At the final Passover celebration, Jesus forecast the coming of His Holy Spirit. “I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).   The Christian Standard Bible translates the Greek word “paraclete” as “Councilor.” The English Standard Version, King James, New King James, and New American Standard translate the same word “Helper” while the New En

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms … If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also … I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:1-3, 6).   I’ve read these words at countless funerals. It’s comforting to know that Jesus is preparing a home for His faithful children and that those who

Jesus lived and taught counter-culturally. The world teaches us to be king-of-the-hill, but Jesus taught humility. The world reveres the richest, the most powerful, the most influential, the guy with the biggest house, the fastest car, and big desk in the corner office.   When an “argument started among (His disciples) about who was the greatest of them … Jesus told them, ‘Whoever … is least among you—this one is great’ ” (Luke 9:46–48).   He cautioned Peter, John, James, an

Lazarus, the man miraculously called out of the grave, lived in Bethany, just a mile or two east of Jerusalem. Presumably Lazarus lived with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. I speculate that the entire family lived in the home of their father, Simon (Matthew 26:6).   It was at Simon’s home that we learn a lesson about true worship… authentic worship… sacrificial worship (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8).   The family had a first-hand understanding of God’s grace. L

After His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus returned to Bethany for the night. On Monday morning, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley, returning to Jerusalem. As He “went out from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves” (Mark 11:12-13).   At this point, Jesus did something seemingly out of character. He cursed the fig tree, saying,

The week leading up to Christ’s crucifixion is referred to as Holy Week. As we approach the annual celebration of Easter, let’s consider twelve significant events, each well-documented in the Scriptures. Let’s start with the Triumphal Entry.   In a scene reminiscent of the emperor’s victorious return to Rome, Jesus commandeered a young donkey and rode into Jerusalem to the cheers of masses of Passover pilgrims, thus fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy. “Rejoice greatly, Daughter

Jesus didn’t mince words! Speaking to the religious elite, He said, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).   An insidious lie being perpetrated from pulpits and in print is the false teaching of annihilation. “Don’t worr

Some have a musical talent. Others may have the talent to speak before crowds. Still others may have the talent to build things. Though God gives these talents and many more, that’s not exactly what Jesus was talking about when He presented the Parable of the Talents.   A talent was a measure of weight. Therefore, a talent of gold was a measure of great wealth. One talent was equal to approximately seventy-five pounds. Today’s price for gold is above five thousand dollars per

In Noah’s day, the Ark was constructed to save those who trusted the Lord for salvation. If John or Ralph or Mary or Suzzy had repented, God surely would have invited them aboard. But God’s offer of salvation had an expiration date. The offer stood until the day God closed the door (Genesis 7:16). After that, drowning, death, and destruction were inevitable.   Jesus told the Parable of the Ten Virgins to teach this truth.   Ten young ladies were invited to a wedding feast, so

Matthew’s twenty-fourth chapter contains the first half of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and looks forward to the end of the age. “ While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ ” (Matthew 24:3).   Jesus predicted that the last days would be difficult, and “ the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.