Submission is a word that is offensive to many. It speaks of oppression, abuse and other relational evils. Unfortunately, there’s too much truth to that take. People have abused power and privilege in relationships from the beginning of time. We are all all-too-familiar with the sad stories we have heard too frequently from too manyContinue reading “Living out the Story”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Living as Exiles
Peter wrote to “exiles scattered throughout” five Roman provinces who lived on a piece of land that served as a land bridge between Europe and Asia as is known to us today as Turkey. They were Jewish communities who had been displaced from their homeland of Israel and were referred to as the diaspora (lit., “scattered”). TheContinue reading “Living as Exiles”
He Cares For You
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. These words from Peter come on the heels of his call for us to humble ourselves (1 Peter 5:5-7). In the act of humbling ourselves, we submit to God and place ourselves under “His mighty hand.” We commit ourselves to looking at life fromContinue reading “He Cares For You”
Changing the World
Submission is a prominent theme in 1 Peter. He speaks of the younger being submissive to the older (5:5), wives to their husbands (3:1,5), slaves to their masters (2:18) and disciples to civil authorities (2:13). Additionally, there are other places where he uses the word “humble” to urge submissive conduct (3:8,5:5-6). The central section whereContinue reading “Changing the World”
An Identity For All Times
Peter wrote to disciples who were being harassed because they had chosen to follow Jesus (4:16). There’s nothing to suggest their lives were at stake, but things were definitely more difficult because of their allegiance to Christ. Rejection from anyone, but especially loved ones, would leave them feeling confused, broken and unsure. They needed someContinue reading “An Identity For All Times”
The Pain of Failure and the Power of Love
All roads eventually end. For some, it’s a dead end (no fun for the driver), but most provide us with an option of some kind—we can go left or right. The best roads though, merge onto other roads and we never have to stop. That’s the way we should think of John 21, as wellContinue reading “The Pain of Failure and the Power of Love”
Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (1)
Janice and I are blessed with two adult daughters and one granddaughter. We also have an adult son and four grandsons, but this little piece is not about the boys—it is all about the girls. It should pain our hearts deeply whenever women are mistreated—all the way from a failure to be recognized and appreciatedContinue reading “Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (1)”
Worship and a Well
One of the greatest discussions in the Bible about worship takes place at a well in Samaria. The well was associated with the patriarch Jacob (4:6). Their discussion causes the woman to question whether Jesus is greater than Jacob (4:12). This fits right in with one of the features of John’s gospel as he regularly contrasts Jesus withContinue reading “Worship and a Well”
What Sets Us Free
“Truth” is a big word in the Scripture (and life), so it’s no surprise that we find John employing the word a number of times in his gospel (23). Fittingly, he initially uses it to tell us that Jesus is “full of grace and truth” (1:14). There was veracity in the covenant that God brought through Moses, but theContinue reading “What Sets Us Free”
What Makes A Best Man (or Woman)
John 3:22-30 is a passage that is tucked away between Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus and His visit with the women at the well in Samaria. It’s like the U.S. Grant Memorial which sits between the Washington Monument and the U.S Capitol—by its very location it tends to be overlooked and under-valued. But as we’ll see,Continue reading “What Makes A Best Man (or Woman)”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 