[An excerpt from Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus (Zondervan, 2012)] My keys clattered onto the countertop, a relieved sigh escaping from my lips as I slipped off my Sunday coat. The morning had been filled with small irritations: the coffee I splattered on my new sweater, the nosy prayer chain coordinator who grilled […]
What does “Christ” actually mean?
What does it mean to speak of Jesus as the “Christ”? This word is one of the most important, basic words in a Christian’s vocabulary. But it isn’t until you dig into the Bible’s ancient context that you that see its surprising imagery and some of its most important implications. First of all, the word […]
Tongues of Flame at Pentecost – What for?
I recently wrote an article called “What Really Happened at Pentecost?” It was about where the scene in Act 2 occurs, when the believers were first filled with the Spirit. I explain that the likely setting is in the Temple, rather than in an upper room. At 9 AM in the morning, their attendance was […]
Finding Christ on Mount Sinai
Leviticus is a tough read for modern Christians. We groan at its restrictions and wince at its sacrifices. Many a preacher has used its lines to impress a congregation with how much they should celebrate their freedom from the unbearable Old Testament laws. But what if we turned back the clock to stand beside the […]
Remembering Our Redemption
When we celebrate Passover and Holy Week, we are reminded once again to celebrate God’s amazing acts of redemption on our behalf. First he redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt, and Christ redeemed us from death through his atoning sacrifice for our sins. What are the implication of these holy days for the rest of […]
God’s Image Stamped in Dust
The words of Genesis 1 express a profound paradox: Though we’re as insignificant as dust, we reflect the glory of God himself.
Jesus Liked a Little Chutzpah
On a bus in Jerusalem, I encountered the passionate Middle Eastern attitude that colored Jesus’ parables and his attitude toward prayer.
Translation Debates – A Jewish View
Few issues stir up Christian passions more than Bible translation, but you never hear debates like this in Jewish circles. Issues over translation don’t come up, because everyone knows that God’s words were not revealed in English. The Jewish approach reveres the original Hebrew text, rather than any particular translation.
Pluck out your eye? Putting it in Context
If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell. Matthew 18:9 Some of the sayings of Jesus are so strong that we wonder if Jesus really […]
Shema: An Ancient Memory in an Orphanage
For thousands of years, Jewish parents have taught their children the words of the Shema as soon as they could speak. Like most Christians I had never heard of it, but it to Jesus it was God’s greatest commandment.
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