Tagged: Bible Study

“Who are My brothers?” –Matthew 12:48 Jesus transformed motherhood when He commanded His mother Mary to be the mother of all His disciples (Jn 19:26-27). Jesus transformed the meaning of fatherhood, sonship, and daughterhood when He told us to call God our Abba, that is, Father (Mt 6:9). This made us brothers and sisters of Jesus and of each other. Jesus said: “Whoever does the will of My heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to Me” (Mt 12:50). When we were baptized, we were baptized into a radically transformed brotherhood and sisterhood. Paul spoke of those who bear...

“O My people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer Me!” –Micah 6:3 There’s no excuse for us to love the Lord with anything less than everything. He has loved us with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). He has set us free from slavery (Mi 6:4). He alone has been perfectly faithful to us. He even died on the cross for us. What more can He do? Greater love than this no man has (Jn 15:13). The Lord loves us more than we love ourselves. He is willing to forgive us before we ask...

“It is He Who is our Peace, and Who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart.” –Ephesians 2:14 Micah prophesied that the Messiah would not only be peaceful or make peace but that He would be Peace (Mi 5:4). Moreover, Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, the quintessence of His preaching, by proclaiming: “Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9). On the night before He died, Jesus announced that He would leave peace to His disciples in His last will and testament (Jn...

Jesus “will not contend or cry out, nor will His voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed He will not crush; the smoldering wick He will not quench until judgment is made victorious.” –Matthew 12:19-20 There are many evil things occurring right now. Family farmers, home owners, and many others are being victimized by subtle maneuvers (see Mi 2:1ff). Also, plots are being hatched (see Mt 12:14), people are being tortured, children are being aborted, and many other sins are being committed. This can be discouraging, but there’s much more taking place. Jesus is peacefully, quietly, and gently...

“I will heal you: in three days you shall go up to the Lord’s temple; I will add fifteen years to your life.” –Isaiah 38:5 God is the Lord of time. He can add to our time here on earth. He added fifteen years to Hezekiah’s life. The Lord can even stop time, as He did for Joshua for a day (Jos 10:13). The Lord, of course, can multiply time, as He multiplied the loaves and the fish. Astoundingly, the Lord can put time in reverse, as when the sun went backwards as a sign to Hezekiah (Is 38:8). The...