Tag Archives: Salvation

Betrayed into the Hands of Men

Posted on by
Reply
Engraving by Boetius Adams Bolswert at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:43–44; NKJV)

Luke chapter 9 is a major turning point in Luke’s Gospel. It is situated in the central portion of Luke’s narrative, which focuses on the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Jesus, after disclosing core truths of the Kingdom and demonstrating His Kingdom authority (ch. 8), delegates His message and authority to the Twelve and reveals to them His identity as the Christ (9:1–36). He then begins teaching them about true discipleship, including His mission to serve the world by securing salvation through His death (9:37–62).

Continue reading →

The Central Claim of Christianity

Posted on by
Reply
Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash
Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19–21; NKJV)

When you hear the word “Christianity,” what comes to mind? Common responses include believing in God, being a good person, praying, going to church, and giving to the poor. Sometimes Christianity is associated with being born in America or identifying with a certain race. But none of these are the central claim of Christianity.

Continue reading →

Where Is Your Faith?

Posted on by
1
Painting by Simon de Vos on Wikimedia Commons
But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:23–25; NKJV)

As Jesus continued His earthly ministry, He preached throughout all regions of Israel. A large part of His ministry was in the northern part of Israel called Galilee, especially near the Sea of Galilee, which was also known by other names, including the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1) and the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1).1

Continue reading →

You Are Forgiven

Posted on by
Reply
Painting by Jan van Orley on Wikimedia Commons
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:47–49; NKJV)

Jesus began His earthly ministry by teaching with authority and performing miracles. And people had questions. Jesus did not rise through the ranks of one of the major Jewish sects. Who is He? Is he a prophet of God? A messenger from Satan? God’s promised Messiah?

Continue reading →

He Had Compassion on Her

Posted on by
1
Painting by Jan Verhas on Wikimedia Commons
He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” (Luke 7:13–16; NKJV)

Compassion is a very popular idea today. In the 21st century West, compassion, often understood as “being nice,” is a cardinal virtue. Western culture goes so far as to argue that a compassionate God must accept us, even our sin, without consequence, while also arguing that, since pain and suffering exist, the compassionate God of Christianity cannot exist.

Continue reading →

Those Who Are Sick

Posted on by
1
Painting by Paolo Veronese on Wikimedia Commons
And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:30–32; NKJV)

One of the curious topics in modern Christianity is the intersection of personal holiness and public witness. Christians are often criticized for being legalistic and prudish when we abstain from certain festivities and observances in Western culture. On the other hand, when Christians do participate in such activities, we are often criticized for adopting pagan culture.

Continue reading →

Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled

Posted on by
2
Painting by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout at the National Gallery of Ireland
And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: … Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17, 20–21; NKJV)

One of the major themes in the Gospel of Luke is fulfillment. Luke explains this focus in the introduction to his gospel account. In these verses, we see Luke emphasizing that theme in the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Continue reading →

Into the Wilderness

Posted on by
Reply
Painting by Jan Brueghel the Elder on Wikimedia Commons
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. (Luke 4:1–2; NKJV)

After Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where He endured temptation for 40 days.

Continue reading →

The Remission of Sins

Posted on by
1
Engraving by Nicolaes de Bruyn on Wikimedia Commons
The word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Luke 3:2–3; NKJV)

God fulfilled His promise to Zacharias. The Holy Spirit was upon John, and now “the Word of God came to John” in a mighty way. Luke does not tell us how the Word of God came upon him. But the message John preached reveals at least some of what this Word of God to John contained. It was the message of repentance for the remission of sins and the announcement that Israel’s Messiah was coming very soon (vv. 15–17).

Continue reading →