Free to Hope Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:32 The woman needed a miracle, but she didn’t ask for one. She may have cowered in the back of the synagogue, hoping no one would notice she’d come that day. After all, who wanted to look at a disfigured woman, bent over …
New Year, New Adventures
Forward March! Then [Moses] said, … “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid … The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all …
Everlasting Joy
“Good Tidings of Great Joy” I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 “Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,” the angel told the shepherds on the …
Day of Atonement
Free to Fellowship with God On this day, atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. Leviticus 16:30 Imagine returning to your estranged parents’ home only to discover they have changed the locks on the doors and deny your request to enter. You’re willing to return, but …
Palm Sunday
The Righteous One Comes Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. Psalm 118:19–20 Four days before the Passover feast, Jews brought an unblemished lamb into their homes—the lamb would become their atonement sacrifice (Exodus 12:3-6). Four days before …
The Miracle Worker
The Bridegroom Comes What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:11 Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose to turn water into wine as his first miracle? Mary told her son about the wine running out. Did she expect him …
The Good Shepherd
Lay Down My Life? This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” He then defined a shepherd’s role by explaining, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the …
The Forgiver
Live Like You’re Forgiven “So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And [Joseph] reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:21 No Old Testament character typifies Jesus Christ in more ways than Joseph. In fact, Arthur Pink draws over 100 parallels in his classic, Gleanings in Genesis: beloved by their father, hated by …