The Light of the World
The most famous depiction of Christ at the door of the heart is a painting by Holman Hunt, entitled “The Light of the World.” In the painting, Jesus stands before the door with a lamp in His hand. The door has been closed for so long that it is overgrown with ivy. Nevertheless, Jesus continues […]
4 Traits That Make a Difference
Whenever a newcomer is making a choice of where to worship in a community, there are many factors to be considered. However, if I’m the one making the choice, I’m going to be looking at four traits: Sincerity I want to worship with a congregation that’s imminently motivated to serve God \. No half-hearted, going-through-the-routine, […]
The Essence of Leadership
Elihu Root, an American statesman, diplomat, and principal cabinet member in both the administrations of both Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, is quoted as having said, “I observe that there are two entirely different theories according to which individual men seek to get on in the world. One theory leads a man to pull down […]
Triumphal Entry
Yearly, Passion Week arrives marking the (Jewish) calendar date of the week Jesus goes to the cross and is resurrected three days later. The beginning of this is marked by His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mark 11:7-10 reads, “And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on […]
Words From the Cross #6
“Woman, behold, your son! … Behold, your mother!” Jesus tells us, “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die’” (Mark 7:10). He knew the Scriptures and their meaning. We see this echoed in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (6:1-3): “Children, obey your parents in the […]
Words From the Cross #5
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These words are a prayer from Jesus to the Father of mercy for those who are crucifying Jesus. Forgiveness is the example we should all follow, despite what has been done to us. Jesus taught that we should be reconciled to our brother before coming […]
Words From the Cross #4
“I thirst.” These two words speak to the very core of humanity within Jesus. His last bit to eat and drink had been the night before, and He had been awake, being drug through trials, humiliations, and beatings all night long. Psalm 22:15 tells us a little about the torture Jesus is going through: “… […]
Words From the Cross #3
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Did the recipient of this blessing deserve it? Absolutely not. Was he baptized? Most likely no, and if he was, the baptism of John, the only baptism available to him, demanded his following Christ which He did not do until moments prior. […]
Words From the Cross #2
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke records these first words Jesus spoke on the cross in 23:34. This prayer that Jesus recites is likely, if we look at the harmonization of the gospels, happening either as the soldiers nail and lift His body up on the cross, or not long […]
Words From the Cross #1
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” Translated from the Aramaic, it means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Much has been written about the words Jesus said on the cross a few brief minutes before His death from Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. It was about 3:00 p.m. of that fateful day that Jesus […]