Selecting the Lamb “In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb … a lamb for an house” (Exodus 12:3). — David Rice Jesus, as all Christians know, was the “lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36). He was foreknown of God to be the redeemer of mankind, “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Jesus would die thousands of years after Adam. Sometimes in the scriptures a “day” represents a thousand […]
An Open Tomb “Behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it” (Matthew 28:2, Scriptures from NASB unless otherwise noted). — Ernie Kuenzli Before it began to dawn toward the first day of the week: “Behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. (3) And his appearance […]
Ritualism, Riches, and Error “And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They began to discuss his among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But […]
Hypocritical Holiness “He spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous,and set all others at nought” (Luke 18:9, from the ASV unless otherwise noted). Jesus said to his disciples first, “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). Thus, this lesson is especially for us. Jesus warned us also against the leavens of the Sadducees (Zadokites) and Herodians (Matthew 16:6‑12, Mark 8:15) but each time emphasized the leaven of the Pharisees. […]
Politics and the Church “There came certain Pharisees, saying to him, Get thee out, and go hence; for Herod would fain kill thee. And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I am perfected” (Luke 13:31‑32 ASV). — Kome Ajise The leaven of Herod is not a common phrase compared to the more familiar leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In Matthew 16, our […]