“Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” -Matthew 22: 36-37 Pastor John Ortberg notes that in Matthew’s version of the above statement by Jesus, He makes a “profound emendation” (changing strength to […]
Pastor John Ortberg begins Chapter 5 (“An Undistinguished Visiting Scholar”) of Who is This Man? by discussing Luke’s account of “Jesus Rejected at Nazareth” (Luke 4: 14-30). The author points out that this is when Jesus signaled his career change from carpenter to rabbi. After Jesus entered the synagogue, he stood up to read a passage […]
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd cried out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” -Luke 11: 27-28 Pastor John Ortberg tells us in Chapter 4 of Who is This Man? […]
“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. . . . So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you […]
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” -Galatians 3: 26-28 Pastor John Ortberg concludes Chapter 3 of Who […]
The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” -Matthew 25: 40 As John Ortberg concludes his discussion of Luke 14: 1-13 in Chapter 3 of Who is This Man?, he notes that Jesus’ advice to invite the […]
John Ortberg begins Chapter 3 (“A Revolution in Humanity”) of Who is This Man? by observing that Jesus could be a very irritating person to be around. This comment is particularly noteworthy because compassion probably is Jesus’ best known quality. Referencing Luke’s account of Jesus’ invitation to eat at the house of a prominent Pharisee […]
” . . . unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 18: 3-4 In Chapter 2 of Who is This Man? author John Ortberg comments that, in the ancient world, ordinary […]
At the beginning of Chapter 2 (“The Collapse of Dignity”) of Who is This Man?, author John Ortberg contrasts Jesus with King Herod, who from our perspective certainly was the most villainous person at the time of Jesus’ birth. King Herod 1. To an ancient reader, the picture or epitome of greatness 2. Given the title […]
In Chapter 1 of Who is This Man? Pastor John Ortberg describes Jesus’ impact on the ancient world. While the people of Jesus’ time scorned humility, humility became enshrined on a cross and eventually championed as a virtue. Enemies, once seen as worthy of vengeance, now were worthy of love. Forgiveness, once perceived as an […]
“I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ “- Acts 26: 13-14 As John […]
In Chapter 1 (“The Man Who Won’t Go Away”) of Who is This Man?, author and Presbyterian minister John Ortberg contrasts Jesus’ influence in His own time with His modern impact on the world. Pastor Ortberg notes that the day following Jesus’ death, it appeared to His followers that whatever small mark Jesus had left […]