Every word you read here is crafted through prayer, study, and a relentless pursuit of truth in love. If you’ve found something here that stirred you—if a post made you wrestle, breathe, repent, or simply feel seen—would you consider supporting this work?
Jesus was born at a time when perhaps the most evil empire in history was in power. For His first few years of life on earth, His family was fleeing Judea and King Herod to keep Him alive.
After learning more about Roman culture during that period, I find it fascinating that Jesus chose to come at a time when criminal deaths were extremely brutal and Christianity would become a huge threat to Roman power--for Christians obeyed God above Ceasar. Perhaps the Roman Empire provided the greatest contrast for the Kingdom of God (ie. light vs dark, good vs evil).
The early church began at the height of Roman power and endured through horrific persecution. The fact that followers of Jesus were never wiped out completely is remarkable. Perhaps Jesus chose the path of most resistance because it would best reveal the enduring love and power of God. Even the most evil empire the world had ever seen was no match for Him.
Also, this came to me as I was praying...
The followers of Jesus needed to begin spreading the Gospel at such a time as this. Instead of sending a flood to destroy wickedness, which God promised to never do again, Jesus sent His followers, who were filled with the Holy Spirit, to transform the world. Jesus came to stir up a new kind of flood that would destroy evil and wickedness.
There's a growing trend out there among those who claim to be our brothers and sisters — Progressive Christianity, where definitions are being reframed and "interpretation" is becoming convoluted. Progressives will say that "Homosexuality" is a made up term; is this true? Let's dive in and find out!
Matthew 2 Devotional Reflection
Jesus was born at a time when perhaps the most evil empire in history was in power. For His first few years of life on earth, His family was fleeing Judea and King Herod to keep Him alive.
After learning more about Roman culture during that period, I find it fascinating that Jesus chose to come at a time when criminal deaths were extremely brutal and Christianity would become a huge threat to Roman power--for Christians obeyed God above Ceasar. Perhaps the Roman Empire provided the greatest contrast for the Kingdom of God (ie. light vs dark, good vs evil).
The early church began at the height of Roman power and endured through horrific persecution. The fact that followers of Jesus were never wiped out completely is remarkable. Perhaps Jesus chose the path of most resistance because it would best reveal the enduring love and power of God. Even the most evil empire the world had ever seen was no match for Him.
Also, this came to me as I was praying...
The followers of Jesus needed to begin spreading the Gospel at such a time as this. Instead of sending a flood to destroy wickedness, which God promised to never do again, Jesus sent His followers, who were filled with the Holy Spirit, to transform the world. Jesus came to stir up a new kind of flood that would destroy evil and wickedness.
Read Next
When Language Speaks: On Demons, Words, and the Reclamation of Identity
Did God Really Say?
There's a growing trend out there among those who claim to be our brothers and sisters — Progressive Christianity, where definitions are being reframed and "interpretation" is becoming convoluted. Progressives will say that "Homosexuality" is a made up term; is this true? Let's dive in and find out!
Rejection is Often Redirection
This was originally a post for facebook regarding disagreeing with a public exhortation of a church I used to be a part of growing up.
The Goodness of God