We have a clear understanding of why John wrote his gospel. John 20:31 tells us that “these [things] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” One of the great purposes of this great Gospel written about 90 A.D. is that it was written to remind us of the importance of two things. One, that Jesus is God and therefore able to provide us redemption, and two, as God, He is the only accesses to eternal life (John 14:6). If you have not read this gospel in awhile, it would be beneficial for you to walk through this gospel, and see how Jesus is revealed to be not only the Son of God, but God the Son. John makes it clear that Jesus was not created at the incarnation, but was alive before His incarnation. The value of this is that He has the right, desire, and ABILITY (emphasis mine) to provide us the redemption that He came to provide. As a result we can rest in the assurance of His Word. Take time this week to review this gospel, and rest in … READ MORE

Isaiah means “the Lord is salvation,” and is a fitting name for the prophet, because he foretold the gospel message in thorough, vivid, accurate detail. No text in the entire Old Testament is more momentous than Isaiah 52:13-53:12. It is a prophecy that begins and ends with the voice of God himself. He calls our attention to a singular individual: (52:13 “behold, my servant…” and (53:11) “The righteous One, my servant.” This servant is the Anointed on of Israel, revealed as the Messiah. We know this for several reasons: 1. These words are a clear echo of Isaiah 42:1 “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” 2. Therefore the introductory words of Isaiah 52:13 makes clear that what follows is a prophecy concerning the Messiah. 3. The entire passage then focuses on the servant of the Lord. The amazing thing about this passage is that it was written hundreds of years before the incarnation of the Messiah in the person of Jesus Christ. It would do your heart good to take the time to read this passage today, and … READ MORE

Jesus’ entire life and ministry were marked by two overriding purposes 1. To do the will of the Father (Matthew 26:39) 2. To fulfill the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s first coming (Matthew 5:17) As Jesus began to ride into the city of Jerusalem, on that Monday “Most of the multitude spread their garments in the road” There was a great excitement and ecstasy as the multitude proclaimed praise to the Rabbi from Galilee who taught with such authority and who had healed their diseases and even raised the dead. Jesus was completely surrounded by a mass of humanity. The expectations that He was the Messiah, and would bring deliverance were so great that the crowd became totally caught up in what, from a human perspective, was a frenzy of mob hysteria. The problem was that the people wanted Jesus on their terms, and they would not bow to a king who was not of their own making. Many people today are open to a Jesus who they think will give them what they want. Like the multitude at the triumphal entry, they will loudly acclaim Jesus as long as they believe He will satisfy their selfish desires. But … READ MORE