The Hour Is Come
John 12:12-32 contains the record of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It states the jubilant accolades believers gave Him: “Hosanna. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel” (v. 12). It reveals the despair of His enemies who said, “Behold how ye prevail nothing. The whole world is gone […]
“The Speech of Ashdod”
In Nehemiah 13:23-26, Nehemiah stated that when the Jews had intermarried, they spoke the “speech of Ashdod.” This caused a violent reaction from Nehemiah: “And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters […]
Lessons From a Feast in Bethany
John 11:1-11 contains the record of a feast which was given for Jesus in Bethany. Three of the gospels record this same event (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-11). There is also the record of a similar account recorded exclusively in Luke 7:36-50. However, some regard all four of these account to refer to the […]
Speaking in Tongues
In the late 1960s a movement started in the denominational world called the charismatic movement. This movement became a branch of the Pentecostal denomination, with a few differences between the two. One of their biggest agreements, however, is the belief that spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, still exists today. Those who agree with these […]
Sorting Out Divorce and Remarriage
To understand the importance of the commands of Jesus regarding divorce and remarriage, we need to evaluate the status of the different parties. First, the Lord’s instructions with regard to the man (Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). The man who divorces his wife for some other cause than fornication does not have a […]
The Wonder of Jesus
Few of the miracles of Jesus worked provoked more reactions and wonder than His raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11). The resurrection of this man occurred near the end of Jesus’ personal ministry and was one of Jesus’ final signs He gave His nation to cause them to believe in Him. In John […]
Lazarus Has Fallen Asleep
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were siblings who lived in a village named Bethany, not far from Jerusalem. It appears, from the fact that Jesus was invited into Martha’s home that Mary and Lazarus lived with her. Had she never been married? Was she married? Was she a widow? We do not really know. The feast […]
Free Moral Agents
John 9:30-39 is the account of Jesus’ final appeal to the Jewish rulers. He had spoken of Himself as the good shepherd who knows His sheep, calls them by name, and lays down His life for them. At the conclusion of His conversation with them He said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:31). […]
Self-Righteousness
Every once and a while, I receive a response from someone who claims that I am self-righteous. I think it is curious that people call me self-righteous, because is it not a little self-righteous on their part? People are often guilty of the very sin of which they charge others! That is being hypocritical and […]
“The Secret Lives of Jesus”
Several years ago, the National Geographic Channel aired, “The Secret Lives Of Jesus,” a show which, according to Tom Jennings, its writer and producer, explores stories found in “alternative gospels” written in the 2nd and 3rd centuries — stories created by Gnostic sects who wanted to share with the world their own version of the […]