Biblical Reflections

The Gospel of John is a deep, deep book, that is exquisitely written.  While we focused on the person of the Apostle John and his first epistle, 1 John, in Episode 1 of this series, here we take a look at the Gospel of John.  John says that he wrote this Gospel so that we, the readers, would believe that Jesus is the Christ, that is the Messiah, God come in the flesh, who died to take away the sin...

The testimony of the Angels is reported to us in scripture by Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  Mary tells us that the Angel Gabriel told her she would give virgin birth to the Messiah.  Mary reported what the shepherds told her that the angels had said to them on the night Jesus was born.  Mary told us what the angel of God said to her betrothed, Joseph, that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah by reaso...

The testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the early church is recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.  Taken on its face, it is a masterful, legal presentation of concentric rings of evidence, consisting of different witnesses, with different perspectives, sympathies, indifference, and even opposition, yet who all testified that Jesus is God come in the flesh, who died to take away the sins of the...

The Apostle Paul was a Type A++++ personality, who always graduated first in his class. Unlike Peter, Paul, as a Pharisee, thought that if he could work hard enough, he could get to heaven on his own merit.  And so, God broke Paul, over and over and over.  Finally, in his old age, Paul could say with confidence in his letters, it is not my work or my accomplishments, but God’s grace that has saved...

The Apostle Peter was the oldest of the disciples.  He was not an ignorant fisherman.  He could read and speak four-languages; he ran a small business; he was an accomplished speaker; and he wrote two of the letters in the New Testament.  Unlike the other disciples, Peter knew that he was not good enough.  Peter constantly failed, yet our Lord in his mercy restored Peter each time.  Peter’s testim...

The Apostle John is the most credible, unimpeachable witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He was one of the first disciples to be called by Jesus.  He witnessed every major event and miracle in the ministry of Jesus, including the transfiguration and the resurrection, and he was the only disciple to witness the crucifixion.  It is clear John was the beloved disciple whom...