1. Pain and suffering; it can feel like punishment from an angry God, and we try to figure out the cause, to our own frustration.
  2. Waiting on God can seem like slow motion torture sometimes.
  3. The fact is this: we all are going to die. Whether we are rich or poor, foolish or wise, we will all pass away.
  4. Judas, Peter, and you are all betrayers of Jesus, and yet He does the work necessary to forgive your sins.
  5. Part of the journey involves seasons of affliction, and during those times it is easy to feel separated from God, even rejected by our God
  6. The day of Jesus' death races ever nearer, and we see both a woman who believes upon Him and a man who betrays Him.
  7. One at the right hand, and one on the left . . . but Jesus doesn't think that means what they think it means.
  8. Herod fulfills his promise so that Jesus can fulfill His; John decreases, Jesus increases.
  9. What does the Prince of Peace mean when He says, "I've come not to bring peace, but a sword?" In sending out The Twelve, Jesus reminds us all of just Who is our very identity.
  10. Jesus uses a lot of animal metaphors in order to instruct His disciples in how to interact with the world.
  11. We are all veterans of some sort. Wounded from little wars with no heroes welcome and scars disguised as character flaws. Let the dead bury their own. Grab a seat, O weary soldiers. Let us entertain you with a fairy tale that might be actually be real.