The cleansed leper starring in Leviticus 14’s unexpected love story has a face. Mark expertly integrated the gospel-drenched symbols of this remarkable play to reveal a flesh and blood person. It’s Mary of Bethany, the one who broke her alabaster jar of precious nard upon the Lord Jesus. She epitomizes a bride who loves JesusContinue reading “Leviticus 14’s Love Story Grand Finale: The Gospels’ Grand Reveal Pt. 2”
Category Archives: Gospels
Leviticus 14’s Love Story Grand Finale: The Gospels’ Grand Reveal Pt. 1
The grand finale of Leviticus 14’s surprising love story has arrived at last! With the blueprint of the šemen-anointed (olive oil christened) leper in hand, Mark’s Gospel constructs in striking literary artistry the bride that captivates the heart of Jesus! Mark has masterfully integrated the good news Leviticus play into the good news of JesusContinue reading “Leviticus 14’s Love Story Grand Finale: The Gospels’ Grand Reveal Pt. 1”
Jesus’ Presence to the Heart that Treasures God’s Word
Protestants can be reticent about giving Mary too much praise as a reaction against Roman Catholics who go to excess, attributing sinlessness, prayers, and divinity to her, among numerous other assertions not found in Scripture. So although Mary’s role in redemption as mother of the Messiah is a unique and never to be repeated event,Continue reading “Jesus’ Presence to the Heart that Treasures God’s Word”
Awakening the Dawn: Mary & Elizabeth in the Newness of the Spirit
God has so much abundantly more of the Holy Spirit for us to experience as His people than we realize and practice. In general Christians are more comfortable with the Father and Son than the more mysterious and unpredictable Spirit. Some Amazon book titles that betray a general ignorance and estrangement from the Holy SpiritContinue reading “Awakening the Dawn: Mary & Elizabeth in the Newness of the Spirit”
A Day of Visitation in Fiery Trials Pt. 3: The Centurion at the Cross
We are strangers passing through this world. We have a different mindset than the world. It’s a pilgrim mindset with its destination being the city whose builder and maker is God. We have different goals. We have different passions. Everything is different because we’re following a different Leader. So we’re going to come into conflictContinue reading “A Day of Visitation in Fiery Trials Pt. 3: The Centurion at the Cross”
I Thirst for Hyssop!
When we think about the cross, we’re amazed by God’s love toward us wrath-deserving sinners, supremely grateful for His death paying for the forgiveness of our sins. And for all eternity our astonishment at His mercy and grace shown us at Calvary will enlarge. We think of the torn veil, which gives us unashamed accessContinue reading “I Thirst for Hyssop!”
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt. 7: Personal Reflections
Sitting in that Sunday service before Labor Day at Jacob’s Well in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I had no idea the radical transformation awaiting me as I heard the Lord’s still, small voice, “Let Me pastor you through them.” I first thought “them” meant the pastors of this church, which He did, but more importantly, HeContinue reading “The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt. 7: Personal Reflections”
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt 6: A Costly Dragnet
As human beings we’re an inquisitive bunch. We exhaust billions upon billions of dollars and man hours probing everything from the ocean depths to the far reaches of the universe. Why? Often times it’s simply to satisfy our insatiable curiosity to know what’s unknown. Of all the kingdom of heaven parables, the last one, theContinue reading “The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt 6: A Costly Dragnet”
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt 5: Topped Treasure and a Sacrificial Seeker
Today’s Christianity boasts the finest experts in sin detection. Preachers, theologians and laymen alike have mastered the Law for diagnosing sin better than any health care professional with their X-rays, MRIs and CAT scans for diagnosing disease. These sin specialists hint at this beautiful, glorious, wonderful Jesus beyond their examination room, but don’t actually takeContinue reading “The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt 5: Topped Treasure and a Sacrificial Seeker”
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt 4: Transforming Leaven
Listening to some churches you might think the kingdom is heaven is about counting nickels and noses, the “church ABCs”—attendance, buildings, cash. Jesus’ kingdom of heaven parables, however, unmask its true essence. They epitomize the kingdom’s most fundamental facets held in tension and balance. The first three parables speak of King Jesus at work amongContinue reading “The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…Pt 4: Transforming Leaven”
Glory Unveiled: Discovering Jesus 