Christmas Day comes once a year, and for Christians, this day means something more than traditions and gifts, as wonderful as those things can be. Christmas reminds us of the birth and thus in incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He became flesh to die for you and me. Hebrews 10:5–10 reminds us of these… Read More »
Although Romans 9–11 is primarily about God’s dealings with national Israel, Paul also talks about Gentiles along the way. Paul begins (Romans 9:1–5) and ends (Romans 11:25–32) these chapters with Israel, and he speaks of them in Romans 10 as well—he prays “for them” (Romans 10:1; cf. 9:31) and repeatedly identifies Israel as the subject… Read More »
“In a passage that rivals [Romans] 3:21–26 for theological importance, Paul paints with broad brush strokes a ‘bird’s-eye’ picture of the history of redemption. His canvas is human history, and the scope is universal.”1 “Adam’s sin has wrought great devastation in the world, and we all know that cleaning up a mess is harder than… Read More »
Daniel received his final vision in Daniel 10–12. As with previous visions (cf. Daniel 7:16; 8:16–17; 9:21–23), Daniel saw angels and heard them speak (e.g., Daniel 12:5). In this vision, however, there is debate among Bible-believing theologians over the identity of the messenger who told Daniel of things to come (cf. Daniel 11:2–12:3). Some identify… Read More »
Romans 3:21–26 bursts with soteriological fireworks after the dreary darkness of man’s sin and unrighteousness in Rom 1:18–3:20. Though man is unrighteous, guilty of sin, and will therefore face the righteous wrath of God (Rom 1:18–3:20), God declares us righteous through our faith in Jesus Christ who suffered the wrath of God for us (Rom… Read More »
Four passages tell us of how Pilate released Barabbas from death on a cross instead of our Lord Jesus Christ— Matthew 27:15–23; Mark 15:6–14; Luke 23:18–23; John 18:39–40. The following examines their descriptions of Barabbas, the innocence of Jesus, and how they portray how Jesus’ death for us. First, consider the descriptions of Barabbas. Beyond… Read More »
In Romans 3:21–26, Paul speaks of how God justifies someone, that is, declares someone to be righteous. Humanly speaking, God justifies through a person’s faith in Jesus Christ. Divinely speaking, God justifies the believer “by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). What is “the redemption that… Read More »
Psalm 110:1 holds more references in the New Testament than any other verse from the Old Testament. The New Testament quotes it five times and alludes to it sixteen times by either referring to Jesus’ position at the Father’s right hand or to Jesus’ waiting to conquer His enemies.1 The New Testament quotes Psalm 110:4… Read More »
John 1:14 captures the incarnation of the Son of God and the glory thereof in these memorable words: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Incarnation of the Word By this point… Read More »
My favorite Christmas hymn is “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” written by Charles Wesley. I love its rich truths about Christ and the gospel. The text is based on many different passages in Scripture. In the first stanza, Wesley poetically summarizes the angels’ message to the shepherds that Christ, the newborn King, had been born… Read More »