The Background of the Magi The magi were powerful Gentile ATROLOGERS. They served foreign KINGS (probably PERSIAN) They served a foreign GODS (probably ZOROASTRIAN) Their goal was to PREDICT and INFLUENCE the future. When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the…

Joseph’s Journey Joseph was a SON (& HEIR) of David. Joseph was PASSIONATE about the LIBERATION of Israel. Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Because Joseph her husband was…

Mary’s Journey: Mary was a POOR, ANONYMOUS teen-aged girl. God sent Gabriel to announce that Mary had a PRIVILEGED CALLING in his plan. Mary’s Calling: Give birth to the Messiah—OUT OF WEDLOCK. Travel to Bethlehem—at 9 MONTHS PREGNANT. Deliver the baby in someone else’s LIVING ROOM. Try to PARENT the…

Zechariah’s Journey Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. Zechariah was a RIGHTEOUS…

Dinner in Jerusalem They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. The disciples doubted that Jesus had really been RESURRECTED. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish,…

The Encounter at Emmaus The two disciples met JESUS on the road, but they couldn’t RECOGNIZE him. but they were kept from recognizing him. but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. They didn’t RECOGNIZE Jesus…

The Last Supper Jesus had spent his ministry using his presence at meals to TRANSFORM people. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it…

The Ruler and the Tax Collector You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was…

Decoding the Parables Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus is speaking to a mixed audience of PHARISEES and SINNERS. Jesus is responding to the Pharisees’…

Who gets a place at the Table? The Pharisees prioritized RULE-KEEPING over COMPASSION . Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. The Pharisees were consumed…