Reflections Blog
He ascended into Heaven.
Ascension 2022.
He ascended into Heaven. Today we stand on the Mount of Olives. Hundreds of people had seen Jesus alive. Then, He gathered His disciples together here, and as He ascended into Heaven resuming His place within eternal majesty, He sends them on mission into the world to bear witness of all He said and did – He sent them to proclaim the good news of great joy to all people but it would not be easy.
From Olivet that truth has radiated out transforming individuals, families, communities and countries.
He is not here.
The Empty Tomb 2022
Today we stand outside a tomb. The commotion has passed. The tomb is indeed empty. We again peer into this vault that was once sealed by sin and death. He is not here. Neither death nor sin nor this tomb could constrain Him. Darkness could not overcome His Light. Death has lost its sting for all who, faced with the irrefutable fact that He is not here, now believe.
Can you imagine? He is risen. The implications are immense and the repercussions echo through eternity.
Who are you looking for?
Resurrection Sunday (Easter) 2022.
Today we are meditating on a controversial, yet factual event — the physical, biological bodily resurrection of Jesus. Like so much else today, doubts and questions have produced theories disguised as explanations that in fact muddy the waters, obscuring the Truth of the Gospel: Jesus Christ is risen - He is risen indeed!
Today we contemplate the question Jesus asks: “Why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
If You are who claim to be, prove it.
Good Friday 2022.
Today we stand at a distance - there are three crosses and three men dying. The man in the center is ridiculed and challenged. “IF You are who You claim to be, prove it.” It is in dying this Man’s character is revealed and His claims proven. In this death God reveals His Love. A death that man intended for evil, God uses for good on that Friday so long ago.
Do you still not know Me?
Maundy (Holy) Thursday
Today we're invited into the upper room for the last supper and we hear Jesus ask, “Do you still not know me?” We watch and listen as He takes the images of Exodus and covenant to lead us forward to new life. He offers us a new covenant; a covenant of Love in a Kingdom founded on Love given to all who know Him.
Who is this? … and why is He weeping?
Palm Sunday.
Today we're watching as a Man on a donkey approaches Jerusalem. He's surrounded by a singing crowd, and the city is in turmoil - the question on every tongue that day is the question many have asked across the ages: who is this? As He approaches He's weeping. But why is He weeping? These are the questions OnMission is exploring today.
Why was Jesus there?
Jesus’ Baptism 2022
Today we're looking at Jesus’ baptism. Why does Jesus approach John, and wade into the waters for baptism? Since Jesus is without sin, what lesson is revealed as He submits to receiving this baptism of repentance? As we follow Jesus down into the waters of the Jordan River we ask, why was Jesus there?
What aren’t we seeing?
Epiphany 2022
Today we're reflecting on the story of the magi who visited Jesus in Bethlehem...What motivated them to journey to seek this newborn king and to “worship” Him? Our prayer today is that this story would lead us to examine our own motives for seeking Jesus and reveal true hearts for worship.
The ornaments and images of Christmas
The Martyrdom of Stephen 2021
It might disturb us that brutal stories with images of hate and violence are traditionally told so close upon the heels of the Christmas story. It is shocking that violence so quickly breaks in upon the peaceful worship and contemplation of the Christ child. But we must never forget, the image of the Cross is never far from the cradle in which Christ was laid.