“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NIV). It is virtually impossible to describe the feelings of apprehension and anxiety when one is on trial in a courtroom awaiting the verdict of a judgeContinue reading “THE JUSTIFYING NAME”
Category Archives: Exposition
THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight” (Malachi 3:1, NKJV). The congenial figure of Jesus coming to earth as the “Messenger of the covenant” is indicative ofContinue reading “THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT”
THE MAN
“Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the Man!’ ” (John 19:5, NKJV). Jesus stands before an angry mob, dressed in mock-royal robes, with a crown of thorns pressed on His bleeding brow. He is bruised and pale from His repeated flogging. TurningContinue reading “THE MAN”
LORD AND SAVIOR
“I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Peter 3:2, NIV). The apostle Peter was especially fond of applying double titles to Jesus, particularly those in which the designation, “Savior,” appears. The title, “Lord andContinue reading “LORD AND SAVIOR”
Satan Always Asks Permission
What does the Bible present to us, through the whole range of redemptive history — from beginning to end — as the way God relates to Satan’s will? I don’t want to speculate. I want Bible verses. I want Bible statements about how God relates to Satan, and then maybe seeing enough ways that GodContinue reading “Satan Always Asks Permission”
Remember His Promises
I don’t know what your days look like right now. Perhaps life feels like it’s out of control and you’re praying for the strength to see your way through. Or maybe, everything is calm right now and you’re thankful for the time to catch your breath. Whether you’re struggling and worn out, relaxed and feelingContinue reading “Remember His Promises”
The Crisis of Not Listening
Psalm 81 is a remarkable and important psalm in the Psalter. This psalm of Asaph is more specific than many psalms about the original occasion for its composition. The formal occasion for writing this psalm was to celebrate a season of important religious festivals in Israel: “Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at theContinue reading “The Crisis of Not Listening”
When You Don’t Trust Your Church Elder Anymore
“I don’t trust you anymore.” That’s what I said to one of my church elders as I confronted him about a serious issue with his character. This difficult conversation, which came after many heated and frustrating talks with him, was hindered further by our age difference—I was the same age as his oldest son. ChallengesContinue reading “When You Don’t Trust Your Church Elder Anymore”
Linger Long over Your Bible
We are like trees bearing fruit, not laborers picking fruit. To use Paul’s language: the fruit is the fruit of the Spirit, not the works of the law. The one who meditates on the law of the Lord day and night and finds his delight in the truth of God, man, and life revealed throughContinue reading “Linger Long over Your Bible”
Green Pastures and Still Waters for the Urbanite
Psalm 23 provides us with a wonderful example of God’s care and protection in imagery that engages the imagination. But for the contemporary mind, the background of this imagery may be unknown to many. The shepherd imagery is actually a metaphor for kingship in the ancient Near East. So for David to say, “Yahweh isContinue reading “Green Pastures and Still Waters for the Urbanite”
Intentional Faith 