Someone who isn’t intimidated by the authorities (unlike his parents, who realise they close the accounts of people expressing the wrong opinions!) speaks without the expected deference! He’s dismissed as an ignorant bigot!
“One thing I do know, I was blind
but now I see”. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of it testimony. Collect & remember testimonies of what the Lord has done FOR ME.
Feeding 5k+. Helps to visualise the numbers – somewhere between 5+ secondary schools and Wimbledon centre court. Time taken and logistics. Feeding the hungry requires raw materials (just the bare minimum), faith, organisation & Jesus!
Eternity v mortality. Get a proper perspective. (v23-27)
The T&Cs from Jesus’ recruitment & human resources manual! The interview is tough, the costs are high, the equipment non-existent, but the job satisfaction is huge (v17)!
“Eat & drink whatever is offered to you” x2
Jesus’ joy at seeing His “deplorables” succeed in the face of the elites & the establishment
Jesus’ female entourage – including those in high places
The rationale of parables: they require work & investment. (Is this why the ‘good news for the poor’ is so often ineffectual amongst our poor? They are no longer used to the value that comes from work? = seed on the path)
