Jesus – Page 13 – A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

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”

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”

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”

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!”

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 has 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?”

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, but a few hours. When it was determined that a person had died, their eyes would be closed, and their body wouldContinue reading “Funeral for a Friend”

A Better Idea

Psalm 132 does more than look back—it also points forward. And just as David is the subject of the backward look, he is also the subject their future hopes. Sort of. No sooner had David successfully relocated the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, then he embarked on another project—to build a house (temple) forContinue reading “A Better Idea”

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 it like an engagement ring and a wedding ring. The engagement ringContinue reading “John’s baptism and ours”