I have really appreciated “Fixing Her Eyes”, and Jen’s call for us all –sisters and brothers– to fix, focus, and look upon Jesus Christ as we serve together for God’s glory. There are many nuances to “fixing” our eyes. What are we fixing our eyes on, and who is doing the fixing? In this article, I consider some of what Paul saw, and the change, or fix, brought about in his vision by the power of Jesus Christ, as Saul became Paul: apostle, leader, and colleague of women. The stoning of Stephen Luke’s account of the first martyrdom of Christianity tells us that “…Saul was there, giving full assent to the stoning of Stephen.” He was guarding the coats, yes, and far enough away to avoid the s
Those women may just have been lucky to get the resurrection news from the angel/s at the tomb, as they got to the tomb before the men. First in, best dressed. The early bird catches the worm. But Jesus subsequently specifically appears to women before men, as recorded in Matthew, (the longer ending of Mark), and John. In Matthew, the women are running to tell the disciples and Jesus appears, greets them, and gives them a message for the brothers to meet him in Galilee (28.9). After the women see the angel at the tomb, the longer ending of Mark has Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene (16.9). In Luke, the women are given the message by angels (24.5-7). Men also visit the tomb but they don't see
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” As he hung on the cross close to death, the gospels tells us that Jesus spoke these words. He wasn’t the first person of faith to experience abandonment. The words are from Psalm 22 - written hundreds of years before Jesus was alive. Old Israel knew, long before Jesus, about being abandoned by the God in whom they trusted. Jesus wasn’t the first to speak these words. And he won’t be the last. “My God, my god, why have you forsaken me?” Why are you so far from saving me?” Could these be the words of families in Mozambique: Their homes, towns, and lives destroyed by floods, their friends and neighbours dead? The words of a mother in Christchurch: h
Airliner crashes, weather-related disasters, drought and flooding on an unprecedented scale, political turmoil, prolonged and bloody civil wars, the refugee crisis, and terrorist attacks. This is the world we live in. And as we stand aghast at the chaos and destruction, it is almost impossible not to become alarmed and distressed. So, how should Christians respond? Well, if ever there was a time to weep, then surely it is now. Yes, there is a time when weeping is the acceptable and appropriate Christian response to untimely death and tragic loss. Even the apostle Paul said that we should “weep with those who are weeping” (Rom 12:15). And there’s a biblical character who exemplifies weeping a
