EASTER, PASSOVER, AND JESUS The month of Abib was the month that the Lord had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was therefore to be counted as the first month of the Hebrew year. Since the religious celebrations given by Moses were linked to certain times of the year, it became the role of
WHAT’S YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN? The psalmist asked that the Lord not abandon him when he became old and weak. He knew that the Lord had cared for him since birth, but he wanted to be sure that the Lord wouldn’t forget him in his final days. As we age, we die by degree. Our
IS JESUS IN YOUR BOAT? A fierce storm blew down onto the Sea of Galilee threatening to sink the boat with Jesus and His disciples aboard. Even the professional fishermen like Peter, James and John were afraid. Yet, Jesus remained asleep, untroubled by the storm. The disciples woke Jesus with shouts of “We’re going to
JESUS DRANK THE CUP MEANT FOR US This psalm of David found its fulfillment in Christ’s suffering on the cross. Reading the four gospels together, it appears that Jesus was offered at least two drinks and perhaps three. The first drink offered, according to Matthew and Mark, was wine mixed with gall or myrrh.
JESUS FORGIVES SINS The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins. Perhaps their question should be worded, “Who does he
SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS After Jesus interrupted a funeral procession to raise a widow’s son from the dead, the news of his miracles and teachings spread throughout Judea and the whole vicinity. This illustrates a truth easily discovered anywhere humans dwell, namely, news spreads. Whether it’s good or bad news, people love to
CALLING JESUS “LORD” MUST BE MORE THAN LIP SERVICE Jesus made it clear that those who call Him “Lord,” should obey His word. He taught that obeying His word would not prevent life’s storms, but it would build a strong foundation that would endure any storm. However, the one who only pays lip service to
THE JESUS’ WAY THAT TURNS THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN This is from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, describing the new economy of the kingdom of heaven. Instead of reciprocal response, the believer is to respond out of a new spiritual character, as God does. God’s kingdom people are to “love, do good, bless and pray”
GIVERS ARE GLAD, BUT MISERS ARE MISERABLE Generosity is a blessing both to the recipient and to the giver. But misers are miserable. This is a spiritual principle that reverberates in the physical world, although its effect is often slow to see. The wealth of the generous is paid in dividends that include more than
HE TOUCHED ME A man with leprosy fell on his face before Jesus saying, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” And the Lord, who could’ve healed him from afar, came near and touched the leper and said, “I am willing; be made clean.” Jesus was not only willing to heal the