Highrock Church

After being tested by the Pharisees, Jesus turns the tables and asks them a question: "Why does David call his descendant his 'lord'"? Once again, Jesus is inviting them to understand that the Messiah is more than just a political heir to David's throne. Jesus is not only the "Son of David", he is the Son of God — Jesus is Lord! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"ht...

The religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus with a dangerous question about whether to pay taxes to Caesar. Either answer will put Jesus in danger. Jesus reframes the question by looking at the Roman coin used to pay such taxes, a coin that bears the image of the emperor. The image on the coin is Caesar's, therefore give to Caesar what belongs to him – and answer that unlocks a much deeper truth about what belongs to God. Jesus' answer calls us to live faithfully in a way that does not confuse politics with devotion to God, whose image we be...

In the face of continued conflict with the religious leaders, Jesus tells the story of tenant farmers who rent the farmland. When it comes time to share the harvest, the renters refuse to share their harvest, killing the owner's messengers and ultimately the owner’s son as well. The landowner in that parable is God, the slaughtered messengers are the prophets, and the owner's son is Jesus. Jesus is foreshadowing that these religious leaders will ultimately reject and kill Jesus in a tragically misguided attempt to retain control of what belongs only to God.Looking fo...

Jesus says it plainly: no one can serve two masters. But most of us try, splitting our trust between God and the things that promise security, control, or comfort. When our allegiance is divided, which master is really shaping our lives?· · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd

Jesus describes a vineyard owner who pays all workers the same wage, even those who were hired only an hour before the end of the day. Those workers who worked the entire day complain that the vineyard owner was being unfair to them! The story reveals that God will bless us on the basis of God's generosity, not on our merit (or lack of it). That is the scandal of grace. Jesus invites us all to rejoice in God’s generosity rather than trying to measure ourselves against one another.Looking for a previous devo? Wa...

A rich young man comes to Jesus, wanting to know what he must do to enter eternal life with God. Though the man appears morally faithful, he walks away grieving when Jesus invites him to surrender what he treasures most – which is his money. Jesus then shocks his disciples by telling them that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into heaven. How are we then to view wealth? Does our wealth leave room for God in our lives?Looking for a...

The religious leaders try to pull Jesus into a debate about divorce but Jesus takes everyone back to the beginning and the purpose of being married at all (or not!). The disciples are shaken by Jesus' high view of marriage and declare, "it is better not to marry!" And Jesus agrees! The disciples are right, but for the wrong reasons. While everyone is thinking of themselves, Jesus shares a vision of marriage and singleness that is about faithfulness not only to a potential spouse, but to God and others as well.Looking for a previous...

In response to Peter’s question about forgiveness, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. A servant who is forgiven an unpayable debt refuses to show even a fraction of that mercy to a fellow servant. Jesus makes clear that forgiven people are called to live as forgiving people, and people who refuse to extend God's grace to others are refusing to receive God's grace for themselves as well.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Re...

Rather than ignoring wrongdoing or shaming people publicly, Jesus outlines a gracious process aimed at restoration and reconciliation. He emphasizes the serious responsibility of the community to reflect both God’s justice and God's mercy. We may need courage to lovingly restore lost sheep but Jesus assures us that he is present and actively at work in our midst when we do.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"...

Prayer often feels awkward, performative, or quietly exhausting, like saying the right words while trying to stay in control. What if Jesus didn’t give us a prayer to make us feel safe but to confront our pride, expose our grudges, and rearrange our lives? This episode explores why the Lord’s Prayer may be far more dangerous and transformative than we’ve ever realized.· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd

Jesus encounters a desperate mother whose daughter is suffering, but this mother is a Canaanite – ancient enemies of the Jewish people. Jesus initially seems unresponsive but she remains humble and persistent. Jesus ultimately responds to her affectionately and with a rare level of praise for her faith, demonstrating that God's love extends to all who approach in faith. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.or...

The religious leaders challenge Jesus for ignoring tradition but Jesus turns the tables on them. He confronts these leaders for elevating human traditions above God’s commands, substituting outward religious practices for genuine inward obedience. By shifting the focus from external behavior to inner transformation, Jesus calls his followers to examine the condition of their hearts rather than relying on the outward appearance of holiness.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a...

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while he finally finds time for solitude. Later in the night, Jesus comes to them walking on the water. Peter initially steps out in faith then begins to sink. Fear takes over when we focus on the storm but faith prevails when we fix our eyes on Jesus. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https...

After hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdraws to a quiet place to grieve. The crowds follow him but instead of Jesus turning them away, he is moved to care for them. Despite his own deep and authentic need, he takes time to care for the needs of others. How do we respond when faced with a similar challenge? What might God have us do when our own needs collide with the needs of others?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.hi...

“Love your enemies” sounds beautiful on a coffee mug . . . until you’re the one being insulted, dismissed, or harmed. When outrage feels justified and revenge feels reasonable, what does real love look like without becoming passive or naïve? And what might loving your enemies actually change, both in the world and in you?· ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd

The Pharisees were trying to preserve their nation's Jewish identity in the face of Greek culture and Roman occupation. One of their cultural guardrails was the faithful observance of sabbath rest, an issue over which they repeatedly clashed with Jesus. In this encounter, Jesus heals a man on the sabbath. Did Jesus thus break God's sabbath laws, or was Jesus right to look for a deeper purpose in God's laws?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/...

Imprisoned in Herod Antipas' fortress, John the Baptist begins to doubt. He was the one who saw the Spirit of God descend upon Jesus but in the darkness of prison, he begins to ask some tough questions. One might expect Jesus to reprimand John. Instead, Jesus gives him reassurance and praise. Rather than silence doubt, Jesus treats doubt as a part of discipleship, especially for those who put everything on the line for God.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/<...

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had encouraged his listeners to put God first and trust God for the rest. In this passage, Jesus extends that principle to putting Jesus first and the potential short-term costs, which may even include rejection from our families. For many, this price might seem too high but Jesus assures us that God will honor those who choose faithfulness!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in...

Jesus sends out the twelve disciples on their own but with detailed instructions. Some of those instructions were just for those disciples, and even just for that particular moment. However, understanding what Jesus was doing in that moment can help us discern universal patterns and values that apply in all cases, even for us today, especially the promise that God's Spirit will be with us.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in...

Jesus makes himself available to all kinds of people, both the privileged and the outcast. He embraces all kinds of interruptions, looking for the opportunity to bring people closer to God. He even encourages us to have the same kingdom focus -- to pray that God would raise up more workers to connect people back to God. Who knows? God might even invite us to become a part of the answer to that prayer!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/<...