we don’t know what will come in 2021, which is why, as Christ followers, we trust God with whatever will happen. We remember that Jesus is
December 21, 2020
God’s Ways
By Stuart Powell Have you ever thought you were the last to hear about something important? Why is that? Do you lack influence or political connections? Is your opinion not valued because of your lowly social status? Do you live in the wrong neighborhood? If the emptiness of your life is exposed by these questions, you are in good company. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the
December 14, 2020
Week 4: The Angels
By Stuart Powell Note: This is the final installment of a four-week series of Communion meditations in which we consider essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son. This week we focus on the angels. Angels appeared six separate times in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth and early childhood (Matthew 1:20-21; 2:13, 19-20; Luke 1:11-20, 26-38; 2:9-15). Luke tells us the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah and Mary. No names were mentioned in the other four visits. Most times a single angel appeared, which is how the encounter with the shepherds began. Yet after the message
December 7, 2020
Week 3: The Shepherds
By Stuart Powell Note: This is week three of a four-week series of Communion meditations in which we consider essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son. This week we focus on the shepherds. Luke recorded surprisingly few details of what occurred in the stable on the day of Jesus’ birth. We might boil them down to these: Jesus was born, a feed trough was used as a cradle, and some excited shepherds arrived. There are many reasons why we wouldn’t put either of the latter two incidents in a story about God’s Son. We could use
November 30, 2020
Week 2: Bethlehem
Note: Over a four-week period leading up to Christmas, our Communion meditations are considering four essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son. This week we highlight the town of Bethlehem. By Stuart Powell When Rome ruled the Mediterranean region, many cities rose to prominence in the empire while others lingered in obscurity. Bethlehem was an insignificant place by then, though it had been the birthplace of King David a thousand years earlier. Long before the Romans conquered much of the civilized world, the luster of Bethlehem’s importance had been forgotten. That was the situation 300 years
November 23, 2020
Week 1: The Patriarchs
Note: Over the next four weeks, we will consider four essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son: the patriarchs, Bethlehem, the shepherds, and angels. This week we focus on the patriarchs. By Stuart Powell The four weeks before Christmas are a time for believers to make preparations for the coming celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s important to note that God began making preparations for the first Christmas generations before Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. The first book of the Bible is filled with the stories of the Jewish patriarchs—Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and his 12 sons. When
November 16, 2020
Eternal Thanksgiving—Eucharist
By Michael C. Mack Thanksgiving is more than an annual holiday. For Christ followers, it’s a vital spiritual discipline. Jesus often modeled giving thanks for us. When he raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus thanked his Father for hearing him (John 11:41-42). Before he fed the 4,000, he gave thanks for what was available to him—seven loaves and a few small fish (Mark 8:6-7). Jesus lived a life of thanksgiving for the big as well as the small blessings. And the early church followed Jesus’ example. The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
November 9, 2020
Streetlights
By Jon Wren In the 18th century, some American cities began placing streetlamps in parks and at busy intersections to provide extra light and safety for their citizens. But the earliest lamps weren’t very efficient and had to be cleaned often due to the soot caused by the flame. In Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin watched the lamps being cleaned and had an idea for a new design. He proposed using four flat panes of glass on the sides, a long funnel above to draw up the smoke, and crevices below to allow for air. Franklin’s lamp was brighter, cleaner, and more
November 2, 2020
The Spectacle of the Cross
By Stuart Powell The first-century Romans knew how to create spectacles. In the theater, stories from Roman history were glamorized to build legends. In their military parades, known as the “Republican triumphs,” the spoils of Rome’s conquests were prominently displayed. Even when carrying out executions, the Romans attempted to draw the attention of the crowds by putting the condemned on display as graphic examples of the consequences of rebelling against Rome. The intention of crucifixion was to create a spectacle by causing the one convicted to suffer in a visually striking way for their crimes against the empire. In Jerusalem,
October 26, 2020
Not a Waiting Room
By Stuart Powell What do you do before you see a doctor? Most people simply sit and wait. Many idly leaf through old magazines or survey their surroundings to pass the time. Have you ever pictured the Christian life this way? I hope not, because the Christian life most definitely is not a waiting room. Paul explained the life of grace to Titus using these dynamic words: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting
October 19, 2020
Candyman
By Jon Wren Upon arriving in the little Russian town of Kalinovka around the turn of the 20th century, a new priest launched a program where each week children were given a short passage of Scripture to memorize—in exchange for a piece of candy. Soon, children from all over the village and countryside came to learn from the village priest and to get their candy. And of all the children who participated, a young boy named Nikki stood out by memorizing the most passages. The village elders and the priest were confident Nikki’s impressive knowledge of Scripture would lead to
