Jesus

The power to name and be named is, in Scripture, uniquely granted to image bearers. Scripture is full of examples of naming children, family members, friends, lovers, enemies, and self. Today, we approach language, particularly names and pronouns, with the assumption that we, and we alone, have a right to define our own reality. This ignores how much of the world is given to us, including the relationships into which we are born and that make up much of who we will become. Identity, in other words, is not “constructed.” It is, at least to a significant degree, received. For the vast majority of people, a name is the second gift their parents will ever give them, second only to life itself.

Jesus died for our sins as an adult. He did nearly everything we know of his earthly life as an adult: healing the sick, raising the dead, walking on water, and calming storms. In fact, except for one episode when he was twelve (Luke 2:41-51), we have nothing in the gospels about Jesus’ life from his birth to the beginning of his adult ministry.

If he did nothing else as a baby, child, or teenager that needed to be recorded in Scripture, why did he come as a baby who then experienced life as a child and a teenager before becoming an adult? Why did he not simply appear as the adult we see in his earthly ministry?

Three-quarters of U.S. adults believe the nation has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, according to a new survey that examined Americans’ attitudes on everything from holiday songs to Christmas decorations.

A research student at the University of Cambridge left worshippers “in tears” after he made a presentation claiming the wound on Jesus’ side in paintings of the crucifixion from the Renaissance and Medieval eras could indicate that he was transgender.

When Jesus left this earth, He promised that He would return one day and take us to live with Him in His heavenly Kingdom. We are living now in the Church Age, and regardless of what you believe about specific eschatology of the end times, all Christians can agree that Christ is coming back and we are called to be ready and walking the straight and narrow path so that He may tell us "well done, good and faithful, servant" on that glorious day when we meet Him face to face.

Here are eight things you can do as you seek to cultivate a life centered on Christ, eagerly awaiting His return.

A stolen relic in France that is said to contain the blood of Christ has been returned after the thieves apparently grew fearful of keeping such a revered object.

The State of the Bible 2022 released its findings recently, revealing that about 40 percent of Generation Z believe that Jesus was a human and sinned like other humans when he lived on earth.

Easter is quickly approaching and many of us are turning our thoughts toward the Resurrection of Christ.

Easter is a time to rejoice in such a central tenet of the Christian faith. Easter is also a good time to ponder the truth of Christianity more deeply, and specifically look at the evidence for Christ's Resurrection.

It is so important as a Christian to be assured of the truth of the Resurrection because as the Apostle Paul states, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (I Corinthians 15:13-14).

To that end, here are four pieces of evidence to show that Christ truly did rise from the dead and we have much to rejoice about this Easter.

Photo courtesy: ©GettyImages/Boonyachoat

Sometimes we become so wrapped up with celebrating Christmas that we forget to share the Christ of Christmas. Christmas is for celebrating, but Christ is for sharing. What can we do to proclaim the message of Jesus? How can we find our shepherd’s voice?

Christmas proves that the creator and ruler of the universe (Colossians 1:16) is aptly called “Immanuel,” a name which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). If you need forgiveness, you can go to your crucified Savior. If you need healing, you can go to your Great Physician. If you are facing temptation, you can go to your sinless High Priest. If your circumstances are difficult, you can go to the manger-born Child of Christmas.