pastor || writer || speaker
Choosing a way is sometimes an exercise in seeing contrasts. It is not light alone that helps us to see the world around us best. It is through high contrast that vision improves. For example, it can be difficult to distinguish one thing from another thing in the dark. However, it is not light alone …
Continue reading "The Way of Herod: a reflection on the death of the holy innocents"
"and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene." (Matthew 2:23) When Herod the Great died there was great confusion about what should happen because he had drafted several wills, many of which were in conflict with one …
Continue reading "The Nobody Messiah: Jesus of Nazareth and Messianic Expectations"
This past weekend we continued our series "Power in Preparation" at Eastbrook Church. This is the second part of our extended journey through the Gospel of Matthew. This week's message looks at Matthew 2:13-23 and Jesus as the refugee Messiah. You can view the message video and outline below. The video begins with a time …
William Blake, Moses Indignant at the Golden Calf We become what we worship. This idea is something we encounter throughout Scripture. What grips our hearts—what holds our attention at the center of our lives—motivates us, moves us, and leads us wherever it desires. We see this clearly in the sharp contrast between Herod the Great …
Continue reading "What Has Your Heart?: Jesus, Herod, and the Temptation toward Idolatry"
This past weekend we began a new series "Power in Preparation" at Eastbrook Church. This begins the second part of our extended journey through the Gospel of Matthew. This message is a study in contrasts drawn from Matthew 1:18-25 and Matthew 2:1-18. You can view the message video and outline below. You can follow along …
Matthew Erickson 