• Abiding Pleasure

    John 4:1-26

    We spend much of our physical and mental energy in the pursuit of happiness. But it is impossible to find satisfaction outside of a relationship with God, and seeking pleasure in sinful practices only alienates Him from us. Evaluate your ...Read More

  • A Blessedness No One has Imagined

    Isaiah 7

    Scholars have long debated whether the original Hebrew of today’s passage is better translated “virgin” or “young woman.” This is a worthy debate, but if we are not careful, we could miss this key point: just as the son ...Read More

  • A Child is Born

    Isaiah 9:1–7

    Some have argued that today’s passage predicts the birth of King Hezekiah, but given the failures of even righteous Hezekiah (Isa. 39), it is clear that these verses must refer ultimately to the Son of David, who is also ...Read More

  • A Shoot from Jesse’s Stump

    Isaiah 11:1–11

    One of the things that makes Jesus the Messiah greater than even David himself is His righteousness in judging the poor and deciding with equity for “the meek of the earth” (Isa. 11:4). Christ is the incomparably noble and ...Read More

  • Christmas in Time and Space

    Luke 2:1–7

    The Bible insists that the Son of God entered history at a specific point and remains united to a human nature in the person of Jesus Christ forever. This is radically different from the Hindu concept of incarnation, which says ...Read More

  • Christ Our Wisdom

    Colossians 2:3

    The gospel is scandalous to unbelievers even though Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:18–31). But it is important to note that the message is to be scandalous, not our actions. We must take care not ...Read More

  • God Will Swallow up Death Forever

    Isaiah 25

    Paul tells us that “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:26) because he recognizes that death continues to plague creation even though Christ dealt it a mortal blow by His own death and resurrection. Death ...Read More

  • Is Christ the Only Way?

    John 14:1–6

    Pluralism is the cover that secular humanism has used to persuade Christians to give up their influence in society. Today it is politically incorrect to believe an “intolerant religion” that holds up ethical absolutes. Be willing to stand up and ...Read More

  • Israel, the Son of God

    Hosea 11:1–7

    New Testament fulfillment language does not always mean a prophet directly saw an aspect of Jesus’ ministry. When the Apostles say Christ fulfilled a prophecy, they sometimes mean that He is the true realization of a particular old covenant theme ...Read More

  • Jesus, The Perfect Savior

    Colossians 1:19–20

    As Protestants, we are not likely to turn to Mary or the saints of years gone by as mediators who can secure favor with God. As saints who still fight against sin, however, we are likely to believe we have ...Read More

  • Once for All

    Hebrews 9:23–28

    If Christ’s sacrifice of Himself was insufficient to save us and must be offered again and again, then we have no hope of salvation. A sacrifice that has to be repeated is a weak and ineffectual sacrifice that cannot ...Read More

  • One Mediator

    1 Timothy 2:5

    “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) — this indeed is a scandalous confession in our day. We should not expect otherwise, however, for apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, no one can receive Jesus as the ...Read More

  • Our Righteous Advocate

    1 John 2:1–2

    Even now, Jesus is pleading with the Father in our behalf, interceding for us that we might be forgiven, purified, and strengthened for holiness. To be sure, we work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12–13 ...Read More

  • Paying for Our Sin

    1 Peter 3:18

    Christ not only died for us, He lived for us as well. Understanding this point helps to assure us of our salvation. We are, of course, called to please God through obeying His will. Nevertheless, we realize that the best ...Read More

  • Seated at God’s Right Hand

    Ephesians 1:20–23

    Even now, Jesus is seated on the throne of His father David at the right hand of God. This means that He is ruler over all and that the kings of the earth rule only according to His sovereign permission ...Read More