The Fellowship Of His Sufferings

As we read through the gospels, we come across a number of things that are said to be involved in following Jesus. Here are a few: being born again (John 3:3-5), loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40), receiving the kingdom like a childContinue reading “The Fellowship Of His Sufferings”

Jesus From Mark (2)

4. Life was seldom smooth for Jesus. He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness and by Peter at Caesarea Philippi. He experienced rejection from the Jewish leaders, His own family, and His own church. At times in His ministry, He had huge crowds following Him and He enjoyed immense popularity, but most of itContinue reading “Jesus From Mark (2)”

Thinking About The Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one of the core beliefs of the Christian faith. As such, it has profound implications for us. Here are three. 1. Our body is an essential art of our identity. There’s a little saying that goes something like this: We’re not human beings on a spiritual journey,Continue reading “Thinking About The Resurrection”

“Just As He Told You”

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:6-7) The emptyContinue reading ““Just As He Told You””

A Textual Question And A Glorious Treasure

There are questions about the how Mark’s gospel concludes. By that, I mean there is a question about whether the material in 16:9-20 are part of the original text or if it was added at some later date. The NIV has this note before v. 9-20: The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses doContinue reading “A Textual Question And A Glorious Treasure”

The Humanity Of Jesus

The Letter to the Hebrews has a good bit to say about the humanity of Christ. It was written to Jewish disciples who were under pressure to renege on their commitment to Jesus and return to strictly Jewish ways (10:19-39). After a magnificent opening showing the supremacy of Christ to Moses (and everything else), HeContinue reading “The Humanity Of Jesus”

Blood, Covenant, And Jesus

When Christ celebrated the Passover with His disciples, He gave thanks for the cup and they all passed it around and drank from it. He then told them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). He said a lot with those words! I want to say somethingContinue reading “Blood, Covenant, And Jesus”