A Savior is Born
Jesus the Savior:
Reflections on Matthew 1
In Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth, what does the angel mean when he says to Joseph, “You shall name him Jesus, for he will save the people from their sins”?
The foundational definition of sin in the Gospel tradition is based on the pervasiveness of human violence in the story of Noah and the flood. The central sinfulness that is identified in the climax of the Gospel of Matthew is the choice of Barabbas rather than Jesus at the Pilate trial. It is the people’s rejection of Jesus as Messiah and the choice of Barabbas that leads to Jesus’ death. That choice was a choice of the way of violence, warfare and hatred of the enemy.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus defines love of enemy and non-violent resistance to evil as foundational commandments. He acts on his teaching by healing his enemies, caring for the poor, and responding to hostility without violence. Jesus saves us from our sins by teaching and demonstrating the ways that lead to peace.
Tell a Story; Sponsor a Story!
Sponsor-a-Story
We have nearly completed all the story pages for every Gospel story in the three-year lectionary cycle. These pages are accessed either by clicking on the “Narratives” tab (listed by Gospel text reference) or “Lections” tab (listed by date).
SO! We invite you to choose your favorite story, or one you have learned and told, or one you would like to learn this year. And then, when you’ve made your choice, go to our Sponsor-a-Story page, make a donation ($20/story would asssure that we meet our goal) and write the bibical text reference in the Comments section of the page.
We’ll put your name on the story page, and be very grateful for your support!
Here is the link for Sponsor-a-Story:
2011 International Biblical Storytelling Teaching Missions Planned: West Africa and Cambodia
GoTell is planning a return trip to West Africa with other members of the Network of Biblical Storytellers in March of 2011. Under the leadership of Juliana Rowe, Tom and Amelia travelled to The Gambia in March, 2008 with a dozen others under NBS sponsorship. As a result, a guild has been formed and Gambians have participated in Festival Gatherings 2008, 2009 and 2010. We look forward to a return trip which will be somewhat longer and take us further into the region. For more about biblical storytelling in the Gambia visit that section of the GoTell site; click here…
Also in the planning stages is a trip to Cambodia in October of 2011. This two-week mission builds on the foundation of relationships and teaching done by Elizabeth and Tom Rand who travelled to Cambodia in 2008 and 2009 respectively. GoTell has been in consultation with the Rand’s and with members of the Cambodia Methodist Bible School which has invited us all to come teach biblical storytelling. We look forward to this opportunity to share our love of the stories and witness God’s spirit at work in Southeast Asia. For more about biblical storytelling in Cambodia visit that section of the GoTell site; click here…
We would greatly appreciate your prayer support as we plan for these two mission journeys. We also ask if you are able, to make a financial contribution to GoTell in support of our travel and teaching. Your tax-exempt donation would be mailed to:
GoTell Communications, Inc.
620 W. Nottingham Rd.
Dayton, OH 45405
