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One of the somewhat confusing issues in studying the gospels is the rationale for Jesus' baptism. In fact, this issue was hotly debated and widely written about in the early church. The question goes like this, "If John's baptism was a sign of repentance, then why would Jesus, who is described as sinless, undergo baptism?" …
Continue reading "Why Was Jesus Baptized?: insights from Theodore of Mopsuestia"
John the Baptist’s preaching and baptisms occurred in the wilderness of Judea at the Jordan River near the Spring near Salim (John 3:23). The wilderness was an evocative place in the imagination of the Jewish people. It likely brought immediate memory of the Exodus. The wilderness was both the place between slavery and promise, but …
Continue reading "A Call to the Wilderness: What We Need to Hear from John the Baptist Today"
While studying for my message at Eastbrook from this past weekend, "The Voice of One Calling Out," I came across these words by an anonymous church father from homily 3 of an incomplete work on Matthew that I found both illuminating and challenging. They are a commentary on the final words from John the Baptist's …
Continue reading "The Threshing Floor: a word from an early church leader"
Titian, Flight into Egypt; Oil on canvas; c. 1508. While studying for my message at Eastbrook from this past weekend, "Refugee Messiah," I came across these words by St. John Chrysostom from homily 8.2 on the Gospel of Matthew that were very encouraging in these days. But why was the Christ child sent into Egypt? …
Continue reading "Don’t be Troubled by Dangers: an exhortation from John Chrysostom"
"and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene." (Matthew 2:23) When Herod the Great died there was great confusion about what should happen because he had drafted several wills, many of which were in conflict with one …
Continue reading "The Nobody Messiah: Jesus of Nazareth and Messianic Expectations"
Matthew Erickson 