The Three People They Were Looking For in Jesus’ Day
We talk a lot about messianic prophesies in the Old Testament, as we should. What often gets missed is that they weren’t just looking for the Messiah. They were looking for two other people mentioned in the Old Testament and you see this reflected in the Gospels. Matthew 27:46-49, “About three in the afternoon Jesus […]
Wanting the Growth Without Taking the Risk
I have been reading through Acts and one thing that has jumped out at me was their willingness to take risks for the kingdom. It starts fast…Acts 2 Peter preaches a bold sermon, telling the crowd that they killed the Messiah but that God was still inviting them to repentance and reconciliation. The result? Three […]
Matthew’s Explanation of the “Messianic Secret”
One of the big topics in the Gospel of Mark is what is known as the “Messianic Secret”. Over and over again in Mark, Jesus tells people not to tell others about who he is. This happens up until Mark 8 when Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is and Peter says he is […]
Dr. Maritottini on Messianic Expectations of the Old Testament
Dr. Mariottini constantly delivers quality material. This one is no exception. Here is the link.
Gospel of John 12:20-33 – Greeks Want to See Jesus
The triumphal entry concludes with jealousy from the Pharisees and the statement, “Look how the whole world has gone after him.” (12:19). The very next verse shows how true that statement was. Some Greeks approach Philip and ask to see Jesus. Philip and Andrew ask Jesus if this would be okay and, in typical Jesus […]
Gospel of John 8:12-59 – Jesus Gets Testy
John 8:12-59 contains some of the best known lines in John but they aren’t said to a loving, accepting mob of fervent believers. They are spoken to a mostly obnoxious and rebellious group in Jerusalem. In 8:12 Jesus says he is the light of the world. One of the great “I am” statements and one […]
Gospel of John 4:28 – Are You Still Holding Onto Your Water Jar
In John 4 there is a woman who had been coming at noon to draw water by herself in the heat of the day. It could be she came at the hottest hour of the day to avoid the shame she faced from her community over her “living situation.” She has been married five times […]
Why Did They Miss Jesus as the Messiah? What Can We Learn from that?
Hindsight is 20/20. Looking back we read the prophesies and see how he fulfilled them so specifically. We read about the miracles, his teaching with authority and not as the scribes. The Gospels make it clear that Jesus was the Messiah. That is the point they set out to prove. Some go about it differently […]
Were Gentiles Allowed in the Church After the Jews Rejected Christ?
Growing up I heard on numerous occasions that in order for the Gentiles (that is, non-Jews) to be allowed to become Christians the Jews first had to reject the offer of Christianity. The story goes something like this – Jesus died and rose again. The offer of salvation through Christ came first for the Jews. […]
Outreach and Reputation Risking
It never seemed to bother Jesus if his reputation was at stake when it came to reaching the lost: – Speaking with adulterous Samaritan women at a well alone. – Having his feet annointed by a woman with a checkered past. – Eating with tax collectors and “sinners.” – Associating with and even healing Gentiles. […]