The story of the two disciples returning to Emmaus from Jerusalem in Luke 24:13-34 is a story of hope lost and regained. Their spiritual journey can help us on our spiritual journey today. Jesus Helped the Disciples Regain Lost Hope As our story begins, Cleopas and his companion, who may even have been his wife, …
The First Fruit offering given at the Temple was a pledge of hope that the full harvest would follow. The people were not allowed to eat any of the new crop until the offering was made. By the time of Jesus, the Temple had specific fields that were “harvested” a few sprigs of barley at …
You may wonder why a loving God prunes us. Jesus provides insight into the importance of pruning. John 15:1 I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even …
Burial is not the end for believers; this is wonderful news for everyone who places their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Genesis 23:1When Sarah was 127 years old, 2 she died at Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron) in the land of Canaan. There Abraham mourned and wept for her. [1] Shortly after her death, Abraham bought …
Abraham had to buy a burial plot for Sarah. This cave became the purchased place of rest and future hope. We understand a burial plot to be a resting place, but how could it be a future hope? We must understand the burial practices of the day to begin to see how there could be …
Abraham is a model of how to live a life that testifies to God. His wife, Sarah, had just died, and Abraham needed a place to bury her. His neighbors were Hittites who did not follow the true God. Yet, it seems that they have great respect for Abraham and his life lived in service …
God’s people are strangers and pilgrims in this world because there is more to life than our physical existence in this lifetime. When Abraham’s wife Sarah died, they were not living in their homeland. They were living in the land that the Lord would give to Abraham’s descendants, but He would fulfill that years later. …
Navigating the tears of grief stems from loving someone and experiencing the loss when they pass into eternity. Unfortunately, no one is immune to grief, not even great people of faith like Abraham, who experienced sorrow when his wife Sarah died. This is the first time in the Bible that the word “wept” is mentioned, …
Noah was trusting God in chaotic times of the flood. There had been 40 days and nights of rain, and the fountains of the deep added to the flood. Some scholars think that seismic and volcanic activity may have accompanied the flood.[1] This would make for a very chaotic ride on the ark. This was …
The flood story shows the waters of judgment and hope. The rising waters sealed the fate of the unrepentant while, at the same time, lifting the ark, which was the hope of a new world. God is both judge and Savior. He judged the wicked and provided grace for Noah and his family. God didn’t …