Zephaniah 3:17-20 is the fulfillment of human longing. At last, those who love God and have put their faith God, will find themselves fully restored in a glorious life that will be lived fully in communion with God, in the peace, and love, and joy of the Lord. Continue reading Minor Prophets: Zephaniah Look Beyond
After John’s chiasm come seven vignettes that describe the crucifixion of Christ. This is the segue. Continue reading Gospel of John: A Street Called Straight
Justice was the bedrock upon which Pax Romana was built. Pilate felt had done all he could to free this righteous and just man, standing on Gabbatha waiting with tranquil dignity for his judgement. Pilate could do no more. Continue reading Gospel of John: We Have No King
The chiasm outlined by Jo-Ann A. Brant has a classic seven-point structure. A Exterior: John 18:29-32, Jesus is brought to Pilate with a demand for execution; Pilate refuses B Interior: John 18:33-38, Pilate asks about Jesus’s royal claim … Continue reading Gospel of John: Hail Caesar
John notes when Pilate heard -why- the temple officials wanted to put Jesus to death, he was “far more afraid.” Continue reading Gospel of John: Where Are You From?
The inward movement of John’s chiasm reached its climax in this shedding of the Lamb’s blood. Now would come the process by which the innocent Lamb of God would be offered up to die and become accursed, hanging on a “tree.” Continue reading Gospel of John: Son of God
The entire company was kneeling, hailing Christ as King in an eerie prophecy of what will one day be fulfilled at the end of time. Continue reading Gospel of John: Scourge and Scorn
I am completely without fault and guiltless from this one’s blood. Take heed, all of you! Continue reading Gospel of John: Crucify!
Pilate stood and shouted over the fray, Which of the two do you all want me to pardon and set free to you? Bar Abbas? Pilate bit out his name with a look of contempt, or Jesus who is called Christ? The comparison was obvious: Did they still want to free a villainous murderer, or would they take the nobler option of freeing this gentle holy man who had been falsely accused? Continue reading Gospel of John: Bar Abbas
Though John did not write about the interlude in Herod’s court, I am convinced he would have been there. Of course, the story could also have come from Joanna and her husband, Herod’s steward Chuza . . . Continue reading Gospel of John: Herod’s Court
