Moving to WordPress

Please follow me over to http://nineyearbible.wordpress.com/

It's the same blog, just on a different host.

Parable of the Lost Coin: Luke 15:8-10

Have you ever reached into your pocket and found cash you weren't expecting?

The most I ever found was a $20 bill in a winter coat. It had been in there since the previous winter. I was so excited!

Jesus teaches, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (v. 10).

The Lost Sheep: Luke 15:3-7

"[T]here will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7b, NIV).

Jesus simply destroys the thought that I might be able to do enough good things and avoid sin completely enough to get right with God.

Mutterers: Luke 15:1-2

Do you hang with people that make other folks mutter about your taste in friends and acquaintances?

Great! So did Jesus.

Luke 15

I could probably spend the rest of my life reflecting upon Luke 15 and not get it completely.

The Danger of Self-Righteousness

I'm a big fan of the daily Bible discussion Discover the Word.

For the last several weeks, Haddon and Alice and Mart have been discussing the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

One thing that they observed is that Christians love the first part of the story, where the younger son returns to the love of the father.

But many people, particularly the devout, have a hard time reflecting upon the older son's sins.

This contemporary discomfort with Jesus' story is closely related to His strong condemnation of self-righteous religious leaders of the day.

What a Relief!

At least, in verse 12, we read that God gives Jesus the props he deserves for his selfless sacrifice.

Glad that Jesus did this for the "many."