In the December 2017 edition of the National Geographic magazine, American archaeologist-turned-journalist, Kristin Romey, contributed a story titled, “What Archaeology is Telling Us about the Real Jesus.” She writes, not as one doubting the existence of a person named Jesus of Nazareth (though she acknowledges that there are some who do so), but as one who seeks to sift … [Read more...]
Celebrating the Cross (Philippians 2:1–11)
Good Friday. Why is it good? A lot of people will answer saying, because they can sleep in and have a holiday, a day off at work, long weekend. Those are all true, but why is it good for us? Why do we gather on this unique Friday? After all, we are celebrating the death—the suffering and crucifixion—of Jesus. That sounds terrible. And yet the day marks the dramatic and perfect … [Read more...]
A Glorious Meal (Matthew 26:17–30)
Jesus Christ is the perfect fulfilment of the Passover meal. As we consider this meal’s historical context and its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, may we have a revived approach to the Lord’s Supper and its significance, not just over the Easter weekend, but at every remembrance of him. … [Read more...]
The Rest of the Story (Psalm 22:22–31)
Psalm 22 records some event in the life of David in which he suffered extreme heartache. He felt desolate and disorientated. This is clear from vv. 1–2, 6–8, and 12–18. But amidst this heartache, David clung to God. He professed great confidence in God even as he confessed that he was confused by God. We see this in vv. 3–5 (in which he remembers the character and the past … [Read more...]
The Story of the Cross (Psalm 22:1–22)
It has been suggested that Psalms 22–24 form a deliberate trilogy, and that the common theme is that of Jesus as Shepherd. The New Testament reveals Jesus as “the good shepherd” (John 10:11), “the great Shepherd” (Hebrews 13:20), and “the Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). It is said that these three psalms line up with this threefold theme in that Psalm 22 reveals Jesus as the … [Read more...]