Jesus had an affinity for folks that others looked down on or past. He paid attention to the folks on the edges of society, ate with folks nobody else would have anything to do with, and encouraged his disciples to take care of those who had less than they did. How well do we do with this concept personally, or as the church, or as Christians in general, or as a nation?

Jesus had an affinity for folks that others looked down on or past. He paid attention to the folks on the edges of society, ate with folks nobody else would have anything to do with, and encouraged his disciples to take care of those who had less than they did. How well do we do with this concept personally, or as the church, or as Christians in general, or as a nation?

Jesus healed many folks: spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally. As folks were healed, they were given a new start or lease on life, and an invitation to follow him. Do we allow for Jesus to have access to our heart, mind, and soul to be healed? Are we willing to be a stretcher-bearer to another? What would we do with a new lease on life?

For us, baptism is about the cleansing of sins by God's grace and desiring to be a part of God's family. Why did Christ choose to be baptized if these two benefits were already present? In the 40 days of temptation following Christ's baptism, Jesus wrestled with Satan against fame, power, and hunger. Why did he willingly put himself in the position to encounter temptation, and what does that mean for us today?

Through the transformative work of Christ in our lives, we are not only called, but desire to extend the invitation to others. This Kingdom is available to everyone, although it is a decision for each individual to choose for his or herself.

Through the transformative work of Christ in our lives, we are not only called, but desire to extend the invitation to others. This Kingdom is available to everyone, although it is a decision for each individual to choose for his or herself.

When Zaccheus accepted Jesus' invitation, he made a signifant course correction in his life.His new relationship with Jesus changed him from the inside out. How has your life been transformed by Christ? What is the next step in your relationship with Christ?

Which of these two phrases describes your life: sitting beside the road or following Jesus on the road? Which one do you want to represent your life? Taking steps on our journey with God enriches our life. Sometimes, it can be hard to know which step to take first and when. May we be encouraged as we discover ways to participate in our faith.

One of the most counted on, but misleading senses we have is our eyesight. We often say, "I'll believe it when I see it," and yet "faith is...the conviction of things we cannot see." We often approach others or believe things about them based on the things we think we see, but to really see someone the way Jesus did is to see them with your heart. Sometimes we are limited by the lens we look at life through.

Christ challenges us to recognize the gap between the Kingdom of God and the injustice/inequality that surrounds people of color. Only when we acknowledge our brother and sisters’ experiences can we begin to seek healing.