DON’T LET TROUBLE CAUSE YOU TO STUMBLE IN YOUR FAITH The NLT translates the Greek word, “skandalizo,” as “abandon your faith.” It’s not a bad dynamic interpretation of the word. The word’s literal meaning is to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another might trip and fall. But what
Who is Mephibosheth? Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. He was five years old when the news came about his father and grandfather having died in battle. His nurse was fleeing with him to hide when “he fell and became disabled” (2 Sam. 4:4). Now, perhaps 16 years later,
ANOTHER ADVOCATE Jesus sought to comfort His disciples by explaining that although He must return to the Father, He would send “another Advocate” to be with them always. The Greek word translated, “Advocate,” is “Paraklētos,” which literally means, “one called alongside.” It might also be translated, “Helper” or “Comforter.” Jesus identified this “Advocate” as the
ARE YOUR QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING OR DEBATE? Some would say that the member of the Twelve named Thomas was slow to believe. But would we have Christ’s response without his questions? Jesus was not offended by the question, but was pleased to answer, knowing that Thomas was honest in his inquiry. For unlike the Pharisees,
SIN ALWAYS GOES OUT INTO THE NIGHT The one who leaves Jesus and his disciples to go “out into the night” will hurt Christ and his church, but in the end will be the one most harmed by that decision. That is what sin does. It caused Adam to hide in the shadows of the
WHOSE PRAISE DO YOU SEEK? Many people, including the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem believed in Jesus, but they would not speak of it publicly for fear of censure by the Pharisees. It wasn’t popular to confess Jesus among the upper classes. Such faith was for the common folk. Although fear of rejection may have been
CHRIST IS OUR PURIFICATION Over 100 purification pools or “mikvehs” have been discovered in the ruins surrounding the Temple Mount. The Jewish pilgrims who came from all over the Roman Empire for Passover would arrive early to bathe in one of these mikvehs, cleansing themselves and putting on clean clothes before entering the Temple. Yet,
THE WORD THAT RAISES THE DEAD The One who had said, “Let there be light,” later entered into this sin darkened world to bring light once again. He spoke resurrection life to a four-days-dead man, shouting, “Lazarus, come forth!” He called to him specifically because otherwise all the dead on planet earth would have burst
SAMUEL, A FORERUNNER OF CHRIST JESUS Samuel was the last of the judges and with his passing, Israel completely transitioned from the time of the judges to the time of the kings. Samuel was the greatest Israelite leader since Moses. He was a forerunner of the Messiah, bearing the threefold titles of prophet, priest and
GOD’S PROVISION AND PREPARATION IN THE WILDERNESS David fled from King Saul to live in the Judean wilderness of En Gedi, which provided both caves to live in and springs from which to drink. God provided for David in the wilderness. And although it was a very difficult time, it was also a time of