For those of us who are conservative Evangelicals, we have been wondering when Pope Francis would hit the headlines once again, with what would be on the surface, seem to be a break from Roman Catholic tradition and doctrine. Well, it happened this last week, during Holy Week. On Thursday, Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari, a friend, atheist, and frequent interviewer of the Pope reported that the pontiff had denied the existence of hell. Once the dust settled, it certainly could be said there was ambiguity over hell. Continue reading
Daily devotions are a real must in the spiritual life of a believer. Our devotional life should bring us into a daily encounter with God through His Word. I realize that for those who take their devotions seriously, there are days that seem to be…well, a bit dry. That is the human condition. But the necessity of time in the Word is a spiritual disciple that is essential for spiritual growth. Daily devotions are the first place to start.
One of my favorite stories is the two disciples on the Emmaus road. I suppose the reason it so interests me is that it is so packed with all the components that spring up in life. There is disappoint, unbelief, the impact of the living breathing Word of God (Hebrews 12:4), and then the recognition of Jesus. 
Outside of the Peter and “the other disciple,” probably John, after Jesus’ arrest, all the other disciples fled (Matthew 26:56b). Surrounded by His enemies, betrayed by one of His own, Jesus was now truly alone from friendly and loving contact from those whom He had taught. There was no one beside Him to comfort or counsel Him. Jesus had been betrayed and in the determined will of God (Matthew 26:54,56) found at the mercy of His enemies. 
Today, Good Friday, is the day that we call “good” not because what Jesus suffered was good, but what God did for us through Him was “good.” From the trials and torture to the cross itself Jesus bore man’s sin and God the Father, in His holy and just fury vented His wrath upon his own Son. 
This last week of our Lord’s life was truly packed with depth as Jesus prepared His disciples for what was immediately ahead and what was yet to come in their future ministries. And as the apostle John focused chapters 13-14 on their last meal with Jesus, the Passover meal, and their walk across the city of Jerusalem down into the Kidron Valley that brought them to the Garden of Gethsemane in chapters 15-17 we are exposed, I think, to some of the most iconic messages in the New Testament. 
Someone once said to me; “Wouldn’t be wonderful to have sat at the feet of Jesus when He taught His disciples like Mary and Lazarus did (
With the inauguration of His ministry at the wedding feast in Cana, Jesus left Cana for the Passover in Jerusalem. Upon entering the Temple, He saw the money changers and temple merchants ( Matthew 21-12-16; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-46). And because the leaders of Israel had turned the Temple into a place of merchandise and were defrauding the worshippers who were there for the Passover, and had used the “Court of the Gentiles,” no doubt incensing any Gentile believers, He drove them out. Now in His last week of ministry, His Passion Week, we see our Lord repeating His judgment upon these same religious leaders. They had not repented but rather exposed their callus unbelief and avarice. -
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
- pastormike on Christian Celebrities or the Preeminence of Christ
- diane ross on Christian Celebrities or the Preeminence of Christ
- Answering a Child’s Profound Question. An opportunity for the GospelMen With Chests on A Failed Teachable Moment
- A Life of passion for the Savior Jesus Christ and the GospelMen With Chests on Follow Jesus
- Follow Jesus means to bring glory to Jesus not ourselvesMen With Chests on The Cross and Discipleship
Archives
- April 2026
- March 2026
- February 2026
- January 2026
- December 2025
- November 2025
- October 2025
- September 2025
- August 2025
- July 2025
- March 2025
- November 2024
- October 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- January 2020
- February 2019
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
Categories
- 4th of July
- abortion
- Abortion Rights
- Armor Of God
- Assurance
- Baptism of the Spirit
- Bible
- Book Review
- Christmas
- Climate Change
- Communion
- creation
- creation science
- Critical Race Theory
- Current Events
- Devotionals
- Discipleship
- Doctrine
- Easter
- Eternity
- Eucharist
- Faith
- Father's Day
- Forgiveness
- Freedom
- Gift of Healing
- Glory of God
- God's Faithfulness
- Gospel
- Grace
- Gratitude
- Holidays
- Holy Spirit
- Idolatry
- Incarnation
- Independence Day
- Intersectionality
- Jesus Christ
- Liberty
- Lord's Table
- love
- Love Of God
- Marriage
- Memorial day
- mercy
- Miracles
- Mother's Day
- Parenting
- Passion Week
- Political
- Post Moderism
- Prayer
- Preaching
- Predestination
- Pro-Life
- Psalms
- Racist
- Reformation
- Repentence
- Resurrection
- Righteousness
- salvation
- Science
- Second Coming
- Security of the Believer
- self esteem
- Self-Righteousness
- societal
- Spiritual Gifts
- Suffering
- Thanksgiving
- The Body of Christ
- The Church
- Tongues
- Trust
- Uncategorized
- Will of God
- works
- Worship
Meta