Jesus – A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

Let’s Live Like It!

Three times in the gospel of John, Jesus speaks of “the prince of this world” (12:31, 14:30, 16:11). Although we’re drawn to “prince,” it’s the word “world” that’s most important to understand. It is regularly used by John to refer to the system that is in opposition to God. When John speaks of the world as involving the lust of the flesh, the lustContinue reading “Let’s Live Like It!”

Real Work and Real Life

So what do we need to do to increase our spirituality and walk with the Lord? Believe. That’s what Christ told a group of Galileans who asked Him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (John 6:28). Jesus had earlier chided them for being interested in Him solely because of the meal He had providedContinue reading “Real Work and Real Life”

Funeral for a Friend

The main difference between funerals in the first century and today has to do with our modern embalming practices. Nothing like this existed then so burial took place not after a few days after death, but a few hours. When it was determined that a person had died, their eyes would be closed, and theirContinue reading “Funeral for a Friend”

John’s baptism and ours

Brandon asks, Why is baptism used before Jesus? I thought baptism signified Jesus’ death and resurrection. Why would baptism be used by John if that’s what it is for? As the question suggests, the two baptisms are closely related but also have important differences. Think of them like an engagement ring and a wedding ring. The engagement ringContinue reading “John’s baptism and ours”

Pax Romana and the Peace of God

Caesar Augustus was the first emperor of Rome and its ruler when Christ was born (Luke 2:1). One of the challenges he faced when he came to power was the kingdom had been at war for two centuries due to either the expansion of its territories or internally though civil war. The result was a significantContinue reading “Pax Romana and the Peace of God”

High Touch or High Truth?

Unlike the synoptic writers who start with events surrounding Jesus’ birth (Matthew and Luke), or with the ministry of John the Baptizer (Mark), John’s gospel sets a cosmic tone as he goes all of the way back to the beginning. We hear echoes of Genesis 1 as he writes about the beginning, the word, and light. Some have suggestedContinue reading “High Touch or High Truth?”

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”

The Subversive Gospel

SUB-VER-SIVE – adj. Intending or intended to subvert an established order, especially to undermine or overthrow an established government. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language) We don’t normally think of the message about Jesus as being subversive. That’s to our poverty because it absolutely is. After all, becoming a follower is spoken ofContinue reading “The Subversive Gospel”

Bad Actors

“Bad actors” refers primarily to people who consistently muddle through a stage, television, or movie performance. A secondary usage has to do with those who are up to no good, but I’m not sure that was very well known until a few years ago. That’s when the security industry began to use the phrase forContinue reading “Bad Actors”