When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. I have on several occasions alluded to the movement that occurs in this scene. Not plot movement, mind you, or the metaphorical movement or...
Lent 5 B – Spiritual But Not Religious
posted by DJL
Dear Partner in Preaching, If there was ever a text for the “spiritual but not religious” crowd, this may be it. Before jumping into John, however, perhaps a word or two on SBNR is in order. In general, we use this term rather broadly to indicate variously those who no longer affiliate with religion, the “nones” who seem open to spirituality defined broadly, and those who actually checked the SBNR box on a survey. Which means that SNBR can mean almost anything, and at times seems to encompass a little bit of everything. So here’s how I think of it: SBNR denotes those folks who are indeed open to a sense of mystery, curious about...
John 19:10-11a
posted by DJL
Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above. I’d like to tarry for just a moment longer on...
A Limited Palette
posted by DJL
I want to say up front that I love my life. That is, I feel tremendously grateful for the work I’ve been given to do, for the people surrounding me, for the family and friends who are regularly such a blessing. I give thanks for all of this everyday. And yet… And yet there are moments...
John 19:8-12
posted by DJL
Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to...