Blog: April 2017

This week, as the wonder of Jesus’ Resurrection Victory reverberates through our hearts and minds, I’m gripped by the Apostle Paul’s “if-then” argument in 1 Corinthians 15.  He explores a monu­mental IF:  What IF Jesus Christ had never been raised from the dead? And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied (15:17-19). It would be hard to exaggerate ...

You simply can’t overstate the bedrock importance for Christianity of Jesus rising from the dead.  The resurrection is the key­stone at the very center of God’s grand arch spanning from history to eternity, bridging over the chasm of sin and death:  without it, the whole structure of salvation comes tumbling down. This, of course, means the resurrection—Christ’s historical, physical return from death to life—is not one of those peripheral points or secondary issues on which believers may feel free to disagree.  No, it’s pivotal and ...

In 1804, Thomas Kelly, an Irish pastor, wrote a hymn that helps us step back and process what really took place 2,000 years ago on the cross of Christ:  “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted.” Of course, as a church we gladly join together in upbeat, celebrative songs of praise to our all-glorious God.  It’s fitting to call out to the Lord with shouts of joy as his beloved children.  But it’s appropriate as well—and even more than that, it’s urgent—to enter into songs that are sobering and solemn:  worship music that helps us grasp, and feel, ...

In the third chapter of Zechariah, Joshua the High Priest appears in filthy garments.  He sees his own dirtiness, and knows that he is unable to make himself clean.  The fourth verse says: "And the angel said to those who were standing before [Joshua], “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to [Joshua] he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” It is impossible for us to remove our own filth.  God does the cleaning at the cross.  In an act that demonstrates humility more ...

The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday—the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as the King of kings the week of Passover. Many of God’s people traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem as well. Near Bethphage (BETH fayj) and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead into a village to bring a donkey to Him. Jesus made a spectacular entrance into the city. He rode the donkey, and people laid branches and their robes on the ground in front of Him. The people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem ...

If you come to Scripture looking for words of comfort and affirmation and reassurance, you’ll find them, for sure.  But if your eyes are wide open, you’ll also see other kinds of good words:  messages of warning and correction and rebuke.  And that’s because God loves us. Take 1 Corinthians 10.  Verse 13 is a “famous” promise:  “No tempta­tion has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be ...

Zechariah’s son, John, grew up in the wilderness. John’s ministry began when God’s word came to him, and he began preaching near the Jordan River. John worked to get the people ready for the coming of Jesus, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy, “A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness” (Isa. 40:3). John called the people to repent of their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. John also instructed the people on right living. (See Luke 3:10-14.) Some of the people suspected that John might be the ...