So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. John 8:36 NASB Free – Freedom is an important idea in the modern world, so important that there’s a blessing about it in one version of the Siddur. Here’s the blessing from a Siddur: But here’s the same blessing in the orthodox Siddur Ashkenaz:…
So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. John 8:36 NASB Free – eleutheróō. “To set free.” The Greek verb is contrasted to being a slave. To be set free is to be redeemed from slavery. This is not merely a political act. To be really free is to experience independent self-determination. …
So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. John 8:36 NASB Free – Did you read the statements of Jonathan Sacks from yesterday’s edition? Oh, if you didn’t, then go back before you read this. Do you remember what he wrote? “Atonement and forgiveness are the supreme expressions of human freedom –…
Different cultures tell different stories. The great novelists of the nineteenth century wrote fiction that is essentially ethical. Jane Austen and George Eliot explored the connection between character and happiness. There is a palpable continuity between their work and the book of Ruth. Dickens, more in the tradition of the prophets, wrote about society and its…
No one who is [a]emasculated or has his male organ cut off may enter the assembly of the Lord. Deuteronomy 23:1 NASB Emasculated – You’ll notice that there’s a footnote to the word “emasculated” in this verse. Oh, by the way, I would be very surprised if you have ever heard a sermon preached from this verse. …
I will raise my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come? Psalm 121:1 NASB From where – Does David really think God’s help will come from the mountains? Is he just another version of the pagan idea of territorial gods, or the Canaanite religion of the mountain god, El? Surely not! David isn’t asking…
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 NASB Repent – The Greek term for repent literally means “change your mind” (metanoéō)[1] but Yeshua wasn’t speaking Greek and in this case, knowing that the word he used was Hebrew makes a significant difference. By…
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 NASB Kingdom of God – What is the gospel? It’s the “good news,” right? I mean, that’s what euangélion means—“good news.” And what is the “good news”? In the Christian West the answer is usually something…
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 NASB Time is fulfilled – peplerotai kairos. “Filled up time.” Mark loves this theme. Everything is aligned for something crucial to happen. Yeshua’s baptism occurs at precisely the right moment. He is driven into the wilderness…
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30 NASB It is finished – Easter is over, even for Orthodox Christians (it was May 2). Everyone is the Christian world now believes that once more we have celebrated the death and resurrection…
