Holy Writ
"I would rather have Jesus and nothing else than not have Jesus and have everything else." Read more
"I would rather have Jesus and nothing else than not have Jesus and have everything else." Read more
Only Jesus can meet us where we are, take us where we need to be, and support us each step of the way. Read more
Some people think getting to heaven is complicated. You have to say the write prayer, check off the right list of do’s and don’ts, attend church, volunteer, help the poor, stop smoking, and on and on. But is this really what Jesus had in mind? Not according to John chapter 5. In fact, Jesus makes getting to heaven sound fairly straightforward. He shares in one verse, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent... Read more
When Bible readers think of John 4, their first thought is usually the woman at the well. Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink, and by the end of the conversation reveals he is the Messiah. But there’s another aspect to this account worth noting that highlights what I call the power of story. Verses 39-42 share: 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever... Read more
In handwriting the New Testament, there have been some parts that stand out more than others. One chapter that has had the most impact on me personally so far has been John 3. Here, Nicodemus, one of the nation’s spiritual leaders, meets with Jesus at night. Nicodemus is full of questions, curious how an unknown rabbi could show up, start healing people, and speak with authority about God. Jesus answers his questions, and then adds something more. It’s the verse... Read more
According to John 2, Jesus was a winemaker. In fact, making wine was his first miracle. Of course, before refrigeration, nearly everyone drank fermented beverages, so this did not carry the social stigma often associated with it today. The actual problem in John 2 was that Jesus was at a wedding and the wine had run out. A wedding was a week-long celebration in First-Century Jewish culture. To run out was a big deal, because that left a crowd of... Read more
John 1:1 is one of the most controversial verses in the New Testament. On the surface, it is fairly straightforward: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus, the Word, was in the beginning (making him eternal God); Jesus was with God (equal with God); Jesus was (and is) God. In fact, John likely composes this verse to mirror Genesis 1:1 which starts with, “In the beginning God…” Who God... Read more
The final chapter of Luke’s Gospel provides the only appropriate climax to the story of Jesus. When the women approached the tomb on the morning of third day following His death, angels spoke to them, saying: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners,... Read more
On the day Jesus died on the cross, he did not die alone. Two other men, one on his right and one on his left, were also serving their death sentence. In Luke 23, we read: 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished... Read more
On the very night Jesus was arrested, his followers held an argument regarding which of them was the best. In Luke 22, we read: 24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In