A rich man climbs a tree to see over a crowd, and Jesus invites himself to dinner — reversing the direction of the invitation. What follows is restitution nobody demanded, offered at a level exceeding what the law required.

Jesus says follow me to a tax collector, and Matthew’s first act as a disciple is to fill his house with his own circle. Nobody was cleaned up first — and Jesus tells the religious professionals watching to go and learn what mercy means.

A reign ends, and that is when the vision comes. Dr. James Smith III preaches Isaiah 6 on a sequence the year-end usually reverses: seeing, then undoing, then cleansing, and only then “here am I, send me.”

Bryce Maurer, who pastors a revitalising church in Livingston, Montana, preaches Matthew 5 on salt and light — noting that both are stated as identity rather than instruction, which changes entirely what the warnings that follow are doing.

Same passage, second week, question turned outward: what did those four devotions actually produce? Pastor Adam argues social change in Acts 2 does not begin with outward-facing programs but downstream of a body devoted to teaching, fellowship, bread and prayer.

Philippians 1:12-14: what has happened to me has actually served… read more

2 Chronicles 7:11-17, brought alive by a banner reading ‘If… read more

1 Peter 3 on sharing the good news, taught through… read more

Paul’s skill at taking the poets, altars and ideas a… read more