Food in the New Testament
Food in the New Testament
Food in ancient Israel during its Hellenistic era, which spanned from the late 4th century BCE to the 1st century BCE, presents a fascinating blend of local and foreign influences. This period, marked by the conquests of Alexander the Great and the subsequent rule of the Ptolemies and Seleucids,...
I lift up my eyes to the mountains (Psalm 121)
Psalm 121 is a song of ascents, part of a group of Psalms 120-134 traditionally sung by Jewish pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major festivals. This particular psalm encourages believers to trust in the Lord for protection and provision. The passage shifts the focus from human...
Adoption (Romans 8:14-17)
Verses of Romans 8:14-17 open one of the essential Pauline theological themes that we call adoption. In these verses, Paul develops his thesis from Romans 8 about the implications of the presence of the Holy Spirit in Christian life. One of the outcomes is the interconnection of God and people and...
The Testimony of Jesus' Acts (Luke 1:1-4)
The prologue to the Gospel of Luke highlights the author's aim to provide a trustworthy and orderly account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Luke, a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, seeks to compile an accurate record based on the testimonies of those who were eyewitnesses and...
Great Commission (Mark 16:14-20)
The Great Commission is the final moment of Mark before Jesus leaves His disciples ascending to the right side of God. The discourse starts with reproaching the disciples' faith because they did not believe the witnesses who sow risen Jesus (Mark 16:14). Only after the reproach, he sends them...
Continuing the Testimony of the Acts of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:1-3)
Acts 1:1-3 provides an introduction to the book of Acts and sets the stage for the narrative that follows. In Acts 1:1-3, Luke addresses his writing to Theophilus, who is likely a patron or a person of high social status. He explains that his earlier work, the Gospel of Luke, was about all that...
I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
The theological significance of Philippians 4:13 lies in its profound statement about Christian reliance on Christ for strength and sustenance. It emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ's power in every situation, a concept that resonates deeply within Christian spirituality and practice. This verse...
Malachi
The book of Malachi, the last of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament, begins with a divine proclamation of love for Israel. Yet, intertwined with this assurance is a deep-seated divine discontent. God addresses the spiritual apathy and negligence of both the priests and the people of Israel....
Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:31-38)
John 8:31-38 is a passage in which Jesus speaks about the truth and freedom with those Jews who had believed in him. In the dialog, Jesus addresses Jews, stating, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (v. 31-32). The...