“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 […]
At the beginning of Chapter 6 (“Jesus Was Not a Great Man”) of Who is This Man?, author John Ortberg cites the following observation by Georgetown University professor Francis Ambrosio regarding two ways to think about a meaningful life: (1) the way of the hero and (2) the way of the saint. The Greeks and […]
“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? […]