What in the Word?

Jesus' radical call to his disciples challenges natural human inclinations and societal values.   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

Jeremiah 23 is rich in poetic wordplay and powerful lessons. Join us as we explore how God addresses the spiritual failings of Judah's leaders and prophets and of Judah as a whole and how the worthless words of false prophets contrast with the powerful words of God.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

Jeremiah chapter 2 contains some vivid metaphors that show what it means to wander away from God and remind us how all that Christ has done was not to win us things but God himself.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

What does Jesus mean when he claims to be Messiah?   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In 2 Samuel 6, we read about King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, marking it as the political and worship center of Israel. But there are some serious questions: why did Uzzah perish? What's David angry about? What happens the second time they transport the ark, and what can we learn from the way David's wife despises his worship? If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you...

Hebrews 13 tells us we have a right that even the high priest of Israel never had. It encourages us to come seeking God's rich provision of grace so we can look away to Jesus until our race is finished. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In this episode of What in the Word?, we look at Hebrews Chapter 12 and the necessity of fixing our eyes on Jesus. We find out about the last instance in Heb of something being perfected, and the last way that Jesus is better than all. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In this episode, we look at Heb 11 and the nature of faith as described in Hebrews: focused on God but in two dimensions. Then we look at why Abel is the perfect opening figure in this list of faithful witnesses to the trustworthiness of God. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.    

In this episode, we look at Heb 10, where the writer challenges believers to fully grasp their position in Christ and gives a series of do's and don'ts that should naturally flow from the realization of what that position truly is. In doing so, he presents two contrasts – one a warning and one an encouragement – that teach how things are not always what they seem.  If you have a bit of the Bible t...

In this episode, we look at Heb chapter 9 and how its description of the tabernacle shows what we most need and how to get it. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In this episode of What in the Word, we look at Hebrews chapter 8 and the importance of grasping that there's both contrast and continuity between the old and new covenants – and what Christ's priesthood has to do with it.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In this episode, we consider three big concepts related to what it means that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In this episode, we take a look at Hebrews 6, the distinction between moral perfection and functional maturity, the importance of understanding Jesus’s position as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, the gravity of spiritual laziness and the need for diligence in faith. Listen in as we think through how to anchor our souls and what that means in the context of knowing Christ. If you have a...

In Heb 5, we look at the verse where Jesus offers prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears, and his reverent submission is heard by God, despite his not being rescued from death in the manner some might expect.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In Hebrews 4, we learn more about the great hope mentioned in chapter 3: entering God's eternal rest and the importance of faith as a transformational force demanding our whole being. We'll think about the power of God's living word, and the comforting assurance that Jesus, our high priest, empathizes with our struggles and intercedes on our behalf so that we can come confidently for the help we n...

In today's episode, we look at how the writer of Hebrews emphasizes the greatness of Jesus over Moses and how appreciating Moses can lead us to appreciate Christ even more. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

After reflecting on the divine nature of Jesus Christ and his superiority to angels, as laid out in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 first tells us that all this is very practical before launching into some more of what we'd call "theology."    If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In this episode, we take a little dive into Heb 1 and think about the main theme and what it means that the Son is supreme.    If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

Luke 2:41-52 tells the story of 12-year-old Jesus at the temple, and it's all about Jesus' unique calling as the Messiah, His extraordinary relationship with God the Father, and His remarkable patience and obedience.   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In Mark 4, Jesus teaches his parable of the sower. We often think parables are supposed to make things clearer, but Jesus' parables often mystified even his closest disciples. In this episode, we think through how connection to Christ is essential for grasping the truths of God's kingdom. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

In this episode, we look at some connections between Isaiah and the New Testament book of Matthew. Isaiah's prophecies vividly depict a God whose power is unmatched, but a God who acts in unexpected ways. Jesus is this unexpected one, bringing God's power, not through rock-shattering but through acts of healing, mercy, and teaching. This counterintuitive approach is highlighted during John the Bap...

In this episode, we look at God's challenge to Judah and the nations to justify their false gods, and then the surprising twist that, despite labeling his people as blind and deaf, God promises they will become his witnesses: a seemingly impossible transformation that will herald a new era of deliverance. Isaiah's prophecy paints a vivid picture of a miraculous time when God promises to "do a new...

In this episode, we find out why Isaiah's listeners in Judah think his speech is so much "baby talk" and how God turns their own foolish talk back on their own heads while providing hope for those who trust him.   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

We start this episode by seeing how the judgment upon Egypt gets described and how it urges us to have faith in God's control. That takes us unto chapters 24 to 27, which broaden the perspective to God's ultimate triumph over all things. It despairs over the hopelessness of human ways in the face of divine judgment, but rejoices in the hope and the feasting that's coming in God's kingdom. If you h...

In this episode, we do a broad overview of Isaiah chapters 13 to 23 and think through why Isaiah makes these oracles not just to nations like Babylon and Egypt, but also to lesser-known territories. We'll look at Isaiah's foundation in God's transcendent holiness and look at a few pieces of the puzzle that have implications for us. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatin...