In the Beginning

Jesus had little regard for ceremonies. There were only two observances that he asked of his followers. One was baptism, the other was the memorial of his death. While baptism is a single event and can come at any time, the Memorial coincides with the Jewish Passover because that was the time of ..more
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 Jesus Wept -Compassion

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NASB). There are two cases where Jesus wept. He wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and he wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus (John 11:34-35). Both events were towards the end of his ministry. This discussion will focus on Jesus’ grief at the death of Lazarus as it gives us special insight into Jesus’ ability to identify with a grieving creation…more

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The Way to Jerusalem- Jesus Death

“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day” (Matthew 16:21). (All scripture NASB unless otherwise noted.) It was AD 33 as Jesus began his final journey to Jerusalem. Beginning in Galilee, he would travel 80-100 miles to Jerusalem, the Jewish capital where his earthly ministry would come to an end. Let us consider five of the notable events that took place during the journey…more

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Jesus’ Last 21 Hours

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that his hour had come that he would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1 NAS).  Jesus’ last day on earth by the reckoning of our present calendar was April 3, 33 AD. He spent 33½ years on earth as a perfect human being with the last 3½ in his active ministry. The most compelling hours of that short life were those of his final day, the culmination of which meant that Adam’s race would not eternally perish in their sinful condition...more

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News and Views

RELIGIOUS Technically speaking, there are four “official” religions in Russia: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism. But given that almost 70 percent of Russians identify as adherents to the Russian Orthodox Church, it’s pretty apparent that one religion is more “official” than others. The smallest of the four is Judaism. There are fewer than 200,000 self-identified Jews in Russia today—less than the number of pagans—though the number of Russians from Jewish backgrounds who no longer identify with the religion is likely much higher. They are what remains after a mass exodus that saw more than 2 million Jews leave the countries of the former Soviet Union shortly before and after its collapse, mainly for the United States and Israel.—Slate, 11/28/2014… more

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Today in Prophecy-Cyberwarfare and Cyberterrorism

 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong (Joel 3:10) In July, 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama staged an exercise in which his cabinet, homeland security, intelligence and defense officials were faced with a cyber attack on U.S. public services such as trains and water treatment plants by unknown hackers a world away.  In a Wall Street Journal editorial, Mr. Obama wrote, “The cyber threat to our nation is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face.” …more

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A Parting Wish-With Desire

“With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). Jesus used the word “desire” twice in the theme text, indicating that he had held his desire to share this Passover with his disciples for some time. According to Strong’s Concordance, the word “desire”(#G1939) in this verse means “a longing (especially for what is forbidden).” Vine’s Expository Dictionary comments that this word for desire (EPITHUMIA) “stresses the inward impulse rather than the object desired.”…more

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Barabbas and the Perfect Man-Behold the Man

“Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.  And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!” (John 19:5) Behold the man! That’s what Pilate said to the Jews, and in particular to the leaders of Israel, as they petitioned Pilate to put Jesus to death.  Behold the man! The chief priests and officers heard these words of Pilate.  They saw Jesus before them wearing a purple robe and a crown of thorns.  These were put on Him by the Roman soldiers – not to honor Him but to mock Him…more

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Communion or Common Union-A cup of Blessing

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16) At Memorial season we cannot help but consider the importance of these words, communion or common union.  To have a strong unity requires common interest and experience that is based on a sure foundation. What is the basis of our union, our unity, and our oneness?  The stronger the basis, the stronger will be the unity.  This unity or oneness in Christ is shown in the scriptures through many illustrations...more

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The Unity of the Body of Christ-One Body

“Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” 1 Corinthians 10:17 (NIV) This familiar Memorial text occurs in a context where the Apostle Paul is talking about the idolatry of Israel as they wandered 40 years in the desert.  He is encouraging the brethren to avoid Israel’s examples.  They literally and figuratively committed fornication with other peoples and their heathen gods.  They complained about the manna that God provided them.  They made a golden calf to visibly represent Jehovah.  They murmured against Moses, Aaron, and Jehovah because the evil report of the 10 spies filled them with fear...more

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Outwitted – Back Cover