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Showing 2676 to 2700 of 2844 results

2676. Learn To Play Again

Mark 10:13-16

Sermon

Charley Reeb

A group of theologians and scholars once cornered C.S. Lewis and asked him, “What is the most important theological discovery you have ever made?” Lewis smiled and responded, “I exist to enjoy God’s enjoyment of me.” Did you know that? God enjoys you! God wants you to enjoy him, to enjoy life, to enjoy the world he has created, and to enjoy the people he has put in your life. Scripture backs up God’s call to enjoy life in 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV): Command those who are rich in this present world not to be ...

2677. Jesus and John the Baptist

Matthew 11:1-19

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

11:1–6 Verse 1 of chapter 11 marks the transition to a new section in Matthew’s Gospel. Once again we find the same formula that was used at the end of the Sermon on the Mount (kai egeneto hote etelesen ho Iēsous; cf. 7:28). Up to this point the public ministry of Jesus has met with success. Now the atmosphere changes, and hostility begins to manifest itself. Having finished giving instructions to the Twelve, Jesus departs (apparently alone) to teach and preach in nearby towns. From this point on, healings ...

2678. The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Parables of Judgment: Chapter 24 closed with a parable warning what will happen to servants who are unfaithful while the master is away. The same general theme continues throughout chapter 25. Like the foolish young women of verses 1–13, they will be excluded from the marriage feast; like the worthless servant who buries his talent, they will be thrown outside into the darkness (vv. 14–30); and like the “goats” who do not respond to the needy, they will suffer the fate of the devil and his angels (vv. 31– ...

2679. Rat Poison

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon

Kristin Borsgard Wee

When our son started kindergarten, I held my breath. I knew he would be a handful. Things were going along pretty well until the day he pulled the fire alarm, which he did during lunch hour. The whole school was in chaos. I got a vivid description from the principal. I felt awful. I'll always be grateful to the teacher who said that my son was not a bad kid and I shouldn't let the principal convince me any differently. But not so from my son's teacher. She had nothing good to say about him. But then, she ...

2680. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

Mark 2:18-22

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

2:18–22 Another issue surfaces between Jesus and his critics; in this case the question concerns why his disciples do not observe fasts like those of the other religious groups named. The fasting in question was a weekly exercise (for the Pharisees, on Mondays and Thursdays) and seems to have been intended as an expression of mourning over the sins of Israel and over the fact that the longed-for salvation of prophetic hope had not appeared (on fasting in Mark, see note). The fact that the question emerged ...

2681. The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman

Mark 7:24-30

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

7:24–30 The NIV heading for this story notes the real point of the passage, that it is a gentile woman whose faith succeeds. Although Jesus’ criticism of scribal tradition in 7:1–13 and his rejection of the concern for ritual purity in 7:14–23 can be accounted for in the context of his own historical ministry, these teachings were also relevant to the church after him, as we have noted in the comments on these passages. In the present passage, the relevance for the early church of all that has been stated ...

2682. A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

Luke 18:35-43

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

This section includes the healing of the blind man at Jericho (18:35–43) and Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus (19:1–10). In both passages we see individual men responding to Jesus in faith. 18:35–43 Luke’s account of the healing of the blind man at Jericho is taken from Mark 10:46–52. In the Marcan account the blind man is named “Bartimaeus” (10:46; Bartimaeus=son of Timaeus). In the Matthean version of the story, however, reference is made to two blind men (Matt. 20:29–34; cf. also Matt. 9:27–31). (Matthew ...

2683. God's Wrath Against Mankind

Romans 1:18-32

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

Paul now launches into the body of the epistle with an indictment against humanity. He will maintain the charge until 3:21, at which point he will return to righteousness by faith which he introduced in 1:16–17. Romans 1:18–3:20 is a sobering exposé of the dark side of human nature. Throughout the attack Paul labors to demonstrate that there is no distinction between Gentile and Jew in the matter of sin and guilt, a point reasserted in 3:10–12, 3:23, and 11:32. Gentile and Jew are equally guilty before God ...

2684. All Israel Will Be Saved

Romans 11:25-32

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

So far in chapters 9–11 Paul has advanced his argument with care and deliberation. He has shown that from all peoples on earth God separated one people to receive his promise by faith. When the chosen people refused to believe and held fast to righteousness by law, God extended the promise to the Gentiles who received it by faith. But Israel’s rejection of God did not force God to a countermove of rejecting Israel. “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable,” says Paul (v. 29). From unbelieving Israel God ...

2685. Wisdom from the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

These verses form something of an excursus on the wisdom of God and the spiritual discernment of Christians, although the discussion is symmetrically similar to 1:18–25. In these verses, however, Paul seems to be describing reality from God’s point of view. To avoid misunderstanding Paul’s thought in these lines one must recall that he designated his message “the word of the cross.” Paul would tell about the cross, and he would explicate its meaning. Clearly, Paul interprets the saving significance of the ...

2686. The Seals

Revelation 6:1-17

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The judgment of God against a fallen world is one yield of the death and exaltation of Christ. The breaking of the seals, which opens the scroll and declares God’s decree of salvation, occurs as an essential part of Christ’s entrance into the heavenly throneroom. The seal judgments, and the trumpet judgments that follow, do not depict a sequence of future historical events; rather, they symbolize together God’s response to—and are in that sense co-terminus with—chapter five’s exaltation of the risen Lamb. ...

2687. Clean and Unclean Animals

Leviticus 11:1-47

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

Manual of Purity: Chapter 11 begins the third section of Leviticus, which provides instructions on what is clean and what is unclean. Although these chapters are somewhat disparate, this theme unifies them—thus the title “Manual of Purity.” Following these instructions, chapter 16 describes the ritual of the Day of Atonement. Some commentators (e.g., Hartley) treat chapter 16 separately, but while it does allude to the narrative in chapter 10, it also provides a means of removing the effects of the ...

2688. Rules for Priests

Leviticus 21:1--22:16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

Priests and Offerings: The Holiness Code now moves to cultic issues. Chapter 21 treats issues related to priests, who carry a special holiness, and chapter 22 provides instruction on offerings that are to be handled with great care. These chapters apply the holiness perspective to the priesthood as an institution and to various offerings. Chapter 21 addresses priests and their families and then delineates the physical requirements for entering the priesthood. 21:1–9 The chapter begins with the notion that ...

2689. The Nazirite

Numbers 6:1-21

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Vows and Blessings: Purity and holiness and God’s presence with the people continue to underscore the text. Chapter 6 begins with a description of the Nazirites, a group that exemplifies a special holiness by way of a vow and so is a symbol of Israel’s holiness. The chapter concludes with God’s blessing upon the people. All of these rites fall under the supervision of the priests. 6:1–8 The first part of the Nazirite vow (vv. 1–4) is to abstain from wine and other fermented drink. The description of the ...

2690. Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 14:1-33

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Absalom – In Geshur and Jerusalem: 14:1 Although his reason for wanting Absalom back in Israel is obscure, Joab plays the key role in the account of Absalom’s return. Again, the writers’ awareness of people, their characters, and their motivations is remarkable. Both Joab and Absalom are portrayed with a great deal of insight. It is possible that Joab had tried before to obtain a pardon for Absalom, as David’s comment in verse 19 could indicate. That would then explain the circuitous route that Joab used ...

2691. David Flees

2 Samuel 15:13-37

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Absalom’s Rebellion Begins: Within these chapters there is an interest in the concept of loyalty: loyalty moving from David to Absalom; the loyalty of Ittai, Zadok, and Abiathar to David; Ahithophel’s disloyalty and Hushai’s apparent disloyalty; Shimei’s loyalty to Saul and the ambiguity of Ziba’s position. Behind this is the conviction that although human loyalties may be unpredictable and unreliable, God’s loyalty can always be trusted. 15:13–23 Although David had had no suspicions concerning Absalom’s ...

2692. Job's Final Concession

Job 42:1-6

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

Job’s final words provide a more satisfying response to the theophany than his earlier non-speech in 40:3–5. There Job essentially refused to say anything more than he had uttered in the dialogue section. We were left with no clue as to how the appearance of God had affected or changed him. Job is now apparently ready to say his piece in response to God, suggesting that the poetic discourses are reaching their conclusion. 42:1 Then Job replied to the LORD. The introduction to Job’s response employs the ...

2693. Deceived Deceivers, and the Feasting Followers of the Lord

Psalm 36:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Initially verses 1–4 and 5–9 appear to share little in common, and their abrupt change of subject matter may suggest they were artificially spliced together. What connection is there between describing the character of the wicked and praising Yahweh’s love and righteousness, along with the riches of his house? Interpreters have struggled with this issue, particularly, because the psalm does not fit the standard form-critical categories. Kraus has thus described it as “didactic poetry” (Psalms 1–59, p. 397 ...

2694. Cultivating Faithfulness Until the Flourishing Wicked Wither

Psalm 37:1-40

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

To make sense of this wisdom psalm we must first pay heed to hints of its social setting. The wicked have wealth, the righteous little (v. 16). A chief concern is that of “possessing (Hb. yrš, NIV ‘inherit’) the land” (vv. 9, 11, 22, 29, 34). Verse 3b literally reads, “Tent the land and shepherd faithfulness.” This may suggest that the righteous live as pastoralists or semi-nomads, not as settlers. They live in the land but the wicked are its owners. The notions of righteousness and justice (esp. vv. 6, 28 ...

2695. In Praise of the King at His Wedding

Psalm 45:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Psalm 45, a royal psalm, is unlike any other psalm. Most psalms praise God (with God as the sentences’ grammatical subject), but this one praises the king. It opens with, “You (i.e., the king in v. 1) are the most excellent of men,” and closes with, “the nations will praise you (i.e., the king) for ever and ever.” This departure from the norm is explained by the superscription. This is not a hymn set in God’s temple but “a wedding song” set in the king’s court. 45:1–5 The speaker opens with an explicit ...

2696. The Penitential Psalm

Psalm 51:1-19

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Every psalm is special, but with this one we feel that we enter upon holy ground. While it is a confession of sin, it reflects an intimacy with God few psalms can rival. In most psalms, blame for a lamentable condition is attached to enemies or to sickness, but this psalm is uniquely introspective before God. In the traditions of the early church, there are the seven penitential psalms (Pss. 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). Upon closer inspection, however, we discover that only Psalms 32, 51, and 130 ...

2697. God's Chosen Servant

Matthew 12:15-21

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Opposition Mounts: In chapter 12 Matthew relates a number of incidents that reveal the basis for Pharisaic opposition to Jesus and his ministry. Jesus vindicates his disciples’ plucking grain on the Sabbath (vv. 1–8), restores a paralyzed hand on the Sabbath (vv. 9–14), moves away when he hears of a plot against him (vv. 15–21), refutes the Pharisees’ claim that he drives out demons by the power of Beelzebub (vv. 22–32), calls his antagonists “snakes” who will be held accountable on the day of judgment (vv ...

2698. God’s Goodness Redefined: The Nearness of God

Psalm 73:1-28

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

This psalm is a favorite for many because it rings so true to our feelings and experience. Many of us have felt disappointed in God. When we feel life has treated us unfairly, we often betray our belief in the sovereignty of God by blaming and abandoning him! The psalm confesses what we are afraid to admit, and so helps us to be honest before God about life’s temptations and our readiness to sell out. The psalm’s first half is largely negative (vv. 1–14) and the second half largely positive (vv. 15–28). ...

2699. Jesus Predicts His Death

Matthew 16:21-28

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

16:21–23 From that time on marks a new stage in Jesus’ revelation of himself to his disciples. They had acknowledged his messiahship, but now they must be prepared to follow a Messiah who would go to Jerusalem and suffer at the hands of the orthodox religious establishment. There he would be put to death, but after three days he would rise again. In verse 21 we have the first definite prediction of the passion (cf. 17:22–23 and 20:18–19 for the two other predictions in Matthew). When Jesus says that he ...

2700. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

12:13–17 This passage deals with the first of three questions put to Jesus by his critics in 12:13–34. The purpose of the question is to trap him (lit., “to snare”). The trap does not succeed, however, and Jesus impresses his opponents in this discussion tinged with hostility. In order to understand the significance of the question and how it was intended as a snare for Jesus, it is necessary to take notice of the political situation of the time. The land of Palestine was under the rule of the Romans, and ...

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