When the Pharisees called out the disciples for plucking heads of grain on the sabbath, the Lord replied by appealing to what David had done with the bread of the Presence (Luke 6:4). This was not a small fuss over some arcane detail of sabbath law. The disciples were doing what David had done — …
All for Nothing
In exchange for a pleasing dance, Herod is willing to give away up to half his kingdom (Mark 6:23). The devil is a piker. The Lord is pleased to give us the entirety of His kingdom (Luke 12:32). In exchange for everything we have — which isn’t much, let me tell you — God is …
The Prostitute and the Theologian
Jesus told the story about two sons who were told to go work in the vineyard (Matt. 21: 28-32). One said he would go and didn’t, and the other said that he wouldn’t go, and then did. Thus far the parable is a familiar one. But I was recently struck by how the son who …
Sacrifices, Burnt Offerings, and a Major Cash Gift
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your …
In Good Company
This morning reading through John 9, I noticed an odd juxtaposition I had never noticed before. In the exchanges between the Jewish leaders and the blind man’s parents, and then the blind man himself, something curious happens. “These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if …
A Little Something to Keep You Awake at Two in the Morning
The Father is not the Son, and the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father. The borders between the three Persons are not blurred or confused borders. The distinctions between the Persons are absolute. And to make this truth even more glorious, one that only the triune God can reveal …
Our New Covenant Cozies
Luke 9 and 10 contain a striking juxtaposition. In chapter 9 there is that famous incident where Jesus sent messengers ahead of Him into a Samaritan village, and Jesus was not received (9:53). The disciples wanted to call down fire from Heaven, just like Elijah, and torch the place. Jesus said that they did not …
Principles and Methods
The Bible tells us to strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). The many aspects of this require much thought, study and work. One particularly important area is the important distinction between principles and methods. “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes …
Blessed Are the Fleeced
This last Lord’s Day, something occurred to me in the course of the sermon, something which I mentioned in passing. But then as I was reading the Scriptures this last week, the same point jumped off the page at me, and in a far more explicit way than what I had seen before. I was …
Holiness
Holiness is a glorious perfection belonging to the nature of God, hence he is in Scripture styled often the Holy One, the Holy One of Jacob, the Holy One of Israel, and oftener entitled Holy than Almighty, and set forth by this part of his dignity more than by any other (Stephen Charnock) In a …