gloryunveiled

God’s Twist on Hide & Seek

At Easter time my neighborhood hides those multicolored plastic Easter “eggs” on our village green for the little ones. Each plastic egg has a little sugary treat inside. The toddlers get first crack at racing out onto the lawn to “find” those eggs lying openly in the grass in plain sight. As I have beenContinue reading “God’s Twist on Hide & Seek”

From Partition to Paradise!

The temple veil that cloaked God from mankind was ripped in half when Jesus died on the cross. The severed veil is well-known among Christians. Many worshipful songs allude to the holy curtain being torn from top to bottom. Its symbolism is simple enough for a child to grasp: come on in to God! God’sContinue reading “From Partition to Paradise!”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: The Superior Cloud

We’ve been examining iconic Gospel scenes that Mark hyperlinked to Psalm 93. These hyperlinks stack up insightful comparisons, envisioning Jesus in a fresh way within that psalm. Conversely, Psalm 93 as a second eye on Jesus and His great works in Mark’s Gospel wondrously enlarges our depth perception. As we see and believe what’s trueContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: The Superior Cloud”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: The Baptism of Great Tribulation

Mark presents Jesus as God’s servant, a pervasive theme having compelling implications. How shall we serve? What heart attitudes hinder genuine service? What success may we expect against external forces that oppose our kingdom service? Mark anticipates these questions with a variety of responses. A right understanding of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection radically impactsContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: The Baptism of Great Tribulation”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: The Purple Cloak

The world’s finest athletes are gathering for the Olympics this summer in Paris to compete for the gold in a wide array of contests. In considering how Mark integrated Psalm 93 to ascribe significance to the events of Good Friday, I find an analogy to these optimum achievements in the athletic world. But I hadContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: The Purple Cloak”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Goliath’s Sword, Royal Psalm

Much more can be said about Goliath’s sword, of which David remarked, “There’s none like it.” Last time we explored Mark’s hyperlinking the Lord’s body wrapped in a linen shroud to Goliath’s sword wrapped in a cloth. That was breathtaking enough. That was all from just one Old Testament hyperlink. Mark didn’t fabricate this outContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Goliath’s Sword, Royal Psalm”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Goliath’s Sword

David’s sling? Oh yeah, we hear about that all the time. Goliath’s sword? Not so much. But it didn’t escape Mark’s notice. “I don’t remember Goliath’s sword being in Mark’s Gospel.” Well, it’s there! I’ve gotten the impression from some that Mark’s Gospel is the Gospel for dummies. Of course, no one says that. ButContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Goliath’s Sword”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Abiathar the High Priest?

“Have you never read?” Last time we discovered, through Mark’s ingenious literary links, that Jesus, the Son of Man, is ready to do miracles for us. He has authority on earth to forgive sins! Praise God for that! He miraculously heals our spiritual paralysis so we can walk in obedience to His commands. Mark alsoContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Abiathar the High Priest?”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Have You Never Read?

Reading the Bible is a big part of cultivating our relationship with God. But how we read is of utmost importance. Is the Bible boring to you? It probably has a lot to do with how you’re reading. Even more critical is reading wrongly. Conceptualizing God wrongly has disastrous consequences for how we live ourContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Have You Never Read?”

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Sons of Thunder is Not a Nickname!

I’d always imagined James and John, the Sons of Thunder, as these brash, swashbuckling, Elijah wannabes itching to call down fire from heaven on people. That’s why Jesus called them Sons of Thunder, right? But as I’ve been carefully reading Mark’s Gospel, I’m seeing it far more momentous than a witty nickname. Here’s the sceneContinue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Sons of Thunder is Not a Nickname!”