#Lexham Press

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If you know these things...

Foot Washing?

Have you ever participated in a foot washing ceremony? It is also called the ordinance of humility and it is not practiced widely in Christianity today as a part of worship. There are many possible reasons for why the majority do not wish to participate in foorwashing, and I believe many of them are likely related to people simply not wanting to come into contact with someone else’s feet. Some argue that people wear shoes and drive cars and their feet are not dirty so there is no real need. To that I reply that maybe there is more to it than simply cleaning the dirt off of someone’s feet, just like participating in communion is not about being physically hungry and thirsty.

Could it be that Jesus was teaching His followers something?

Could we benefit from participating in the ordinance of humily today?

Let’s take a closer look at what Jesus did, as recorded in John 13.

Context

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. - John 13:1-5 NKJV

The first five verses of John 13 give us the context for the footwashing. The Feast of Passover was about to take place.

[Passover is] a sacred observance in Judaism that commemorates the climactic 10th plague in the book of Exodus, when Yahweh punishes Egypt by killing all the firstborn but “passes over” (פָּסַח, pasach) the firstborn of Israel (Exod 12:12–13), resulting in the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exod 12:14–17). -Douglas Mangum, “Passover,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Jesus knew that He would die as the paschal lamb for the sins of the world. Jesus knew he was going to suffer. Jesus loved us to the end, and He knew it would not be much longer until He departed from this world to the Father.

The meal was over.

The Devil had already put into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus.

Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hands. Jesus also knew that he had come from God and was going to God. Knowing all this, Jesus did not become proud, Jesus did not boast, Jesus instead humbled Himself. Knowing the ultimate reality of who He was and where He was going allowed Jesus to serve those around Him.

Jesus did not put down others so that He could feel superior. Jesus was not insecure in His position as master and teacher. Jesus knew who He was, He knew where He was going, and He lived out His life out of that knowledge. From His identity as the Son of God, from His identity as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), Jesus was free to live a life of service, a life of generosity, love and kindness. Jesus was firm when He needed to be, but He never had to posture, He was not concerned with how others might think less of Him if He served those He came to lead. Jesus identity and destiny were secured in the Father and Jesus is our perfect example.

So Jesus got up from the table, removed his covering garments and instead wrapped a towel around His waist. He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and wipe them with the towel He had wrapped around his waist.

Witnessing Jesus behaving made the disciples uncomfortable, but only Peter had the courage to speak up.

Are you washing my feet?

6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” - John 13:6-11NKJV

Perhaps Peter thought it was his role to step Jesus from washing his feet, to keep Jesus from ministering to him. Jesus knew that Peter could not understand what He was doing, so He explained to Peter that unless Peter allowed Him to wash his feet he would have no part with Him. This means we must allow Jesus to serve us, to wash us, to cleanse us. It is uncomfortable, but it also helps us comprehend the heart of God. The God of the Bible, the Creator, desires to save us, is willing to cleanse us, we just have to allow Him to.

Peter realizes his pride and his mistake so now he goes overboard asking Jesus to wash his hands and head as well. Jesus once again explains that since Peter had already been bather only his feet were dirty. I understand this to mean that once we are baptized and Jesus washes away our sins, we do not need to be rebaptized every time we mess up. I see communion as a mini re-baptism. Our feet get dirty living in this sinful world. It is not that we have abandoned Christ, only that we fall short and we rebel against God. Footwashing is an opportunity to have our sins forgiven and to recommit our lives to God.

Peter was far from perfect, but Jesus did not feel the need to wash all of Peter, only his feet would be enough. Interetingly, Jesus was also willing to wash the feet of Judas who would betray Him. Jesus did not only wash the feet of those who deserved it. Jesus washed everyone’s feet, giving everyone the opportunity to repent and be cleansed. When Jesus said, “you are not all clean” (John 13:11) this meant that the footwashing did not cleanse the one who in his heart had already decided to betray Jesus. The footwashing cleansed those who humbled themselves and allowed Jesus to wash their feet. But the condition of Judas’ heart prevented him from experiencing the blessings that Jeuss was offering. Pete was cleansed, along with all the disciples. But judas remained unclean even though Jesus had also washed his feet.

Maybe you feel like Peter, and at first you want to resist the idea of having anyone wash your feet. Maybe you don’t feel comfortable, maybe you believe you don’t deserve it. It is true, we do not deserve it. But we should not let pride keep us from receiving God’s grace. Also, this serves as a warning to not be like Judas. If you participate in the footwashing, but you are treasuring sin in your heart, it will not benefit you in any meaningful way. Your feet may be cleaner but no spiritual benefits will be gained.

Do you know what Jesus did for you?

12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. - John 13:12-16 NKJV

Jesus did not stop being Lord and Teacher because He washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus did not lose His identity when He chose to serve. Jesus was still their teacher, He remained their Lord, Jesus was still God when He was washing the feet of those twelve men, including the feet of the one who would betray Him. If Jesus was willing to wash the feet of twelve men who were infinitely inferior to Him in every way, what is your excuse for not wanting to wash someone’s feet?

Jesus was very clear. He gave us an example, that we should do as He did to His disciples. Jesus humbled Himself, we ought to humble ourselves. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, we should wash each others’ feet and in the process gain a better understanding of the heart of God. Foot washing is not about dirty feet, it is about humbling ourselves. Footwashing is about following Jesus’ example and experiencing in a very small way Jesus willingness to humble Himself and serve others.

Blessed are you if you do

17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. - John 13:17 NKJV

Jesus made it very clear that if we know these things, we receive a special blessing if we do them. The blessing does not come from mere intellectual ascent. It is not sufficient to merely know what Jesus did. Knowing what Jesus did is great, but the blessing comes from following His example. The blessing comes when we do, when we live out the example Jesus left us.

Don’t miss out on the blessing, don’t allow this to remain as mere head knowledge. Now that we know what Jesus did, let us follow His example and do likewise.

#communion #Humility

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Stephen D. Campbell, et al., A New Song: Biblical Hebrew Poetry as Jewish and Christian Scripture

Book Review: Stephen D. Campbell, et al., A New Song: Biblical Hebrew Poetry as Jewish and Christian Scripture @LexhamAcademic -

Campbell, Stephen D., Richard G. Rohlfing, Jr., and Richard S. Briggs, eds. A New Song: Biblical Hebrew Poetry as Jewish and Christian Scripture. Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology. Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2023. xxiii+279 pp.; Pb.; $26.99. Link to Lexham Press This volume in the Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology series collects papers presented at a conference hosted by…

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#Book Review #Hebrew Poetry #Psalms

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Announcement Children service log in, new password is: Godissogood

Features Giveaway: Lexham Press Harold L. Senkbeil Pastor's Collection Book Review: Delighting in the Old Testament: Jason S. Derouchie helps you understand the Old Testament’s purpose in the Christian’s life today.

Recommendations Sing Old Hymns to Encourage New Life Adoptive Families Need More than a Baby Shower Schedule: English (Children’s Worship) 3/3 Aaron (Jen) 3/10 Bambang (Chloe) 3/17 Ray (Matt) 3/24 Matt (Leslie) 3/31 Ian (Aaron) 4/7 Aaron (Danny) 4/14 Bambang (Ray) 4/21 Ray (Jen) 4/28 Matt (Aaron) 5/5 Bambang 5/12 Bambang 5/19 Ray 5/26 Matt (Aaron) 6/2 Aaron 6/9 Bambang 6/16 Ray 6/23 Matt 6/30 Ian (Aaron)

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Announcements Ask Anything: Fun or serious questions for Aaron and Tiff. Walnut Classroom: YouTube playlist featuring our podcast.

Features Giveaway: Lexham Press Harold L. Senkbeil Pastor's Collection Book Review: Delighting in the Old Testament: Jason S. Derouchie helps you understand the Old Testament’s purpose in the Christian’s life today.

Recommendations How to Face Apparent Contradictions in the Gospels Adoptive Families Need More than a Baby Shower

Schedule 3/3 Aaron (Lust/Love) 3/10 Tiff (Lust/Love) 3/17 Aaron (TBD) 3/24 Aaron (TBD) 3/31 Aaron (Envy/Jealousy) 4/7 Tiff (Envy/Jealousy) 4/14 Aaron (Pride/Humility) 4/21 Tiff (Pride/Humility) 4/28 Aaron (Depression/Hope) 5/5 Tiff (Depression/Hope)

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[meaningfulmasculinity]

The Apostles’ Creed

The Apostles' Creed

APOSTLE (ἀπόστολος, apostolos). Someone, or something, sent. Derived from the verb “to send out” (ἀποστέλλειν, apostellein). In the New Testament, usually refers to someone sent as an authorized agent by Jesus or the Christian community (Matt 10:2; 2 Cor 8:23; Heb 3:1). – Dan Nässelqvist, “Apostle,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). I…

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#Apostles&039; Creed #Bible #Christianity #Faith #Prayer #Religion #Theology

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Book Review: Finding Assurance

How can you be sure of your salvation? In Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin, Andrew S. Ballitch brings the doctrine of assurance to battle doubt.

Lived Theology

As a part of the Lived Theology series by Lexham Press, this book explains the doctrine of assurance alongside the life of Thomas Goodwin. We journey with him as he comes to discover the joys of knowing you belong to the Lord.

What I most appreciated was how the book explains what the applying the doctrine means to us today. For instance, the struggle for assurance is said to be caused by a lack of church, discipline, a refusal to profess the truth, and reliance on past experience in the lives of believers. Ballitch is insightful, and you can see how he challenges our contemporary culture.

Sealed by the Spirit

I was most interested to see Ballitch examine Ephesians 1:11-14 along with Goodwin. He walks us through Godwin’s exposition of the passage, shedding light on what it means to be sealed by the Spirit. It is wonderful to read and will strengthen your soul.

I was most moved to see how assurance comforts those who are suffering. To die with full assurance of faith is admirable and beautiful. This book will guide you to have full assurance in the God of the Bible, who is faithful to his word.

I received a media copy of Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.

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TGIF: Roundup for July 28, 2023

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Asian American Leadership Conference 2024: “Writing the Next Chapter.” April 23-24, 2024, Orange County, CA. Registration opens on August 28! More info can be found on the conference website: aalc.network.

The vision of this conference is to equip Asian-American leaders with gospel centered, contextual resources that will empower men and women for local church ministry. Our conference strategy is to equip leaders, platform voices, and connect with one another for life-giving relationships.

The theme of our conference is “Writing the Next Chapter: Empowering Asian American Voices for Gospel Ministry”. The Asian American church today is at a unique inflection point with leaders in diverse stations across multiple generations. This conference will be an opportunity to learn from these voices for the sake of continued and future Gospel work together.

This newsletter is one of the many ways you can keep in touch with us. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more, check out my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group and TGIF Playlist on Spotify. You can reach me on Twitter and Instagram.

Aaron Lee, Editorial Curator

Enter to win this outstanding book! Thanks to Lexham Press for providing this book for our giveaway, in partnership with my newsletters for @diveindigdeep and FCBC Walnut.

What does creation have to do with Christians? In Ordinary Splendor, Lydia Jaeger presents the doctrine of creation and what it means to live it out. Read my review.

Articles From Around The Web

Paul Luo: Congregationalism for a Church Plant in a Confucian Culture

“Congregationalism is not only feasible for a church plant in Confucian culture but also beneficial for the continued growth and maturation of the EA church as a whole in the long run.”

Related: When Confucius Meets Jesus: The Good News for Confucian Societies by Daniel J. Lim

Jonathan Hayashi: 5 Ways to Deal With People Who Cause You Grief

“Christians, in a world filled with enmity and strife, are called to unity and love. I believe loving our enemy is the only way out of difficult relationships.”

Related: Four Sustaining Principles: Letters to a Young Pastor at a Multilingual Church by Steven Chin

Brandon Cooper: Oh No! The Youth Guy Is Preaching.

“We train the next generation of leaders because we want to see the work continue for generations to come, and we trust God to advance his kingdom through the faithful preaching of his powerful Word no matter who’s in the pulpit.”

Related: Preaching that Pleases God: Three Lessons I’ve Learned as a Beginner Preacher by Aaron Lee

SOLA Network is grateful to offer a free one-day event for church leaders thinking about the possibility of a long-term home for their church. Wednesday, August 2, at Living Hope Community Church in Brea, California, 9:45am – 12:30pm. Learn more and reserve a spot!

Books, Podcasts, Music, And More

TGC Glo Podcast: Supporting Mental Health with Dignity and Grace

Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park discuss the importance of creating a safe space within the local church for Christians to share their emotional and mental health struggles and receive encouragement without shame. They vulnerably share their own stories of struggling with mental health and describe how the hope of eternity, when we’ll be fully restored in body and mind, gives us the endurance to persevere.

Related: How to Champion Mental Health in Asian American Churches with Monica Kim

Englewood Review: Sam Kim – A Holy Haunting [Q/A]

“Gospel contextualization was not optional for the apostles or the early church; they were all in essence cultural architects who studied deeply and grasped the complexity of their context with great sophistication.”

Related: How to Understand People Who Doubt: An Interview with Sam D. Kim by Aaron Lee

Aaron Lee: Related Works

Book Review: Ordinary Splendor by Lydia Jaeger. Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.

Our new Books and Reviews page is your one-stop resource for all of your reading needs. It features Asian American authors and issues, book recommendations, and interviews.

Featured This Week On SOLA Network

Aaron Lee: Share What God is Saying: A Book Review of “The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching”

“For new preachers such as myself, this is an invaluable book that will be a true and trusted help. For more seasoned preachers, this book will sharpen your study, propel your writing, and strengthen your sermons. Share what God is saying by preaching the big idea of the passage.”

Larry Lin: Watching Bluey as an Asian American Father

“Let’s not make it our aim to show our kids how amazing we are. Let’s make it our aim to show our kids how amazing our heavenly Father is.”

Aaron Lee: Finding the Big Idea When Preaching and Teaching: An Interview with Matthew D. Kim

In this engaging interview, professor Matthew D. Kim and SOLA Network editorial curator Aaron Lee discuss “The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching,” a Baker Academic/Baker Books book edited by Kim and Scott Gibson. Kim explains that the big idea represents the main thrust of the biblical text, allowing listeners to take home a clear and applicable message.

Cory Ishida: Letters from Grandpa: “The Days Are Long, But the Years Are Short”

The twilight of our lives gives us an opportunity to reflect on the goodness of God over all the years when the days seemed so long.

TGIF: Roundup for July 21, 2023

In the Modern Areopagus, 5 Billion People Are Listening / Classical Ways to Demonstrate God’s Existence: Finding Act from Potency with Thomas Aquinas / Davy Chou’s Transcendent Return to Seoul Embodies the Modern Search for Identity / Does God care what I wear? / Exploring the Intersection of Christianity and the Arts

General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors.

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"The Cloud Rider" An excerpt from Dr. Mike Heiser's Book "The Unseen Realm"

“The Cloud Rider” An excerpt from Dr. Mike Heiser’s Book “The Unseen Realm”

Heiser, M. S. (2015). The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible (First Edition, p. 251). Lexham Press.

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[hearthematter]

The Church, Korah and a Rich Man

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Moses. Therefore do and observe everything that they tell you, but do not do as they do, for they tell others to do something and do not do it themselves.W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Mt 23:1–3. What does the church,…

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[plong42]

Barry J. Beitzel, ed. Lexham Geographical Commentary on the Pentateuch

Beitzel, Barry J., ed. Lexham Geographical Commentary on the Pentateuch. Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2022. xxvi+915 pp.; Hb.  $49.99  Link to Lexham Press Barry Beitzel has a well-deserved reputation in scholarship for his contributions to biblical geography. He edited The New Moody Atlas of the Bible (Moody, 2009; reviewed here). He edited the first volume of this projected six-volume…

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#Biblical Geography #Book Review #Pentateuch

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Announcements

Resources Book Review: Gospel-Shaped Marriage (Crossway) Book Review: Illustrating Well (Lexham Press) Book Review: The Book of First & Second Corinthians (Alabaster)

Recommendations J. A. Medders: Don’t Title People “Pastor” If They Aren’t An Elder Joe Rigney: Immersed into Mission: Why Jesus Commands Us to Baptize

Schedule: English (Children’s Worship) 7/3 Ray (Aaron) 7/10 Bambang (Chloe) 7/17 Ray (Matt) 7/24 Ray (Aaron) 7/31 Matt (Aaron) 8/7 Aaron (Aileen) 8/14 Bambang (Chloe) 8/21 Ray (Matt) 8/28 Matt (Aaron) 9/4 Aaron 9/11 Bambang 9/18 Ray 9/25 Matt 10/2 Aaron 10/9 Bambang 10/16 Ray 10/23 Ray 10/30 Matt 11/6 Aaron 11/13 Bambang 11/20 Ray 11/27 Matt 12/4 Aaron 12/11 Bambang 12/18 Ray 12/25 Matt *Christmas*

Resources Visit our church website. Subscribe to Walnut Weekly - our social media newsletter.

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Announcements YouTube: Listen to our class audio recordings.

Resources Book Review: Gospel-Shaped Marriage (Crossway) Book Review: Illustrating Well (Lexham Press) Book Review: The Book of First & Second Corinthians (Alabaster)

Recommendations DesiringGod: Harry Potter Turns 25: What I Saw While Reading to My Sons TGC: How to Create a Teaching Plan for Youth Ministry

Schedule 7/3 Jon 7/10 Art (Kevin/Jon gone at YSMP) 7/17 Art (Kevin/Jon return the night before from YSMP / Aaron preaching youth) 7/24 Aaron (Kevin preaching youth) 7/31 Kevin 8/6 Aaron (Kevin away)

[littleson-oficial]

[Little Estudos] “A Parábola dos Talentos”

Texto Base: Mateus 25:14-30

Aproximando-se do fim do Sermão Profético o Senhor Jesus conta uma parábola aos discípulos, conhecida como a Parábola dos Dez Talentos.

Jesus declara que um senhor, ao se ausentar de suas propriedades, deixa com seus servos uma grande soma em dinheiro para que eles administrassem enquanto estivesse fora.

O dia de trabalho de um empregado comum era pago com um denário, uma moeda romana amplamente utilizada durante o período do Novo Testamento, possuía quase o mesmo valor de uma dracma (peso e medida persa) [1].

Um denário pesava cerca de 4 gramas de prata, a dracma era algo entorno de 3.6 gramas.

O valor do talento dependia de quem a cunhava [2] então estabelecer uma conversão direta para as moedas modernas é uma tarefa um pouco mais complexa. O talento nos tempos do Novo Testamento era equivalente à, aproximadamente, 30.2 quilos de prata [3].

O primeiro servo, portanto, recebeu o equivalente à 151 quilos de prata e, sabendo que um único talento valia cerca de vinte anos de salário diário de um trabalhador comum [4], temos uma noção do montante que foi entregue para ele administrar.

Jesus não insere esta parábola no encerramento do Sermão Profético aleatoriamente, o propósito do Mestre é alertar os discípulos acerca de sua responsabilidade diante do evangelho, assim como o talento, a mensagem da Salvação é extremamente valiosa e, conforme as nossas capacidades, Deus nos concede porções que devem ser administradas para o Reino de forma a aumentar as propriedades de nosso Rei.

Fontes:

[1] BOYER, Orlando. Pequena Enciclopédia Bíblica. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2015. pag. 170.

[2] HARRISON, Everett F. Comentário bíblico Moody: volume 2. organizado por Mark A. Swedberg; tradução de Yolanda M. Krievin. 2 ed. São Paulo: Batista Regular do Brasil, 2017. pag. 109

[3] Talent. Weights & Measures Converter. Logos 8.

[4] Principais colaboradores e editores. (2016). Talento. Em J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, ... W. Widder (Orgs.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

#deus #jesus #estudo #estudo bíblia #ProjetoFalandoNoCéu #parábola #evangelho #graça #jovem cristão

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Book Review: Matthew: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC), by Charles L. Quarles

Charles L. Quarles’ commentary on Matthew is the latest in the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC) series from Lexham Press. At over 800 pages, this is one of the longer commentaries in the series, and it is packed full of insight and illumination. 

Christological Titles

My favorite part of this series is the section on biblical-theological themes. Quarles begins with Christological titles and the Son of Man. He brought great understanding to Christ’s human appearance, but also his divine revelation as coming with the clouds of heaven. I was most moved to learn of how Christ’s title of Immanuel serves as an inclusio for the book, beginning and ending with the fact that Jesus is God with us.

I appreciated Quarles’ attention to detail throughout the book. He is comprehensive, seeking to help the reader grasp the entirety of the book. He spends a considerable amount of time explaining the genealogy of Jesus, showing how his coming is the pinnacle of Old Testament history. Furthermore, by including four gentile women in his genealogy, he confirms that “Jesus is the son of Abraham, the promised seed in whom all nations will be blessed, even Canaanites, Moabites, and Hittites.” This theme is echoed throughout the Gospel, and how it must be spread to all nations.

True, Everlasting, and Eternal Rest

I was most happy to read in Matthew 11, and how Christ’s invitation to rest comes before the discussion of two Sabbath controversies in Matthew 12. I felt the weight that the Pharisees placed on people, and I saw that Jesus is truly the Lord of the Sabbath in that he provides true, everlasting, and eternal rest for our souls.

Parables are prominent in Matthew, and Quarles’ does an excellent job of addressing them thoroughly. He makes note of representations and symbolisms, bringing in knowledge of Old Testament imagery. 

Traditions and Customs

Quarles also has command of traditions and customs in Jesus’ time. When the disciples were questioning who would be greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, most rabbis taught that adults had nothing to learn from children. “Jesus reversed the normal order by turning adults into pupils and little children into teachers. Jesus’ s disciples needed to look to them to learn the lesson of humility.” I was challenged to have child-like faith, wonder, and dependence in my own spiritual life. I was also struck by God’s great love for his children. We need our Heavenly Father more than anything and he is more than happy to help us.

Quarles’ exegesis on The Olivet Discourse is extensive. While there seems to be a delay in Christ’s return, we should still see it as imminent. The proper response is to care for our fellow-servant and actively invest in the kingdom of God.

Get a Closer Look at Jesus

Interestingly, Quarles focuses on the three women who came to watch Christ’s crucifixion: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome — the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Christ’s care, love, and honor towards women is an example we still need today.

This book is an outstanding entry in the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary series. There is treasure to be found in every section. Get a closer look at Jesus, feel his presence, and be inspired to spread the Good News.

I received a media copy of Matthew and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.

[dailyaudiobible]

10/02/2020 DAB Transcript

Isaiah 66:1-24, Philippians 3:4-21, Psalms 74:1-23, Proverbs 24:15-16

Today is October 2nd welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I'm Brian it’s great to be here with you today as we move forward and take the next step through the Scriptures, and yeah we’re at the beginning of a new month and a new quarter. And, so, we’re just getting oved in and an understanding of where we are and doing what we talked about yesterday, thinking about finishing well, finishing strong in a…in a year that has done a lot to challenge us. So, let's dive in. And we’re working our way through the book of Isaiah, and we've actually reached the conclusion. Today will be our final day in the book of Isaiah for this year. We’re reading from the Lexham English Bible this week. Isaiah chapter 66.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in Philippians today we kinda dropped into the middle of something that was being said that we had finished up with yesterday. And, so, we see Paul kind of doing the boasting thing again where he’s like…he’s kinda forced to boast in order to defend himself from things that people are saying. So, he’d rather not be doing this at all, but he has to do it. And, so, he's saying what he's done. Like, “I was circumcised on the eighth day. I…I’m from…I’m an Israeli. Like, I’m a natural born Hebrew from the tribe of Benjamin. I was a Pharisee. I was so zealous about it I persecuted the church. I was blameless in keeping the law trying to be righteous before God.” And then Pals says, “but all the stuff that I did, it doesn't mean anything to me. It…it's…it's a loss. Like, I count it as a loss because of what I have gained in Christ.” And that juxtaposition is Paul again saying what he has always said in his letters. “I was trying to obey the rules. I threw myself at it wholeheartedly. I wanted to be able to be righteous before God, so that I could one day be welcomed by God, so that one day I would be righteous before God. And, so, I did all the right stuff, but it wasn't going to me there. So, now I realize it was a loss, like I count it as a loss because of what Jesus has shown me since I've met the Lord.” And once again this is Paul trying to say, “the rules are not the relationship. The rules do not come before the relationship to gauge whether there is a relationship.” For Paul that's like backwards, for Jesus as well. The spirit of the whole thing had been lost and so all that was left were rules when the rules were actually a byproduct of a relationship. And basically…I means…here's a way of looking at it. If you're married…even if you're not married you’re gonna understand this…if you're married you don't…you don't dig out your marriage covenant and read it every time you have a fight, right? Every time you have a disagreement you don’t dig out your marriage license and begin reading and say, “wait a minute. These were our vows. This is what we said.” I mean there are times that this needs to happen, but this isn’t what defines the relationship. Love defines the relationship. And when two people are in love than the rules become apparent and you don’t have to like study and ritualize and try to make the relationship work by the rules. If there’s no love there it's going to be pretty tough to do. And this is what Paul is trying to argue. Like he had tried to do this, always knowing his failures because the law showed him his failures, always having an understanding of God being displeased because of his failures. Everybody felt that way. Like nobody could live up to the law. Everybody felt that way on a continual basis just looking for the other shoe to drop. And that's what Paul is trying to say. Like that's not freedom, that's not freedom. Christ came, fulfilled the law, God began a new thing by raising Him from the dead, faith in Jesus makes us righteous before God, fulfills all of those requirements that we think we have to live up to. We are free to be in love with God, free to be in love with God as He is in love with us. Rather than understanding him as an angry deity we now see Him as Father as our Papa as a loving child would refer to their parents. That’s what Paul has been after today. And, so, he says something very famous. “I haven’t achieved that. That's where this is going. We are all on that path. Why would you want to turn from that path and go back into bondage because somebody's telling you something different than what I've been telling you. Let me tell you my credentials.” And then he goes through his credentials. “I have done this.” That’s his point. “I have done this with all of my heart, and it cannot be achieved, but Jesus came and revealed Himself to me and revealed how this actually works. It's a leap of faith and I have not achieved this. I can't achieve this, it can only be achieved inside me by God”, which is the same for all of us. We can't achieve anything. Everything that we have is a gift from God. “So, I haven't achieved it” Paul says, “but I am trying. Like I am doing one thing. I am forgetting the things that have gone behind me and I am pressing toward the things that are ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” And that should do for us what it would've done for the Philippians and what it did for the Philippians. And it encouraged to them. It reminded them. And, so, yeah most of what we just talked about are things we have talked about before, but Paul repeats these things in the letters and the letters got passed around from church to church so people were being continually reminded in those early days, just like we are continually being reminded now because we forget. And in the same way we get back to the rules. We know our failures. We know we can go to the Father and ask forgiveness but we know our failures. And, so, we live sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop. We live feeling as if we don't keep our act together something bad's going to happen when that's simply…at least according to Paul, at least according to Jesus, that's not how this works. And, so, once again we are reminded of God's mercy and grace and we need to press forward because of the deep and growing love of the relationship that we have with God. The rules become apparent. There are things we wouldn't do against our spouse because we love them, and we wouldn't want to break their heart and we wouldn’t want to cause them pain and suffering. There are things that we wouldn't or shouldn't do in our relationship with God for the same reasons because we are committed in a covenantal relationship and in love. Let's remember that as we head into the end of the week.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You. We thank You that You loved us first. There is nothing we can do. There is nothing we have done to earn that. You have loved us and come for us. And this salvation that we are working out in fear and trembling isn't about how often we step out of line. It's about us being aware of what we will not do because we are committed to You, because we are in love with the creator of our souls, with the lover of our souls. So, Holy Spirit come. Make this a reality. May we live into this fully in the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, it’s the website, it’s where you find out what's going on around here.

Still reeling, not reeling, just still kind of floating from the announcement we made yesterday about China and Ben expecting their first child, their first baby. And the outpouring of love and good wishes and prayers is so encouraging. It’s like a lifting…lifting spirit and we need that. We need…we need our spirits lifted in these days. And, so, thank you for…for that. And thank you for your continued prayers and…and…and just joy we go through this process and through…then through the winter months and into the spring and then as spring brings new life and this spring will bring really new life into our family and so we’re very excited. And thank you. Thank you for your…your love and being a part of life here in community as…as we move forward.

I remind you that the website is home base. And, so, and it's not very complicated. It's actually made to be pretty simple.

There’s a Community section, that’s where you can get connected on social media and that's where the Prayer Wall is. There is a Shop full of resources for the journey through the Bible in a year. And there's Initiatives, things that are going on around here. So, be…be aware. Check it out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, I can't thank you enough because the reality is if we didn't do this together, we wouldn’t be doing this at all. And, so, so grateful, so humbled that we can take this journey, day by day step-by-step fresh every day moving forward in life together in community. Like this is really happening, we’re really doing this together. And what a joy that is but it wouldn’t happen if we didn't do it together. So, thank you for your partnership. There’s a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. There is a Give button in the Daily Audio Bible app in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement 877-942-4253 is the number to dial or if you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app…and if you’re not you should…you should be…this is the portal into community, there’s a Hotline button in the app, the little red button at the top, No matter where you are in the world you can…I mean that's sittin’ in your pocket. You got a Hotline, you got a way to reach out at any point when your shouldering things that you just can't carry anymore or when you're so full of joy that you just have to tell somebody because that's community. That’s the friendships that we have forged as we've just gone verse by verse page by page, chapter by chapter book by book all the way to here in the Bible. So, you can always reach out there.

And that is it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hello this is Lacey from Cape Cod Massachusetts I’m an elderly woman alone in the world with no family. It’s just me and my precious dog and Jesus and I’ve had some serious serious health issues with my back and I’m severely arthritic but my dear precious dog has been very sick and I beg your prayers that…for healing for her and mercy for me because I just cannot imagine life without her. The loneliness and isolation is just so painful. And before Covid…but now with Covid it’s 10 times worse. She’s my baby and my precious companion and I need her, and I love her. Please pray for mercy. Thank you in Jesus’ name. God bless you all. Thank you. I’ve been listening for over a year…about a year. Bye-bye.

It is September 26th this is joyful Jay from the Everglades. I just want to say thank you DABbers. Thank you, Brian, Jill, China and all who make this daily campfire happen. I’m a longtime listener and very rare caller. Change is coming. My fear of saying the wrong thing is less than my fear of not being known by a community of believers who live fearlessly in loving each other and want to be known by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Oh Lord to let people in, to let people know me, you know this is my struggle. Thank you for opening my year and opening my heart. Thank you to all of those who call in on a regular basis. Your voices, your accents, the cadence in your speech. This is how I’m getting to know you. I will not know you because I can see you, but I will know you because I know your voice. Your words bring me joy and at times lay a heaviness on my heart. Just hearing the different tones, the tunes of all your voices and songs. I am crying as I listen to people saying they prayers. Hearing the songs, hearing the prayers, hearing the encouragement is nourishing to my spirit, leaving me wanting more of this community and a desire to change and desire to be known by you. Thank you, Lord Jesus. This is JB saying thank you for all of you calling in and setting an example of caring for each other in prayer. Have a great day. Blessings in the Lord Jesus. Bye.

Good morning DAB family this is Dawn of a New Day from California calling to lift up our sister Tammy from Canada. Tammy God has you in the palm of His hand as your reaching out, your crying out, your trusting and believing even in the face of not feeling like you can still hold on and trust God. In the name of Jesus, you will not crack, you will not fold, you will not lose your mind. You will get the best sleep you have ever received ever. And Father we give You praise, we give You glory, and we give You honor right here and right now not just for Tammy’s sweet sleep but for every person that has insomnia for every person that feels as if their sleep deprivation is cracking their life God. We trust You are Lord. We lift this ministry up to You God. We lift up every prayer request. We lift up our sister who was invited by her two brothers who is excited to be a part of our DAB family God. We lift up each and every heart the grows in Your word that loves Your word. We lift up every single person that listens and absolutely believes and trusts You more God. I pray that we will spread this word of this ministry, that we would then learn and grow and serve, believe God that we would reach out and reach in and…and absolutely not give up. We love You like never before, and we thank You now for loving us back. We love you Tammy. Your DAB family is calling out your name and glory not just this day but in all the days to come and we will hear your testimony of your breakthrough and sweet sleep. God bless you sister. Thank you for calling in for the first time. DAB family sew a seed of support today. God bless you all.

Good afternoon DAB family this is Lady of Victory on Monday, the 28th of September calling in for Jody who called in for prayer for Desiree, a 15-year-old, I believe, who has been diagnosed with cancer that has metastasized to her lungs and other parts of her body. So, we want to lift her up in prayer. God, we thank You, we glorify You, we magnify You because You alone are worthy to be praised. God what a report to have said about someone so Young who is dealing with all that she’s dealing with God. And yet according to Jodi she is not lost for Jesus joy. Some of us have been diagnosed with a lot less God and we have turned our backs on You. And, so, God we thank You for the joy that Desiree has in You in spite of God the diagnosis. Now God our prayer is that You would heal her on this side of every disease God. We recognize that cancer is a name and You said that at the name of Jesus every knee is going to bow. And, so, God we tell cancer to bow in the name of Jesus. God, and we lift her up before You. We ask that a miracle will be performed for Your daughter. God but if that is not Your perfect will for Desiree’s life God it sounds like she’s ready to meet You and to hear those words good and faithful servant well done. And that’s not what we want God while ultimately that’s all of our desires. God but we want her healed on this side, but we also want Your perfect will to be done and established. Comfort the hearts of those around her God who are lifting her up who have to see her suffer. Do it for Your glory.

Hi, DABbers I may first time call inner just started listening to the Daily Audio Bible this January, it is an answer to prayer, truly. I just wanted to call in because after five years of having Ménière’s disease, it’s a…a vestibular disorder a balance disorder, I was able to, little by little, build up an art business but I got very used to working alone, as hard as it was. And since social distancing has occurred, I’m just having a really hard time I find now connecting with people and I’ve always been so gregarious. And there’s so many winds of doctrine out there I…I don’t feel like I fit anywhere anymore. And I…I know that that’s not God’s will for me, that His will is that I live in community but I’m very, very, very confused and I feel very lost and in a real desert place. Not depressed but lonely but yet I feel that there’s this glass around me that I can’t cross over. Also, if you’ll pray for my son. He’s been an addict for 10 years. He’s living in Philly now in a sober home but he’s…he’s using when he can and just so afraid of him dying. God has kept him for 10 years even as a homeless person and he’s had many, many maybe over 40 rehabs. But I really hope that you hold Jesse up in prayer and for his complete deliverance…

Hi family is Purely Pampered of main. I have an answered prayer praise report to call in. Yesterday we helped my son and his fiancée move into a new apartment about an hour away. My future daughter-in-law found a full-time job and today my son started a two-month temporary job. Right before we left their apartment for the last time, I asked them to indulge me and I thanked God for all the wisdom they gained through the challenges they’ve had these past 2 ½ years living there more than I could never go onto and I prayed that as they closed and locked the door they could let go and leave behind all of the pain and look forward to their new beginning. I told them that hundreds of thousands would be rejoicing with them when I called in this praise report. Thanks to each of you prayed for them and thanks to each of you that took the time to call in and pray for them. I won’t list your names, but you know who you are. I so appreciate you. There’s just no explaining how it feels, for others lifting up my family’s needs. Thank you. Please continue to pray for all of us dealing with transgender pansexual and gender spectrum issues in our families. We so need those prayers. I love you family. Bye for now.