Yeshua in Context » Preachable Points
Bethlehem Shepherds, Video
This week’s Yeshua in Context Video is timely, as many are starting to think about the birth narratives of Yeshua in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 at this time of year. For the next few weeks, I will explore facets of the birth narratives. Next week: Bethlehem’s Star. Who were the shepherds of Bethlehem? Why do they figure so prominently in Luke’s birth narrative? What do we learn about Yeshua and his context? … Read entire article »
Filed under: Background to Gospels, Detailed Commentary, Geography, Luke's Gospel, Messiah, Preachable Points, Video
Yeshua the Galilean
In Acts 2:7, the onlookers at the Temple who witnessed the strange prophetic speech in many languages by the disciples of Yeshua, make an interesting statement. They say, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?” The miracle of that special Shavuot or Pentecost at the Temple was something very human, the appearance of the Spirit of God on a group of disciples in a public area. Many who saw it seem to have missed the tongues of fire that Luke says rested on the disciples. What the onlookers noticed was the strange speech. Humble Israelites were speaking languages from far away lands. And it occurred to the onlookers as more than strange that these powerfully endued speakers were Galilean. It was the Judeans, not the Galileans, who emphasized scribal education. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Background to Gospels, Beginners, Galilee, General, Preachable Points, Temple and Torah
The Beloved Disciple in Relation to Peter
*Note: At the bottom you will find a printable PDF, a Sermon Series Starter page from this blog post. In the Gospel of John, how do Peter and the Beloved Disciple compare and contrast? There is a definite theme running through the fourth gospel about this. In some verses it becomes rather obvious. For example, at the Last Supper table, you have to notice that Peter is not as close to Yeshua and has to whisper to the Beloved Disciple to get information about what Yeshua is saying. What is the relationship between these two disciples? What does their relationship say about discipleship and the different personalities of disciples? Do they represent two contrasting, though both legitimate, ways of being a disciple? … Read entire article »
Filed under: Disciples & Named Characters, Discipleship - Formation, Eyewitnesses, Preachable Points
Also Messiah of the High & Mighty
He is the Lord of the poor and lowly and also the down and out. There is no doubt that this is a theme of Yeshua’s life and especially in Luke. Aside from the obvious one (“blessed are the poor,” Luke 6:20), there are plenty of others. I rather like this one: “Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:9). But a comment in Markus Bockmuehl’s This Jesus: Martyr, Lord, Messiah caused me to go searching. He says, “One should resist the cliche that Jesus kept company only with the poor” (83). So I went searching to find among those who knew and loved him, those whom he knew and loved, some who were high and mighty. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Disciples & Named Characters, Eyewitnesses, Preachable Points
Preachable Points: Identity Stories
Looking for short series of teaching or sermon series outlines? That’s what Preachable Points will be. How does a four-week series on the meaning, authority, and identity of Yeshua sound? It could be a real faith-builder. Here are some ideas and a few links to fill in the content of the messages. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Identity of Yeshua, Preachable Points
Bethlehem Star, Video
November 25th, 2011 | 8 Comments
When the very Jewish gospel of Matthew tells us the story of Messiah’s birth, you can bet it will be filled with Jewish themes. In fact, there are little known Jewish themes in the Matthew 2 story of the magi from the east and the star that reveals the place of Messiah’s birth. What was the star of Bethlehem? What is the Jewish background of the star and the magi? … Read entire article »
Filed under: Background to Gospels, Birth of Messiah, Detailed Commentary, Intertextuality in the Gospels, Preachable Points, Video