Religious leaders requested to make the tomb of Jesus secure. Roman Governor Pilate using his political power supplied guards to do so. They even put a seal on the stone (see Matthew 27:62–66).
The stone was rolled back by an angel. Not to let Jesus out of it. But to show the women who came … Read the rest
You have got plenty to preach on Good Friday; and more on Easter Sunday. What about Holy Saturday?
The Bible records that the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came and saw where Jesus was laid on Friday evening and went home. They prepared spices and perfumes not knowing that the empty tomb … Read the rest
A Roman soldier walked before the one to be crucified with a placard on which was written the crime for which that criminal was to die. Later that description was nailed to the cross itself (Matthew 27:37).
The inscription above Jesus read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS (John 19:19). However, the Jews … Read the rest
The sudden change the disciples saw in Jesus is recorded by Mark: “They were on their way to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid (Mark 10:32).”
Luke records that Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem and the Samaritans did not welcome him because he … Read the rest
You might have sung this song at least once:
Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still.*
This image of the Potter and the clay comes from a lesson God taught … Read the rest
We all need this. A very different picture of Jesus. Just for once he allows people to celebrate who he is. He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as king (see Matthew 21:1–11).
Many interpretations have been given to this passage. But let us focus on some simple things.
He needed a donkey to ride … Read the rest
“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah”; so begins the not usually read and thought to be boring account of names in the book of 1 Chronicles.
But.
Are they just names?
Let us look at some of them:
Adam. You cannot read that name and not think about God and creation, … Read the rest
Who Is Responsible?
Who is responsible for your actions? You can say others encouraged you to do wrong. Of course they might have motivated you. But then the ultimate responsibility for your action is yours alone.
Judas Iscariot faced this bitter truth.He said, “I have sinned for I have betrayed innocent blood.” Saying so he … Read the rest
“Why this waste (Matthew 26:8)?” That was man’s estimate of love lavished on Jesus. But Jesus valued that act of love which made that woman pour perfume on his head.
We need more people with this kind of a give it all attitude. We need more believers who will not count the cost but sacrifice … Read the rest
When God is offering you something, do not dare to refuse it. Especially when he is offering mercy to you. Not that you deserve it. No. Not at all. God sees you are faithless. Yet he is offering mercy to you today.
What is your faithlessness? It is showing your back to your relationship with … Read the rest
“What to do next?” is a question that troubles us often. You can rely on your wisdom or consult with family and friends or even get expert opinion from other sources. It can turn out right as well.
But then there is someone waiting for you to ask. He is ever willing to guide you. … Read the rest
Good news spreads. Does it? No. It spreads only when it is shared.
The greatest tragedy of the church is that it is keeping the good news to itself. The primary thing is to experience the good news yourself. And then when you have tasted its joy, share it.
Four lepers walked into an enemy … Read the rest
Jesus is always ready to answer tough and probing questions. He had already told his disciples about his coming death. And then when a chance came, Peter asked Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will be there for us (Matthew 19:27)?”
Jesus did not find that question offensive!
Secondly, he answered … Read the rest
“There is nothing there (1 Kings 18:43).” Nothingness doesn’t matter if God has promised to send something.
Here was Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel overlooking the sea. His prayer had just brought down fire from heaven. False prophets had been killed. And he already told King Ahab that there is a sound of heavy rain … Read the rest
Look and live! Can anything be more simple than this?
In answer to Moses’ prayer, God asked him to make a serpent and put it on a pole. So any one of the impatient, grumbling, fault-finding Israelites bitten by venomous snakes can look at it and live!
There was nothing magical in the bronze serpent. … Read the rest
“Stay there until I tell you (Matthew 2:13)” was the command Joseph received from an angel of the Lord.
He was asked to escape to Egypt with baby Jesus and Mary. He obeyed immediately, that very night (v. 14)! Then he was to wait until the word came from God.
Waiting is no easy task. … Read the rest
“The punishment that brought us peace was upon him (Isaiah 53:5).”
Your peace depends totally, absolutely, completely and finally on this accomplished fact. There is nothing left for you to add to this fact. Just trust in what Jesus did on the cross for you.
You come to such an acceptance by humbling yourself before … Read the rest
Who is going to stand at the judgement to condemn you? The Queen of the South.
The queen of Sheba was a foreigner to Israel and lived far away. She heard about Solomon and traveled many many days to reach Jerusalem.
She heard two things about Solomon. One was his wisdom. The other was his … Read the rest
You can come out of Egypt. But it is real hard to get Egypt out of your heart.
The Israelites were delivered from the slavery of Egypt by the mighty hand of the LORD and by observing the Passover. They were protected by the blood and later the Red Sea parted to open for them … Read the rest
Immanuel. God with us (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus is God with us. His birth brought God near to us. A holy God shook hands with sinners, visited their homes and ate with them.
He attended weddings as well as funerals. He blessed weddings with his abundance and disrupted funerals with life-gifting power.
He was a doctor … Read the rest
Do you think Jesus came to earth without a purpose? Unimaginable; isn’t it?
Just take a look at John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Again, look at Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Both these … Read the rest
Some religious thinking call for the suppression of desires. Some others say that desires are the root cause of much suffering. The Bible on the other hand says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).” What a positive statement of truth that is!
Our God … Read the rest
I have never understood why there is such a detailed and repetitive description of offerings made at the anointing of the altar and its dedication when the tabernacle was set up (see Numbers 7:10–88). But there must be a purpose in all that the Spirit of God has recorded in Scripture.
First and foremost it … Read the rest
666. The Mark of the Beast!
Perhaps nothing else holds such fascination in the minds of believers and non-believers alike in these last days.
The first thing to note is that the beast or false prophet decieves the people of this earth (Rev. 13:14). This he is able to accomplish because of the signs he … Read the rest
Be prepared. There is no substitute for this. Do not for one moment think that you can get ready when this shout is heard: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him (Matthew 25:6)!” No. It will be tragic if you are found unprepared.
Be prepared. You do not know when Christ the bridegroom is … Read the rest
Work and worship. How do you balance this? Some people have come up with the concept of “Work is worship.” That cannot be right for God did not say anywhere that your work is equivalent to worship.
As we look at Leviticus Chapter 23 we find the appointed feasts of the Lord described. There in … Read the rest
Jesus Christ is coming again. He is coming soon (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). And he is coming like a thief in the night (Rev. 16:15, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thess. 5:2). He is coming at an unexpected time (Matt. 24:36, 42–44) when people will be saying peace and safety (1 Thess. 5:3).
Jesus himself warned … Read the rest
Yesterday’s anointing is not enough for today’s battle. See, when David was anointed king, the Philistines came to attack him in full force (2 Samuel 5:17). Relying on his God he defeated them twice. But when David neglected to keep touch with God one woman bathing was enough to pull him down. What an army … Read the rest
Holiness is not an option for a believer in Jesus Christ. It is more than a command. It is a royal invitation to share the very nature of God. That is an awesome thought.
First of all holiness is not automatic. We do not become perfect or holy the moment we are born again. Of … Read the rest
