The phrase “Jesus loved His own to the end” comes from John 13:1, which says “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” This verse provides important context for understanding Jesus’ profound love for His disciples as He approached His death on the cross. There are a few key things to highlight about what it means that Jesus loved His own to the end: 1. Jesus knew His hour…
Author: Richard Curi
The story of the ark of the covenant being captured by the Philistines and eventually returned to the Israelites provides insight into how the Philistines came to realize that events do not happen merely by chance. This pivotal moment is recorded in 1 Samuel 6. After capturing the ark of the covenant in battle against the Israelites, the Philistines took it back to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. But the next morning, they found the idol of Dagon fallen on its face before the ark. They put Dagon back in its place, but the…
The verse Matthew 6:18 says “so that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” This verse comes in the context of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where he is teaching about practicing righteousness in a way that honors God rather than seeking the praise and approval of people. There are a few key points we can draw from this verse: Jesus expects his followers to fast – Fasting was a common spiritual practice in Judaism and Jesus assumed his disciples would…
Auricular confession, also known as confession of sins or reconciliation, is the act of privately confessing one’s sins to God in the presence of a priest or pastor in order to obtain absolution or forgiveness. It is a practice found in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox churches, Anglican churches, and some Lutheran churches. The basis for auricular confession is found in Scripture, starting with Christ giving the apostles the authority to forgive sins in John 20:23. James 5:16 also exhorts believers to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” In the…
The word “homosexual” was first used in Bible translations in 1946 when it appeared in the Revised Standard Version. This has led some to claim that the word was an incorrect or ideological translation choice. However, an examination of the original Hebrew and Greek texts shows that while the specific word “homosexual” was not used, the concepts and behaviors it refers to are indeed found in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew words zakar and mishkav zakar refer to males having sexual relations with other males. This is evident in verses like Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, which say, “You…
2 Peter 1:3 is an incredible verse that promises believers that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. This verse unpacks a profound truth about how God has equipped Christians with all the spiritual resources required to live godly lives that honor Him. To fully understand the meaning of this verse, it’s important to look at the context surrounding 2 Peter 1:3. The book of 2 Peter was written by the apostle Peter to encourage believers to continue growing in their faith and resist false teaching. In chapter 1, Peter urges…
Fake news has become a major issue in recent years, with the rise of social media and increased political polarization. As Christians, how should we think about and respond to fake news from a biblical perspective? The Bible does not use the term “fake news” specifically, since it is a relatively new concept. However, there are several biblical principles that can guide our thinking: 1. Lying is a sin The Bible makes it clear that lying, spreading falsehoods, and bearing false witness are sinful behaviors. Exodus 20:16 states, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Proverbs 12:22 says,…
Gibeon was an important city located in the territory of Benjamin, about 6 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Though not mentioned extensively, it has significance in a few key biblical events. The Treaty Between Gibeon and Israel Soon after Israel entered the Promised Land, the people of Gibeon devised a clever scheme to make peace with Israel instead of facing attack. They pretended to be from a distant land and proposed a treaty with Joshua and the Israelites. Joshua sought the Lord, but “did not ask counsel from the Lord” (Joshua 9:14). So Joshua made peace with them and confirmed it…
Toxic positivity refers to the practice of avoiding, minimizing or denying negative emotions in favor of focusing solely on positive ones. It involves pressuring oneself or others to maintain a happy, upbeat attitude even in the face of sadness, anger, grief or other difficult emotions. While maintaining a positive mindset can be healthy at times, toxic positivity takes this to an extreme. It rejects any expression of negativity or vulnerability as “weak” or “negative thinking.” Toxic positivity focuses exclusively on positive emotions and thoughts, even when they are unreasonable or unhealthy given the circumstances. Some hallmarks of toxic positivity include:…
The verse 2 Corinthians 3:18 states “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” This verse points to the immense significance and meaning behind having an unveiled face before God. Historical Context of Veils in Corinth To properly understand this verse, we first need to examine the historical and cultural context around veils at the time Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians. In ancient Greek and Roman culture, respectable women wore…