This week, as we approach Memorial Day, our New Testament “word of life” is simply life. It’s fitting, perhaps, that as we honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, we also reflect on what it truly means to live. While it might seem strategic to drop the word “life” on the Sunday before Memorial Day, sometimes, the divine calendar just works out!

Memorial Day is a complex day, isn’t it? It’s solemn, as we remember profound sacrifice, yet also a time of quiet rejoicing, knowing that lives were given so we might live freely and fully. This annual observance reminds us that life is costly and demands much from us.

“That’s not fair!”

“You’re cheating!”

How often have parents heard these declarations from their children? There’s an innate human drive toward fairness.

It’s a universally good feeling to be forgiven. We’ve all been there: that pit-in-your-stomach dread after you’ve messed up, the fear that a relationship might be over. But then you take that deep breath, make the call, own your mistake, and ask, “Will you please forgive me?” The moment hangs in the air, seemingly forever, until that sweet release: “Of course, I forgive you.” What an unbelievable feeling!

But here’s the flip side: How many of us genuinely like to forgive? Not many. We love to be forgiven, but we don’t necessarily like to give forgiveness. This often comes up in conversations among Christians, where the immediate reaction is, “If we just forgive people, we’ll become doormats!” Or, “Where’s the justice in that? These people wronged us; they need to be held accountable!” We invent all sorts of reasons to avoid forgiving, clinging to our grudges, even as we crave the grace of being forgiven ourselves.

We’re journeying through our series, “Whispers of Grace,” exploring 15 pivotal New Testament words. Our guide is a fantastic, accessible little New Testament theology book by Dr. Nijay Gupta titled “15 New Testament Words.” If you want to read ahead, I highly recommend grabbing a copy – it’s an encouraging and insightful read. As I explored it a few months ago, I knew this was material we had to delve into, especially for the summer, to grasp these significant concepts within the New Testament and their Old Testament roots. We’re discovering these aren’t just New Testament ideas, but Bible-wide, people-of-God themes.

Last week, we discussed righteousness. This week, we turn to another profound word: gospel.

Why do we respond to things the way we do? How do we experience the world? Jonathan Haidt, a moral psychologist, argues that we possess six “taste receptors” that shape how we perceive the world around us¹. These six foundations, and the varying degrees to which we experience each, influence our understanding.

Our moral taste receptors include: Care/Harm, Fairness/Cheating, Loyalty/Betrayal, Authority/Subversion, Sanctity/Degradation, and Liberty/Oppression. Haidt posits that all of these operate within our minds, driving our emotional intuitions as we process the world. They function similarly to taste buds, but for our emotions.

Matthew 21:28-32 Isaiah 9:1-7

We’re embarking on a new series called “Whispers of Grace,” drawing inspiration from the book 15 New Testament Words of Life by Nijay K. Gupta. This series will explore key New Testament concepts and connect them to the broader story of Scripture. This week, we’re diving into the word righteousness.

What comes to mind when you hear “righteousness”? Perhaps negative connotations like self-righteousness or those judgmental “holier-than-thou” types? Maybe you think of the Righteous Brothers? Or if you’re a child of the ’80s like me, maybe Ferris Bueller being called “one righteous dude” pops into your head.

For a long time, I’ve noticed a disconcerting trend: we seem to be losing the ability to truly talk with one another. While the internet allows us to talk to, or more accurately at, people constantly, what about genuine dialogue?

I’m so grateful for the Tuesday night gathering I host, Tap Room Tuesday. It’s a space where I believe we often talk with one another. Yet, even there, meaningful dialogue is becoming increasingly challenging.

Why is this happening?

Have you ever been in a position where you got more than you bargained for?

It seems to happen to me every single time I start a home improvement project. I am not what one would call, “handy”. No, I can barely tell the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver. Yet, I try to fix things because that’s the reasonable thing to do. I research how on YouTube and think, “I can do this!” Then, I get into it and realize that it is not as easy or straightforward as the YouTube Pro made it look.

This also happens when I get involved in volunteering for things. Often, I find that what I sign up for is significantly more involved than I anticipated. Nine times out of ten this is due to my own assumptions and not really paying attention to what was being asked of me.

In both scenarios I find that once I’m in, walking away seems to be unreasonable.

One of the little pleasures in life for me is the NFL. Perhaps because the season is only sixteen games, but more likely because of the drama. The story lines every year are so fun and interesting that the off-field stuff is just as interesting, or sometimes more interesting, than the games themselves. A couple of years ago my favorite team, the Detroit Lions, was featured on a show called Hard Knocks.

Hard Knocks provides a behind-the-scenes look at a team during the preseason. It was so interesting to see all the hard work that goes into preparing for a season. The stories of the players who make the team or get cut are gripping.

I am often struck by how small I think about Jesus. What about you?

Several weeks ago, I wrote the line, “Jesus is from eternity.” My son mentioned it to me and shared that it was one of the best descriptions of Jesus he had ever heard.

I keep thinking about that.

“Jesus is from eternity."

Do you ever think about where contentment comes from?

Better yet, do you ever think about contentment itself?

Over the last year or so, I have been working on my personal fitness. This pursuit has been spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical. I intentionally try not to say “health” because that implies that at some point I will be “healthy.” That’s a finite game. I don’t want to play that game. I want to play an infinite game of pursuing fitness. I can always be more fit; there is infinite growth there.

As I pursue personal fitness, there is one question that I wrestle with more than any other: “Why do I do what I do?” The answer is elusive.

Have you ever done something that you were afraid to do and then discovered that you actually enjoyed it?

This might sound a little silly, but I was really afraid to drive. I used to be afraid to drive go-karts, golf carts, and four wheelers. I distinctly remember the first time I was in a go-kart on my own and the fear was palpable. But, then after doing it, I realized that it was so much fun! If I had given in to the fear then I would have missed out on so much.

Throughout the Scriptures there is an oft-repeated phrase, “fear not.” In this brief conversation with Jesus that phrase pops up again…

Do you ever feel like you don’t have what it takes?

There are days when I wake up, consider the tasks before me, and think, “How can I possibly do this?”

Life is messy. It often feels like the world is on fire, and I’m armed with nothing but a nearly empty squirt gun. When I read the news, I see so much work that needs to be done. The world is so vast, yet I am so small. The problems in my neighborhood, my town, my state, my country, and the world are, at times, overwhelming.

There have been times in my life when, just looking at what’s happening within my own family, I don’t think I have what it takes.

The following conversation that Jesus has with a man who was an “invalid” for 38 years leaves me scratching my head. I think this is partially because it is a setup for the next conversation in the story. But, it is also difficult because in many ways, it just does not go as I expect it to.