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”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
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”
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)”
We Have Seen His Glory
After Israel had completed construction of the tabernacle, “the glory of the Lord” filled it (Ex. 40:34), providing the nation the occasion to once again witness the greatness of God. So majestic was the Lord’s glory that Moses was unable to enter the tabernacle (v. 35)! Wherever Israel went, God’s glory went with them (v.Continue reading “We Have Seen His Glory”
Water into Wine
Numerous contemporaries of Jesus speak of good wine not possessing intoxicating qualities (Pliny, Plutarch, Horace, etc.). In fact, they describe in detail the measures taken to produce such a drink. There’s no reason then, other than cultural bias or biblical ignorance, for insisting that when the master of the banquet spoke of what Jesus made as “choiceContinue reading “Water into Wine”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 