Category Archives: Bible

Zechariah’s Song

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Don Merritt

Luke 1:67-80 At some point after Mary’s song, it was Zechariah’s turn. His was a prophetic song and though it was primarily about his son, it also included elemental references to the Messiah he would serve… And you, my child, … Continue reading →

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Mary has a Visitor

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Don Merritt

Luke 1:26-38 Six months after Elizabeth became pregnant; the angel Gabriel pays a visit to Mary in Nazareth: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Have you ever read legal notices in the newspaper? Years ago … Continue reading →

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The Birth of John is Foretold

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Don Merritt

Luke 1:5-25 Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were old and well beyond child bearing; they had no children and no hope of ever having children. He was a priest at the Temple, and she was something of a disgrace for … Continue reading →

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Another View of the Christmas Story

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Don Merritt

We’ve looked at the Christmas Story from an unconventional angle by seeing through the lens of Father Abraham, and now we come in this final week leading up to Christmas, to the more traditional story from the Gospel of Luke. … Continue reading →

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I AM the Gate

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Don Merritt

John 10:1-18 Introduction This passage is figurative. (John 10:6) There are 8 components of the extended metaphor in this section: The shepherd is the caretaker and owner of the sheep. The sheep (flock) are the animals that the shepherd loves … Continue reading →

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Matthew’s Interesting Use of Isaiah 7:14

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Don Merritt

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 As a Christian reading this verse as translated in the NIV, and then seeing Matthew’s reference to it in … Continue reading →

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The Shoot from the Stump of Jesse

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Don Merritt

Isaiah 11:1-16 Chapter 11 is the beginning of the concluding portion of the first section within the Book of Isaiah which runs from chapter one through chapter twelve. Here, the prophet takes a victorious view of better days ahead to … Continue reading →

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The Faith of Joseph

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 1:18-25 This scene explains the ambiguity that we found in 1:16 regarding the father of Jesus, and I’m sure you will recall our discussion of that from last time. Joseph was betrothed to Mary, which in that place and … Continue reading →

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Conclusions

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Don Merritt

I’ll confess to you right here and now that when I sit down to read the Bible, I skip the genealogies, but when I sit down to study the Bible, I look for genealogies. For many who casually read the … Continue reading →

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:6-17

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew continues his genealogy as he moves from the first group of 14 names to the next. The first group culminates in King David, that glorious figure who is “a man after God’s own heart”, with whom God made a … Continue reading →

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