Discipling Life

In Matthew 27:15-23 , we see a strange and unsettling custom. To celebrate the festival, the governor would release one prisoner chosen by the crowd. Pilate gives them a choice that seems obvious on the surface. On one hand, there is Jesus Barabbas , a “notorious prisoner.” On the other, there is Jesus, the one called the Messiah , who had spent his days healing the sick and preaching about the kingdom of God. Now, let me make a note about the names. Barabbas (or Bar Abbas ) means son of the father. So, on the one hand you have Jesus, son of the father, and on the other hand you have Jesus, Son of the Father.  So, which ‘hand’ do you choose? Which Jesus do you choose? It is a heartbreaking moment. The crowd, stirred up by leaders who felt threatened by love and mercy, chose the way of violence over the way of peace. They shouted for Barabbas to be set free and for Jesus to be crucified.  This act represents a rejection of Jesus’s peaceful message in favor of a figure w...

If you have been reading my posts each day this week, you have been traveling with me as we moved from the Transfiguration through Ash Wednesday to the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. In reviewing the lessons , I am struck by how our story moves from the lush abundance of a garden to the stark testing of the wilderness. The experience of Jesus in the wilderness begins the way back from the fracture that began when we first reached for what was not ours. In the Garden of Eden, God provided a paradise of abundance, setting a single boundary not as a restriction, but as a loving safeguard defining the space for trust and holy obedience. The tragedy of the Fall began when the serpent twisted this truth, casting doubt on God's character and suggesting that his boundaries were meant to keep us small. When we chose self-sovereignty over trust, our innocence was replaced by a stinging weight of shame. We have been sewing "fig leaves" of self-justification ever since, tryi...

What does Lent mean to you? Is it simply a time to make a sacrifice that provides a minor inconvenience? Give up chocolate or some other treat? For some, Lent may be a time to take back up one of those New Year’s resolutions that has already fallen by the wayside. But to be honest, I would often spend too much time thinking about what I was giving up rather than focusing on why I was giving it up. A couple of times in past years I gave up meat for Lent. Truth be told, that was more effective than giving up a treat like chocolate. Giving up meat required more of me. I did tend to be more reflective on my choice of deprivation. Now, that has been my experience. As it is often said: “Your mileage may vary.” During my Ash Wednesday sermon this week I suggested giving up certain types of behaviors. Harmful behavior. Behaviors that do not reflect the values of Christ. This week we have looked at the texts for the First Sunday of Lent: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5:12-19, a...

As we approach the first Sunday of Lent, we turn to this Sunday’s Gospel lesson: the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles we face in our own lives. Matthew 4:1-11 describes how, after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. As this story unfolds, we see the character of the Christ who is God’s chosen to announce the Kingdom of Heaven. Reflecting on Jesus’ experience may provide insights into our own faith journey. The Wilderness Experience The wilderness is often portrayed in Scripture as a place of testing and transformation. It is also associated with the number 40 [ read more here ]. In Matthew 4:1, we read, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” This leading by the Spirit underscores the necessity of finding that quiet time for reflection in our lives, especially during Lent. It is in the quiet, and often uncomfortable, places...

This was one of those weeks when the lectionary texts are incredibly full of possibilities. We could look toward Isaiah’s call for us to be a light to the nations or follow the invitation of Jesus to “come and see.” But my heart has been especially moved by John the Baptist’s profound declaration: “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It feels like a text that belongs to Holy Week. It reminds us that from the very beginning Jesus is focused on his mission. Behold the Lamb of God that Takes Away the Sin of the World Author:   Alan Swartz Churches:   Ebenezer UMC and Black Creek UMC Date:   January 18, 2026 (The Second Sunday after the Epiphany) Scripture References:   Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Introduction: The Abundance of the Word The lectionary texts for this Sunday presented a unique challenge for me. There are some weeks when I look at the lectionary texts and pray, “Lord, what in the world do you want...

Here we are amid our celebration of the 12 days of Christmas, but not all is peaches and cream. Today’s texts present the dark side of the Incarnation. December 28, 2025 – EUMC & BCUMC – Christmas 1, Year A Today's Scriptures:  Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 1. Introduction: Lingering in the Glow On the first Sunday after Christmas, we find ourselves in a peculiar space between celebration and memory. The decorations are still up, the last of the cookies are being eaten, and the melodies of familiar carols still echo in our minds. We want to linger in that warm glow—the candlelight services, the children’s pageant with shepherds in bathrobes, the joy of “Silent Night,” and the comforting hum of the season. Many of us have deep-rooted memories of this time. Perhaps you recall a childhood ritual of venturing into the woods with your father to find and cut down the perfect tree. Today, the process may be simpler, but the act of setting up and decorating the tree r...