Category: Message of the Day

CELEBRATING THE NEW PASSOVER

“This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution.” –Exodus 12:14 Passover is one of the most important celebrations in the history of the human race. It refers to the event when the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites while putting to death the firstborn of the Egyptians (Ex 12:12, 29-30). In this way, the Israelites were freed from hundreds of years of slavery. Jesus celebrated the “Last Supper” on the occasion of the Passover. He said: “I have greatly desired to eat...

NOTHING BUT JESUS

“I am concerned about you.” –Exodus 3:16 The proof to show Moses that he was sent by God was that, after Moses brought the people out of Egypt, they would worship on Mount Horeb (Ex 3:12). A proof after the fact is not a very good proof by human standards. Moses realized this and asked for another assurance, for God to reveal His name. With this, Moses could name for the people the One Who had sent him. “God replied, ‘I Am Who Am.’ Then He added, ‘This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to...

MIRACLES AND SODOM

“If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Sodom, it would be standing today.” –Matthew 11:23 Sodom has gone down in history as infamous for homosexual rape and related perversions (Gn 19:5). Jesus assures us that His miracles would have resulted in Sodom’s conversion (Mt 11:23). He also solemnly assures us that we who believe in Him can do greater by far than He (Jn 14:12). This means we can do miracles which would lead to the conversion of cities and countries even worse than Sodom. So let’s stop lamenting the wickedness of the world and start accompanying...

LIVING IN REALITY

“He who will not take up his cross and come after Me is not worthy of Me.” –Matthew 10:38 Jesus is a real Person. He came from heaven to earth, and lived among human beings (Jn 1:14). During the three years of His public ministry, Jesus often had no place to lay His head and no home in which to sleep (Lk 9:58). He suffered rejection and intense persecution. He suffered physically and emotionally (Lk 19:41; Jn 19:33-35). Finally, He was unjustly condemned to death. For our salvation, He carried a real cross, was nailed upon it, and died for...

LOW ENOUGH TO BE EXALTED? (SEE MT 23:12)

“The Lord took me from following the flock.” –Amos 7:15 Amos was a country boy, a shepherd, and a pruner of sycamore trees — a nobody chosen by God to prophesy to the nation of Israel (Am 7:14ff). Jesus likewise sent out His apostles as nobodies. He didn’t let them have the possessions and money by which many people try to command respect (see Mk 6:8-9). He didn’t even provide them with accommodations (see Mk 6:10). The apostles had about as much prestige as homeless people. Of course, without credentials, status, clout, or worldly power, they were almost certain to...