Christ has rescued us from our self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into Himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He took the curse upon Himself and ended it. And now, by believing in Jesus, we are all able …
Jesus’ Grit for our Glory (Part 2)
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood. He has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. …
Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Resurrection
When the Sabbath (Saturday) was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week (Sunday), just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” …
Jesus’ Grit for our Glory (Part 1)
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! (Mark 11:9-10) The Paradox of Palm Sunday Palm Sunday is coming this week, and it is worth paying attention to. Pastor Tim Keller (1950-2023) said that Christ’s Triumphal Entry in Mark 11 invites us to …
Joy in Jesus’ Incarnation
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich….Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 8:9, 9:15) Messy World, Messy Stable Carrie McKean wrote in Christianity Today: When we think about the night …
Jesus Empties Himself for Us
Christ Jesus, though He existed in the unchanging essence of God, did not consider equality with God something to cling to. Still, He emptied Himself, by taking the nature of a servant, being born a human being. And being found in human form, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians …
Jesus and Hanukkah
In God’s Son (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all… Christ says: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the …
Praise to Jesus (Part 2)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Choosing Praise Despite Circumstances Billy Taylor remembers sitting in his office …
Praise to Jesus (Part 1)
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come into His courts. (Psalm 96:7-8) What Does Ascribe Mean? “Ascribe” is an old Middle English word that means attributing praise to God for the excellence He already has. We worship …
Psalm 45 and Jesus’ Excellence (Part 1)
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the King. My tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Jesus is the most excellent of men, and His lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed Him forever. (Psalm 45:1-2 adapted) This post builds on Excellent Lord Jesus Part 1 and Part …