“Today is Maundy Thursday in Holy Week. In case you were curious, the name, Maundy Thursday, comes from Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.” In the Latin, “new commandment” is mandatum novum. As we approach the final hours of Jesus’ life, time slows down dramatically in all four gospel accounts. A lot happens before the waking hours of Friday morning. And on this very night, all four gospel writers temporarily and unanimously shift the spotlight......
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Key idea: 3 Sources of Hope for Our Perseverance 1. God’s promise in our perseverance (vv. 3-5) The resurrection of Jesus promises new life The resurrection of Jesus promises living hope 2. God’s purpose in our perseverance (vv. 6-7) Trials are necessary because they test the authenticity of our faith Trials are necessary because they produce the fruit of our faith 3. God’s presence in our perseverance (vv. 8-9)...
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“In reality, Augustine’s story wasn’t about how he found God, but how God in Christ found him. It is ultimately the story about the tenacious God, who will not let the wandering hearts of his people go. The story of Augustine is worth listening to and reading, because his story is, in many ways, our story. It is a story of someone who was lost but was found, of someone who was blind, but can now see.”...
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“The Word of God is what instructs us on how to be wise friends, what equips us to be people of discernment, what supplies us with a unique vision of the triune God, the church, and the world and how this vision shapes how we work, how we love God and our families, and how we serve one another. For these reasons, maybe it wouldn’t be so impractical after all to develop or redevelop healthy Bible reading practices.”...
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