Jesus is radically different from the religious leaders of his day. He does not spend his time with those who view themselves as righteous or religious—he calls sinners to follow him. Jesus is not trying to update or tweak traditional Judaism—what he brings is radically different.

Jesus heals the paralytic, but he makes it clear that this physical healing is designed to prove his power to perform a greater healing—the healing of our hearts through the forgiveness of sin.

Jesus heals the paralytic, but he makes it clear that this physical healing is designed to prove his power to perform a greater healing—the healing of our hearts through the forgiveness of sin.

Jesus confronts the demons living inside two tomb-dwellers, and he sends them to destruction in a herd of pigs. The demons know who Jesus is and are frightened, but the people who witness his power foolishly want nothing to do with him. Would we have reacted differently?

Jesus confronts the demons living inside two tomb-dwellers, and he sends them to destruction in a herd of pigs. The demons know who Jesus is and are frightened, but the people who witness his power foolishly want nothing to do with him. Would we have reacted differently?

As Jesus brings in God’s Kingdom, he calls people to follow him. This will be costly, and it won’t be comfortable. But Jesus calls us to bear the cost and to trust him.

As Jesus brings in God’s Kingdom, he calls people to follow him. This will be costly, and it won’t be comfortable. But Jesus calls us to bear the cost and to trust him.

Jesus comes to show the power of the Kingdom as he defeats disease and casts out demons. And the faith of the Roman centurion shows up the Israelites—and reminds us that true faith, not heredity nor simple familiarity with the things of God, is ultimately what brings salvation.

Jesus comes to show the power of the Kingdom as he defeats disease and casts out demons. And the faith of the Roman centurion shows up the Israelites—and reminds us that true faith, not heredity nor simple familiarity with the things of God, is ultimately what brings salvation.

The psalmist who wrote Psalm 42 is far from home—he feels far from the people and the Lord he loves—and he is facing opposition in a hostile land. He is homesick in every way—socially, geographically, spiritually. If we have our sights set on our heavenly home—if we are longing for the day when we will see the Lord face-to-face—if we are a people who know the pressures of this world and the opposition of the Lord’s enemies—each one of us will know a feeling of spiritual homesickness—a longing for heaven.