Jesus predicted that his disciples would drink the cup he drank and be baptized with the baptism with which he was baptized. How? Sacramentally in baptism and communion.

In Eden, the serpent tempted Adam to eat the fruit of the tree; he ate it, and all were poisoned to death. In Gethsemane, the serpent tempted Jesus not to drink the cup of the cross; he drank it anyway, and the many were ransomed to life.

Merry Christmas! The Lord Jesus Christ invites us to come eat and drink at his table. We do not come to make an offering to Christ, but to receive a gift from Christ. We do not come to hold a memorial for a dead man, but to celebrate the life of the God-man.

"And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head." The question for us in this story is not, How can we be like that woman and give more? Rather, it is What does this story have to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The language used here is super-apocalyptic. It is strange to our ears, but not as hard to understand as some might think. It’s really just a matter of getting your bearings straight and your compass pointed the right direction. That means centering on Christ.

For super-religious folks (like the scribes) Jesus is a relentless prosecutor. But for cross-shaped folks (like the poor widow) Jesus is a compassionate defender.

Which commandment is first of all? Jesus answered him, “The first is: Hear Israel—the Lord is our God, the Lord only. And you shall love the Lord your God from you whole heart and from your whole soul and from your whole understanding and from your whole strength. The second: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” - Jesus

Our life circumstances seem to contradict the promise of resurrection. It’s enough to make us wonder if resurrection is even true and real? Maybe Sadducees are right. But if there is no resurrection, then what?

Give to Caesar whatever bears his image and inscription. Give to God whatever bears his image and inscription.

"The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone;this was the Lord’s doing,and it is marvelous in our eyes."