Christ comes to us in love (Travelling Through God’s Word: Song of Solomon, also known as Song of Songs)

Within the context of the Old Testament, Song of Solomon, also known as Song of Songs, is an unusual book. God is never mentioned in it. It's really a collection of love songs. It's not always easy to see the connection between one part of the "song" and another part of it. It can be …

Learning from all that Isaiah has to say to us (Travelling Through God’s Word: Isaiah).

Many years ago, I led a weekly midweek Bible study in the home of one of our church members. When we were coming to the end of a series of Bible studies, I asked the group if anyone had any ideas about what we should study next. The lady, whose house we were in, suggested …

Matthew 1-2

In chapter 1, we learn of the way of God's working, "by the Holy Spirit", and the outcome of His working, the birth of our Saviour. This is, still, a lesson for us concerning the new birth. Through the Spirit, Christ is born in us. In chapter 2, we see men being led to Jesus. …

Matthew 3-4

We read of John, the baptist, and Jesus, the baptized. The baptism of Jesus is a high point - we read of the Spirit's descent and the Father's declaration. It is followed  by a low point - the wilderness of temptation. In 3:17, we read of the Father's interest in Jesus. In 4:1, we read …

Matthew 5-7

In "the Sermon on the Mount", we learn, from Jesus, that the way to happiness is the way of holiness. Holiness is to be seen. Happiness is to be shared. Holiness must take shape in our lives - the shape of Jesus Christ, living in us. The truly happy life is the Christ-centred life. It's …

Matthew 15-17

The Lord Jesus Christ stood in stark contrast to the religious leaders of His day. They were false hypocrites. He was, in reality, the Christ, the Son of the living God (16:16). In chapter 17, Jesus is preparing His disciples for the events that lay ahead of Him: His death and resurrection. We must not …

Matthew 18-20

Jesus teaches us how we are to relate to God. He, also, teaches us how we are to relate to one another. Our relationship with God shapes our relationship with others. We, who love God, are to show our love for God in our love for others (chapter 18). Our relationship with God, also, shapes …

Matthew 21-22

Jesus' parables of the Kingdom were a significant part of His ministry. It is still true today that there are those who, when they hear God's Word, see what it's all about, while there are others who miss the point altogether. We should not be discouraged because some do not believe, but we should give …

Mark 8-9

In these chapters, we see Jesus, looking ahead to His death and resurrection. On two occasions, He speaks to His disciples of these events, which lay ahead of Him. Following the first prophecy, Jesus emphasizes taht the way of the cross is the way of discipleship (chapter 8).

Mark 10-11

There is, in chapter 10, a third prophecy concerning Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus, also, speaks of "the cup", which He must drink. It is "the cup" of our condemnation. He drinks from this cup so that we might drink from the cup of His salvation. Jesus enters Jerusalem (chapter 11). He is moving steadfastly …

Mark 12-13

There is a seriousness about Jesus' teaching, as He speaks of His first coming, in the parable of the wicked tenants, in chapter 12, and His second coming, in chapter 13. The Christ, who was rejected by men, has become "the keystone" (chapter 12). This will be clearly seen when He comes "in the clouds …

Mark 14-16

This is the story of Jesus. There are, however, sub-stories within it. There is the sadness of Peter and the tragedy of Judas. Supremely, however, there is the assurance of Jesus, as he faces the cross with confidence in God. The story of Jesus is a story of apparent defeat (the crucifixion), which turns out …

Luke 1

The stories of Jesus and John are blended together. John's whole purpose in life was bound up with Jesus. He was the forerunner, the herald of Christ. The supreme goal of his life was to be a witness to Christ, pointing away from himslef to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 2-3

The stories of Jesus and John continue to be blended together. This blending together of John's ligfe with Jesus' life is, surely, a lesson for us and pattern for our lives. We must never forget that "our life is hid with Christ in God." Our witness to this hidden (or inner) life must not, however, …

Luke 4-5

Following His baptism, Jesus faces the devil. This is the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It is, also, the pattern of His ministry: conflict with the devil. Jesus announced that He had come as the fulfilment of prophecy. There was immediate opposition from His enemies. This opposition was more than merely human: 'The spirit of an …

Luke 6-7

The ministry of the Lord Jesus was a ministry of both words and actions. The mighty miracles of our Lord demonstrate the truth of His Word. He is more than a prophet. He is "much more than a prophet." He is the One who "forgives sins." He is the Saviour, who says to the believer, …

Luke 8-9

Jesus emphasizes the importance of hearing the Word of God and putting it into practice, yielding a harvest through perseverance. If we are to be true followers of Jesus, we must take up the cross daily. It is in this way, the way of the cross, that the glory of the Lord shines into our …

Luke 10-11

It is, surely, significant that the parable of the good Samaritan and the story of Martha and Mart are set alongside each other. Devotion to the Lord and His Word is to be accompanied by real love for our neighbour. The lamp of outr life is to be let by by God's Word and held …

Luke 12-13

Jesus' teaching calls for our response. We dare not live for this world, once Christ has laid His claim on our lives. We dare not remain satisfied with an unfruitful life, once Christ has called us to a life of fruitfulness.

Luke 14-16

To belong to Christ carries with it an impetus to reach duty for Him. In this, we are to follow our Lord who "welcomed sinners." Jesus is the Saviour who has "come to seek and to save the lost." He has come to bring the prodigals back to the Father. If we are following Him, …

Luke 21-22

In chapter 21, Jesus warns His disciples of the dangers which lie ahead of them. He speaks to them of His second coming. He calls on them to be ever alert. In chapter 22m wew are tken more deeply into the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The suffering of Jesus is more than the …

John 1-3

In the opening chapter, Jesus is described as both "the Word" (of God) and "the Lamb of God." We see Jesus active in both creation and salvation. In the cleansing of the Temple, we see Christ's holiness. We see Christ as the supreme demonstration of God's love: "God so loved the world that He gave …

John 4-5

We see the Lord's ministry of love. He brings the Samaritan woman out of her bondage. He removes her guilt. He brings her into the joy of salvation. The Lord brings hope where there seems to be no hope. This hope shines through in His signs of the Kingdom of love. This hope is eternal. …

John 6-8

Jesus is the bread of life (chapter 6). He is the kiving water (chapter 7). As we feed on the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word brings life: "The words I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life." Through His Word, we are brought into the life of the indwelling Spirit. Jesus is …

John 9-10

In His ministry of words and works, Jesus encountered opposition, In chapter 9, there's the opposition which came from "the Pharisees." In chapter 10, Jesus speaks of "the thief who comes to kill and steal and destroy." This is the work of the devil. He was working through the reigious leaders. His purpose is to …

John 11-12

Now, everything is moving, more clearly, towards the death and resurrection of Christ. At the raising of Lazarus, Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life." By describing Himself in this way, Jesus gives a clear indication there will be a greater miracle than the raising of Lazarus: His own resurrection. At the end …

John 13-16

Jesus is clearly conscious of what lies ahead of Him: "Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to pass from this world to the Father (chapter 13). In chapter 14, He spoke to His disciples of "the place where I am going." The purpose of Jesus' death was this: "to lay down His …

John 17-18

In chapter 18, we read of Jesus being betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter. While both men failed the Lord, there is a very real difference between them. This is highlighted in Jesus' prayer (chapter 17): "I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost." …

John 19-21

As we read of Jesus' death, it is significant to note the recuirrebce of the theme of fulfilled prophecy: "In this way the words of Scripture were fulfilled" (the dividing of Jesus' garments_; "to fulfil the Scriptures perfectly, He said, 'I am thirsty'"; !all this happened to fulfil the words of Scripture" (He was pierced, …

Matthew 23-24

The way of hypocrisy must be avoided (chapter 23). It is a way which comes under the stern judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ. The seeds of judgment are sown by the hypocrite in this earthly life. The fruit of judgment on hypocrisy will be seen in its fullness when Christ returns - "there will …

Romans 1-3

In these chapters, Paul exposes sin and begins to direct the sinner's attention to God's solution to the problem of sin. The message of salvation is summed up in 3:23-24, "Both Jew and pagab sinned and forfeited God's glory, and both are justified through the free gift of His grace by being redeemed in Christ …

Romans 7-8

There's a striking contrast between these two chapters: "What a wretched man I am!" (chapter 7); "With God on our side, who can be against us?" (chapter 8). These are two sides of the one coin. The Holy Spirit has come to lives within us, yet we are still sinners. Our life on this earth …

Romans 4-6

Here, Paul speaks about God's way of salvation. He emphasizes that we receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ: we are justified by faith (chapter 4). This is just the beginning of our salvation. God has given us new life (chapter 6) and, now, He's leading us on to eternal glory (chapter 5).

Looking beyond Jesus’ death to his resurrection (Luke 23-24)

Here, we see unity in evil: "And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day." Politically, these men were at odds with each other. Spiritually, however, they were united in their opposition to Christ. Whatever the outcome of this incident with Jesus of Nazareth, nothing must be permitted to …

The resurrection of Christ opens up for us a glorious future.

Acts 23-25 "The resurrection of the dead" was a central theme in Paul's preaching: "It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial" (chapter 23); "It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today" (chapter 24). His teaching concerning the resurrection …

Romans 9-11

These are difficult chapters. Paul speaks about the place of Jews and Gentiles in God's work of salvation. Above all else, this great theme stands out: Salvation is the work of God's grace; it is His gift of grace which is received through faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of both Jews and Gentiles.

Romans 12-13

In the first eleven chapters of Romans, Paul expounds the Gospel: what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. In chapters 12-16, he speaks to us about our response to the Gospel. This shift of direction is particularly noticeable in the opening verses of chapter 12. In chapter 12, the main emphasis is on …

Romans 14-16

In chapter 14, Paul speaks about problems which arise in relationships between Christians. In chapter 15, he emphasizes that the Gospel is for all, both Jews and Gentiles. Chapter 16 is, mainly, a series of personal greetings which Paul sends to indvidual Christians at Rome.

1 Corinthians 1-4

In these chapters, there is a recurrent emphasis on giving glory to God alone. We have no right to steal away any of the glory from God. The way of worldly wisdom is denouncerd as a direct contradiction of the way of God, grace and glory.

1 Corinthians 5-9

Here, Pauil speaks about some practical issues whuch had become problems for the Corinthian Christians. As we read these chapters, it is very important that we grasp this important ptrinciple: the Christian life is to be lived. It is more than a theology to be embraced and a message to be preached. It's a life …

1 Corinthians 10-11

In chapters 10 and 11, Paul speaks of the Lord's Supper: "The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with tyhe body of Christ" (chapter 10), As we read his words, in chapter 11, regarding the Lord's Supper, may we never forget that Christ is the substance of the meal. He is the Rock, our …

1 Corinthians 12-14

Here, Paul speaks about spiritual gifts, He emphasizes that everything should be done to be done "to benefit the commuunity" (chapter 14). Everything should be done in the spirit of "love" (chapter 13). When our lives are being shaped by the love of Christ, we will live, less as a motley crew of isolated individuals, …

1 Corinthians 15-16

In chapter 15, Paul speaks to us about Christ's resurrection and our resurrection. He has been raised from the dead, and we will be raised with Him to eternal life. Hallelujah! Christ is "the second man... from heaven, the man who has undone the harm brought upon humanity by "the first man", Adam. In Christ, …

2 Corinthians 1-4

God's promises are not a combination of 'Yes' and 'No.' His promises are always 'Yes; (chapter 1). In Christ, God makes us partakers of His triunoh (chapter 2). He does this, as we look upon the glory of the Lord and are changed into His likeness (3:17). God hasn't saved us for our own benefit …

Matthew 25

Jesus, in His parables, emphasizes that the Gospel calls for a response. If the response is lacking, "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This will take place at Christ's return. Then, the sheep and the goats will be separated. It will become clear that men and women, in their response to Christ, have …

2 Corinthians 5-8

God wants His grace to be multiplied. He has called us to be "ambassadors for Christ." We are to call men and women to "be reconciled to God" (chapter 5). If we are to be effective "ambassadors for Christ", we nust be godly in characterr. We are to stand out as those who belong to …

2 Corinthians 9-13

"If anyone wants to boast, let him boast of the Lord" (end of chapter 10). There is no room for human pride, but we are to be proud of the Lord. It is in the Lord that we have the resources that we need to battle against and triumph over Satan, the enemy of our …

Galatians

This letter proclaims the Gospel of Christ. It tells us what the Gospel is not: it's "not a human message... given by man." It tells us what the Gospel is: it's a message which has come "through a revelation of Jesus Christ" (chapter 1). We are put right with God through faith This faioth enters …

Ephesians 1-3

These chapters proclaim the great salvation that God has given to us "in Christ." It is a salvation in which "we are blessed with every spiritual blessing" (1:3). This salvation may be summed up in this way: "By grace, you have been saved through faith" (2:8). Through this salvation, we are brought into fellowship of …

Philippians

Philippians has been described as "the epistle of joy": "Rejoice in the Lord always, and, again, I say, rejoice" (4:4). Towards the end of chapter 1, Paul expresses his desire to help the Christians at Philippi "to progress in the faith." This involves increasing their joy in the Lord. The joy which Paul has and …

Colossians

There is a wisdom which is greater than the wisdom of this world: "this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ" (chapter 1). There is no substitute for Jesus Christ, who is our true wisdom: "Make sure …

Matthew 26-27

Reading the story of the last days of Jesus' earthly life gives to us a sense of the progressive closing in on Jesus of the powers of evil, as He entered more fully into His suffering for the sins of the world. This is "the old, old story", yet it is "ever new." Out  of …

Matthew 28

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ declared His victory over the powers of evil - the triumph of His love for sinners. Reading the words of the angel - "There is no need for you to be afraid ... He has risen", we rejoice in the truth that "perfect love casts out fear." The …

Mark 1-3

Jesus came, preaching the Kingdom, but he did not only preach. He demonstrated the Kingdom.His words were spoken with power - the power of God. We see this in the mighty miracles, which declare the coming of the Kingdom among us. This Kingdom was set against the kingdom of darkness. The coming of God's Kingdom …

Mark 4-7

What an extraordinary man Jesus was! His teaching and his miracles proclaim him to be the Son of God. Nevertheless, the Lord's power is not released where there is a "lack of faith" (Mark 5:6). The gospel calls us to faith. We are to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the way of …

1 Thessalonians

The power of the Holy Spirit is emphasized in this letter: "we brought the Good News to you... not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction" (chapter 1), "as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God's message... a living power among you …

2 Thessalonians

Here, Paul speaks of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The way in which he speaks is a great warning to those who are overoptimistic about the future. First, there will be the arrival of "the Rebel, the Lost One... the Enemy." This will be part of "the Great Revolt" (chapter 2). When …

1 Timothy

In this letter, there is much instruction regarding Christian living. This instruction is grounded in Christ, His incarnation and His atonement: "He was made visible in the flesh... " (3:16); "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1:15). Our Christian living is motivated by more than His first coming. It is, also, motivated …

Titus

In this short letter, there is a passionate plea for godly living. We live in a world, full of ungodliness. We are to set an example of true godliness. We are called to be men and women, whose lives are being transformed by the grace of God at work within us. To live in this …

Philemon

This short letter tells the story of Onesimus: formerly "of no use", now "useful." This is a picture of what it means to be born again. The useless becomes the useful. God calls us to be useful in the work of the Gospel, to become servants whom He can use.