presence (65)

Ian

Poison Pills

Psalm 70; Isaiah 50:4–9a; Hebrews 12:1–3; John 13:21–32 Taking insults is hard. Taking insults in today’s culture is reality…especially on social media. It’s not just social media, though, not by far. It is pervasive. Isaiah faced plenty of insults. He was spat upon. People physically…

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Ian

Acclaim or Quiet

Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29; Mark 11:1–11; John 12:12–16 HOSANNA! The cry of the people before the gates of Jerusalem was filled with this word. Hosanna is a Hebrew contraction meaning, “save, we pray,” which you just read in Psalm 118:25. Hosanna is used as part of…

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Ian

Love Surrendered

Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29; Deuteronomy 16:1–8; Philippians 2:1–11 Passover begins very shortly. In fact, there is a great symmetry in this. Passover starts with Israel’s rescue from Egypt (sin), passing through the Red Sea (baptism), and in more modern understandings of Passover, the last day (or…

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Ian

Look and See

Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 51:1–12; Psalm 119:9–16; Hebrews 5:5–10; John 12:20–33 In Christian circles and theology, we talk about the New Covenant. When we read about the New Covenant from Jeremiah, the honest person might question which New Covenant Jeremiah was talking about. “They will no longer need to…

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Ian

Wait and See

Psalm 110:1–4; Exodus 19:7–25; Hebrews 2:1–4 God tells the “master” (king) to “sit”. It is quite common today for rulers to sit while the armies go forth to wage war or defend the nation. When the Psalm was written, it was normal that kings/rulers went…

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