Jesus’ teaching on the new ethics for disciples do not weigh us down because they are wrapped in generous mercy and humour.
Jesus’ teaching on the new ethics for disciples do not weigh us down because they are wrapped in generous mercy and humour.
God has given us all we need to live out our calling with integrity.
Letting go of the idea that we can earn God’s favour is very difficult for most people, but it is a key to enjoying the fullness of life and grace.
Pray for all people and let God do the judging. The world may be an evil place but you are God’s children and evil has been overcome.
The story of the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son is a crucial part of the message of grace.
Christ’s grief gathers up our griefs and achieves the promise of a day when tears will be no more.
True greatness comes in devoting ourselves to recognising and liberating the greatness in others, and that will often come at the cost of misunderstanding, sniping and rejection.
God is doing and saying far more than we can see or hear, but God is always ready to penetrate the presumptions and complacencies that are closing our eyes and ears.
Jesus reveals that God is a God of abundance who will lovingly provide plenty for all, but the common perception of scarcity easily corrupts us and leads to treachery and abuse.
God created everything and destined everything to be part of the one glorious story of God’s love and grace, and through Jesus, God draws us back into the story.
The wilderness can seem harsh and threatening, but God is there, ready to nourish us with the bread of heaven.
Christ’s desire to extend hospitality to us, to welcome us at his table, is so great that he will give even his own life to bring us into the experience of his love. This is the pattern for our call to hospitality too.
The coming Christ will accomplish his purposes, which will be the best for us but may conflict with what we want from him.
One of the most controversial aspects of Jesus’ message was that it moved all the fences. Jesus redrew the boundaries of the Kingdom of God to include very definitely those who previously had been excluded. He blew away the social and geographical limitations imposed by the pious Pharisees & other religious leaders. According to Jesus, God’s kingdom knew nothing of the political, social or religious boundaries placed on it by these groups.
When Jesus invites us to join the feast, and to invite others as well, some people need reassuring to get them in the room, while others need challenging to make space, but the invitation is there for all of us and it’s genuine.
The sacred is all around us and within us, but don’t make the mistake of trying to regulate it.
God’s grace is lavished on all who will receive it, but some of those who have every right to it refuse to receive it unless they are singled out.
The impossible love and grace of God invite us to participate in the life of God despite our circumstances, but we often get stuck in trying to find meaning in the circumstances.
God offers to make us his children, a position that may not appeal to our autonomous ambitions, but which offers honour and security.
God’s gracious acceptance is so free from favouritism that we find it scandalous and daunting.