“What did Jesus mean when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)?”……Let’s begin with what Jesus didn’t mean. Many people interpret “cross” as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness. With self-pitying pride, they say, “That’s my […]
“What is the Olivet Discourse?”……Answer: The Olivet Discourse is the name given to the orderly and extended teaching given by Christ on the Mount of Olives (MountOlivet). This discourse is recorded in Matthew 24:1 – 25:46. Parallel passages are found in Mark 13:1-37 and Luke 21:5-36.……Though the discourse itself begins at Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:3 […]
Not Yet Said Jesus…John 8:20 “Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time (Greek his hour.) had not yet come.“ This is the last of seven times in the gospel of John that the phrase “not yet” […]
“What did Jesus mean when He said the first will be last and the last will be first?”……Jesus made the statement “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” in His response to the disciples’ asking what reward they would have for giving up everything to follow Him […]
“Why did Jesus speak so strongly against lukewarm faith?”……Answer: In Revelation 3:14-21, the Lord is describing the “lukewarm” heart attitude of those in the Laodicean church, an attitude manifested by their deeds. They were neither cold nor hot in relation to God, just lukewarm. Beverages are better either cold or hot. Similarly, the Lord would […]
Why did Jesus say some people wouldn’t die before he came back? Now, That’s a Good Question! This question had a dramatic influence on Albert Schweitzer when he was studying New Testament theology. Jesus said, “This generation will not pass away until all of these things come to pass . . . You will not go […]
“What did Jesus mean when He spoke of living water?”……Answer: Jesus uses the phrase “living water” in two instances in the Bible. The first instance is found in John chapter 4. Jesus was tired and sat at a well while His disciples went into town to buy food. A Samaritan woman came to draw water […]