Jesus is crucified. In verse 24, note the specificity of the prophesies, so there can be no doubt that this is the Messiah. Verses 26-27 provide evidence of how Jesus takes care of all things: when He has the weight of all sin bearing down on Him, He is caring for His mother. And what … Continue reading Podcast: John 19:23-42
Podcast: John 19:1-22
Jesus is beaten and delivered to be crucified. Here are some things to consider: What is the context we know from the other Gospels that shed light on Pilate's actions? Look at verse 15. Doesn't this summarize well what the religious leaders were all about? In verse 18, what is the significance of Jesus being … Continue reading Podcast: John 19:1-22
NT Q/A: Keeping miracles a secret?
Question: In Matthew 9:27-31, why did Jesus tell the two blind men whom He had healed not to tell anyone? Why would He not want the two men to go and share this? He had already preached the Sermon on the Mount and had already performed life-changing miracles in front of crowds. This must mean that He … Continue reading NT Q/A: Keeping miracles a secret?
Podcast: John 18:19-40
Jesus is on trial. Here are some highlights of the text: vs. 20--Note how Jesus was always careful to teach openly. Why? vs. 28--Consider the magnitude of this hypocricy of the religious leaders. vs. 34--Jesus asks the best questions. vs. 36--Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. What is important about the word order Jesus … Continue reading Podcast: John 18:19-40
Podcast: John 18:1-18
Jesus is arrested. Have you considered why, in verse 3, they bring weapons to arrest Jesus? Also note the fantastic moment in verses 5-6. And how can we apply Peter's situation in verse 18 to our own lives? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=27423432
The REAL Lord’s Prayer
I recently completed podcast episodes 280 and 281 on John 17. Some years ago when teaching the Gospel of John at Concordia--Chicago, there was occasion for me to spend extra time formatting that chapter of John in order to see more clearly the significance of its content. John-17-The-Real-Lords-Prayer-1Download For example, what is the focus of … Continue reading The REAL Lord’s Prayer
Podcast: John 17:13-26
Jesus' high priestly prayer continues here. Notice the contrast of our natures in verse 14. And in verses 20 and following, we see that Jesus is praying for us, too! For a full outline of how this prayer mirrors the shorter version of the Lord's Prayer as we know it, see below. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=27377550 John-17-The-Real-Lords-PrayerDownload
Podcast: John 17:1-12
This is the last of five chapters in John that take place in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday evening. Here, Jesus prays a more extended version of the Lord's Prayer. What words are repeated throughout this prayer? Consider verse 9--should we always pray for everyone? And note that verse 11 is the very center … Continue reading Podcast: John 17:1-12
Podcast: John 16:23-33
Maundy Thursday evening in the upper room continues. Look at verse 24 and consider--how is our joy made full? How should we ask for things in Jesus' name? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=27324813
How do we praise the Lord?
How often and in what way do you hear the word "praise"? Most of the time I hear the word praise as an imperative: "Praise the Lord" (which is English for the Hebrew "Hallelujah!"). Psalm 78:4 explains that "praise" means to tell the wonderful things that God has done. Thus we know that the imperative … Continue reading How do we praise the Lord?