Orphan-Maker or Advocate by Herb Montgomery
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate. — Jesus (John 14.16) I find it interesting that within John’s version of the Jesus story, the word here used for the One who will be given…
Rejected Rejection by Herb Montgomery
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” (Matthew 21.42) First, I want to say…
A Woman, a Ruler and Two Centers
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and to not get discouraged. (Luke 18.1) This week we are looking at the parable referred to by many as the parable of the unjust ruler and the…
Jesus, ISIS and The West by Herb Montgomery
For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.—Jesus (Matthew 26.28) What did Jesus mean when he told his disciples that his blood was being poured out for the forgiveness…
The Footsteps of the Prophets by Herb Montgomery
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”—Jesus (Matthew 5.11) Luke’s version is even more pointed: “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they…
God of the Oppressors Vs. God of the Oppressed and the Sermon on the Mount by Herb Montgomery
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom…
The Non-normative Jesus
His disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is…
The Demoniac, the Crowd and the way of Mercy rather than Sacrifice.
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” (Mark 5:9) I must confess that this is one of the most bizarre and difficult sections of the four Jesus narratives. In…
Part 3 of 3 – Jesus and the Living Water
Jesus and the Living Water Part 3 of 3 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” (John 4:16) Stop, and consider. A woman comes for water every day in the middle of the day, instead of…
Part 2 of 3 – Jesus and Women
“Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman” (John 4.27). Last week we looked at Jesus and the “Us vs. Them” paradigm of the Jews and the Samaritans. This week, I’d like to…