Who says this? “Put all this stuff away!” A lot of us recognize it as something Mom or Dad said to us—and a lot of us have said it ourselves to our own kids. Bosses might say it to their employees, or teachers to students, perhaps spouses or neighbors to one another during an argument.

“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 7:6)

Israel, the Jewish people, are chosen by God. Why would He choose such a nation? They turned their backs on Him again and again. Why in fact would He choose any nation of sinful mortals? We’re all messed up.

The miraculous feeding of 5,000+ is one of the few incidents recorded in all four of the gospel narratives. Each account includes a few unique details, and putting all of them together gives us a fuller picture of this remarkable day. I’m certain no one who was there ever forgot it!

We rightly think of the letter to the Hebrews as jam-packed with exposition.  Many key doctrines have solid anchors in this letter.  Every time we return to it, if we’re paying attention, our faith is bolstered.

None of us would claim to be good. We are too aware that Jesus himself refused such a label: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18) Jesus was tempted in every way like we are, but did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15) If even he refused to be called “good”, how could we possibly claim to be?

It’s late spring, and it’s graduation season here in North America. Students are congratulated, honored for completing some level of education, encouraged as they go on to the next step—whether that’s additional school or heading into employment, the adult world, supporting themselves.

You probably recognize the title phrase, “sleeping for sorrow,” describing the disciples falling asleep while Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. It’s an odd phrase, isn’t it?

Stones seem to be really important in scripture, and therefore we have to conclude, important to God. Under the Law, altars were to be made of unhewn stones. So right there, approach to God is linked to stones. On the grimmer side, stones were to be used for executions for capital offenses. And as we all know, David killed Goliath with a stone.

It’s a challenge to try to figure out the organization of the book of Psalms. Or I should say, the books of Psalms—there are five. Some of the organization is easy to see, for example Psalms 120-132 in Book Five are the songs of ascents, we’re informed in their titles.

Just two little words, but my what they evoke! I’m pretty sure that the two-word title caused 100% of those who read it to mentally lock on John 3:16—the most well-known verse in the Bible, even among non-believers: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

I really hesitated to post this. Because it’s about me. Again and again, I keep having to remind myself: it’s not about me. I get so frustrated with myself for my mind wandering into self-centered channels, and then it dawns on me that even my self-frustration is self frustration—I’m still making it about me.

Who did people think Jesus was? He asked the disciples this question, be before we get to that, let’s back up a step. Who did people think John the Baptist was?

The Jews of Judea and Galilee famously hated and resisted being ruled by the Roman army—to the extent of armed revolt. The rebellion most well-known among us began in AD 66 and culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem, including the Temple, in 70.

Israel was commanded, emphatically and repeatedly, to keep the Passover every year, as a remembrance of the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Detailed instructions were given by God on how to keep the Passover, recorded in Exodus 12, Numbers 9, and Deuteronomy 16.

Two related events are presented to us in Leviticus chapter 10. (Do I hear you saying, “Are you kidding me? Leviticus?” Well, just bear in mind that Jesus got his teaching, “Love your neighbor as yourself”—from Leviticus 19:18. Yes, it most certainly is a book we still need to pay attention to.)

We’re familiar with Paul’s list of the hardships and persecutions he endured for the sake of the gospel, recited in 2 Corinthians chapter 11. In chapter 12 he talks about the “thorn in the flesh” that he implored the Lord to relieve him of, only to be told, “No.”

“Magnificent” is a description we use sparingly. It is in some ways the ultimate superlative. We reserve it for the truly exceptional, the jaw-droppingly beautiful, the majestic, the almost-too-grand-for-words.

We’ve all read the account of the exodus from Egypt, right? The dramatic crossing of the Red Sea is recorded in Exodus chapter 14—if you haven’t read it in a while, take a minute right now and read it again. A multitude of lessons are presented here, lessons for the youngest Sunday School student up to the most experienced scholar. The astounding power of the Almighty is on full display. But beyond that, I believe there’s a less obvious lesson that is no less awesome.

The eighth chapter of Romans is one of the most beloved chapters in the whole Bible. There is so much in this chapter. As Bible students we find ourselves returning to it again and again.

There are a couple dozen mentions of Jesus touching people when he healed them. The healing Jesus did was personal, one-on-one. There are only two cases I can come up with of Jesus healing someone long distance: The centurion whose beloved servant was deathly ill recognized that Jesus could heal with a word (Luke 7:1-10). The Canaanite woman whose daughter was ill went to Jesus asking for healing but didn’t bring her daughter, clearly believing Jesus could heal from any distance (Matthew 15:22-28). Both Gentiles, and both highly praised by Jesus for their exceptional faith.