Joseph Soltero

The Least in the Kingdom

I've become so inspired by this passage during my three years as an active Christian. For me, the passage symbolizes beautifully the wideness of God's mercy. I grew up in between two versions of Christianity.…

Matthew 25:31 (NET)

Symbols and Decorations

I confess that long, detailed readings in the Bible such as these bore me. I know I'm not the only one. I feel guilty but probably not for the reasons you'd think. It's not because God's Word, so to…

Exodus 25:1 (NET)

Giving and Receiving

Everybody knows the feeling when you get what you want as a gift. You feel excitement, thankfulness, and appreciation at both getting the gift and towards the person who gave it you. But according to…

Acts 20:35 (NET)

Light of the World

It's interesting that the Jesus movement refers both to Jesus and his disciples as "the light of the world". In the Synoptic tradition, Jesus calls his followers this, whereas the community of John recalls…

Matthew 5:14 (NET), John 8:12 (NET)

Service

I'm a little behind on my readings because, as you may know, this season is filled with the expectation of the birth of Jesus, and the expectation of what presents to buy. Some might say that this is…

Mark 9:33 (ESV), Mark 9:34 (ESV), Mark 9:35 (ESV), Mark 9:36 (ESV), Mark 9:37 (ESV)

Important Message

I don't think I've ever had a moment where I felt that God was interrupting my day-to-day with an important message like Luke says God to the shepherds. My experience has been that I detect that message…

Luke 2:1 (NET), Luke 2:2 (NET), Luke 2:3 (NET), Luke 2:4 (NET), Luke 2:5 (NET), Luke 2:6 (NET), Luke 2:7 (NET), Luke 2:8 (NET), Luke 2:9 (NET), Luke 2:10 (NET), Luke 2:11 (NET), Luke 2:12 (NET), Luke 2:13 (NET), Luke 2:14 (NET), Luke 2:15 (NET), Luke 2:16 (NET), Luke 2:17 (NET), Luke 2:18 (NET), Luke 2:19 (NET), Luke 2:20 (NET)

The Second Annunciation

I definitely can't imagine what went through Joseph's head when he learned his betrothed was pregnant. Actually, I can because the story describes his actions. He decided to divorce her quietly. He must've…

Beginning Advent

Two prophets, Simeon and Anna, lead different lives. One lives in the city, and the other doesn't want to leave the temple. I think this shows that there isn't just one way to wait for the Lord. You…

Luke 2:21 (NET), Luke 2:22 (NET), Luke 2:23 (NET), Luke 2:24 (NET), Luke 2:25 (NET), Luke 2:26 (NET), Luke 2:27 (NET), Luke 2:28 (NET), Luke 2:29 (NET), Luke 2:30 (NET), Luke 2:31 (NET), Luke 2:32 (NET), Luke 2:33 (NET), Luke 2:34 (NET), Luke 2:35 (NET), Luke 2:36 (NET), Luke 2:37 (NET), Luke 2:38 (NET), Luke 2:39 (NET), Luke 2:40 (NET)