In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t. It was the French mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal, who spoke those words. They call to our attention to something that is too often overlooked—God doesn’t force faith on anyone. Nobody is overwhelmed into believingContinue reading “To Believe or not to Believe”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
This is the Lord We Need!
John has a way of relating staggeringly immense truths in a ridiculously succinct manner. “The word was with God, and The Word was God” (1:1)—the diversity and unity of the Godhead in ten words. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (1:4)—the spiritual and moral illumination that Jesus’ lifeContinue reading “This is the Lord We Need!”
They Missed It!
John offers more to us about the “funeral” of Lazarus than just his resurrection (though who would wish to minimize the significance of that?). He tells us about two different responses people had to this great miracle of Jesus. One reaction is not surprising; but the other is as disappointing as it is difficult to comprehend.Continue reading “They Missed It!”
The Possibility of Glory
After Judas has left to betray Him, John tells us that Jesus begins to speak to His disciples of His coming death (13:31ff). It’s a lengthy, intimate conversation that stretches across three chapters. But maybe the most remarkable thing is how it begins. Jesus starts by telling them that His death is an occasion of glory. He usesContinue reading “The Possibility of Glory”
The Light from Bethlehem
I saw just a piece of a program on the Discovery Channel. The opening promised us a show about fearless exploration. They would leave no stone unturned. They would question everything. It featured a scientist and a paranormal researcher who were dressed like a 21st century version of Indiana Jones. They were searching for answers to theContinue reading “The Light from Bethlehem”
The Deeper Reach
Can you imagine the social media storm Jesus would have instigated? I’m referring to when he asked the man who had been unable to walk for 38 years, Do you want to get well? You can see some responses, can’t you? Wow, read the room Jesus! You just asked a man who has been unable toContinue reading “The Deeper Reach”
The Bread of Our Life?
In John 6, Jesus has a problem. It is nearing the end of the day and there are several thousand people around Him—some of them are a long way from home. He doesn’t want to send them away hungry but there’s not much food available. The disciples do a quick search and all they canContinue reading “The Bread of Our Life?”
Taking Jesus at His Word
We’re not sure where the story found in John 7:53-8:11 belongs. This is why in most translations it is set in italics, bracketed, or even put into a footnote. Textual authorities tell us that it’s not in the two earliest manuscripts we have of John which date back to the beginning of the third century.Continue reading “Taking Jesus at His Word”
Set Aside
Jesus said in John 10:35 that the Scripture cannot be set aside. What did He mean by these words? It means the Scripture is true. When we examine the biblical witness in the context in which it was written, it is completely authentic, genuine and of absolute veracity. When Christ was confronted by the materialistic Sadducees and theirContinue reading “Set Aside”
Seeing Things As They Are
Someone said, “We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” They said a mouthful, didn’t they? All you have to do is think about selfies. We take them until we finally have one that reflects the way we like to think we look (conveniently forgetting that it took us 67Continue reading “Seeing Things As They Are”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 