THE STORY OF JESUS: Ezekiel 43-45 “And the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” (Ezekiel 43:5) This vision was meant to inspire the Jews with hope. Israel’s temple was about to be rebuilt, God’s dwelling place. God’s glory was going to return (2 Chronicles 5:14, Ezekiel 10:15-19). So did this happen, did God’s glory return to the temple? The…
Flow river flow!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 7:37-44 “Rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:39) The Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2) celebrated God’s care in the wilderness. It was also a time for anticipating Ezekiel’s restored temple (Ezekiel 40-42). During the Festival the priest would pour water on the altar. This recalled the river from the altar…
God is like Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 7:25-36 “You do not know him, but I know him.” (John 7:28-29) Jesus claims to know God better than anyone else. He claims to be from God, and sent by God (v.29). In the centuries after Jesus, believers struggled to explain Who Jesus is. They struggled to find words to affirm both…
To see as Jesus sees!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 7:14-24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24) Some people appear to be better than others… but is this really so? What we see can be misleading, since it is not all that there is to know. Jesus warns the religious leaders to stop measuring people by what…
God’s timing
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 7:1-13 “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do.” (John 7:6) I think of these words when I am ask God to do something. ‘Answer me now, Lord, heal me now, fix my problem now…’ We are not thinking of timing, or even what is best over all….
God of the underdog!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 113 “He raises the poor from the dust.” (Psalm 113:7) Where do the world’s underdogs turn to for hope? Political and religious power are usually in the hands of the few. They use their powers for themselves, neglecting or abusing those below. This is natural – darwinian – the way things are…
Me… a holy temple?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Ezekiel 40-42 “To separate the holy from the common.” (Ezekiel 42:20) I have to admit, I lost interest in the dimensions of this temple. No doubt the Jews loved to imagine its perfect layout and design. The vision was meant to inspire them that one day, things would be restored. But this verse…
Breathing life into me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Ezekiel 37-39 “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.” (Ezekiel 37:14) The big story of the bible shows us how God restores his messed-up family. From Adam and Eve, to the last person before Jesus’ return, we all need help. From OT Israel through the NT Church, we all…
For or against Jesus?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 6:66-71 “Yet one of you is a devil (a slanderer)!” (John 6:70) It became clear to Judas that Jesus was not his kind of messiah. Judas wanted to be there when the messiah trounced the Romans. He was looking for a royal position, and royal wealth. Judas was the treasurer of their…
Spirit-filled words of Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 6:60-65 “The words I have spoken to you, they are full of the Spirit and life.” (John 6:63) The words of Jesus are not always easy to understand. Many times for myself I have to ponder them for a while. Sometimes I find their meaning, sometimes I’m not so sure. But every…