Why did Jesus experience suffering, rejection and murder?

This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder Mark 8:31-38. In these verses, we read that Jesus taught his disciples he would soon suffer, be rejected, and be killed; and be raised up from the dead. And that the same things would happen to them. Two thoughts which Christians have treasured over the centuries come …

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Beautiful on the outside, but rotting on the inside

This Sunday the lectionary invites us to consider two passages. They are verses 1-6 and 16-21 in chapter 6 of Matthew. The passages sandwich the prayer which we call “The Lord’s Prayer.” Matthew uses the sandwich technique to emphasize the reason Jesus taught the model prayer. He does this by using the word “hypocrite” in …

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