Paul and Silas in Jail Devotions for Acts 16:16-34 Monday–Paul and Silas in Jail “’These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation’” (Acts 16:17). In the gospels, few people realized who Jesus truly was. The demons knew who Jesus was, though, and they frequently blurted […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
How to Fight Like Jesus
Fight Like Jesus: How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week, Jason Porterfield (Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 2020.) We live in a cracked and chipped world. At times, it seems like it is becoming more broken, rather than being glued back together. Hate crimes are increasing. Racism, though denied, is rampant. Gun violence is growing. Depression […]
Acts 9:1-19, Paul’s Conversion
Bertholet Flemalle, Conversion de saint Paul sur le chemin de Damas Paul’s Conversion Acts 9:1-19 Monday–Paul’s Conversion “Still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). Kyle was not a happy camper. His parents had dressed him in a funny looking white outfit and brought him to church. In the middle […]
John 20:1-18–The Passion of Jesus Christ
The Passion of Jesus Christ Holy Week (Instead of focusing on Easter’s lesson of the day through Holy Week, I have chosen to reflect on what Jesus said and did each day of Holy Week. Many of my thoughts are drawn from Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s book, The Last Week.) Monday–The Passion of […]
John 19:16b-22, Jesus King of the Jews
Jesus King of the Jews Devotions on John 19:16b-22 Monday–Jesus King of the Jews “So they took Jesus” (John 19:16b) Pushing and shoving, the Jewish authorities and the crowd force Jesus to walk what we now call the Via De La Rosa. Foolishly they convince themselves that they have taken an itinerant preacher from […]
John 19:1-16a, Jesus Before Pilate
Jesus Before Pilate Devotions on John 19:1-16a Monday–Jesus Before Pilate “They kept coming to him saying “Hail, King of the Jews” (John 19:3)! Cindy Dawson, was raised in a conservative Christian family. She took her faith seriously, at an early age. This meant that she didn’t drink or take drugs at any of the […]
John 18:28-40, Jesus Before Pilate
Jesus Before Pilate Devotions on John 18:28-40 Monday–Jesus Before Pilate “They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement” (John 18:28). In the middle of the drama of that first Holy Week, the Jewish leaders demonstrated a natural human inclination. They attempted to keep themselves “holy” by keeping themselves separate. […]
Political Spirituality
Looking at the End or the Beginning? Political Spirituality in an Age of Eco-Apocalypse: Communication and Struggle across Species, Cultures and Religions, James W. Perkinson (Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2015). I have only read bits and pieces of the 1619 Project. I am amazed, however, at how it changed my perception and understanding of American […]
Devotions on John 18:12-27–Peter Denies Jesus
Peter Denies Jesus John 18:12-27 Monday–Peter Denies Jesus “Caiaphas, was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people” (John 18:14) Caiaphas was correct. It was better for one person to die for the people. His intention was that Jesus would die so that […]
John 13:1-17, Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet
Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet Devotions on John 13:1-17 Monday–Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet8– “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). It is easy to imagine the three years Jesus and his disciples spent together as the equivalent of a good old boy fishing trip […]