Matthew was a tax collector! Tax collector was on no one’s list of What I want to be when I grow up. It would have been bad enough if they collected taxes from their people (the Jews), for their people. Then he would have been the equivalent of an employee of the IRS. But this wasn’t the case. HeContinue reading “Called And Claimed (1)”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Built To Withstand
Matthew’s gospel is the second most popular book of the Bible (Psalms is first). Part of the reason for its popularity is what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount, which is recorded in chapters 5-7. Jesus’ teaching begins with an introduction that features the Beatitudes and transitions into a commission to beContinue reading “Built To Withstand”
A Sense Of The Sacred
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matthew 7:6). Jesus’ words are commonly understood to mean that His disciples are to show discernment in who they share the glorious good newsContinue reading “A Sense Of The Sacred”
A Heart Set On Worship
Matthew tells us of Magi from the east who came to see the Christ child. They brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. William Barclay suggests that gold is what you would give a king; frankincense is for a priest (it was offered on the altar of incense in the holy place—Exodus 30:34); andContinue reading “A Heart Set On Worship”
Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (2)
So why does God have different roles for men and women when it comes to church? The better question to ask might be, why not? Once we get past the equality/ability issues, why wouldn’t God have different roles for us? Does everyone in your family have the same role? Why not? If this is so,Continue reading “Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (2)”
Unshakeable
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) We all need something unshakeable in our lives, don’t we? We have this requirement because the sober reality is that our families and relationships, jobs,Continue reading “Unshakeable”
There’s Not A Friend
Hebrews 2 starts with a conclusion—challenging its readers to anchor their lives in the glorious, eternity-altering news about Jesus (v. 1-4). After this, the writer picks up his earlier thread concerning Jesus and angels. I think he’s anticipating some objections in response to what he previously wrote concerning Christ’s superiority to the angels (1:5-14). There wouldContinue reading “There’s Not A Friend”
Thinking About Hebrews
Hebrews can be a challenging read. It’s a bit like Revelation—it’s definitely not a narrative (like the Gospels or Acts), but it’s not exactly a letter like Philippians either (although like Revelation, it has some elements of a letter in it). Commentators agree it’s best to think of Hebrews as a first-century sermon. In 13:22Continue reading “Thinking About Hebrews”
The Great High Priest
The Hebrew writer speaks of Jesus in lots of different ways that (with a little work) we can relate to: He is the radiance of God’s glory (think of the Transfiguration), superior to the angels, the Apostle/One Sent (surpassing Moses and Joshua), etc. But the book’s central image is the most challenging—Jesus as our highContinue reading “The Great High Priest”
The Gratitude Of Holiness (2)
The gratitude the writer asks for in Hebrews 12:28 is to be expressed in the form of reverence and awe (let us be thankful and so worship God with reverence and awe). The “and so” suggests he’s interested in gratitude not just for itself but as a means to the worshipful spirit he wants them to possess.Continue reading “The Gratitude Of Holiness (2)”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 