Jesus forgives the paralytic's sin and heals his affliction. The rabbis taught that a man could not be healed until he was forgiven. But Jesus uses their own teaching against them. He heals the lame and thus proves his authority to forgive sins. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Jesus makes lepers clean, which becomes a testimony to the priests. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Miriam was a living, breathing sermon about the Lord's judgment upon the disobedient. And all lepers were symbolic living reminders to everyone about the price of disobedience paid by Miriam. Though the lepers may have been as righteous as the next man, they bore this burden of being a living rebuke to the ungodly. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.c…

If you think Jesus healing lepers was only about healing a disease you are missing the spiritual symbolism. The place to begin is not in the Gospels with Jesus healing lepers, but in the Old Testament with leprosy as divine judgment upon sinners. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Good and bad shepherding. What kind of shepherd are you? Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Isaiah was sent to preach repentance and judgment to Judah. But even with such gloom and doom, Isaiah has been dubbed the Good News Prophet. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Blessed is the man, for he is like a tree planted by rivers of water! (Psalms 1) Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Listen Guyana: The world is coming to your shores. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

The synagogue at Nazareth was perplexed that Jesus performed spectacular miracles in Capernaum, but not in Nazareth. The miracles of Elijah and Elisha helped a Gentile widow and leper. But Jews were excluded from because of unbelief. The Gentile widow and the Syrian leper were more noble than the Jews in Nazareth. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.co…

In his Nazareth sermon, Jesus is begins his ministry by fulfilling his role reflected in the name of God found in Micah: The Breaker. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Jesus was warmly welcomed in Galilee upon his return from the Passover in Judea because they had seen the miracles he had performed in Jerusalem. But still, they did not believe in him. The Jews are in stark contrast to the Samaritans who declared that Jesus is the Savior of the world. How can Jesus rebuke the Jews for not believing unless he shows…

When Jesus offered the Samaritan woman spiritual water, the topic changed to her marriage and then questions about the place of true worship: Mt. Gerizim or Mt. Moriah? The Samaritan temple or the Jewish temple. Jesus answered her question, but then noted that the question really did not matter. Things were changing and the Father now sought worshi…

By Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Jesus purified the corrupt temple at the beginning of his ministry, and again at the end. He was dealing with a long history of temple corruption and greed, returning the temple to its true function as a place of mercy from God and praise from the people. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

Why did Jesus turn water to wine if his "hour had not yet come?" Did he deviate from the will of his Father in order to bow to the wishes of Mary? The key is found in the Wedding and Wine symbology of the Old Testament and confirmed by Jesus in his teachings and sayings. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…

Jesus returned from his temptations and John revealed him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Enough to draw his first five disciples unto himself. The invitation was not "Follow me," but "Come and See. A common rabbinic expression. What began as a trickle of two disciples grew into the crush of the crowds and people forcing the…

The final test for Jesus was the temptation to test God. "Throw yourself down. The angels will protect you." Jesus is so devoted to following the scriptures that the Devil challenges him to follow the promise in Psalm 91 that the angles will protect him. Jesus recognized the ruse and overcame the last temptation. The Devil uses the same tactic on i…

The Devil offered Jesus a shortcut to glory: Bow down and worship me. I will give you all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus refused, only worshiping God. In the end Jesus will receive the glory from the Father. The tables will be turned and the Devil will bow down before Jesus. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…

Jesusˇ first temptation mirrors the first temptation of the Jews in the desert: hunger. In both the devotion of Godˇs son is being tested. But there is some more at stake with Jesus than a question of his devotion. There is the question of his inheritance from the father. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…

The temptation of Jesus in the desert holds many important gems of truth. Reflecting on his temptations and his sinless life teach us important lessons about our own temptations and guilt. (Luke 4:1-13) Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

The glory of Jesus’ baptism was not followed by another glorious event, but by the humiliation of testing and temptation. Jesus’ encounter with the devil was just the opposite of what the rabbis expected, and it hold an important lesson for us. Luke 4:1-13. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.A., M.Div.

The short narrative of the baptism of Jesus has many different layers. Jesus being obedient to the commandment to be baptized, though he was sinless. The presence of all three members of the trinity. And Jesus mission to take away the sin of the world. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.Div.

The Messiah would have a two-fold mission of deliverance and vengeance. The coming Messiah’s vengeance was celebrated as a blessing, alongside healing for the blind, deaf and lame. But John’s preaching turned their world inside out. (Luke 3:7-17) Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.Div.

Where repentance goes, acts of mercy follow close behind. As the gospel spread from city to city and nation to nation, repentance followed. Mercy always follows very closely behind repentance. The progressive spread of mercy can be traced from the Jews to the Samaritans and to the Gentiles. And even into the second century. Rick Walker rickthewalke…

Johnˇs fiery preaching on repentance and baptism to escape judgment resonated with multitudes of Jews, which had not had a preaching prophet in 400 years. His preaching was not only the starting point for the gospel, but had foundational elements which carried over into the preaching of the apostles in Acts. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…

Solomonˇs temple was glorious beyond compare, Haggai prophesied that the glory of Zerubbabelˇs temple would greater. Its greater glory would not come from the wealth poured into it, but through the "Desire of Nations" who would come. Церква Христова на Виноградарі Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive…

The Jews fully expected the Messiah to appear in the temple. He appeared as a baby to be redeemed, and he appeared at the age of twelve to talk with the teachers of the law. It was prophesied by Malachi and fulfilled by Jesus many times over. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.Div.

Israel was called out of Egypt to be a light to the world. But Israel failed. Jesus was sent to Egypt as an infant and called back out to be the light that God had promised. Though Israel failed, God's promise was fulfilled by Jesus, God's true son. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker, M.Div.

The story of the wise men is full of mystery. The mystery of Gentiles coming to worship Jesus; the mystery of the star; and the mystery of prophecy. Церква Христова на Виноградарі Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…

The humiliation of Jesus in being redeemed at the temple is followed by his glorification by Simeon and Anna. (Luke 2:22-40) Redeemed. Grandson of rabbi presented on silver platter and redeemed. Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Христова на Виноградарі Київ, вул. Сергія Данченка, 22. Сергій Саєнко, служитель (050) 591-9534. Дмитро Тимошенко…

The symbolism of the nativity brings us to the bread of life. Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Христова на Виноградарі Київ, вул. Сергія Данченка, 22. Сергій Саєнко, служитель (050) 591-9534. Дмитро Тимошенко, служитель для молоді (066) 044-1186 Адрес церкви: Киев, ул. Сергея Данченко, 22. Адрес электронной почты vinogradarchurch@gmail.com…

It was the settled conviction of the rabbis that the Messiah would be revealed at the Tower of the Flock near Bethlehem. This location is highly symbolic of Jesus as the Lamb of God. Alfred Edersheim. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Христова на Виноградарі Київ, вул. Сергія Данченка, 22. Сергій Сає…

Joseph and Maryˇs journey to the Tower of the Flock in Bethlehem was prophesied by Micah. But it was the census of Quirinius that drove them there. Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Христова на Виноградарі Київ, вул. Сергія Данченка, 22. Сергій Саєнко, служитель (050) 591-9534. Дмитро Тимошенко, служитель для молоді (066) 044-1186 Адрес цер…

Zechariahs song celebrates the knowledge of salvation, the horn of salvation, and the rising sun from heaven with healing in its rays. Церква Христова на Виноградарі Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…

The hand of the Lord was with John even in his infancy. Through the miracles surrounding his infancy, the Lord was already pointing the people to the prophet who came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Христова на Виноградарі Київ, вул. Сергія Данченка, 22. Сергій Саєнко, служитель (050) 591-9534. Дмитро Ти…

Marys Song, The Magnificat extends mercy to all men in every generation who fear God. Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Христова на Виноградарі Київ, вул. Сергія Данченка, 22. Сергій Саєнко, служитель (050) 591-9534. Дмитро Тимошенко, служитель для молоді (066) 044-1186 Адрес церкви: Киев, ул. Сергея Данченко, 22. Адрес электронной почты vi…

Mary was terrified by Gabriel's greeting. Not by the angel himself, but by the greeting! Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Христова на Виноградарі Київ, вул. Сергія Данченка, 22. Сергій Саєнко, служитель (050) 591-9534. Дмитро Тимошенко, служитель для молоді (066) 044-1186 Адрес церкви: Киев, ул. Сергея Данченко, 22. Адрес электронной почты…

Zechariah was a blameless priest whose prayer for a son was answered while he was serving in the temple. Zechariah's blameless life, and his son who will have the spirit and power of Elijah, are fulfillments of the Lord's commands and promises in Malachi 4:4-6: the last three verses of the Old Testament. Google Maps directions GOOGLE MAPS Церква Хр…

King Herod died a horrific death! And in his waning days, he executed rabbis, family members, and planned the execution of others. Herod was wicked to the very end! Церква Христова на Виноградарі Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmai…

King Herod was both great and wicked. What made him great? And what did he do that made him wicked. Explores his family relations. Церква Христова на Виноградарі Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…

Sir William Ramsay was skeptical of the historical accuracy of Acts. He was also a historian, archaeologist, expert in Greek classical literature, and New Testament. He was a scholar of the highest rank. After spending his lifetime investigating Luke's historical accuracy, he came to a different point of view. Truly, a fascinating story. LESSON LIN…

Luke had some unique obstacles in writing his Gospel which the others writers did not. He overcame through investigative journalism. Luke has unique material which fills in important gaps in the other Gospels. A lot of unique teaching and ministry events. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.comBy Rick Walker

Why did Luke address the Gospel to this man, and who was he? Internal evidence suggest that he may have been Luke's patron or a Roman government official. Who was this man? Церква Христова на Виноградарі Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Rick Walker rickthewal…

Luke was not just a historian, but Paul's companion and fellow missionary. His work as a historian and fellow worker with Paul is verified by Irenaeus. Follow Luke and Paul through their work in Acts and beyond, culminating with Paul's martyrdom in Rome. Luke stood with Paul to the very end. Rick Walker rickthewalker@gmail.com…