Ḥag Shavuot/Pentecost (“Festival of the Weeks”) was originally an agricultural festival, marking the beginning of the wheat harvest. So, many Jews from different parts of the world were there celebrating.
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Paul talks a lot about sin in this passage. We don’t like to talk about sin because it smacks of judgment, and we don’t like to be judged. But all this talk about sin has been leading up to this very point.
This passage made me think of two book titles. You’re Not the Boss of Me: Brat-proofing Your Four- to Twelve-Year-Old Child and Just Tell Me What to Say. Both are by the childhood development and behavior expert, Betsy Brown Braun. I haven’t read either book, but their titles intrigue me. Especially after reading this verse from the Letter to the Romans.
I really like Advent calendars, especially those that have treats like chocolate behind every little door. This may seem like a weird time to talk about Advent, but that’s what came to mind when I read this verse. It speaks of both the present and the future. Something which is happening now but is also a promise of something in the future.
This passage, especially verse 7, “For whoever has died is freed from sin” always makes me think about the story of a man who watched his wife preparing a roast for the oven.
Remember the excitement about getting new clothes? Or the excitement of putting on a brand-new Halloween costume? That feeling of being all dressed up is incredible.
Verse 1 in this part of Paul’s letter to the Christians around Rome is an uncomfortable and confusing verse. As a Christian, it doesn’t make any sense, does it? I always thought we were to live and love like Jesus, not continue to sin.
Most of us couples have arguments, and on some occasions, during those arguments, one of us doesn’t want to give in.
Paul says that because we have sinned, we fall short of the glory of God. Sin separates us from God.