Holy Chutzpah – Early Martyrs of the Faith. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.” (from the Te Deum, a poem of praise by Nicetus, 414 AD, modern day Serbia). Chutzpah (hoots-pah) is a Yiddish word that long ago entered English usage. It is …
Holy Chutzpah – Elijah. “When King Ahab went out to meet Elijah, Ahab exclaimed, ‘So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?’ Elijah replied, ‘I have made no trouble for Israel. You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord Yahweh and have worshiped the images …
Holy Chutzpah – Abraham. Then they turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, …
Holy Chutzpah. “There is a Jewish assumption that an intimate faith in God requires tenacity, and that faith in God can be defined as a bold persistence.” (Brad Young, Jesus, the Jewish Theologian). Chutzpah (hoots-pah) is a Yiddish word that long ago entered English usage. It is from the Hebrew word, “hutspah,” which means insolent or …
Surrounded by Christ. “The Angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. He is a guard who surrounds and defends all who worship Him with reverence and awe. The Angel of the Lord sets up a circle of protection around us and will faithfully remain as He rescues …
Surrounded by God’s Lovingkindness. “Mercy and loving-kindness (hesed) shall completely surround all those who confidently lean on the Lord. God-seekers will find that they are encircled by God’s mercy, enfolded in His faithful love, and compassed about with the Lord’s wrap-around love.” (Psalm 32:10, a combination of many versions). Mercy: Eager love-in-action; steadfast kindness; loyal compassion; faithful …
Jesus was Deeply Moved with Joy. “The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places He planned to visit… When the seventy-two missionaries returned to Jesus, they were ecstatic with joy, telling Him, ‘Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we commanded them in Your name!… Then …
Deeply Moved in the Parable about Forgiveness. “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as his servant was not able to pay, the king commanded …
Jesus was Deeply Moved for a Leper. “On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing, saying, ‘You have the power to heal me right now if only you really want to!’ Being deeply moved with tender compassion (splagchnizomai), Jesus reached out and touched the skin …
Deeply Moved for the Hungry Multitude. “Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up into the hills and sat down. Great crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them all. The …
The Untouchables – Women. “Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took His twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom He had …
The Untouchables – Gentiles. Jesus answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Dear woman, great is your faith! …