Author: David Ellis

Don: In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus contrasted the action of the Samaritan with the inaction of the priest and the Levite. All priests are Levites, but not all Levites are priests. The priests were direct descendants of Moses’ brother Aaron and were given specific duties in administering sanctuary services. Levites who were…

Don: Two people asked Jesus the question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The first was the Rich Young Ruler, whom we discussed last week. The second was a “lawyer”: And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said…

And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he said to Him,…

Don: What was Jesus trying to help us understand when he talked about the need to be childlike? Like the sinners, tax collectors, women, gentiles, and Samaritans with whom Jesus associated, children were held in low regard by society at that time and as little more than a nuisance—even by the disciples: Then some children…

Don: Jesus’ statement: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6) was a mission statement. It is an overarching affirmation of the Trinitarian God: God the Father, who is embodied by the Truth; God the Holy Spirit, which is the Way; and…

Don: Jesus expanded on the concept that the big T Truth is to be found in him (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”) when he said: “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”…

Don: The story of the adulteress was a trial not just of the woman, who represents all of us sinners, but also of the Mosaic law, which represents “small t truth.” Jesus addressed the woman’s case directly, but he addressed the issue of the law only indirectly, by trumping it with grace. This is the…

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You…

Don: The Truth personified in Jesus is a living, vital, transforming Truth: So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is…