Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

Creating Community

As we move to Genesis 42, 13 years have passed since we were introduced to Joseph in chapter 37. Things are going well with him because the Lord has blessed him. He has risen from the ashes of his trials and tribulations to become second only to Pharaoh in Egypt (42:40). He has not beenContinue reading “Creating Community”

Against Me or For Me?

Dianne wonders about the tension between Jesus’ statements in Luke 11:23 and 9:50. Here are those verses: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Luke 11:23) “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:50). Let’s take the passage from LukeContinue reading “Against Me or For Me?”

Why were Christ’s words hidden from the apostles?

Dianne wants to know, “Why were Christ’s words “concealed” from the apostles so that “they might not perceive it?” (Luke 9:45) In this section of Luke, we see Jesus being revealed as God’s Messiah (v. 20), a further revealing of what was involved in being the Messiah (i.e., suffering, death, and resurrection – v. 22).Continue reading “Why were Christ’s words hidden from the apostles?”

Doing Right

Joseph’s story begins in Genesis 37 and continues through the remainder of Genesis. It is a remarkable story to say the least. We’re introduced to Joseph when he was seventeen and thrown into a cistern by his brothers. Then he was trafficked by them to Midianite traders who sold him to Pharaoh’s captain of theContinue reading “Doing Right”

Broken but Blessed

Genesis 12-50 is full of the rich, personal stories of Abraham and his extended family (Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph). It is with them that redemption began to be fleshed out. The remainder of the book tracks the peaks and valleys of their lives in contrast to the singular and constant faithfulness of Yahweh in HisContinue reading “Broken but Blessed”

Happily Ever Laughter

It’s a little bit of an effort, but it’s certainly worth it to work through the chronology of Abraham. While we can read his story over a few pages and in a matter of minutes, the Genesis material covers 100 years of his life and it’s difficult to fully appreciate his faith or understand hisContinue reading “Happily Ever Laughter”

Tents and Altars

As previously noted, Genesis 1-11 serves as an introduction to the book as well as the rest of the biblical witness. With that in mind, we’re introduced to Abraham beginning in 11:27. This introduction prepares us for his call (12:1-3), as well as makes for a smooth transition between the account of the tower ofContinue reading “Tents and Altars”

Family Man

Our readings in E-100 were about Noah this week. It’s worth noting that Genesis 1-11 is not only an introduction to the rest of Genesis (i.e., the story of God’s promises to the patriarchs), but is also an introduction to bigger story that spans the biblical witness—the story of  God’s redemptive call in Jesus. Three eventsContinue reading “Family Man”

The Arrest of Jesus

David wants to know, “Why did they step back and fall down when Jesus said, ‘I am He?’” This question has reference to something that happened when Jesus was arrested. John records the scene in 18:1-6 of his gospel. When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the otherContinue reading “The Arrest of Jesus”