It took more than an empty grave to help Jesus' first followers to believe he was alive after he died on the cross. No one was convinced that the open grave was good news. Jesus had to go out looking for the disciples, and everyone needed different things to help them trust. Isn't that the same as us? No one found Jesus; he found them. The same is true today. Matthew 28

Good Friday Jesus’ Death and Mine. 

(The Sign of Jonah)

Jesus was never hesitant about discussing his death. The disciples thought it would be disastrous if Jesus died, but God had another plan. The only way to get to life is through death. It's the same in our lives—Jesus models what happens in death. We have to learn how to release it before we can receive it. Matthew 12:38-42

One of Jesus' closest friends, Mary, never let the disapproval of others hold her back. She moved ahead despite people's misunderstandings and criticism. Mary didn't feel the need to defend herself. She was too busy doing what she knew she should be doing. We can learn a lesson here when tempted to protect ourselves or our actions. Text John 12:1-11

Jesus spends a lot of time correcting our view of God. Our default understanding of God is incomplete and often just out and out wrong. In the Parable of the Lost Son, Jesus gives us a new way to think about God. Luke 15

Jesus never sugar-coated truth. People, from the beginning, have asked why bad things happen to good people. That's the wrong question, Jesus teaches. You are looking at suffering wrongly; as usual, Jesus takes us in an entirely different direction. 

Temptation isn't always about doing something you know you shouldn't do. It's more likely to be tempted not to do what I know I should. Jesus faces a test to not move ahead in today's text. He shows us how to move ahead despite obstacles. Lukes 13:31-35

Testing will happen to us all. Living in this world is challenging enough, and then something happens, and it tips us over. It's just too much. How will we navigate times of testing? Jesus shows us the way when he is tempted in the desert. Luke 3 

How do we know God's voice from all the other chattering voices within us and around us? Lessons today from Jesus' students who have a lot of trouble listening to what Jesus is saying. Luke 9:28-36 Pod 118

Call them enemies, antagonists, bullies, or opposers. You can't avoid them. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching about relationships and conflict. "Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you" sounded as unrealistic to the first listeners as it does to us. Luke 6

The temptation with any loss is to try and get over it quickly to get on with life. Jesus teaches that grief and sadness are a part of living and should not be avoided. Since we cannot prevent mourning, take your time and don't minimize your sadness. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn.