A Closer Look at Jesus

A closer look

Thanksgiving5 posts

gratitude, harvest, quiet gifts before winter

Gratitude, harvest, and quiet gifts before winter.

1. 36He Gave Thanks Before the Miracle
2. 37He Gave Thanks Surrounded by Betrayal
3. 38He Gave Thanks Knowing What the Bread and Wine Meant
4. 39Why Jesus Didn't Heal Everyone
5. 40He Didn't Just Take the High Ground, He Staged It

A closer look

Christmas20 posts

the surprise of God made small

Photos from the season of the Incarnation — the birth of Christ, the quiet of Bethlehem, the surprise of God made small.

1. 41Jesus didn't just calm a storm.
2. 42Why Jesus Let 5,000 Demons Drown 2,000 Pigs
3. 43When You Consume His Words, You Consume His Flesh
4. 44The Father Loves You as He Loves the Son
5. 45Jesus Received Worship in a Scandalous Way
6. 46When Jesus demanded repentance,
7. 47He Compared Himself to the Serpent
8. 48What He Brought with Him
9. 49Jesus is the God of the Third Way
10. 50Jesus Was Named Twice Before His Birth
11. 51A Dreamer Saved Jesus' Life
12. 52The Room Joseph Built Became Heaven's Pattern For You
13. 53The Burden Joseph Carried for Jesus
14. 54While Yet Unborn, John Announced the Arrival of Jesus
15. 55A Shepherd Tells What He Saw
16. 56The Star of Bethlehem Isn't What You Thought
17. 57The Baby's Cry Was God's First Breath
18. 58His Birth Proved God Is Safe
19. 59Jesus' First Temple Visit Ended a Watchman's Vigil
20. 60Nine Witnesses Who Established Christ's Identity

A closer look

Passover to Pentecost44 posts

the great fifty days, the story in order

Walk the great fifty days of Jesus — six chapters from the Upper Room through Pentecost.

• I · The Upper Room
• II · Gethsemane
• III · Christ on Trial
• IV · Words from the Cross
• V · Resurrection
• VI · Pentecost

1. 94Why Jesus Laid Aside His Robe of Honor
2. 95Why Did Jesus Choose Judas Iscariot
3. 96Jesus Made A Vow That Involves You
4. 97Jesus Replaced the Golden Rule with a Higher One
5. 98How Jesus Tries to Protect You from Yourself
6. 99God's Terrifying Grace-A Personal Story
7. 100THE FOUR BREATHS OF GOD
8. 101Why Jesus Taught Us To Pray To The Father
9. 102It Was Night
10. 103How the Father Lifts You
11. 104The Press in the Garden
12. 105The Wolf in the Garden
13. 106Why Jesus Called Judas "Friend"
14. 107Surrounded by an Invisible Army
15. 108What Happened Between the Garden and the Cross
16. 109The High Priest Condemned Our High Priest
17. 110The God of Six Chances
18. 111The Most Beautiful Word in Greek
19. 112Jesus' First Word From the Cross
20. 113Jesus Second Word From the Cross
21. 114Jesus' Third Word From The Cross
22. 115Jesus' Sixth Word From The Cross
23. 116Why Was the Stone Removed?
24. 117Who Stole the Body?
25. 118Why Jesus Appeared to Mary First
26. 119A Name Jesus Used for the First Time
27. 120Where to Find Jesus
28. 134The Day Jesus Handed Us the Mission
29. 135Jesus Opened Their Minds
30. 136When Jesus' Presence Isn't Enough
31. 137Why Wait for the Power
32. 138The First Miracle Was Unity
33. 139Healing the Wound Judas Left
34. 140The Exodus Within
35. 141God’s Hand Filled the Gloves
36. 142The Indwelling
37. 143The Sights and Sounds of Pentecost
38. 144The Day Fear Lost its Voice
39. 145One Thing the Holy Spirit Can’t Do
40. 146Suddenly Seeing—Slowly Understanding
41. 147The Secret of Jesus’ Power—and Ours
42. 148God Was in the Fire Not the Wind
43. 149The Day Jesus Recruited His Enemy
44. 150Jesus Asked Isaiah, “Whom Shall I Send?”

A closer look

Parables of Matthew 1310 posts

eight parables, four truths about the Kingdom

Eight parables, four truths about the Kingdom — the sower, the soils, the seed, the treasure.

1. 151The Mercy of Parables
2. 152The Sower
3. 153What Determines Your Spiritual Growth
4. 154The Soil of My Heart
5. 155Why God Doesn't Remove the Weeds Now
6. 156Celebrate Small Beginnings
7. 157Leaving the Old Life Behind
8. 158How to Let the Future In
9. 159Jesus-The Treasure Hunter
10. 160The Priceless Pearl

A closer look

The Beatitudes8 posts

blessed are the…

Each Beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount — blessed are the…

1. 163The Blessing of Poverty
2. 164The Comfort of God
3. 165Finders Losers, Losers Keepers
4. 166The Beatitudes
5. 167Beatitudes
6. 168How to See God
7. 169The Beatitudes
8. 170When Jesus Holds You Close

A closer look

Forgiveness2 posts

the mercy that sets us free

What Jesus taught about forgiveness — the mercy that sets us free.

1. 172The Beatitudes
2. 173What Suffering for Jesus Reveals About You

A closer look

How to Love10 posts

a new commandment · abiding · obeying the impossible

The new commandment · abide in His love · obeying the impossible.

1. 181How to Obey the Impossible Command
2. 182How to Love Like Jesus Loved
3. 183What Does It Mean to Remain?
4. 184How to Stand When Everything Around You Falls
5. 185How Often Should I Forgive Someone?
6. 186The Kind of Prayer God Answers
7. 187What It Means to Glorify God
8. 188How to Experience the Joy of Jesus
9. 189How to Be Jesus’ Friend
10. 190How to Receive Revelation from God

A closer look

Who Jesus Is190 posts

daily glimpses of His character

Daily glimpses of His character, humility, and voice.

1. 1Jesus Didn't Always Know Everything
2. 2Jesus Trusted the Father When He Didn't Know the Answer
3. 3Jesus Didn't Flip Power On and Off
4. 4He Heals Again When We Return
5. 5He Sees What We Ignore in Ourselves
6. 6He Honors Those Who Go Beyond Obedience
7. 7He Provides the Greater, Then Promises the Lesser
8. 8He Redirects Worry with Wonder
9. 9He Points to Birds to Reframe Your Faith
10. 10He Speaks to the Fear You Haven't Felt Yet
11. 11He Points to Birds to Reframe Your Faith
12. 12Jesus doesn't offer comfort first. He offers a simple truth that shifts our focus up and away.
13. 13He Pointed at Birds—Because Theology Needs Wings
14. 14He Doesn't Just Speak Truth. He Points at It.
15. 15He Is the God of the Gap
16. 16When We Consume His Words, We Consume His Flesh
17. 17He Walked Out of the Light and Into a Fight
18. 18He Took the High Ground
19. 19He Prayed to Lean In—Not to Be Seen
20. 20He Sees What We Ignore in Ourselves
21. 21He Points to Birds Because Truth Has Wings
22. 22The Father Spoke to Silence Every Other Voice
23. 23Jesus Honors Those Who Go Beyond Obedience
24. 24The Voice That Named Him Speaks Over You
25. 25Jesus Isn't Asking You to Move Faster. He's Asking You to Stay Longer.
26. 26Why Many Followers Walked Away
27. 27When You Welcome the Least, You Welcome the King
28. 28Jesus Invites the Rejected To Sit At His Table
29. 29Jesus Broke the Gates of Hell with More Than a Rebuke
30. 30Why Jesus Confused the Crowd on Purpose
31. 31Why the Father Spoke at the Transfiguration
32. 32He Offers an Alternative to Worry
33. 33He Is the God of the Gap
34. 34He Passed a Forgotten Test
35. 35You Can't See Jesus Through a Peephole
36. 36He Gave Thanks Before the Miracle
37. 37He Gave Thanks Surrounded by Betrayal
38. 38He Gave Thanks Knowing What the Bread and Wine Meant
39. 39Why Jesus Didn't Heal Everyone
40. 40He Didn't Just Take the High Ground, He Staged It
41. 41Jesus didn't just calm a storm.
42. 42Why Jesus Let 5,000 Demons Drown 2,000 Pigs
43. 43When You Consume His Words, You Consume His Flesh
44. 44The Father Loves You as He Loves the Son
45. 45Jesus Received Worship in a Scandalous Way
46. 46When Jesus demanded repentance,
47. 47He Compared Himself to the Serpent
48. 48What He Brought with Him
49. 49Jesus is the God of the Third Way
50. 50Jesus Was Named Twice Before His Birth
51. 51A Dreamer Saved Jesus' Life
52. 52The Room Joseph Built Became Heaven's Pattern For You
53. 53The Burden Joseph Carried for Jesus
54. 54While Yet Unborn, John Announced the Arrival of Jesus
55. 55A Shepherd Tells What He Saw
56. 56The Star of Bethlehem Isn't What You Thought
57. 57The Baby's Cry Was God's First Breath
58. 58His Birth Proved God Is Safe
59. 59Jesus' First Temple Visit Ended a Watchman's Vigil
60. 60Nine Witnesses Who Established Christ's Identity
61. 61Jesus Really Was a Refugee
62. 62The Fifth Most Important Question Jesus Asked
63. 63The Fourth Most Important Question Jesus Asked
64. 64The Third Most Important Question Jesus Asked
65. 65The Second Most Important Question Jesus Asked
66. 66The Most Important Question Jesus Asked
67. 67Why Jesus Waited for Lazarus to Die
68. 68Jesus May Be Delayed, but He's Never Late
69. 69Jesus' Unequivocal Claim to Be God
70. 70Jesus Claimed God's Name
71. 71A Jew Called Jesus God — And Jesus Didn't Correct Him
72. 72One Miracle Proved Jesus is God
73. 73Why Jesus Ate With Sinners
74. 74Why The Pharisees Resisted The Father's Love
75. 75Jesus Revealed Why The Father Loves The Unlovable
76. 76An Invisible Disciple Fostered Expectation
77. 77Jesus' First Invitation
78. 78Jesus Began His Ministry With a Bridge
79. 79Did Jesus Really Rebuke His Mother?
80. 80Why Did Jesus Seemed to Contradict Himself?
81. 81The Jesus Who Warms You Also Purifies You
82. 82Why Jesus Didn't Entrust Himself to People
83. 83Jesus Is The Paradigm Shift
84. 84He Leads Us Through What We Want to Go Around
85. 85The Woman at the Well Isn't Who You Thought
86. 86He Fills Net--Sized Obedience With Nets--Sized Blessing
87. 87Why Peter Fell to His Knees in a Boat
88. 88Jesus Touched a Lepers Skin and Reached His Soul
89. 89Jesus Sees the You Others Can't See
90. 90Jesus' First Encounter with a Demon
91. 91Jesus Understands When a Truth About You Is Weaponized
92. 92Jesus Restores the Ones You Love
93. 93Why His Disciples Couldn't Find Jesus
94. 94Why Jesus Laid Aside His Robe of Honor
95. 95Why Did Jesus Choose Judas Iscariot
96. 96Jesus Made A Vow That Involves You
97. 97Jesus Replaced the Golden Rule with a Higher One
98. 98How Jesus Tries to Protect You from Yourself
99. 99God's Terrifying Grace-A Personal Story
100. 100THE FOUR BREATHS OF GOD
101. 101Why Jesus Taught Us To Pray To The Father
102. 102It Was Night
103. 103How the Father Lifts You
104. 104The Press in the Garden
105. 105The Wolf in the Garden
106. 106Why Jesus Called Judas "Friend"
107. 107Surrounded by an Invisible Army
108. 108What Happened Between the Garden and the Cross
109. 109The High Priest Condemned Our High Priest
110. 110The God of Six Chances
111. 111The Most Beautiful Word in Greek
112. 112Jesus' First Word From the Cross
113. 113Jesus Second Word From the Cross
114. 114Jesus' Third Word From The Cross
115. 115Jesus' Sixth Word From The Cross
116. 116Why Was the Stone Removed?
117. 117Who Stole the Body?
118. 118Why Jesus Appeared to Mary First
119. 119A Name Jesus Used for the First Time
120. 120Where to Find Jesus
121. 121When Jesus Walks Through Locked Doors
122. 122When Your Theology Keeps You from Seeing the Truth
123. 123Jesus Turned Yesterday into Tomorrow
124. 124How Jesus Responds To Sincere Doubt
125. 125The Day Jesus Completed Earlier Stories
126. 126Jesus Final Four Miracles
127. 127The Question Jesus Asks a Broken Man
128. 128The Moment the Disciples Finally Saw Their Future
129. 129Two Verbs That Changed The World
130. 130Jesus Was Baptized Twice
131. 131We Are Excavators
132. 132The Hidden Meaning of Baptism
133. 133The Key to Making Disciples
134. 134The Day Jesus Handed Us the Mission
135. 135Jesus Opened Their Minds
136. 136When Jesus' Presence Isn't Enough
137. 137Why Wait for the Power
138. 138The First Miracle Was Unity
139. 139Healing the Wound Judas Left
140. 140The Exodus Within
141. 141God’s Hand Filled the Gloves
142. 142The Indwelling
143. 143The Sights and Sounds of Pentecost
144. 144The Day Fear Lost its Voice
145. 145One Thing the Holy Spirit Can’t Do
146. 146Suddenly Seeing—Slowly Understanding
147. 147The Secret of Jesus’ Power—and Ours
148. 148God Was in the Fire Not the Wind
149. 149The Day Jesus Recruited His Enemy
150. 150Jesus Asked Isaiah, “Whom Shall I Send?”
151. 151The Mercy of Parables
152. 152The Sower
153. 153What Determines Your Spiritual Growth
154. 154The Soil of My Heart
155. 155Why God Doesn't Remove the Weeds Now
156. 156Celebrate Small Beginnings
157. 157Leaving the Old Life Behind
158. 158How to Let the Future In
159. 159Jesus-The Treasure Hunter
160. 160The Priceless Pearl
161. 161The Great Separation
162. 162Giving Away Treasure
163. 163The Blessing of Poverty
164. 164The Comfort of God
165. 165Finders Losers, Losers Keepers
166. 166The Beatitudes
167. 167Beatitudes
168. 168How to See God
169. 169The Beatitudes
170. 170When Jesus Holds You Close
171. 171How to Find Joy in Suffering
172. 172The Beatitudes
173. 173What Suffering for Jesus Reveals About You
174. 174When Forgiveness Feels Impossible
175. 175The Meaning of Forgiveness
176. 176Forgiveness Flows from the Father Through Us
177. 177The Source of Forgiveness
178. 178What Is the True Vine?
179. 179When His Words Shape Your Desires
180. 180The Atmosphere of God’s Love
181. 181How to Obey the Impossible Command
182. 182How to Love Like Jesus Loved
183. 183What Does It Mean to Remain?
184. 184How to Stand When Everything Around You Falls
185. 185How Often Should I Forgive Someone?
186. 186The Kind of Prayer God Answers
187. 187What It Means to Glorify God
188. 188How to Experience the Joy of Jesus
189. 189How to Be Jesus’ Friend
190. 190How to Receive Revelation from God