I once visited Rome and stood in the very room next to the Sistine Chapel that was the Pope’s office during the Reformation. I saw an old chair next to the wall, so I sat down, closed my eyes and thought about the wooden desk standing across the room. I wondered about the conversations and … Continue reading –>
Imagine what it must have been like for Peter, who had been with Jesus almost from the start. What must have gone through his mind as he witnessed one incredible event after another: the healings, the casting out of demons, the feeding of the multitudes, the amazing teachings, the controlling of nature, raising the dead, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 4:4, Heb. 7:26, Matt. 16:13-20, Eph. 2:20, Matt. 16:21-27, Matt. 17:1-9. Memory Text:“‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’” (Matthew 16:15, NIV). From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the … Continue reading –>
A Christian was speaking to students on a secular campus about the existence of God. After using all the common arguments, he took a different tack, saying: “You know, when I was about the age of most of you, and not believing in God, every now and then, when something would convict me that maybe … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 15:29-39 and compare it with Matthew 14:13-21. What are the similarities and the differences between the two stories? Many people don’t realize that there are two feedings of the multitudes in the Gospels: the first for the Jews, the second for the Gentiles. In both instances, Jesus has “compassion” for the people. It’s … Continue reading –>
After feeding, healing, and preaching to His own Jewish people, Jesus makes a dramatic decision. He leaves the area of the Jews and enters the region of the outsiders, the Gentiles. Read Matthew 15:21-28. How are we to understand this story? In many ways, this isn’t an easy story to read, because we’re without the … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “The Lord of Jews and Gentiles” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the … Continue reading –>
“Therefore the LORD said: ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men’” (Isa. 29:13, NKJV). Though this was the Lord speaking to ancient Israel, what message is here … Continue reading –>
After the miraculous feeding, Jesus ordered His disciples into their boat (Matt. 14:22). He wanted them away from the mayhem and pressure. A good teacher will shelter his students from what they’re not yet ready to handle. “Calling His disciples,” writes Ellen G. White, “Jesus bids them take the boat and return at once to … Continue reading –>
A few years ago my wife and I hiked a rugged trail that was longer than we could handle. Near the end of the hot summer day she sat down at a resting place where the trail crossed a country road, while I trudged the last mile of the loop to our truck and then … Continue reading –>
