Roger Severino

Tag Archives: Jesus

He Spoke in Parables: What? Why? How?

February 17, 2016
Jesus often taught using parables. Three questions follow. What are parables? Why did Jesus use them as a way to teach? How do they relate to Jesus’ central message? What are parables? Early on, I heard the definition as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”  OK.  Not a bad place to start, especially if we limit the definition...more

Isaiah’s Prophecies: Cradle, Cross, and Crown

December 16, 2015
Last week’s blog focused on Elijah and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and the rulers in the northern kingdom, specifically Ahab and Jezebel. Meanwhile, God also had His prophets doing their work in the southern kingdom of Judah. The divided kingdom, as we learned, occurred after Solomon, when 10 of the tribes broke to form the northern...more

SOLOMON: A SON OF DAVID POINTS TO THE SON OF DAVID

December 1, 2015
In God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7), He says that David’s son, “Will build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:13). The promises in this covenant include Solomon, David’s son and successor, but go beyond him and point to the ultimate “son of David” who was born...more

Jesus is the Main Character of the Whole Bible: Reflections on Luke 24

October 15, 2015
Following the resurrection, Luke’s Gospel tells the account of Jesus walking alongside two travelers on the road to Emmaus. These two were, “Discussing everything that had taken place,” when Jesus came and joined them on their journey, “But they were prevented from recognizing him” (see vv. 14-16). When Jesus inquired of their dispute, the travelers told him, “The things...more

Conclusion: Make Much of Jesus, Reflections on Revelation 1:4-8

October 2, 2015
For the past six months, almost every blog entry has been following our Foundations Bible study called Encountering Christ in Scripture. This series has been a study of the titles, teachings, actions, character, person, and work of Jesus. Most of these themes have been explored from the Gospels, but occasionally we have looked to other New Testament writings to...more

What You Need to Know (and Not Know) about Christ’s Return: Reflections on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

September 25, 2015
That Jesus will someday return in glory is a very important part of the Christian faith and the Bible’s storyline. Much of the biblical narrative is about what God has done in the past, but we must never forget that our faith is future oriented as well. One of the great encouragements and incentives of the Christian life is...more

The Trinity: The Basis for Community, Love, and Intimacy with God

September 15, 2015
The Trinity is one of the most difficult teachings of the Christian faith and yet one of the most necessary to affirm. Often, one can detect whether a group or church is part of the historic faith based on whether they affirm or deny the teaching that God eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Though...more

A Story Awaiting the Good Shepherd

September 11, 2015
Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Old Testament prophets, employ the metaphor of Israel’s leaders being shepherds and the people as being sheep. In both Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34, the shepherds are condemned for how they treated the flock. They are accused of destroying and scattering the sheep and not attending to them (Jer. 23:1-2). The shepherds slaughtered the sheep, clothed...more

Jesus: Preaching with Authority

September 4, 2015
In his Gospel, Matthew gives an occasional summary statement about Jesus’ itinerary. “Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” This passage from Matthew 4:23 is practically repeated in Matthew 9:35 giving us a clue that this was typical on Jesus’...more

“As the Father Has Sent Me”: A Model and Mandate for Ministry

August 25, 2015
In Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in John 17:9-19, He prayed several things for His followers: That they be protected, unified, and joyful (vv. 9-13). That they be in the world but not of the world (vv. 14-17). That they be sent into the world to minister, even as the Father sent Jesus (vv. 18-19). In John 17:18, Jesus prayed...more
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