Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Christy and Cara with Davide and Tanya in Rome --  back in the day! Scripture: Rom. 1:1   Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,  Observation: Verses 1-7 are one long sentence in Greek. It would be natural to look at that whole sentence, but Paul packed so much into it that just the first verse makes one stop and think. First of all, the early church fathers got hung up on the fact that he is “Paul.” There is something in the declaration that he is “Paul” that reinforces his claim that he has been “called” and also “set apart.” He is not the same man that he used to be. Paul is no longer Saul because of his encounter with Jesus Christ, and that is the pivotal and transformational moment in his life.  Paul is a “servant” of Jesus Christ, and this word is troublesome in ways. This word can be translated “servant” or “slave.” Taken within our current context these terms may feel heavy or negative. That ...

  Twenty years ago in Rome.  Romans. I've decided that I'm going to take the plunge and a deep dive into this Epistle. I've spent the last year and a half in Luke, which has really been life-changing. The lessons on discipleship and the importance of that life of discipleship have had a deep impact on me. Slowing down to read the scripture in more depth has led me to a greater understanding so now, I embark upon Romans.  In my studies I use a number of commentaries, but I always begin with the "New Beacon Bible Commentary" (NBBC) from the Foundry. Why? Because I love the Wesleyan/Holiness perspective that is provided. It's a very balanced approach to the reading of God's word and is accessible to all. I also use a few other tools. Since I'm a Mac user, I like to use the "Accordance" Bible software. I've had Logos in the past but I have to confess -- it uses up too much energy and space, and I prefer Accordance. I've used it for years....

Wesley and Calvin looking down upon the reading room of the Rylands library. Could they be theological brothers, blessing a new generation of Christ-followers? Scripture: Luke 24:50   Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Observation: This is Luke’s conclusion to his gospel message, and it includes blessing upon blessing. In the final portion of the gospel “as Jesus departs he bequeaths four things: a new understanding of the word of God, a commission to preach repentance and forgiveness in his name to all the nations, a practice of table fellowship, and the promise of power from on high” (Neale, NBBC). From this, he goes on to bless his followers.  It is while he is in the act of blessing his entire group...

My dad would have been 95  this week. What a good dad -- and our Heavenly Father is even better! Holding onto that  promise. Scripture: Luke 24:44   Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah a is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, a beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Observation: The ending to Luke’s gospel really just prepares the way to be woven into his next book, the Acts of the Apostles. He paves the way...

Scripture: Luke 24:36   While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” a   37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. a   41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. Observation: The disciples were comparing notes of their experiences with Christ when suddenly he showed up. They literally thought they were seeing a ghost, and had a hard time believing that he was real. The physical resurrection of Christ, not ...

Table fellowship with some of the best ladies I know!  WHWC leadership -- a few years back.  Scripture: 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. a   18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, a who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. a Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that t...

Scripture: Luke 24:13   Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  Observation: The two individuals in this scene may have been members of the seventy who had been sent out. They were making their way to Emmaus, and something happened on that journey. It all began as they were “talking with each other about all these things that had happened.” The word for this conversation used here is the Greek word, “homilein” and only Luke uses it, both in his gospel and in the Acts. We get our English word “homiletics” from this term. Neale tells us, “ For the first time in the Gospel story we have disciples who are not just astonished, confused, and disbelieving. Now they are thinking individuals who e...