Paul writes this letter several decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christian believers in Rome need encouragement. Paul knows many of them himself, as Romans 16 indicates. He...

Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew emphasize persons’ taking responsibility for their own salvation. We “must be ready.” But in the meantime, what about the world and those who don’t seem...

Thanksgiving Day as embraced in the United States wonderfully asserts the place and power of love and gratitude within families—a wholesome national celebration that other nations may regard as exceptional. Ties...

In reading this psalm, we may feel angry or overcome that the reality of Jerusalem’s history is so very far from peaceful. We may pray, “When, O Lord, will you do...

God faithfully and consistently desires that the chosen people join him in bringing peace and good government to the world. The whole of history seems to show God’s plan being frustrated,...

Many of us demand to live in a “perfect” environment: free from fear of harm, and nice and quiet. Some people who spend time in Africa working on contract are glad...

Jesus ushers in a different kind of reign than the world has seen before. He doesn’t rely on flashy entourages but leads a band of fishermen. He doesn’t use powerful weapons...

Colossians 1 provides a magnificent conclusion to the church calendar and to our reflections on Christ’s reign. Now that we have walked through the story in detail, Paul takes a step...

Few who witness Jesus’ crucifixion understand that despite his ignoble death Jesus is in fact the true king. The disciples themselves, though they have heard Jesus say multiple times that he...

The Messiah did indeed come, fulfilling God’s promises; but he proved to be different from what people had expected. As in the time of Samuel, they think that having a king...