To Take Up Your Cross
Today’s passage from Matthew* has often been understood as a call not to life, but to resignation: suffering is all, and the proper response is gritting teeth and bearing pain proudly to pay God back for God’s love. Fake it if you have to, imitate, but keep your joy at bay. As my father was […]
Loving Jesus Behind His Back
Every time I read that Jesus asked his disciples what people were saying about him,* I wonder why he cares what other people are thinking. Why does Jesus want to know what the disciples are saying when he isn’t around? Is he so vain or insecure that what other people think about him matters?” I […]
Was Jesus Prejudiced?
Some say Jesus was perfect, all-knowing and all-loving. If so, what are we to make of his snippy retort to the Canaanite woman who wanted healing for her daughter.* “I only came for the lost sheep of Israel,” Jesus said, and, when she persisted, he added, “It’s not fair to take the children’s food and […]
Tell Me to Come to You
Jesus walks on the water toward his friends, so intent is he on being with them. Caught in a sudden squall far away from solid ground, they are frantic with fear. Suddenly Jesus comes toward them. “It’s going to be all right! He calls out. “Don’t be afraid.” “If it’s really you telling me not […]