Glad these were encouraging and challenging for you! I felt similarly-I’ve always known God’s Word to be living and active, and this experience solidified that for me. Old Testament comes next for the next three years! bit.ly/2021OTPlan

Thanks for sticking it out to the end!

Good catch, Rita! Both John and Jonah (like in English) are very similar in the Greek. It could be that Matthew and John were referring to the same person with different nicknames, or that there was something lost in moving their native Aramaic to the Greek. We don't know anything else about Simon Peter's father, I'm afraid.

@@joelmoody8276 Thanks, Joel, for the affirmation of what I was thinking. I just like to keep the characters straight and names that “change” catch me off guard.

I loved the anthem on Sunday! Thanks for the youth choir link.

The NIV gives: “Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.’"

I think that Jesus desperately wants to give human beings every opportunity to change--or, absent that, to reveal their true character. By sending these messengers of the gospel, no charge of, "We didn't know!" can be leveled at God. Additionally, it serves to demonstrate to the rest of the community that their religious leaders aren't focused on God's will, but instead on their own power. That's how it makes sense to me, anyway. Hope this helps!

I think I read that the actor landed the role of Jesus in part because of his piercing blue eyes--maybe he wanted to lean on that as much as he could!

Bob, thanks so much for sharing your experience! Sounds like the adventure of a lifetime.

You are welcome, Joel. Hope to see you at Panera “live” on Thursday. Bob F.

That’s a really good observation, Rita! I’m grateful for your companionship on this journey through the New Testament. It’s good to hear it’s been meaningful for you!

Here it is-iym.ptsem.edu/canticles3/

That whole narrative of Exodus 32 through 34 is one of my favorite parts of the Bible. It's a microcosm of the Five G's of the Bible, which make up the themes of every story: God, Guilt, Grace, Gratitude, Glory.

Unfortunately, I think you might be right about church offerings falling, Rita. Here's hoping that people are able to navigate a different pattern and style of giving, since these are unprecedented times we're living in.

It really is freeing! When we get to Mark 12 next week, we’ll get to see another instance of this, but with Jesus counter-punching the “set up” questions.

Jesus does this several times, particularly in the Gospel of Mark-he offers evidence of his divinity, then tells folks not to share it with anyone. I can't remember if I mentioned it in this video, but scholars call this the "Messianic Secret." But why? Why would he do this? My guess is that to take credit for raising the girl from the dead would be tantamount to claiming to be Messiah. And if Jesus is the Messiah, then his followers might try to lead an insurrection against Rome, believing that the Messiah would be their conquering King. Maybe Jesus was deeply moved and wanted to heal the girl without the consequences on people trying to anoint him then and there. Sure, rumor may spread, people will talk-but Jesus will continue to define who Messiah is on his terms instead of on others' terms. Hope this helps. Thanks for thinking through this!

This 😭

XD

there is, this is only a part of the entire song. Its like 25 minutes long. The ceremony of carols.