Why was Barabbas important? | November 23, 2025
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All four gospel writers include Barabbas, whom is never mentioned again. So why is he important? Let...
Jesus was condemned to die even though he was innocent | November 22, 2025
22 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus was condemned to die even though he was innocent. So why did an innocent man die? Let’s find...
Why did Judas betray Jesus? | November 21, 2025
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve talked about what the betrayal of Judas was, but WHY did he betray Jesus? Let’s find out t...
Did Jesus claim to be king of the Jews? | November 20, 2025
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pilate wrote on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Did Jesus ever claim to be kin...
Why did Peter weep? | November 19, 2025
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After Peter betrayed Jesus, he cried. Why? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 14:66-72 and Is...
How did Jesus protect his disciples? | November 18, 2025
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The religious leaders wanted 14 crosses. One for Jesus, one for Lazarus, and one for each of the twe...
What was Jesus condemned for? | November 17, 2025
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus was condemned to die. What was the charge? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 14:53-65 ...
Why did the soldiers fall down? | November 16, 2025
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John tells us that the soldiers fell down backwards. What was that about? Let’s find out together ...
What scriptures did Jesus’ arrest fulfill? | November 15, 2025
15 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The gospel writers say that Jesus’ arrest fulfilled scriptures. Which ones? Let’s find out toget...
What is the Akeda Isaac and why does it matter? | November 14, 2025
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Jesus’ time there was a major theological theme called the Akeda Isa’ac. What was that and ...
Why is unity so hard? | November 13, 2025
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus prayed that we would be united. But why is unity so hard? Let’s find out together as we read...
What did Jesus pray for us? | November 12, 2025
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus prayed for the 12 disciples. What was that prayer for? Let’s find out together as we read Jo...
What was Jesus’ glory in the Old Testament? | November 11, 2025
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus asked God to glorify him like he was glorified before the creation of the world. What was that...
How does Jesus give us peace? | November 10, 2025
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus told us he’d give us his peace. What does that look like? How does Jesus give us his peace? ...
How does sorrow turn to joy? | November 9, 2025
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says our sorrow will turn to joy. How does that happen? Let’s find out together as we read J...
What does the Holy Spirit convict the world of? | November 8, 2025
08 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says the Advocate will convict the world. What of? Let’s find out together as we read John 1...
Why does the world hate us? | November 7, 2025
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If Christians are supposed to serve the world, why are Christians commonly hated? Let’s find out t...
Love is central to everything | November 6, 2025
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says that as we abide in him, we love him and should love each other. Is there really a strong...
What does it mean to bear fruit? | November 5, 2025
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says if we abide in him we will bear fruit. What fruit? Let’s find out together as we read J...
What is an Advocate? | November 4, 2025
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says “the Advocate” is coming. What is an Advocate? Let’s find out together as we read J...
What does it mean to love and obey? | November 3, 2025
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus said we should love and obey God. Why those two things together? What does it mean? Let’s fi...
See me – See the Father | November 2, 2025
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says that if we see him we have seen the Father. Is that true? Let’s find out together as we...
Is Jesus the only way? | November 1, 2025
01 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus said he was the only way. But don’t all roads lead to heaven? Let’s find out together as w...
Why buy swords? | October 31, 2025
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus’ kingdom is peaceful. Why buy swords? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 22:35-38 and...
What does it mean to deny someone? | October 30, 2025
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Jesus three times in the next few hours. What exactly does that ...
How do we judge the world? | October 29, 2025
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says we will sit in judgment of that world. What does that look like? Let’s find out togethe...
What was the Last Supper like? | October 28, 2025
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Last Supper was a seder meal. What did that look like and how does it interact with the gospels?...
What is a betrayal? | October 27, 2025
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judas betrayed Jesus. What does that mean? Let’s find out together as we read John 13:21-30 and Ez...
What is a Shaliach? | October 26, 2025
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although John doesn’t use the word Shaliach he definitely uses the concept. What was it and why is...
Did Judas have to betray Jesus? | October 25, 2025
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus apparently washed Judas’ feet with the other 11. Why? Didn’t Judas have to betray Jesus? W...
Why did Jesus wash the disciples’ feet? | October 24, 2025
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John tells us that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, but why? Didn’t the host already take care ...
What was the Passover? | October 23, 2025
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus died during Passover. What was that feast all about? Let’s find out together as we read Luke...
What was Judas’ betrayal? | October 22, 2025
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judas betrayed Jesus. We all know that. But exactly what was the betrayal? Let’s find out together...
What does it mean to “honor God?” | October 21, 2025
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A woman anoints Jesus with oil, honoring him. So just what does it mean to honor God? Let’s find o...
Jesus is arrested by stealth | October 20, 2025
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matthew tells us that Jesus is arrested deceitfully, or by stealth. What does that mean? Let’s fin...
Can we summarize Jesus’ teaching? | October 19, 2025
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John summarizes Jesus’ teaching. What does he include? Let’s find out together as we read John 1...
Is it bad to be proud? | October 18, 2025
18 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John tells us that some kept their allegiance to Jesus a secret because they preferred the glory of ...
What does it mean to be lifted up? | October 17, 2025
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says he will draw all men to himself if he is lifted up. What does that mean? Let’s find out...
What was Jesus’ hour? | October 16, 2025
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says “My hour has come,” and within 24 hours he is on a cross. What was his hour? Let’s ...
Why did the Greeks want to see Jesus? | October 15, 2025
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In John, when Philip tells Jesus that the Greeks want to see him, Jesus goes off on a tangent about ...
Will God really judge me? | October 14, 2025
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says in the final judgment, God judges the sheep and the goats. Does he really mean that God w...
Who are “the least of these?” | October 13, 2025
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says “you did it to the least of these.” Who is that? Let’s find out together as we read...
What’s the message of the parable of the talents? | October 12, 2025
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells a parable much like one he told before. What’s it about? Let’s find out together as ...
What’s the difference between the wise and foolish bridesmaids? | October 11, 2025
11 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells a story of ten bridesmaids, five wise and five foolish. What made them different? Let’...
What does it mean to be a faithful servant? | October 10, 2025
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus talks about a faithful servant who is prepared and an unfaithful servant who is not. What woul...
Jesus’ coming will surprise you | October 9, 2025
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells us his second coming will be a surprise. What does he mean? Let’s find out together as...
What does it mean to “be on your guard?” | October 8, 2025
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells us to be on our guard. What does that mean? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 21...
What does it mean to “be alert?” | October 7, 2025
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells us to be alert. What does that mean? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 13:33-37 ...
Has Jesus already come? | October 6, 2025
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says “this generation will not pass away before all these things happen.” So has Jesus alr...
What will happen when Jesus comes? | October 5, 2025
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells us what will happen when he returns. What happens? Let’s find out together as we read ...
False Messiahs and misdirection | October 4, 2025
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says a time is coming when false Messiahs will be a dime a dozen. Let’s read about that in M...
Does the Old Testament predict days of vengeance? | October 3, 2025
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus talks about all the verses that predict days of vengeance. Are there really that many? Let’s...
What is the desolating sacrilege? | October 2, 2025
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus draws from Daniel as he talks about a desolating sacrilege in the temple. What is it? Let’s ...
Why do people hate us? | October 1, 2025
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If God loves us, why do people hate us? Jesus tells us. Let’s find out what he says as we read Mar...
Why should we endure? | September 30, 2025
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus told us to endure. Why? Is it worth it? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 24:9-14 a...
When will the end come? | September 29, 2025
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The disciples ask Jesus, “When will the end come?” We’ve been asking that since, and making pr...
Does God want cathedrals? | September 28, 2025
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The disciples comment on the temple’s beauty and grandeur, and Jesus says, “it won’t last!” ...
What’s a penny worth? | September 27, 2025
27 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells that a widow who put a little over a dollar in the temple treasury was the biggest donor...
Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? | September 26, 2025
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After calling out the Pharisees, Jesus wept over Jerusalem? Why? Let’s find out together as we rea...
Why were the prophets persecuted? | September 25, 2025
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says the Pharisee’s ancestors persecuted the prophets, and they do too! Were the prophets of...
What is “the cup?” | September 24, 2025
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says we should clean the inside of “the cup.” Why does he talk about a cup? Let’s find o...
Why tithe spices? | September 23, 2025
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says the Pharisees talk about tithing spices. Why would that be important? Let’s find out to...
Should we swear? | September 22, 2025
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus talks about oaths that the Pharisees authorize and de-authorize. So should we swear at all? Le...
What is a hypocrite? | September 21, 2025
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites. Did he mean what we mean when we say hypocrite? Let’s find o...
What was wrong with the Pharisees? | September 20, 2025
20 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Were the Pharisees such bad guys? What was the root of their problem? Let’s find out together as w...
How did Jesus shut the Pharisees up? | September 19, 2025
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus goes on the offensive and completely shuts the Pharisees up. What did he do? Let’s find out ...
What did Hillel and Shammai have to do with Jesus? | September 18, 2025
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A young man presents a famous question once put to the Rabbis Hillel and Shammai. Jesus follows one ...
How did Jesus use scripture? | September 17, 2025
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When the Sadducees try to trip Jesus up with question, he goes on the attack quoting scripture. So h...
What bears God’s image? | September 16, 2025
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The religious leaders ask Jesus if Israelites should pay Roman taxes. Jesus answers by saying that t...
Why did the king punish the man without a wedding robe? | September 15, 2025
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Jesus retells the parable of the wedding feast, he changes it slightly, and mentions that the kin...
What is the cornerstone? | September 14, 2025
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus talks about a stone rejected by the builders that becomes the cornerstone, the most important ...
Is it better to say it or to do it? | September 13, 2025
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells a short parable about two sons who take different approaches with their father’s comma...
Whose authority did Jesus use? | September 12, 2025
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The religious leaders asked Jesus whose authority Jesus claimed to clear the temple. Jesus doesn’t...
Why didn’t they arrest Jesus in the temple? | September 11, 2025
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The chief priests had Jesus in the temple almost every day of passion week. Why didn’t they arrest...
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? | September 10, 2025
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered. Why kill a fig tree because it didn’t produce fruit out...
Why did Jesus clear the temple? | September 9, 2025
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus drove animals and merchants out of the temple. But they were just selling lambs for visiting J...
Why did Jesus weep for Jerusalem? | September 8, 2025
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Why did he do that? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 19:41-44 an...
Why did Jesus ride a donkey into Jerusalem? | September 7, 2025
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. That wasn’t normal for a king entering his city. Why did he do...
The triumphal entry | September 6, 2025
06 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus rides into Jerusalem as the crowd sings a psalm. What did they sing and what did it mean? Let’...
Why did the priests want to kill Lazarus? | September 5, 2025
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The priests made a decision to try to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus. Why did they do that? Let’s f...
Was Jesus concerned about the poor? | September 4, 2025
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet, he says something that makes it look like he wasn’t concerned ab...
The parable of faithfulness | September 3, 2025
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells a parable that he’s told before, but he changes it in strange ways, including a massac...
How much did Zacchaeus have to repay? | September 2, 2025
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Zacchaeus promised Jesus to repay four times what he had stolen from others. So how much did he have...
Did Jesus really not know what the blind man wanted? | September 1, 2025
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A blind man calls out to Jesus, who stops and calls him. When he stumbles his way to Jesus, Jesus as...
What are the servant songs? | August 31, 2025
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Isaiah has four servant songs about the Messiah as a servant. What are they? Let’s find out togeth...
Did the Old Testament prophesy about Jesus’ suffering? | August 30, 2025
30 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells his disciples a third time that he will suffer, die and be resurrected. Did they expect ...
Did the high priest prophesy? | August 29, 2025
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John comments that Caiaphas, the high priest when Jesus was condemned, prophesied. Did the high prie...
Lazarus walks out of his tomb! | August 28, 2025
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus calls Lazarus and he walks out of his own tomb. How did Jesus have power over death itself? Le...
Why did Jesus weep? | August 27, 2025
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus wept, even though he was about to raise Lazarus back to life. Why would Go...
“I am the resurrection and the life!” | August 26, 2025
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus makes a sweeping claim to be life itself, and to have power over death. Where did that stateme...
Why did Jesus say there are twelve hours in the day? | August 25, 2025
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When he was talking about Lazarus’ death, he said, “There are twelve hours in the day.” What d...
Can we praise God in the middle of problems? | August 24, 2025
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lazarus died, and Jesus said that was so we could praise God. How is it possible to praise God in th...
Is God fair? | August 23, 2025
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells a parable that any of us would say was unfair. Is God unfair? Let’s find out together ...
What if we’re persecuted? | August 22, 2025
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus talks about going through persecution. What happens to us if we do? Let’s find out together ...
Are all things possible for God? | August 21, 2025
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says all things are possible for God. Is that really true? Let’s find out together as we rea...
Do we have to sell all we own to follow Jesus? | August 20, 2025
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells the rich young man to sell everything he owns, then follow Jesus. Do we have to do that ...
What does it mean to become like a child? | August 19, 2025
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus says to enter God’s kingdom, we must become like a child. What does that mean? Let’s find ...
What did Jesus say about divorce? | August 18, 2025
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus makes some very direct statements about divorce. How should we understand that? Let’s find o...
Did Jesus claim to be God? | August 17, 2025
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus claims to be one with God, and the Jews tried to stone him for blasphemy. Let’s find out tog...
The Good Shepherd | August 16, 2025
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus calls himself the good shepherd. Was that significant? Let’s find out together as we read Jo...