The Bible tells us in John 11:35 that “Jesus wept.” This shortest verse in Scripture speaks volumes about Christ’s humanity and empathy. Jesus was fully God, but also fully human, and His weeping demonstrates His ability to identify with human grief and sorrow. The context of this verse is the death of Jesus’ friend Lazarus. Jesus was deeply moved by the grief of Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha when He saw them weeping (John 11:33). Although Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, He still wept with those who wept. As the Messiah, Jesus fulfilled the…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The ability to see or perceive spirits and demons is controversial in Christian circles. Some believe it is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit, while others view it as dangerous and warn against seeking such experiences. Ultimately, the Bible does not give a definitive answer on whether seeing spirits is a God-given ability for some believers. Spiritual Gifts in the Bible The New Testament discusses spiritual gifts that God gives believers to serve and build up the church. These include gifts like teaching, prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). However, the gift of “discerning spirits” is…
The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It was completed in 691 CE and is one of the oldest extant Islamic structures in the world. The Dome of the Rock is located on the biblical Temple Mount, which is the holiest site in Judaism. The Temple Mount is believed to be the site of the biblical temples of Solomon and Herod. The Dome of the Rock has religious significance for both Muslims and Jews. According to the Hebrew Bible, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is where God’s divine presence resided and where…
The story of Job in the Bible presents a puzzling scenario. Job was a righteous man who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:1). Yet, God allowed Satan to attack Job, taking away his health, wealth, and even his children. In the midst of intense suffering, Job cried out in anguish. However, he refused to curse God. Instead, Job declared, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15). How could Job maintain such faith in God despite his tragic circumstances? First, Job had a proper perspective of God’s sovereignty. He recognized that God is all-powerful…
The question of whether the universe is eternal has fascinated humankind for millennia. Though modern science provides some clues, the Bible offers unique perspective on this profound question. To start, the Bible unambiguously states that God created the universe. Genesis 1:1 declares “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This affirms that the universe had a beginning and did not exist eternally. God preexisted creation and brought the universe into being by His sovereign power. Several other Old Testament verses corroborate this teaching. Nehemiah 9:6 praises God who “made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything…
Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus are two of the oldest and most important manuscripts of the Bible. They are Greek manuscripts that contain most of the books of the Septuagint, the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Septuagint was widely used by early Christians and is frequently quoted in the New Testament. Codex Sinaiticus is dated to around 330-360 AD. It originally contained the entire Bible, but portions have been lost over time. Currently it includes most of the Old Testament, the complete New Testament, and portions of the Apocrypha. Codex Sinaiticus is named after the Saint Catherine’s…
The Greek word exousia is translated into English as “authority” or “power” and appears over 100 times in the New Testament. Understanding the meaning and usage of exousia in the Bible provides insight into how God delegates and exercises His authority, how Jesus operated in God’s authority, and how believers are called to walk in spiritual authority for advancing God’s kingdom. Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about exousia. The Authority of God Throughout Scripture, exousia refers to God’s supreme authority over all things as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. As Lord of all, God possesses absolute sovereignty,…
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard is found in Matthew 20:1-16. In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a landowner who hires laborers throughout the day to work in his vineyard. He agrees to pay them each a denarius for their day’s work, regardless of how many hours they end up working. Here is a summary of the parable: Early in the morning, the landowner hires laborers and agrees to pay them a denarius for their day’s work (Matthew 20:1-2). At 9am, 12pm, and 3pm he hires more laborers for his vineyard (Matthew 20:3-5). At 5pm, with…
Brokenness is a word that is not explicitly used much in the Bible, yet the concept is seen throughout Scripture. At its core, brokenness refers to acknowledging one’s own flaws, sins, weaknesses, and limitations before God. It is the opposite of pride, self-reliance, and self-righteousness. A broken person recognizes their need for God’s grace, forgiveness, and strength. The Bible makes it clear that God desires us to have a spirit of humility and repentance, not one of arrogance and self-dependence. Let’s explore more of what the Bible says about this important spiritual posture. We are all broken and sinful before…
The practice of child sacrifice is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, always condemned as an abhorrent pagan ritual. While the Bible makes it clear that God opposes child sacrifice, this tragic practice was still carried out by some ancient cultures that worshipped false gods. Old Testament References to Child Sacrifice The Old Testament contains several references to child sacrifice, describing how it was practiced by pagan cultures that worshipped false gods like Molech. The Israelites were strongly warned against participating in this horrific ritual: You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so…