When Herod was troubled, all Jerusalem was troubled with him. The whole city shook when Herod shook. But why would the people of Jerusalem be troubled by news of the Messiah’s birth? Should they not have been excited? They had been waiting for this moment for...
Herod was called “the Great,” and he was great at many things, just not great things. He was a brilliant politician, an incredible builder, and he kept the peace in a volatile region. But he was also paranoid, violent, and ruthless. When the wise men...
Major events demand a response. When the towers fell on September 11th, the nation had to respond. When you receive news that someone you love has passed away, you have to respond. When someone asks you to marry them, you have to respond. Major events do not allow us...
Matthew begins his gospel with Emmanuel – God with us. He ends it with Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The theme of God’s presence brackets the entire gospel. And it’s meant to bracket our entire...
Joseph doesn’t get many lines in Scripture, but his actions speak volumes. When the angel told him to take Mary as his wife despite her mysterious pregnancy, Joseph obeyed. When the angel told him what to name the child, Joseph obeyed. When circumstances...
