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  • Cleopas and the Other Disciple

    Cleopas and the Other Disciple
    2025/05/05
    The appearance of the resurrected Jesus on the Emmaus road to Cleopas and an unnamed disciple is one of Luke’s most vivid and dramatic tellings. Three themes dominate today’s text: (1) the irony that the empty tomb had not yet created excitement among Jesus’ closest followers; in fact, the two travelers express deep disappointment in Jesus’ death, which they view as a big setback. (2) Jesus – still unrecognizable to them – unpacks all that the Old Testament says about Him and God’s plan being fulfilled in these Jerusalem events…meaning in God’s economy, nothing is out of place at all. (3) Failure turns into fulfillment, tragedy into triumph when they finally recognize the risen Jesus in His breaking bread with them. The curve ball has not been thrown to humankind but to sin, death, and Satan. Cleopas and his companion would never be the same; Jesus is alive and present, salvation has been accomplished, and their hope renewed. In fact, they are so ecstatic that they go and tell the disciples in Jerusalem what had just happened.
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  • I Am His Story: Bob and Audry

    I Am His Story: Bob and Audry
    2025/04/28
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  • Bringing the Jesus of Easter into Focus!

    Bringing the Jesus of Easter into Focus!
    2025/04/22
    John beholds quite a sight: he turns and sees the exalted Son of Man in full glory in the midst of the seven lampstands (i.e., the seven churches which also represent the universal church)...meaning this Jesus is right here among us. His picture in Revelation 1 is nothing short of stunning. Jesus has a robe reaching to His feet (Priestly), a golden sash girded across His chest (King), head and hair white as snow (Honor), eyes like a flame of fire (Judge), feet glowing like burnished bronze (Strength), a voice like the sound of many waters (Might), seven stars in His right hand (angels of the seven churches), a sharp, double-edged sword protruding from His mouth (Law/Gospel Judgment), and His face shining as the bright sun (God’s Glory). John sees this Jesus and falls at His feet like a dead corpse. Can you blame him? Yet this Jesus is a Jesus of touch; He places His right hand on John, and for the first time he opens His mouth. What would this kind of Jesus say? What would His first words be in Revelation as a whole? Jesus says to John, “Stop being afraid (mn + present imperative); I AM the first and the last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades.” Jesus’ self-description are words in the OT used of Yahweh Himself (cf. Dt 32:40; Isa 41:4; 44:6; Dan 12:7). Moreover, the threefold formula details Jesus’ earthly life and ministry: the Living One…dead…alive forevermore. Lastly, note in this picture of Jesus that He’s holding something very significant in His hand: the “keys of death and Hades.” Following His own resurrection from death’s entrapment, Jesus’ rule extends even over death! GOD now reaches out to all – even you – through this Jesus to give you abundant life. Such an incredible picture of the Christ of Easter assures believers that, regardless of what sufferings, hardships, or trials they may endure now as Christians, Jesus reigns in supreme glory and power; and every believer who perseveres in Christ will live and reign with Him forever.
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  • To His Church in Laodicea

    To His Church in Laodicea
    2025/04/14
    This letter from Jesus has the harshest tone of them all and is the only church in which Jesus finds nothing to commend. An aqueduct from hot springs in the south brought water rich in minerals to the city; however, because the hot springs themselves were 5 miles away, the waters were lukewarm by the time they reached Laodicea. In His concerned love, Jesus condemns the church in Laodicea for its ineffective witness and deplorable spiritual condition (i.e., lukewarmness). Moreover, just as the city did not see itself as “poor, blind, and naked” following an earthquake in A.D. 60 by denying imperial aid, so the complacent church did not see their spiritual bankruptcy. Still, Jesus is the answer to their grave condition; He stands at the door ready to receive in meal fellowship all who turn to Him in genuine repentance. Believers who conquer will sit with Jesus on His throne as He also conquered and sat down on His Father’s throne.
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  • Guided to Perseverance

    Guided to Perseverance
    2025/04/10
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  • To His Church in Philadelphia

    To His Church in Philadelphia
    2025/04/07

    Inscriptions in Philadelphia mention the worship of Zeus and Hestia; the Roman imperial cult was present too. A nearby inscription mentions a synagogue as well. Jesus, who holds the key of David, sets before His church an open door – a phrase in the NT for spreading the gospel and giving witness to Christ. Though they have little power in themselves, probably for lack of numbers, He commends them for keeping His Word and not denying His name. Though a synagogue of Satan with false Jews is persecuting Christians, Jesus promises reverence from their enemies, as well as protection from an approaching hour of intense persecution. Christians who endure are promised their crown, refuge and “pillar-hood” in the temple of God, and God’s name being written upon them.
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  • Guided to Trust

    Guided to Trust
    2025/04/03
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  • To His Church in Sardis

    To His Church in Sardis
    2025/03/31
    Sardis’ ‘s capture twice in its history while watchmen neglected their duty became a cautionary tale of misguided complacency and lack of vigilance. As a result, while Sardis once enjoyed a famed past, its glory had since faded. Jesus comes in the presence of the Holy Spirit (the seven spirits of God) and warns His church that they face a similar predicament. He separates their reputation from their reality: though they have a reputation for being spiritually alive, He diagnoses them as near death (i.e., on spiritual life-support). Thus, Jesus calls Sardis to wake up spiritually and strengthen what remains before it dies. He directs them back to the Word they first received and to repentance. If they do not wake up, Jesus’ judgment will come upon the local church like a thief. Jesus does, however, commend a remnant who have not soiled their garments and who walk with Him. Believers who conquer are promised white clothing and names that are ever inscribed in the book of life and confessed before His Father and angels.
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