When Jesus taught his followers how to pray, he included how essential forgiveness is. If you withhold forgiveness of another, you do not experience the forgiveness of the Father. What does this mean? What order does this happen in? How can we experience true forgiveness in a way where we both receive and give it?

This week we had a guest speaker, Jerome Parker, one of the pastors of First Christian Church in Phoenix. Jerome took us through the passage of Matthew 19:16-30, where Jesus confronts the identity, possessions, and power that keep us from following him.

Jesus didn’t market to people or invite them in with empty promises, good vibes, and exciting experiences. In fact, when people said they wanted to follow him he responded with how difficult it would be. And when he displayed his power and authority, people wanted even less to do with him. And yet, if they were willing to lay down their control and comforts in life, they found that Jesus’ power and authority brought the wholeness of life they had truly been searching for.

Jesus not only called people to follow him as disciples, but he also sent them out to bring good news to others. This was a group of people who would otherwise not have much to do with one another, if it weren’t for Jesus. It was also a group of people who would otherwise not have much authority or presence in the places they went. But with Jesus, they were formed into a community and sent with the power and authority of Jesus, for the sake of others.

Jesus called out to a couple fishermen to drop their nets and follow him. Their nets were their livelihood. Their security. Their way of life. Are we willing to drop our nets and follow after Jesus into every area of life he may be calling us?

For Easter Sunday 2024 we gathered together with two other congregations to share in the joy and celebration of the newness of life, only because of the resurrection of Jesus. The tomb is empty. He is risen. He is risen indeed.

What is your life built upon? What is at the foundation of all you do and how you view the world? Can it withstand the storms and waves that life will inevitably throw at it?

Jesus offers an invitation to come and build your life on a solid foundation that can weather any storm.

You've got something in your eye.

Pointing the finger at another's fault or shortcoming comes naturally to us. It was the first response of the first man and woman when God approached them in the garden after their rebellion. 'It was the woman'. 'No, it was the serpent'. Jesus has some wisdom for us when it comes to pointing fingers.

You’ve heard the phrase “Love your neighbor”, but was Jesus really serious when he said we are to love our enemies? This countercultural and counterintuitive way of Jesus is not only exemplified in his life and death, but it is also an expectation on those who would call themselves his followers. But how can we do this?

Each week over the next two months we’ll journey through one of the beatitudes in Matthew 5. Take time to move slowly through the rhythms of reflection.

Read. Listen. Reflect.

This week we focus on Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful…”

Find the full guide here: missiodeicommunities.com/beatitudes