The story of the wise and foolish builders, found at the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, is a familiar one to most. Having taught on living the life of the kingdom and what it means to be an authentic disciple, Jesus warns those who would presume to call him ‘Lord’ yet fail to do what […]
The Sabbath was the seventh day of the Jewish week and was set apart by religious observances and cessation from work. The scribes and Pharisees, however, had turned the observance of the Sabbath from a delight into a heavy burden. Jesus had already proven to the scribes and Pharisees that he had divine authority to […]
So far in Luke’s gospel, we’ve seen that Jesus came “to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18; 4:43). The calling of Levi, and Jesus’ association with tax collectors and sinners, here in this passage is a powerful demonstration of this mission of redemption, but the Pharisees and scribes are offended. Yet this is more […]
Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, summarizes the gospel of our salvation: Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, he was buried, and he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Though the spotless Lamb of God was slain to take away the sins of the world, three […]
“The chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe'” (Mark 15:31-32). As Jesus hangs upon the cross, suffering the physical pain of crucifixion and spiritual anguish of the […]
The miracles of Jesus, often the topic of much discussion and admiration, served a greater purpose than merely being examples to be sought after and replicated today; they were signs that pointed to greater spiritual realities and especially his identity and mission as the Son of God sent into the world to be the great […]
As if the events surrounding the outset of Jesus’ public ministry weren’t profound enough, Luke records yet another astonishing and pivotal moment in his gospel. Having entered the local synagogue and read from the prophet Isaiah, Jesus rolls up the scroll and declares: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:20-21). He was humbly […]
The familiar story of Christ’s birth includes a variety of characters, from the powerful Caesar Augustus all the way down to the lowly shepherds. Most would think that the sending of God’s own Son into the world would take place in the most extravagant, influential, politically expedient, and visible way possible. Yet here we find Jesus, […]
The Gospel of Luke invites everyone to place their faith in Jesus Christ, the King who defeated death with his love. Over and over again, Luke shows us that the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, entrance into God’s kingdom, is an offer made to the entire world. But Luke doesn’t stop there. His […]
“Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible” (Eph. 6:23-24). So Paul concludes his epistle to the Ephesians, yet even here we are once again presented with the overarching themes of this […]
As Paul begins to bring his epistle to a close, he exhorts the church to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Eph. 6:10). He masterfully weaves together the many themes present throughout the letter in order to encourage the saints to put on the gospel armor of God in its entirety, […]
What does it look like to be filled with the Spirit? Many answers are given in response to such a question. For some, it’s experiencing a replication of Pentecost. For others, it’s providing evidence of being endowed with particular spiritual gifts such as tongues or divine healing. Yet the Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5, provides […]
While the psalmist has praised the Lord for his protection, strength, and victories won for his people in the first half of the psalm, he now calls for the gates of the temple to be opened that he may worship the Lord in his presence (Ps. 118:19). But even while God may have been the defense […]
Paul, called to be an apostle to the Gentiles and compelled by the love of Christ, gave his life to the stewardship of God’s grace that had been given to him (Eph. 3:1-2). Amidst persecution, suffering, and imprisonment for the sake of Christ, he continued to proclaim the mystery of the gospel to the known world. But why […]
Just as we were once characterized by our spiritual death and alienation from and hatred of God, his immeasurable power in the gospel of grace has miraculously brought us from death to life for good works: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in […]
