As John Ortberg begins Chapter 14 (“Saturday”) of Who is This Man?, he theorizes that there has been only one day in the last 2000+ years when no one believed Jesus was alive- the Saturday following Good Friday. The author poignantly describes that day: “This is Saturday. The day after this but the day before […]
John Ortberg begins Chapter 13 (“Friday”) of Who is This Man? by noting that Jesus’ death is central to His story in an unusual way. The story of Jesus’ death takes up about one-third of each Gospel, in comparison to biographies of famous people like Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King, Jr., where their assassinations […]
“My times are in your hands.” -Psalm 31: 15 As John Ortberg continues in Chapter 10 of Who is This Man?, he reiterates that for a long time suffering was the church’s biggest problem. By the end of the fourth century, however, Christianity was the law of the land in Rome. Christianity’s phenomenal growth ironically […]
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” -Mark 9: 24 In Chapter 10 of Who is This Man?, author John Ortberg states that Rome- and the ancient world in general- could not make sense of or categorize Christianity. By Roman definition, religions were associated with cities and regions, so Christianity was not recognized as a […]
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” -Matthew 5: 8 John Ortberg begins Chapter 9 (The Good Life vs. The Good Person”) of Who is This Man? by stating that two questions usually are posed about worthwhile living: (1) “Who has the good life?” and (2) “Who is a good person?” He […]
As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 8 of Who is This Man?, he asserts that as Christians we need to remember that the first thing that “belongs to God” is the obligation to love. The early Christian church flourished despite the intense persecution of the Roman emperor, Nero. Paul told the church in Rome to pray […]
In Chapter 8 (“There Are Things That Are Not Caesar’s”) of Who is This Man?, John Ortberg states that due to Roman occupation and oppression, the longing of the Jewish people in Jesus’ day was for the kingdom of God to be brought to earth. The question was “How” this would happen. Pastor Ortberg lists […]
John Ortberg concludes Chapter 7 of Who is This Man? by revisiting and expanding on a story that introduced the chapter. In the beginning of the chapter, Pastor Ortberg was about to interview Mary and Oshea, who were next door neighbors, on the topic of forgiveness. The only other information we were privy to was […]
As Pastor John Ortberg continues his discussion of “the other side” in Chapter 7 of Who is This Man?, he states that Jesus doesn’t break down categories into us and them. Rather, the categories are prefect and not perfect, holy and sinful. In other words, all of us are on the same side: the wrong side! […]
“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” -Pogo Possum Pastor John Ortberg continues his discussion of Jesus’ command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5: 44) in Chapter 7 of Who is This Man? by noting that this teaching of Jesus is quite possibly the most famous […]
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you . . . ” -Matthew 5: 43-44 In Chapter 7 (“Help Your Friends: Punish Your Enemies”) of Who is This Man?, Pastor John Ortberg states that Jesus […]
“Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20: 26-28 In Chapter 6 of Who […]