A Bible Study Blog
The picture above shows a stone cross nestled in a quiet woodland scene.
When I searched pixabay.com for an image to represent humility, it came up as an option.
Other words associated with the picture include cross, faith, and religion.
So why did it come up when I searched for the word humility?
What connects these words: cross, faith, religion with humble worship?
Continue reading “Are You Humbly Worshiping?”
Last week, a group I regularly meet with discussed Peter’s confession of Christ in Matthew 16:13-23.
In this passage, Jesus is alone with His disciples in a location most Jews of their day would never visit since it was a city full of pagan worship. (Matthew 16:13)
While there, Jesus asks his disciples these two questions:
The disciple’s response to the first question was, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:14)
Peter responded to the second question: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
After affirming Peter’s statement, Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. (Matthew 16:20)
Why did Jesus issue this warning?
Continue reading “From Peter’s Confession to Palm Branches”
In 2022, during the holiday season, before I signed off at my day job for several days of vacation, I emailed my coworkers with the subject line “Ask Barbara Not an Option.”
Why did I do this?
First, I did it to be funny.
Second, I would travel by car for my vacation and would have extremely limited time or access to internet service.
But also, having started working as the receptionist and eventually becoming the office manager, I get asked many questions throughout the workweek in my job.
Thus, from the day I started working at my current employer, I have regularly interacted with every single department. Thus, I know many details about many things.
But this does not mean I am the one in charge at work.
What does any of this have to do with Luke 2:1-7?
Continue reading “Who is Really in Charge?”
How would you respond to someone greeting you with the statement, “You are highly favored?”
Excited?
Suspicious?
Justified?
Would your answer change if the statement came privately?
It is one thing to have a fellow human make this type of statement to us, regardless of the motive behind it.
But what about when an angel from God speaks to you this way?
Continue reading “You Are Highly Favored | Luke 1:26-38”
The first chapter of the gospel of Matthew surprisingly starts with a genealogy.
After fifteen verses about who fathered what son and after mentioning a few unexpected mothers, we get verse sixteen:
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. [1]
Verse seventeen then summarizes the royal genealogical record Matthew highlighted, reinforcing his opening verse statement that Jesus Christ is officially part of the promises made to Abraham back in Genesis and King David in 2 Samuel.
Then, Matthew explains the mystery of why he did not call Joseph the father of Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “From Genealogies to Dreams: Obeying God | Matthew 1:18-25”
Do you like genealogical research?
Most of the time my answer would be not really.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the importance of genealogical research.
And I am glad others take the time to do this type of research.
It just is not something I feel drawn to pursue for myself.
But the Bible contains several genealogical lists that intrigue me.
For example, the Gospel of Matthew opens with a genealogy of Christ.
What can we learn from this odd way to open a book about Christ?
Continue reading “The Genealogy of Christ | Matthew 1”