Jesus “had” to go through Samaria. The way this is worded, it sounds like Jesus had no other choice. This was His only option. Interesting. The route through Samaria from Judea to Galilee would not be a Jew’s first choice. It was not the easiest route. It was not the best route. It was not …
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30 NLT It’s a powerful statement. It’s a simple concept. The more He increases, and the more I decrease, the more joy I will experience. “It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to …
“After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”” John 3:2 NLT The Apostle John subtly weaves Jesus’ identity throughout his Gospel. John writes with one purpose in mind. He …
“Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”” John 2:17 NLT What picture comes to mind when I envision Jesus going into the temple for Passover, seeing the animal-sellers and the money-changers, making a whip to drive out the animals, and flipping the tables of the dishonest …
“But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”” John 2:5 NLT A Wedding Miracle. Turning the water to wine. Jesus’ first miracle. One thing I’d never considered about this miracle is Mary’s perspective. Why was she so concerned about the wine running out? Was this the wedding of a family member …
“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. John 1:39 NLT ““Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.” John …
“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” Mark 1:12-13 NIV The wilderness temptation account is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Mark offers only two verses as a summary of …
This week, we continue our journey through Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ, by reflecting upon Jesus’ baptism. Day 6 “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”” Matthew 3:17 NLT “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, …
Knowing Him is a chronological 50 Day Study in the life of Christ. This week we’re diving into Day 5 of the study, a look at Jesus’ relationship with His four younger brothers. “Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his …
As we continue our study, Knowing Him, let’s consider for a moment the humanity of Christ. Just how ordinary was Jesus? “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.” Isaiah …