Head of the Church

When Father Christmas entered Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, he brought gifts. For Peter, there was a sword and a shield emblazoned with a red lion. For Susan, there was a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a magical horn. For Lucy, there was a small dagger and a bottle o…

Our Great High Priest

In Tell It Slant, Eugene Peterson advised reading Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” in John 17 with a calm and attentive heart: “Jesus is no longer talking to us. Jesus is talking to the Father. Jesus is praying. He prays a long time. This is holy ground. We find ourselves embraced in a holy listening.…

Our Advocate

Perry Mason was the title character in a popular series of novels, radio programs, and finally a television series set in Los Angeles starring Raymond Burr. The fictional lawyer specialized in advocating for the innocent, mostly people who had been wrongly accused of murder. Perry Mason epitomized …

The Model for Servanthood

How soon we forget the lessons we are taught! During the Last Supper, Jesus’ disciples argued about which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24–27). Like many, they anticipated a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman rule and establish a kingdom, and they wanted powerful positions. They each co…

The Good Shepherd

In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller describes the peril of a “cast sheep,” that is, a sheep that’s fallen flat on its back and cannot get back up on its own. In this position, it’s an easy target for predators such as buzzards and wolves. And, if not rescued within a short time…

Master Teacher

Dr. Rosalie de Rosset has served for decades as a Communications professor at Moody Bible Institute. She specializes in teaching literature and in mentoring. “I love my students,” she says. “I love talking to them about their lives, their struggles, and the way Jesus meets them…God is good. His gra…

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Musicians Stuart Townend and Keith Getty wrote the powerful worship song, “In Christ Alone.” The final verse proclaims: “No guilt in life, no fear in death / This is the power of Christ in me. / From life’s first cry to final breath, / Jesus commands my destiny. / No power of hell, no scheme of man…

The Living Stone

Pondering today’s reading, musician Michael Card wrote the song “Living Stones”: “See, in Zion He is known / As a chosen precious cornerstone / And the ones who come to trust in Him / Will never know the shame / That He bore on that cross when it seems / That all was lost. / He is the Stone that ma…

The Bread of Life

The Sugarfire Smoke House in St. Louis claimed first prize at the Sandwich World Championship. Chef David Molina won the award for his “Cuban Reuben,” which included smoked ham, pulled pork, pastrami, mustard, Swiss cheese, and pickles, all placed between two sourdough grilled cheese sandwiches, wh…

Light of the World

Philosopher J. P. Moreland described how Disneyland in California has an entire work crew assigned to do nothing but light bulbs. They keep a record of the park’s thousands of light bulbs, and replace them when they reach 80 percent life expectancy. Are they successful? Never once has he seen a bur…