A lot of people don’t want to be in a church because?
Because the church is full of?
Hypocrites.
Churches are filled with hypocrites. (more…)
Author: the Josh Benner Blog
-
JFK at 100
John F. Kennedy was the Steve McQueen of presidents. His family were the reality stars before the Kardashians.
He would have turned 100 years old today. But he’s forever frozen in time as the vibrant, handsome president of the early 60s.
Ever since I was a kid, the presidency has fascinated me and JFK has been part of that fasciation. He’s often considered to be one of our ten best presidents. He continues to have one of the highest favorability ratings among former presidents. Kennedy biographer Robert Dallek (more…)
-
Jesus and the Last Supper: more than just a meal
As part of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday is recognized this evening. It was the night in which Jesus ate the Last Supper with his disciples. The time in which Jesus died corresponded with the Jewish holiday of Passover. And the Last Supper was the first night of Passover. An annual dinner for Passover is held, called a Seder, which is the Hebrew word for “order.” In 3,500 years, rabbinical tradition and teaching helped to form the ceremony of the Seder.
Some of these pieces were traced back to the original Passover. Others came in Jewish history from rabbinical traditions. (more…)
-
Sunday to Friday: Save us! To Crucify!
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons – Ben Stassen Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey. It’s a festive scene. Passover week, one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish calendar. Jesus has been preaching throughout the region of Galilee. He has built up quite the following: teaching on the kingdom of heaven and performing miracles.
And here he enters the holy city, the crowds shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9). Palm branches had become a Jewish symbol of victory and the crowds bring these branches out as they chant. The processional they created was somewhat makeshift, but it had kingly overtones. They’re treating him like someone who was returning to Jerusalem after having conquered an enemy. Ironically, he was coming into Jerusalem to conquer sin. (more…)
-
Murders, mobs, dictators and the gospel
(originally posted March 7, 2016)
In the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was before the ruling Jewish council, he made a reference to his divine status. To the ruling council, this was taken as blasphemy. Within Rome, they didn’t have the authority to execute Jesus for his action, so they took him to Pontius Pilate, who was the governor of Judea
Pilate questions Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. (Matthew 27:11-14). (more…)
