On the evening before his crucifixion, the true Passover Lamb was surrounded by the most wretched and pathetic of company. One of his disciples was about to betray him; another would deny him three times before morning; and all of them, his friends, would abandon him. Jesus nevertheless continues to love them, encouraging and preparing […]
On the evening before his crucifixion, the true Passover Lamb was surrounded by the most wretched and pathetic of company. One of his disciples was about to betray him; another would deny him three times before morning; and all of them, his friends, would abandon him. Yet despite their pride, their selfish ambition, their failures, […]
As the Passover drew near, the chief priests and the scribes were plotting to destroy Jesus. But most tragic of all, “Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot,” who decided to betray him (Luke 22:3-4). Judas, being disillusioned and disappointed by Jesus, being controlled by the love of money the cares of this world, and being […]
The Olivet Discourse comes at the end of a section of Luke’s gospel that began with Jesus entering Jerusalem and pronouncing judgment on the temple (Luke 19:41-44). In this teaching, Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples primarily about the the future fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. He calls them to […]
The Olivet Discourse comes at the end of a section of Luke’s gospel that began with Jesus entering Jerusalem and pronouncing judgment on the temple (Luke 19:41-44). In the final week of his earthly ministry, before his crucifixion, he had cleansed the temple, challenged the authority of the temple leadership, pronounced woes against the scribes and […]
Psalm 78 demonstrates that, from Moses to David, Israel repeatedly failed to believe God. Despite his abundant mercy and grace, they failed to trust his saving power, to keep the covenant, and to obey his law. And one of the fundamental causes behind Israel’s constant sin and rebellion was that they forgot the Lord their […]
In the Old Testament, the Messiah (or Christ) was understood to be the anointed king through whom God would establish his kingdom on earth. Israel was anxiously awaiting this coming king who would conquer his enemies and rule the nations in righteousness. Moreover, one of the distinguishing marks of this long-expected Messiah was that he […]
Having silenced the Pharisees and the Herodians, Jesus was then faced with another question from the Sadducees. This time, however, it wasn’t a political question to entrap him, but a theological one to humiliate him; it was a question about resurrection. And Jesus’ response (just days before his own bodily resurrection) not only silences his […]
When asked by the Pharisees and Herodians whether or not it was lawful for Jews to pay tribute to Caesar, Jesus replied by asking whose image was engraved upon one of their coins. They answered him: “Caesar’s.” This set the stage for one of Jesus’ most famous teachings: “Render to Caesar the things that are […]
