John 3 contains some of the most powerful and beloved verses in all of scripture. We look at what it means to be “born again” or “born from above.” What does it mean to believe in Jesus, not just admire him?
We look at Jesus’ fasting and temptations out in the wilderness, and the significance of him resisting these particular temptations. Dostoevsky’s “The Grand Inquisitor” chapter of The Brothers Karamazov helps us out a bit.
On this Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday of Epiphany, we see Jesus glorified and come to see that it is only in recognizing and trusting in the identity of Jesus that we are enabled to live out our calling as his disciples.
We continue in the Sermon on the Mount, where we find that to be salt and light in this world means to turn the other cheek and love even our enemies.
We enter into the heart of the sermon on the mount, hearing Jesus’ instruction on anger, lust, and truth-telling. We look at how these instructions, which seem too difficult to live out, are actually realistic for communities of faith to pursue together.
We continue in the sermon on the mount, receiving the good news that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world!
The Beatitudes – Jesus proclaims blessings on those who may not seem blessed.
Jesus calls his first disciples to “jump in the fire”
Jesus invites the first disciples to “Come and see”
Matthew’s account of the baptism of Jesus, undergone “in order to fulfill all righteousness.”